The Sharp Rise Of Japanese Restaurants In London
A cultural wave is sweeping through the capital, inspiring a new generation of eateries that combine time-honored techniques with creative flair, offering diners an unforgettable experience.
May 13, 20259.9K Shares157.8K Views
Tamas Naszai and Tomoko Hasegawa have been running the Roji restaurant in Mayfair for the last two years, but for a short time, Roji closed its doors. Now it seems we know the reason why, as the chefs have launched a new restaurant in Carnaby.
In other news, a wood-fired Japanese restaurant is also now open, with Daisuke Shimoyama leading the project. They have plans to host bluefin tuna nights, showing how currently, there is a sharp rise in new Japanese restaurants opening in the UK’s capital.
The Positive Trend Of Interest In Japanese Culture
As London is one of the most diverse capitals in the world, the Japanese food trend we are seeing makes perfect sense. Media is also helping to draw attention to Japan as a whole, with shows like Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman promoting a range of impressive Japanese desserts.
In other forms of media, Japanese fiction now accounts for 40% of translated literature in the UK, showing how widespread its influence is. You also have games, like the Pixel Samurai slot game. This title is Japanese-themed and pays homage to the 80s.
With other titles that include Silent Samurai and Rise of Samurai 3 also proving popular with gamers, it’s clear to see that Japan has a huge influence on modern media. As a result of this spike of interest, Japanese food, in particular ramen, sushi and izakaya-style dining, has been increasing in popularity too, which has provided residents of London with some valuable business opportunities.
New Restaurants Set To Open In 2025
Daisuke Shimoyama has officially opened his restaurant in The Stratford Hotel. The restaurant is set to take the space that was once occupied by Patrick Powell’s Allegra. Kokin follows Shimoyama’s other restaurant, Hannah, which is also in London.
Another restaurant, Himi, which roughly translates to “taste of Japan” has also opened on Newburgh Street. It’s modelled after Tokyo neo-izakayas, meaning that you can expect to see more modern interpretations, with a laid-back atmosphere.
The chefs can also work outside the omakase setting, which gives them much more freedom overall. Some of the dishes you can expect to see when visiting Himi, include duck dashi as well as chicken kara-age. By using a combination of open-flame cooking, they are going to be putting a big focus on seasonal ingredients. They are also going to be taking a lot of inspiration from Roji, another Japanese restaurant in London.
This has 10 seats only to try and keep the experience intimate, while showcasing the skills and prowess of the chefs. Yuta Fujii, a sommelier who specializes in sake, is going to be working there, with exclusive beverages imported from Kimijimaya in Yokohama.
With so many Japanese restaurants opening in London, it’s safe to say that there is so much potential for business owners in the area, and the rise of interest in Japan as a whole, combined with London’s diverse food scene, helps to provide the perfect setting. The two restaurants mentioned are now open and taking orders, but due to high demand, it may be some time before you can get a table.
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