pretty nice ramen! not great in portion, but love the seating plan where seats surround the kitchen, cool idea, a great place for lunch with friends but not optimal for dinner as people sit next to each other all facing the kitchen can be difficult to chat while enjoying the food :)
Good place to have udon. The noodle itself was fresh and had a perfect texture to bite. The broth was super clear and heart warming. The pork was delicious and juicy. Really a good bowl of udon.
Vigikaran Vijayaratnam
+5
Duck and Waffle is one of Londons highest restaurants and runs 24hours. Trust me when I say this- itâs packed for all of those 24hours every single day! They have a bar area and a restaurant and itâs always full! We booked a Sunday Brunch there for Motherâs Day and loved it! We ordered their famous Duck and Waffle, Roast Chicken,
Needed something light and warm for dinner ('cause temperature has been dropping). Heard that Koya Bar has one of the best udon in London. Only ordered the Kake Udon (plain udon) with tamago as the addition. The noodle is so chewy. Broth is light but tasty. Tamago is so soft and nice. And the chili powder is quite spicy!
Koya, Koya Bar, whatever you want to name it but their noodles are one of the best in London! Both hot and cold version is also good. Remember to add the egg! Add on pork belly if you have extra room.
Have always heard bout this place but still wasn't very sure of it. Went in once as I went for movie nearby. Well I have to say Koya completely changed my mind! Didn't even expect it was such a bomb. I rarely have cravings for udon, so you can imagine when I say this place is good. I had the vegetarian curry udon, my friend had the tempura rice meal. Both were soooo tasty! I'm waiting for my next visit back there now đ
I woke up with a craving for a Japanese breakfast. Â I don't even know what they Japanese typically eat for breakfast but figured it was something I needed. Â After spending a while searching for where one can find a Japanese restaurant and the same amount of time finding a partner in crime we arrived here way beyond the breakfast cut off time! Â Guess it's the thought that counts :)Â
So skipping breakfast and straight onto lunch to start the day we stuck pretty much to a selection of daily specials:
Grilled girolles with Onsen Tamago and nettle - poached egg... almost like breakfast - winner!
Turbot sashimi with spicy yuzu salt - amazing texture
Cold Udon with finely sliced pok - perfect for a hot day
Miso coming back here before 12pm when breakfast ends!
Hidden away at the heart of Soho is a little piece of Japan.Â
With its simple design, it's not much of a looker and you might have passed it hundreds of times without even realising.
But behind Koya's traditional curtain is one of London's most authentic Japanese restaurants...
I was pretty sad to see Koya close down last year without even managing a final visit but since Koya Bar is still up and running, all's well. With queues shifting gears from the old Koya to its new occupant, Hoppers, it's safe to say the Japanese udon bar is still going well. Waiting time average is around 20 minutes, but if you like authentic-tasting udon and/or clean Japanese flavours then this is defo worth it.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Koya Bar, Frith Street (published 4th February 2016)
Koya Bar, Frith Street â Koya Bar is a proper Japanese noodle bar. In the night of Soho lights, it sits humbly among the other eateries with their attractive and catchy signs. A black shop front with large glass window and a one door entrance, it would have been easier to keep an eye out for their logo. Did it attract any less customers? No, in fact, queues can build up easily as seating are limited. Koya Bar does not take reservations and you will only be seated when all of your companions have arrived.
fish and chips ÂŁ9.10 â served as a starter, small plate, sharing style it is the Koya's take on English fish and chips. Brilliant! I suspect that the chips were from a sweet vegetable like plantain or sweet potato. It was feather light like the batter on the fish. No vinegar or tomato sauce but served with their dipping sauce of radish and spring onions, it was so delicious that we didn't stop eating until the plate was empty.
kamonabe (duck and vegetable hot pot) ÂŁ14.30 â from a spectator's view, I thought that they were a little mean on the duck and vegetable. My dining companion confirmed that it had the proper proportion of udon to filling to broth. It was good but the broth was a little on the oily side.
hiya-hiya zaru udon tenzaru (cold udon with cold sauce to dip with prawn and vegetable tempura) ÂŁ13.90 â after the fish and chips, I was glad that I chose the tempura to go with my noodles. It was delightfully crispy and each bite into the batter was so satisfying. The kind of batter that possibly every OCD foodie/chef is trying to create at home. I give up, and will just dine here from now on. The assortment of vegetables were all but one slightly undercooked.
