Reviews Roka Aldwych

We choose post theatre premium menu. All food fresh and well cooked. We leave full satisfied. Good food experience. Negative point is the noise because other people conversation.

Really Great food, loss of variety of beautifully made Japanese dishes. Services is great, they really look after you. Staff at the cocktail bar know what they're doing and make high quality drinks. Had been one of our favourites for a long time.

Went for the Sunday brunch special, service was excellent, the food was very good as well, but some dishes weren't great and the portions seemed excessively small given we ha a party of 6. The dessert was my favourite by far though.

I’ve been meaning to go to Roka for quite some time now. Since Taste of London 2014 to be precise; I never forget a meeting, first impressions do count, and Roka’s cod and crab dumplings made quite the impression on me. After fighting a certain someone for the last one, I made a mental note to book in a proper meal at the restaurant soon but that plan fell by the wayside. It was my first year in London so all the old restaurants were new and shiny to me, and all the new restaurants were even shinier… Roka was soon forgotten.

It was a spontaneous decision to go to Roka, no reservation made, we just walked in and were seated instantly!

The service was amazing. Welcoming, helpful, extremely friendly and fast. The food was absolutely delicious. We tried several different dishes, including sushi, barbecued meats, gyoza to try as much as possible.

We never had to wait long, all dishes were presented well and absolutely delicious.

The desserts are an absolute must! The cheesecake was a delight!

I can only recommend Roka and cant wait to be back!

I first visited the bar at Roka's Charlotte Street branch not really knowing anything about it, except that it was rather popular on a Friday night and that there was a pretty swish bar downstairs with some great bar food and cocktails. . 2 years later, I finally made it to the food at the Aldwych site.

After hearing so much about ROKA restaurants and their fantastic food from both Angie and Andrea, it's been top of my "must visit" London restaurant list for quite a while, and so when Time Out popped up with their incredible value £30 voucher for unlimited food and wine at ROKA Aldwych, the newest ROKA restaurant, a hashtag of merry bloggers couldn't resist, could we?!

I have mad, mad, mad love for Roka Aldwych and I fell even more in love with the restaurant because they have the best Sunday menu in town. The Han Setto Brunch is a £39 deal for a whole lot of food and it's quality Japanese fare that's absolutely designed for the hungry. By the way... don't let the "brunch" tag fool you. The menu is available all day.

This is a place that's been on my wishlist for quite a while now, so I'm excited to have finally tried it! The restaurant in question is Roka - the Aldwych branch, to be exact. . I kept putting off my first visit, because this kind of Japanese/fusion cuisine usually comes with a high price tag, and often they aren't justified, which makes me afraid to splash that kind of cash. But when I found out about their Han Setto brunch menu on Sundays (only at the Aldwych branch, and it's not really a brunch at all - available all day), it sounded like a good way to try it - and (very) belatedly celebrating my sister's birthday with her and E seemed like the perfect excuse.

This has been a long overdue post when I decided to meet up with fellow food bloggers Em ( Catch 52), Felicia ( Dancing in High Heels) and off course Ellie ( The Young Domestic Goddess). I’ve been following them since forever and 4 was just a perfect number to meet with these eaters and get to know one another face to face. I found this really awesome offer on Timeout which was a bottomless Han Setto Brunch at Roka for £30 pp instead of their usual £55. Honestly I didn’t know what Han Setto meant but that basically means “meal menu” where you get 10 set dishes ( I didn’t realise this was unlimited), you choose 1 main and when the dessert sharing platter arrives the bottomless prosecco ends (boo). My preconception was that the 10 dishes were going to be super tiny but surprisingly that’s not the case! With the starters being unlimited, we ordered multiple portions of sashimi which was a no brainer, but the general consensus was that we weren’t a big fan of the potato salad – it wasn’t great and since we had a lot of incoming dishes we wanted to reserve our appetite for what’s to come. Here were the 10 dishes for the Han Setto Sunday Brunch:

Everyone loves a bargain, and the four of us were lucky enough to grab the last few vouchers from the TimeOut website just before they sold out. Located just a few minutes walk from Covent Garden, and just round the corner from The Strand, ROKA Aldwych was the fourth ROKA branch that opened in November 2014. The design of the interior is modern and contemporary, with a central open-grill kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work (and the occasional dramatic burst of flames)

Sundays are always days that I put aside for pure relaxation – staying in bed, catching up on a bit of writing and TV shows. One thing I will always leave my house for though is food,. Roka was booked after seeing an amazing £30 bottomless brunch deal on Timeout. The Han Setto Sunday Brunch is normally available from 12 noon until 8pm, priced at £39 per person with a Bellini on arrival; or at £55 per person with unlimited red, white or prosecco. If the alcohol wasn't good enough - it includes an unlimited selection of 10 different starters, a main and the most beautiful dessert platter. The brunch was simply amazing.

