japanese-restaurants-in-london

Find Your Perfect Meal at the 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in London

  • Authenticity of Flavours: I look fored traditional cooking methods and high-quality ingredients. A menu that honours its roots usually makes for a better meal.
  • Atmosphere and Service: I checked that the dining space matches the style of food. Friendly and attentive staff can turn an average meal into a memorable evening.
  • Value for Money: I weighed portion sizes and quality against the final bill. High prices are only fine if the experience justifies the cost.
  • Menu Variety: I wanted menus where everyone at the table finds something they enjoy. Options for different dietary needs mattered a lot too.

Finding the best Japanese restaurant in London can feel overwhelming. Some nights call for a lively izakaya and others for a quiet omakase dinner.

I’ve eaten my way through plenty of sushi rolls and bowls of ramen. That helped me narrow down the choices.

Below are the spots that stand out for every craving and budget. Each one has something special to offer.

How much does Japanese food cost in London?

Japanese food in London typically costs between £10 for casual bites and £420+ for ultra-luxury omakase.

Dining StylePrice Range (per person)What You Get
Budget & Casual£10 – £25Quick-service ramen, bento boxes, curry katsu, or simple noodle bowls
Mid-Range£25 – £60Sit-down comfort food, izakaya small plates, or casual teppanyaki
Upscale & Fine Dining£65 – £120+Theatrical cooking, premium wagyu, or multi-course omakase menus

1. Kizana

kizana

Website: https://kizana.co.uk/

Address: 214 Battersea Park Road, Wandsworth, SW11 4ND

Contact: 020 3832 8790 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday, Closed | Tuesday-Thursday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Friday-Saturday, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Sunday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Kizana in Wandsworth offers a 100% halal-certified Japanese menu. They buy their high-quality meats from the halal butcher next door.

The vibe is relaxed and casual. They focus on beautifully crafted sushi prepared by an expert chef.

I recently stopped by for dinner. Their chicken gyoza and spicy edamame completely blew me away.

It’s great to find a spot that caters to dietary needs without losing authentic taste. 

They also take 10% off pick-up orders from Tuesday to Thursday.

Their schedule takes some planning. They’re closed on Mondays. Service from Tuesday to Thursday doesn’t start until 5:00 PM, so there’s no midweek lunch.

Pros

  • 100% halal-certified menu
  • Expertly prepared sushi
  • 10% discount on weekday pick-ups
  • Casual and relaxed dining atmosphere

Cons

  • Closed entirely on Mondays
  • No lunch service Tuesday to Thursday

Customer Reviews

What an absolutely outstanding dining experience at Japanese Fusion!

What an absolutely outstanding dining experience at Japanese Fusion!

From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Rency, who took our order, was warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the evening. Her recommendations and attention to detail elevated the entire experience.

Oscar Day | Google Review

Will certainly be back.

Came on a Saturday afternoon and was not crowded. Service was good and welcoming. The nigiri sushi platter was great with wide variety. Highly recommend the Kizana roll. The salmon sashimi was fresh and generous portioned. Will certainly be back.

Lionel Tan | Google Review

2. Maru London

maru-london

Website: https://www.marulondon.com/

Address: 18 Shepherds Market, Mayfair, W1J 7QH

Contact: [email protected] 

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Saturday, 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Sunday-Tuesday, Closed

Maru London delivers an intimate chef-led experience in Mayfair. They focus strictly on traditional and innovative omakase.

The chefs craft personalised meals with seasonal ingredients. They follow the Japanese principle of Omotenashi in every detail of your visit.

You sit at the counter and watch the chefs prepare and serve each course themselves.

That makes every meal feel like a private performance. It puts Maru among the restaurants in London worth planning a special night around.

Flexibility is limited here, though. Their set tasting format doesn’t allow ordering à la carte. They’re also closed from Sunday through Tuesday, so you’ll need to plan well ahead.

Pros

  • Authentic omakase tasting menu
  • Intimate chef-led counter seating
  • Premium seasonal ingredients
  • Unique “MARU at Home” service

Cons

  • Closed Sunday through Tuesday
  • No à la carte ordering options

Customer Reviews

Absolutely loved Maru.

Absolutely loved Maru. The omakase is excellent!! It’s beautifully balanced, generous, and thoughtfully put together. I especially loved how much tuna featured across the menu, every piece was spot on.

My favourite was the box where there was a tuna roll 3 ways, brill and Wagyu, flavours were so well balanced and so well thought out!

Kai | Google Review

The whole dining experience was exceptional.

I had an amazing omakase experience at Maru London. The 19-course menu was absolutely delicious — every dish was beautifully crafted, and you really do leave feeling full and satisfied. The whole dining experience was exceptional.

JessicaMsy | Google Review

3. Sanjugo Shoreditch

sanjugo-shoreditch

Website: https://sanjugo.co.uk/shoreditch/

Address: 13-15 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EJ

Contact: 020 4597 8055

Hours: Monday-Friday, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Saturday-Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Sanjugo Shoreditch captures the lively spirit of a traditional izakaya in a modern East London setting. The vibe is laid-back but vibrant, which suits a night out with friends.