With Koya Bar, it was more than just the food. The place exudes the Japanese culture of eating and looking around the place for a moment, I could be fooled that we were in Japan. Koya Bar was full and most had their heads down totally engrossed in their bowls of udon, I was quite amazed that a steaming hot broth noodles was favoured equally well in the West as in Asia. I thought it was only the kind of dish only understood by the Asians.
Seating by the bar might not be suitable on certain occasions â like if you have a crowd of friends or have sharing dishes - but on second thoughts, sitting opposite someone who slurps their noodles is not particularly inviting.
I still have to work my way through the menu - udon noodles being the main which comes with different toppings, rice in donburi style and various small plates to choose from. Not to mention that there are specials from time to time. What seemed like a small portion of noodles turned out to be quite filling and with a small plate to share between the two of us, I was full. A good place for simple yet flavoursome food. No desserts served and I did find myself wanting one.
Koya Bar exudes a casualness with personality and integrity. It is not the kind of glamorous place with awkward formalities, numerous cutlery, hostile service and an expensive menu that makes you think twice but if I were taken on a date here, I am glad to walk away with the date that knows and has good taste!
Will I be back for more? You can certainly count on it!
When I heard the original Koya were to close down last year I feared that there would be nowhere else in London to have authentic Japanese food besides sushi and ramen (god forbid places like Taro, which I might or might not review). Thankfully they opened a sister branch, Koya Bar, right next door with a few more dishes besides their fantastic udon.
Everyday Weekends (Yoshika)
+4
The eating scene in London is truly amazing. There are so many options, regardless of time or day of the week. After seeing Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre, we went to Koya Bar in Soho for some dinner. Seeing as half of our party was meat eaters and the the other half vegetarian/pescetarian, Koya Bar was the perfect fit as they offer a variety of options. Koya Bar is, like with many other London eateries, on the smaller scale, with an open kitchen and a bar surrounding it. Luckily, the seven of us managed to get a seat before the dinner rush.
Koya was a Japanese restaurant with an udon bar attached. Unfortunately chef Junya Yamasaki decided to return to Japan and closed the restaurant. But the udon bar has been kept open. Koya bar serves very authentic udon. Good for quick and healthy lunch in Soho. Note: the foodie reviews will be a mix of restaurant and bar, but will hopefully give you a good sense of the place.
A quiet, authentic Japanese udon noodle bar down a quiet street in Londonâs Soho. Koya Bar definitely sets itself apart from the more main stream ramen noodle bars in London now. Not only because it serves udon noodles, but also because of itâs quirky menu and seasonal daily specials.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We decided to opt for a starter from the daily specials â grilled chicken wings with burnt soy and leeks (ÂŁ8.20). If youâre a chicken wing lover then youâll love this dish! The skin was nice and crispy, yet the chicken wing meat was juicy and tender. The burnt soy tasted similar to teriyaki â so a bit of a sticky soy sauce with a subtle sweetness.
Saba Udon (smoked mackerel with green leaves â ÂŁ10.70). The smokey, salty mackerel paired up with thick silky udon noodles was amazing.  The mackerel had also been slightly grilled, so it was crispy on the outside but still moist inside. It was also refreshing to have a simple clear broth.
Buta Miso (pork and miso â ÂŁ9.90). Donât be deceived by how simple this looks. Once youâve mixed the miso paste thoroughly with the udon, the whole bowl was brought to life!
Simple bowls of homemade udon noodles, served with a modern twist. We were really impressed.
Watch our eating at this restaurant https://youtu.be/rTibiq0hLLg
Or simply read our blog from http://yummyjubbly.com/koya-bar-soho-london-2/
My daughter convinced me to return to Koya, a week after they ran out of Udon as we were seating ourselves for lunch. This time it was terrific: the service friendly and efficient, and the Udon are excellent, just what one seeks on a rainy London noon. Â They have some troubles with the overhead leaking air-condition, but I trust they are sorting this out. Touche!
A lovely and quaint Udon noodle soup bar dedicated to great food. You cannot make a reservation here so be prepared to wait at busy times.
The staff are friendly and helpful and whilst the Udon does take its time to get to you it is well worth the wait.
