9 Japanese Restaurants in London That Are Actually Worth Visiting
London is one of the few cities outside Japan where you can enjoy everything from a quick bowl of authentic ramen to an unforgettable Michelin-starred omakase. Walk through Soho, Mayfair, Fitzrovia or Covent Garden, and you'll find Japanese restaurants on almost every corner. But while choice is never a problem, finding places that genuinely live up to the hype is another story.
Some restaurants are famous for their beautifully crafted sushi, others for smoky robata grills or comforting handmade udon, while a handful have become destinations that food lovers travel across the city to experience.
If you're wondering where to enjoy authentic Japanese food in London, these are nine restaurants that consistently impress locals, visitors and critics alike.
1. Sushi Tetsu – London's Most Exclusive Sushi Experience
Hidden away on a quiet street in Clerkenwell, Sushi Tetsu is one of London's smallest—and most sought-after—Japanese restaurants. With just a handful of seats around the chef's counter, every meal feels intimate and incredibly personal.
Instead of offering a large menu, the restaurant focuses on an omakase experience, where each course is carefully prepared using seasonal seafood and traditional Edomae sushi techniques. Every piece is served at exactly the right moment, allowing you to enjoy the perfect balance of flavour and texture.
Getting a reservation isn't easy, but those lucky enough to secure one often describe it as one of the finest sushi experiences in the UK.
📍 Location: Jerusalem Passage, Clerkenwell (closest stations: Farringdon and Barbican)
Must Try: Seasonal Omakase
Perfect For: Celebrations, anniversaries and serious sushi lovers.
2. Kanada-Ya – The Ramen Restaurant Every Londoner Recommends
Few places have influenced London's ramen scene quite like Kanada-Ya.
Originally founded in Japan, the restaurant is best known for its rich tonkotsu broth, which is slow-cooked for hours to develop its deep, creamy flavour. Combined with perfectly cooked noodles and melt-in-your-mouth pork chashu, every bowl delivers exactly the kind of comfort food people crave after a long day exploring London.
Don't be surprised if there's a queue outside it's become part of the experience.
📍 Location: Covent Garden (also in Soho, Carnaby, Angel, Ealing and Westfield White City)
Must Try: Tonkotsu Ramen with Extra Chashu
Perfect For: Casual lunches, rainy days and first-time ramen lovers.
3. Dinings SW3 – Where Japanese Meets Mediterranean
Japanese cuisine doesn't always have to follow tradition, and Dinings SW3 proves exactly why.
Located in Chelsea, this elegant restaurant combines Japanese cooking techniques with Mediterranean ingredients, creating dishes that feel inventive without losing their authenticity.
Expect beautifully presented sushi alongside premium Wagyu beef, fresh seafood, citrus flavours and seasonal British produce. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between relaxed and refined, making it ideal for a memorable evening without feeling overly formal.
📍 Location: Walton Street, Chelsea (near South Kensington Station)
Must Try: Wagyu dishes and Signature Sushi
Perfect For: Date nights and special occasions.
4. ROKA – London's Robata Grill Favourite
If you love food cooked over charcoal, ROKA deserves a place on your list.
The restaurant's open robata grill sits at the centre of the dining room, where chefs prepare everything from premium meats to fresh seafood over glowing coals. Watching your meal being cooked is part of what makes the experience so enjoyable.
The lively atmosphere, exceptional service and consistently high-quality food have helped ROKA become one of London's most respected Japanese restaurant groups.
📍 Location: Fitzrovia, Mayfair, Aldwych and Canary Wharf
Must Try: Black Cod with Yuzu Miso
Perfect For: Group dinners, celebrations and stylish evenings out.
5. UMU – Michelin-Starred Japanese Fine Dining
For those looking to experience Japanese cuisine at its most refined, UMU is hard to beat.
Tucked away in Mayfair, this Michelin-starred restaurant specialises in elegant Kyoto-style cuisine prepared using premium seasonal ingredients sourced from both Japan and the UK.
