Where to Find Some of London’s Best Japanese Food Right Now
London’s Japanese food scene has come a long way from conveyor belt sushi and high-street ramen chains. Today, a wave of new and established spots are bringing everything from Osaka-style street food to delicate Kyoto-style desserts to the capital. Whether you’re craving soulful udon, buttery tonkotsu ramen, or a Japanese-Italian fusion that actually works (yes, really), these five restaurants show the breadth – and brilliance – of Japanese cuisine in London right now.
Okan
📍 Brixton / South Bank / Battersea
If you’ve never sat elbow-to-elbow at an Osaka street vendor eating okonomiyaki, Okan is the next best thing. Inspired by the owner’s hometown of Osaka, this casual spot has earned cult status for its smoky, savoury pancakes loaded with cabbage, pork belly, kimchi, or seafood – and slathered in all the sauces. Brixton is where it all started (tiny, no frills, full of charm), but the South Bank and Battersea branches bring the same buzz. Bonus points for the yakisoba and yaki-onigiri that taste just as good as they do in Kansai.
Order: Osaka-style okonomiyaki with pork and kimchi, yaki-onigiri, and a cold Asahi.
Koya
📍 Soho / City / Hackney
Koya has quietly become a London institution. What started as a tiny udon bar on Frith Street now has multiple locations, each delivering hand-pulled udon noodles with quietly perfect dashi broths. Slurping is encouraged. There’s a rotating menu of small plates that lean into British seasonality with a Japanese twist – think Cornish mackerel sashimi or pickled beets with miso. Koya City does an excellent breakfast udon if you’re feeling brave before 9 a.m.
Order: The Buri Buri udon (hot broth with yellowtail), and the fried prawn heads if they’re on.
Angelina
📍 Dalston
Fusion has a chequered past. But Angelina makes Japanese-Italian not only make sense, but sing. In a dark, intimate room in Dalston, a five-course tasting menu brings together flavours and techniques from Tokyo to Tuscany: chawanmushi meets parmesan, wagyu beef tartare with truffle and miso, tiramisu spiked with matcha. There’s even a secret omakase-style sushi counter called Golden Eagle tucked inside, serving seriously good nigiri to those in the know.
Order: The tasting menu with wine and sake pairings. Ask nicely about the Golden Eagle.
Kanada-Ya
📍 Soho / Ealing / Covent Garden / Islington
If you’ve stood in the queue on St Giles High Street, you’ll know Kanada-Ya is serious about its ramen. The tonkotsu broth is cooked for 18 hours, resulting in a silky, collagen-rich bowl of porky goodness. The noodles are springy, the chashu tender, and the truffle ramen (yes, truffle) adds a rich, earthy twist for when you’re feeling fancy. No reservations – just rock up, wait, and prepare for greatness.
Order: Original tonkotsu ramen, firm noodles, add an onsen egg. Truffle ramen if you’re celebrating.
Lanka
📍 Finchley Road
This understated Japanese patisserie is a bit of a hidden gem. Lanka blends classic French pastry technique with Japanese flavours – think matcha opera cake, yuzu tarts, and black sesame financiers. Chef Masayuki Hara trained at Le Gavroche, and it shows in the delicate layers and balanced sweetness. Everything is made in small batches, and it’s worth the trip for the cakes alone, but the Japanese teas and the quiet vibe make it a perfect low-key afternoon stop.
Order: The matcha roulade, yuzu tart, and a pot of sencha.