We ordered a few appetizers on the offset; kaiso salad which was perfect and fresh, umeboshi, Japanese pickles which were delightful and one off the special menu, plaice sashimi and mushrooms and cucumbers which wasn't to my taste as I found it quite chewy. We also indulged in the nameko bowl of mushroom which is cold and absolutely delicious.
We all went for the Niku (Beef) hot Udon with Hot Broth and side orders of tempura batter and poached egg which comes pretty poached in the Shell. Make sure you have an empty stomach when coming here because it really is a hearty soup and you will want to finish all of it. Don't forget to use the chilli as it really adds a special touch.
I will definitely be coming back here often đČđ
Really (seriously) long queue, very popular.By far the best Udon I had.
Counter by the kitchen, cool to watch and talk to chefs.
Recommend for breakfast.
Miho @ Wander To Wonder
+3.5
When word got around that Koya was closing down at the end of May, I was kicking myself for not having tried it earlier. I'd heard good things about this udon noodle place, but it somehow kept getting put off - inevitable when there are so many restaurants to try! So just a couple of weeks before it closed, when Angela suggested we go and try it before it was too late, I was all in.
Koya is an old favourite of mine, serving decent Japanese food with a focus on udon noodles. Since Iâve been away a smaller venue, Koya Bar has opened up next door focusing on, well the same sort of food really but pared down in a more casual, Izakaya style environment.
Food And Drinks Noob
+4.5
The "trick" I learnt from eating in Koya or Koya Bar during my previous visits, is that it is all about ordering from the daily special menu board, as it offers some of the most exciting Japanese foods in London.
Food And Drinks Noob
+4.5
It is a tiny place where you sit behind the bar overseeing an open kitchen, we ordered a few specials off the board, the savoy cabbage tempura was a very interesting dish, the tempura was well fried and the cabbage was still moist and juicy with the lovely natural sweetness coming through nicely.
The Food Connoisseur
+4.5
Since their opening in the ramen-dominating neighbourhood, the original Japanese udon specialist KOYA Bar comes back taking over Mooliâs old site. Literally expanding next-door, to itâs older brother KOYA . KOYA bar separates itself to more of traditional Japanese noodle bar with a more intimate casual affair. Itâs rather small seating only 25 stools accept no reservation. Sit by the stools and order your food directly with the chef.
My tempura prawns were PERFECT. They were amazing. They were HUGE. How do they do it??
This place really offers a warm atmosphere, as well as a traditional, authentic Japanese feel. First time dining there was great. I had a tofu and spring onion udon soup, and I enjoyed it very much, despite there is no meat in that particular dish. The broth was very sweet and flavoursome, the noodles were soft and easy to eat. They even add in water on the house! ???? I recommend that this will be a great place as lunch for one or two, or perhaps a snack in between.
We went lucky to get a seat at the bar during a typically busy Friday night service. The service was a little slow to start but once we managed to order, the food arrived efficiently. We both enjoyed large bowls of piping hot udon, with braised pork belly and fried tofu on the side. Next time we will definitely branch out and try some of the specials.
Koya Bar had been one of my favourite go-to places whenever I am at a loss of figuring out where to eat - usually when I'm dining out solo. It opens throughout the day, unlike the original Koya next door, and serves a breakfast menu before noon. I am a particular fan of their congee dishes, and their udon as well of course. The setting is much more casual compared to Koya, and I generally do enjoy sitting at the bar in front of an open kitchen. Like Koya next door, they also have a Daily Specials board which is usually the menu that I tend to order from.
It used to be much quieter when it first opened, but nowadays it does get just as busy at Koya, especially during peak times.
Both Koya and Koya Bar continue to be one of my favourite places when I'm seeking some good comfort food.
Some of the KOYA classics makes itâs way to KOYA bar, but it was the Japanese breakfast Yakizakana that intrigued me. You can find some English breakfast influence on the menu, fried egg, and bacon.
My Yakizankana Japanese style breakfast didnât seem like a complex meal. Grilled fish, pickles, rice and miso soup little did I now how impressive it could be.
The grilled fish was grilled with a slight browning, biting into the crispy skin it crunched, crackled between my teeth. The fished had been infused with seasoning and flavour throughout. The pickles may seem like a boring thing to talk about, a simple side, but I fell in love with the super sour pickled flavour. The pickles with the grilled fish were the perfect combination of sourness and salt.