Every dish is beautifully presented without ever feeling overcomplicated. Instead, the focus remains on exceptional ingredients and precise technique.
It's undoubtedly a luxury dining experience, but one that's widely regarded as among the very best in London.
📍 Location: Bruton Place, Mayfair
Must Try: Kaiseki Tasting Menu
Perfect For: Luxury dining and unforgettable celebrations.
6. Koya – Handmade Udon Worth Every Queue
Sometimes the simplest dishes create the biggest memories.
Koya has built a loyal following thanks to its freshly made udon noodles, prepared daily and served either in warming broths or with traditional dipping sauces.
The noodles have the perfect chewy texture, the broths are rich without being heavy, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it somewhere you'll happily return to again and again.
Whether you're visiting for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Koya consistently delivers one of London's most satisfying Japanese meals.
📍 Location: Soho, Bloomberg Arcade (City of London) and Hackney
Must Try: Pork Belly Udon
Perfect For: Affordable comfort food and quick lunches.
7. SUSHISAMBA – Incredible Food With One of London's Best Views
Dining at SUSHISAMBA is about far more than the view but the view certainly helps.
High above Liverpool Street, the restaurant combines Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences while offering breathtaking panoramic views across London's skyline.
From beautifully prepared sushi to robata-grilled dishes and creative cocktails, everything feels designed for a memorable evening.
Visit around sunset if you can. Watching the city light up while enjoying dinner is an experience you'll remember long after you've left.
📍 Location: Heron Tower, Liverpool Street (also in Covent Garden)
Must Try: Samba Rolls and Robata Dishes
Perfect For: Birthdays, celebrations and impressive date nights.
8. Marugame Udon – Authentic Japanese Food Without the Luxury Price Tag
Great Japanese food doesn't always have to come with a hefty bill.
Marugame Udon has become one of London's favourite budget-friendly Japanese restaurants thanks to its freshly prepared udon noodles, crispy tempura and generous portions.
Watching chefs make the noodles in front of you adds to the experience, while the quick service makes it perfect for lunch between sightseeing or shopping.
It's authentic, filling and excellent value for money.
📍 Location: Liverpool Street, St Christopher's Place, Stratford, Bromley, The O2 and other London branches
Must Try: Beef Nikutama Udon with Tempura
Perfect For: Families, students and budget-conscious travellers.
9. Sumi – Elegant Sushi Without the Long Wait
Created by renowned chef Endo Kazutoshi, Sumi offers many of the same qualities that made his fine-dining restaurants famous, but in a more relaxed and accessible setting.
The menu focuses on beautifully crafted sushi, sashimi and Japanese small plates prepared using exceptional seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant feels sophisticated without being intimidating, making it an excellent choice whether you're celebrating something special or simply enjoying a quality meal in Notting Hill.
📍 Location: Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Must Try: Chef's Sushi Selection and Hand Rolls
Perfect For: Stylish lunches, relaxed dinners and sushi lovers.
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about London's Japanese food scene is its incredible variety. You can enjoy a comforting bowl of ramen in Covent Garden, indulge in handmade udon in Soho, experience Michelin-starred fine dining in Mayfair or watch chefs prepare exquisite sushi right in front of you in Clerkenwell.
If you're visiting London for the first time, Kanada-Ya, Koya and Marugame Udon are fantastic introductions to authentic Japanese flavours without stretching your budget. If you're celebrating a special occasion, Sushi Tetsu, UMU and SUSHISAMBA promise unforgettable dining experiences.
Whichever restaurant you choose, it's worth booking in advance wherever possible, especially on weekends, as many of these popular spots fill up quickly.
Japanese cuisine in London continues to evolve, but these nine restaurants have earned their reputations through exceptional food, welcoming hospitality and consistently memorable experiences. Whether you're a lifelong sushi enthusiast or simply looking to try something new, they're all well worth adding to your London food bucket list.
Planning more foodie adventures in London?
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