Roka will always have a special spot in my heart. The flagship on Charlotte Street used to be a favourite for meetings, post-work dinner with friends, and impromptu tête-à-têtes with an old friend-on-tap. Since moving offices and losing said friend to the Americas a few years ago, I can count the number of times I've gone back.

Beautiful design & interior.
Exquisite service.
Great menu, perfect prep. & cooking.
Nice house blends of Sake's.

Green Tea Chocolate Cake is a masterpiece.

Roka leaves you searching across the table at all times. "What shall I try next" ran through my mind many a time throughout this meal. There are options to suit all and every dish is perfectly executed.

The chain of Roka restaurants offer a unique style of contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine, a cooking method where items of food are slowly grilled over hot charcoal. The original branch of Roka opened on Charlotte Street to much success and subsequent branches followed in Canary Wharf, Mayfair and on Aldwych. But the menu extends beyond just robata dishes. There is also a delectable selection of sashimi and nigiri, fried options including tempura, snacks, soups and rice dishes such as hot pots with lobster and miso butter.

The chain of Roka restaurants offer a unique style of contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine, a cooking method where items of food are slowly grilled over hot charcoal. The original branch of Roka opened on Charlotte Street to much success and subsequent branches followed in Canary Wharf, Mayfair and on Aldwych. But the menu extends beyond just robata dishes. There is also a delectable selection of sashimi and nigiri, fried options including tempura, snacks, soups and rice dishes such as hot pots with lobster and miso butter. Now how good does that sound?

We visited Roka Aldwych which opened last November. Designed by Claudio Silvestrin who was also responsible for L’anima and Alan Yau’s Princi on Wardour Street, the restaurant is spacious and grand with a sleek, contemporary minimalist look, a style for which Silvestrin is well known. Like all the other Rokas, the robata grill plays centre stage at Roka Aldwych, and in addition to the tables in the main dining room, guests can also eat in the lounge area and at the robata bar.

We started with the yellowtail sashimi with truffle yuzu dressing, mizuna and pickled vegetables (£14.60), and the spectacular scent of truffle immediately caught our attention when the dish arrived at our table. This dish was pure perfection. The quality of the fish and the balance of the truffle yuzu dressing was absolutely flawless. It was an exquisite dish and we enjoyed it immensely. If you only order one thing at Roka Aldwych, this has to be it.

Roka - yellowtail sashimi with truffle yuzu dressing, mizuna and pickled vegetables
Roka – yellowtail sashimi with truffle yuzu dressing, mizuna and pickled vegetables
We followed this with the 5-piece sashimi selection and the tuna tartare. The sashimi included salmon, tuna, sea bream, yellow tail and sweet shrimp (£26.60) and was delectable. The quality, taste and texture of the sashimi were sublime, and the fish was unquestionably of the highest grade.

The tuna tartare with oscietra caviar and quail egg yolk (£12.60) was a clever spin on a French favourite. The French tradition was not lost as we ceremoniously combined fish with the egg and caviar to enjoy the tartare in its entirety. This was served with a lovely piece of crunchy crispbread which added a crunchy contrast. Again, this was as marvellous as the previous dishes.

From the tataki section, the seared beef striploin with black truffle dressing, cucumber, daikon pickle and miso tapioca crisp (£13.00) was another enjoyable dish. The beef was wonderfully tender and tasty, although the black truffle dressing was not as aromatic as that of the truffle ponzu dressing in the yellowtail sashimi dish.

The rock shrimp tempura with wasabi pea seasoning and chilli mayonnaise (£14.30) came with rock shrimp that was sweet and plump. As for the batter, it wasn’t a traditional tempura batter, but it was very enjoyable nevertheless as it was light and crispy. This was a tasty modern recreation of a traditional favourite with a solid dipping sauce.

We moved onto the robata section, starting with some spiced chicken wings with salt and lime (£4.90) which were sticky, succulent and tender. These were delicious with a sticky sweet marinade.

Glazed baby back ribs with cashew nuts (£15.00) were well cooked and very tender. However the sauce lacked oomph and we would have preferred a sauce with a bolder flavour. Although good, this was our least favourite dish from all the things we tried at Roka Aldwych.

We loved the whole lobster with ponzu and umami dressing (£38.60) as it was delicious. The charcoal effect of the robata grill had permeated the lobster flesh to give it a special and subtle smoky flavour that lingered lovingly after each bite. It was also topped with a wonderful ponzu and umami dressing which made it all the more delicious. The meat lobster had been cleverly carved out of the shell so that it was easy to eat and there was no need to mess around with the shell.

The texture of the black cod marinated in yuzu miso (£31.30) was absolutely gorgeous. This Roka signature boasted of a texture that was silky and smooth, and flesh that flaked beautifully. The yuzu miso was delicious and gave the fish a lovely caramelisation.

To desserts, and a dark chocolate and green tea pudding with crunchy jivara chocolate and pear ice cream (£9.60) did not disappoint. Chocolate on the outside, the inside of the pudding contained a molten green tea centre that glowed an emerald green colour. This dessert was deliciously comforting, rich and decadent, and paired well with the refreshing sweetness of the pear ice cream.