Here, you can enjoy premium sake and beautifully crafted sashimi. The menu also features comforting small plates like chicken yakitori and fried dumplings. 

I couldn’t get enough of their tofu steak when I visited last month. The sesame dressing was incredibly fresh and flavourful.

They also offer a handy takeaway service. Private dining options are available for special events.

Plan around their split service, though. The restaurant closes between lunch and dinner. 

The casual izakaya format may also disappoint diners who want a more formal meal.

Pros

  • Vibrant izakaya atmosphere
  • Excellent premium sake selection
  • Handy takeaway service available
  • Tasty variety of small plates

Cons

  • Split lunch and dinner service
  • Casual style deters formal diners

Customer Reviews

All the staff were very pleasant, can not fault the service!

Some of the best Katsu & sushi we have had! We had the Chicken donburi, super donburi, spicy tuna roll and wagyu gunkan 🔥 all amazing! 🤤 the wagyu was so worth it! All the staff were very pleasant, can not fault the service!

Samantha Weir | Google Review

Love the cosy & intimate vibe

Don’t listen to any negative reviews. Just arrived in London and this place was within walking distance from our hotel. Everyone is so nice, and the food is fresh and delicious. We live in Miami & NY and have to say this place is one we would definitely return to. You feel catered to, acknowledged, and appreciated. Love the cosy & intimate vibe.

Blonde Girl Aesthetics | Google Review

4. Kanpai Classic Soho

kanpai-classic-soho

Website: https://www.kanpaiclassic.co.uk/

Address: 147-149 Wardour Street, W1F 8WD

Contact: 020 3893 3933 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Friday, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 12:00 AM | Saturday, 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Sunday, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Kanpai Classic in Soho grills high-quality Japanese wagyu right at your table. Watching the experts craft your meal tableside makes it a truly luxurious signature experience.

They pair the premium cuts with refined sake and whisky. The pairings enhance the rich flavours of each dish.

The menu includes extravagant options like wagyu steak tartare and fisherman’s oysters. It’s a good fit for a special anniversary or a corporate dinner.

You can also book bespoke dining sessions for a more exclusive feel.

Big groups should note the limits, though. Their private dining room fits only eight guests, so plan ahead. 

They also pause service in the late afternoon on weekdays.

Pros

  • Tableside wagyu grilling
  • Premium sake and whisky pairings
  • Luxurious, high-end menu options
  • Perfect for client entertainment

Cons

  • Private room fits only 8 guests
  • Split weekday service hours

Customer Reviews

A special thank you to Harsh Agicha for his outstanding service.

A special thank you to Harsh Agicha for his outstanding service. He was very attentive and professional throughout the evening. While grilling the wagyu for us, he took the time to explain the different cuts of beef, their characteristics, and the best way to enjoy each one. His detailed explanations made the experience much more enjoyable and memorable.

Hei Yi Chan | Google Review

Highly recommended!

We had the tasting menu, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Every course was beautifully presented, full of flavor, and showcased great attention to detail. The portions were well balanced, and each dish brought something different to the table. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service was excellent throughout the evening. We left impressed and would definitely return the next time we’re in London. Highly recommended!

Yevgeny Vornik | Google Review

5. Uzumaki London

uzumaki-london

Website: https://www.uzumakilondon.com/

Address: 107 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NA

Contact: 020 8058 2762 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday, Closed | Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday, 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM | Friday-Saturday, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Uzumaki London brings your favourite shows to life with an immersive anime-themed dining experience in Central London. Here, vibrant decor inspired by popular anime hits surrounds you.

The menu is packed with creatively named dishes. They also make carefully handcrafted mocktails that fit the theme perfectly.

You can enjoy hearty bowls of tonkotsu ramen and sweet bubble tea. They even serve halal beef and chicken ramen, so more fans can join in on the fun.

The theme isn’t for everyone, though. The anime aesthetic will likely put off anyone looking for a traditional or quiet meal.

They also close on Mondays.

Pros

  • Immersive anime-themed decor
  • Delicious halal ramen options
  • Creative handcrafted mocktails
  • Great selection of bubble tea

Cons

  • Closed entirely on Mondays
  • Anime aesthetic could deter some diners

Customer Reviews

Came here for my birthday, it was amazing.

Came here for my birthday, it was amazing. As someone who has loved anime, especialy Naruto for a long time, this was amazing. The artwork was some of the best I have ever seen, staff was nice and food was pretty good. I loved the Will of Fire (from Naruto) mocktail and the takoyaki octopus balls. They even gave me a gift and a lollipop as a present for my birthday!

Amari | Google Review

We were pleasantly surprised by how tasty the food actually was here!

We were pleasantly surprised by how tasty the food actually was here! The ramen was good and so was my mocktail. I was really, really pleased with the servers here, it actually looked like they enjoyed their jobs. Very professional and friendly! This place is definitely a place to go with your friends or a date if they enjoy anime. I recommend!!

Jessica Hy-Lach | Google Review

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