The miso soup had to be the disappointment of the meal, water down and bland. The tofu seems have been out for a while, too firm.
The prawn tempura hot udon soup was Delicious. I added a poached egg and made it even better with some đ¶ïž flakes. There is a line outside the door but worth the wait. Fair prices and authentic. Good people make sure to slurp! đ
Delicious, authentic Japanese udon restaurant.
Beautiful, seasonal dishes and daily specials.
A âmust tryâ if you are an udon aficionado!
Counter seating only.
Be prepared for a queue during lunch and dinner peak hours.
Worth the short wait!
Stopped here for Sunday brunch. We were delighted to see they were offering a traditional Japanese small breakfast menu. We had the curry udon with a poached egg, and oh my! It was incredibly delicious. For an authentic experience, I can highly recommend this lovely gem of a restaurant
Obsessed with everything this place serves! Their pickled veggies feel so special. Broth on soups is on point and everything tastes and makes you feel amazing. Great macrobiotic food options. Great restaurant vibe, clean and simple. Be prepared to queue
I love seaweed so ordered seaweed soup udon which is breakfast menu. Iâm so upset the photo of the noodles is so ugly đactually it was really good.. warm and comforting and tastes home !! I can have the noodles every morning as my breakfast.
Iâll definitely go back again!!
Excellent udon shop! No reservations & the restaurant is very small & counter service only, so be ready for a little wait. But itâs worth it. They have hot & cold udon, I got the hot pork miso, which was excellent. Also, the shrimp tempura was fantastic. My wife doesnât usually like sake, but she thought the higher-end version offered here was great.
Very cost-effective!
very authentic taste
It's the best udon I've ever eaten in the UK
Fried chicken is very good, must choose for the first time!
Duck udon is also a very delicious choice, it is recommended to try it!
I had lunch here yesterday. I waited 15 minutes in the queque but it was worth it. Enjoyed the food, but i would have loved to taste more things. Iâll have to come back. I suggest the duck udon soup with an appetizer before. The atmosphere is unique and itâs lovely to see the cousine right in front of you. The prices are okay, fine for London and good food.
The best handmade udon restaurant in London, with plenty of udon type to choose. Among most of the sides / main selection, Tempura is also the most delicious choice!
Beware for long queue during peak hour!
Fantastic!
Koya Soho undoubtedly exceeded my expectations with its remarkable Donburi Chicken Kara-age and exceptional service. The delightful flavors of the dish, combined with the warm and attentive service provided by the waitstaff, created an unforgettable dining experience.
The first experience was so perfect, I just had to go again to try the breakfast menu where I ordered a delicious Udon Noodle Kama Tama which had a delicious rich flavour!
If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine or simply in search of a hidden culinary gem, I wholeheartedly recommend Koya Soho.
One of the best Udon places in London. A little bit on the pricier side, but worth the money. Never turn up at dinner time cause you will queue for hours.
We came here to try the udon noodles. There was a queue, we waited about 45 mins before getting a table, be prepared to wait. Good variety of vegetarian and vegan options available. We got vegetable tempura to start with and these tasted good, just wished there was more on the plate for what you pay for. We got hot udon noodles, with sweet tofu and mushroom, they both tasted good. We felt the service was rushed.
The best udon in London hands down. The subtle and clean flavour permeate everything on the menu and the handmade noodles are bouncy and sprightly, a dance in the mouth.
One of the best udon in London!
Been here a few times. Their udon come in many different flavour and my favourite is pork miso. Good quality udon at affordable price. There might be a bit of queuing but totally worth it. Highly recommend.
It's rare you find a place that represents value for money, but I think Koya does that. Beautifull fresh Udon served hot or cold and made Infront of you is a standout.
Everything about the food was great. Would come back again and again.
The venue is intimate and both times I've been I've had to wait for 10/15 minutes to get in, which doesn't surprise me.
The staff can be a little hard to get the attention of, otherwise it's a great gem in Soho.
Koya straight away as you enter, gives you the vibe of authentic Japanese restaurant. I never liked Udon noodles much, however, koya changed my mind about it. All dishes were absolutely lovely, very swift and smooth service. This will be one of my favourite restaurants in London now.
Udon has great texture, paired with a clean and smooth dashi broth. Kakuni (cider braised pork) had strong flavours and a luscious texture. Excellent!
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