A Japanese style ‘cotton’ soft cheesecake accompanied with robata grilled pears and a cream cheese ice cream (£8.30) was equally enjoyable as it was lovely and light. The cheesecake resembled a light airy sponge cake, and the combination of the dusting of crumbs and the cream cheese ice cream created the delicious effect of a traditional cheesecake.

This was Japanese food of the highest order with a menu that provided a wonderful balance between the traditional and the contemporary. The quality of the produce was outstanding, and with the precise cooking at Roka Aldwych, the results were highly exciting. The service was knowledgeable and accommodating to round off an excellent experience from start to finish. The bill can stack up as there were so many items that can tempt you into over ordering, so choose carefully if you’re on a budget.

Note: Words and pictures by Food Porn Nation and myself.

Summary Information:

Likes: 
1) The food is superb.
2) The yellowtail sashimi is a must try.

Dislikes:
1) Prices can add up.

Food rating: 4.25/5
Service rating: 3.75/5
Price range: Robata grill £4.90 – £69.90 , sashimi: £4.90 – £26.60, maki rolls £4.60 – £9.60, tonkusen (specials) £9.60 – £29.60. Excludes drinks and service.

Located right next to university, this restaurant served me a fantastic night out with a combination of great drinks, food and service. One thing that really got me about this place was the staff service. The service is probably the best service I have received in London yet and really gives this place the added value it deserves.

Ordering a platter of its delicious sushi amongst other rice dishes, my meal was extremely fulfilling. Taking from its predecessor, Zuma, the sushi here was just brilliant and I would definitely urge one to come check it out!

We went as a group of 4 for the han setto brunch to celebrate my niece’s birthday. The food was well presented and sufficient in quantity. The first course were served, sharing style and comprised a varied selection of cooked food, greens (salad and edamame) and sushi and sashimi. The maki rolls were tiny and the sashimi is quite basic (salmon, tuna and prawn) but the gyoza was delicious. We were able to select our own main - we had the sea bream, ribs and chicken; decent portion size. The dessert selection was lovely and well presented. The only minus was the service levels. While it did get busier as the afternoon progressed, we had to keep asking for our drinks to be topped up. There was a soy sauce spill and the staff didn’t bother cleaning that up until I had to draw their attention to do so. The 14 percent service charge was a bit excessive considering the service was lacking. Staff weren’t very friendly or welcoming and barely smiled or acknowledged our presence once the food had been served. Usually fresh plates are offered as a minimum, between courses but this was not done despite it being fairly obvious. The bathrooms were also not particular maintained. Tissue paper on the floor by the sink gave off the impression that no one had checked the bathroom for a while. I’d go back again because I like Roka and the brunch is a nice experience but the service will hopefully improve.

We’re regulars at Roka but we usually go to the Charlotte Street one, came to Roka Aldwych for the weekend brunch and from start to finish it was exceptional. The food was delicious, the quantity was more than enough for 2 people. The service was great, very attentive, friendly staff and the restaurant itself was very spacious unlike the other Roka branches. We will definitely be coming here again.

Awesome food. Service doesn't warrant a 14% added charge. Albeit I would recommend and return

If you are looking for great Japanese food and service, all set in one of the best restaurants in London, then Roka is a must.

My partner and I visited for a bottomless ‘Han Setto’ brunch for my birthday. I must say great value for money compared to other brunch options in London. If I would guess we had around 10 small plates consisting of Salads, Sushi, vegetable & meats dishes which were all delicious. We then got to choose a main course, I opted for the baby-back ribs which were excellent! Dessert came in the form of a fruit platter which also had ice creams, sorbets, and chocolate. We had Prosecco throughout our meal and our glasses were never empty in the 2 hour window we had. Highly recommend the experience, faultless.

Recommend booking in advance, and take note of any time restrictions on the table. Good service and very tasty food. Decent portion sizes. Vibrant atmosphere without being too noisy. All for food being delivered as and when it is ready, but disappointed by the rice being delivered long after the main dish it was supposed to accompany. Also took an age to get the bill once it was obvious we were done ordering anything else.

A fantastic Sunday brunch! I could not have hoped for anything better. The food was tasty, venue was lovely and very accommodating with dietary restrictions and most importantly our lovely waitress Vicky was an absolute star! She brought a smile to our face, was extremely accommodating and has a natural talent in customer service. London needs more professionals like her! When it comes to the food - pace yourself, there is more than plenty of it for the brunch and all of it very tasty and great quality. I was glad to see the dessert had plenty of fresh fruit - this was exactly what was needed after a hefty meal. Wine was ok, nothing to rave about but went well with the food. The Bellini is different and very nice.

Exquisitely prepared and presented food. Took the taster menu and kept ordering rounds of the favourites that came. Desert was a masterpiece!