Definitely our new favourite Japanese restaurant. Rarely do find good takoyaki in the UK, the best of course is in Osaka. However, Jugemu is the closest yet. I have also experienced at Jugemu one of the best seafood soba noodles outside of Japan. At the moment this small restaurant, with very few tables, is still under the radar and not booked out in the way that the other excellent Japanese restaurant Sushi Tetsu is, but it's only a matter of time. I hope I'll still be able to enjoy this excellent restaurant for some time before that happens.
It's a great place to eat delicious and beautifully presented Japanese food, lunch bento is a great deal at £5 but the kirazu special lunch plate was amazing
The best Japanese food I've had in London. Simple, fresh and authentic. Great sake menu too.
Had a fantastic dinner at Kirazu to celebrate my wife's birthday last Friday. Amazing dishes with vibrant flavours and a cool, buzzing atmosphere. Yuyu and his team looked after us brilliantly. Thanks guys, we will be back!
Jugemu is a small Japanese izakaya in the middle of bustling Soho. Given the surrounding revellers in various states of inebriation, at several stages throughout our meal we witnessed loitering, leaning and then trash depositing right outside this izakaya. Quick as a flash, on each occasion the rather slight chef would appear to reprimand the actors of such heinous crimes. Safe inside, our table speculated about when something more physical might occur to the rather feisty chef. So throughout the meal we were constantly kept on the edge of our seat, never knowing if our next bite would be our last. Perhaps the thrill made things taste that extra bit better.
I’ve read all….. and I mean all the 1 star reviews and I don’t totally disagree with them but I do think they’re misguided. Being here felt like I was in Japan In every way. THIS IS THE MENU! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET! But what you get is…. Enthusiastic staff, amazing fish and just the best sake. I think it all depends on how you enter/order here. It definitely is worth it. Also the specials I had were fantastic and everyone was perfect (including the chef).
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A lovely authentic gem of a place, not deserving of so many 1 star reviews. Hence writing this. I actually wanted to go and check it out for myself because it was either 1 or 5 stars, and seemed it was only really the service causing the negative...
The quality of the food is right up there!
Is it expensive? Yes, but this is the centre of London so not sure what people expect, plus it is small so when busy I am sure they will want to turn tables, however we did not feel rushed at all.
There is a minimum spend but it does state this at the bottom of the menu and they checked this is ok.
Service...
Extremely polite and thoughtful. The team were really helpful, you may need to be a bit patient with language barriers but this is genuine and endearing. I could not fault the service and all other stafff also acknowledged us coming and going.
The atmosphere was calm in the hubbub of London which I appreciated greatly, and felt a lot like many of the little spots you can find in Japan.
Worth checking out!
Amazing high end izakaya and sushi place. Some of the best sashimi I have had in London. Small place, great vibe, definitely helps if you bring someone Japanese speaking. Food made to perfection. Like being somewhere in kansai.
I went to this gorgeous restaurant for 3 times. Every time I feel they are changing the way of serving the foods (the omakase), that is very impressive.
It has a great chief who is paying attention to everyone on the seat though we have 16+people here. I can always have my hand roll immediately after my meals.
The foods are so good and traditional here! I really appreciate it💖.
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I feel like I found a real gem here in London!! This little place with a few tables and a few seats at the counter takes you back to Japan, when at night you were wandering in those little streets searching for a place to sit and eat. From the atmosphere to the staff, from the food to the utensils (see picture), everything was perfect. The fish freshness was great (we had Hamachi and Suzuki), as well as for Mentaiko. I also had Ginko (or Ginnan) for the first time and it was delicious. We drank Atsukan (hot sake) and the pot where this was served was very elegant (even my japanese friends had never seen it before). I will never compliment this place enough and I can't wait to come back and become a regular customer!
I just want to point out that it is indeed expensive, but bear in mind that you are pauing not only for the food but also for the service (friendly stuff and high quality things) and the ambient. Taking in consideration all this, I am more than willing to pay a high price such the one we paid (60 pounds each).
Last thing I want to let you know is that I did not experience any bad vibe like someone in the previous comments mentioned (it might be due to the fact that I speak Japanese, but who knows).
So, if you are a person who is willing to spend good money for a great meal you should definetly try this place out!
I have visited Jugemu three times, their sushi and izakaya style food are quite delicious. Chefs’ skill can make very normal ingredients became tasty food. Atmosphere makes you feeling that you are in Japan. However I agree some of customers’ opinions, sometimes their staffs put the non-Japanese customers in a awkward position. To some extent If you understand Japanese culture or speak Japanese, it will be more enjoyable to visit Jugemu.
Hidden gem. Very home feeling restaurant. The chef takes the way you eat sushi very seriously. He cooks with heart and passion. I love the omasake sushi set (7pieces). The fish was fresh and the rice tasted fantastic. The service might be a bit slow and very Japanese, but it's worth it. The staffs are nice.
Must have: sushi set (eat the whole thing, don't separate it or left the rice, rice is the most important ingredient in the sushi, respect the chef, if you don't like to eat rice, just order sashimi) , cold soba with fried seafood.
Food is out of this world. The ambience is fantastic - I thought I was in Japan after having 2 Kirins. You are missing out if you haven’t been here. We got 5 pieces of omakase and some other small dishes and we absolutely love every single dish. Remember, this place is run by authentic Japanese people so it is as Japanese as you can get, including its service.
Understated Japanese restaurant situated in a little Soho street in London, once you enter the discreet door you are in a nice and cozy space with a sushi bar to the right and a few little tables.
The service was decent, the food was excellent, served in a variety of traditional rough Japanese crockery, it did feel you could be anywhere in Japan.
This is one of the most charming and authentic sushi bars in London. Delicious food, great vibe and amazing service. Reminds me of something out of a Murakami novel. If you are looking for california roll, truffled topped non-sense go elsewhere. This is a low-fi experience for those appreciate something off the beaten path. Easily the best sushi spot in soho!
Leila de Vos van Steenwijk
+5
Seriously, my number 1 restaurant in London. Have never had more delicious Japanese cuisine and the funniest chef, Yuya, you could hope for.
It’s like walking into a Kill Bill scene in Kyoto with such a nice owner/chef delivering delicious Omakase experience with good sake and great a la carte dishes!
Best Japanese food i’ve ever tasted. Every bite, every taste was outstanding. This place is just out of this world! The level of dedication of the chef is manifested in every bite. I’m so happy this place exists! Left the restaurant with a smile on my face
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