Hidden in the heart of Soho, Miokuru has quickly established itself as one of London’s most exciting Japanese restaurants. With just twenty counter seats surrounding an open kitchen, Miokuru London offers an intimate dining experience where guests can watch every hand roll prepared with remarkable precision. Championing the finest British seafood through traditional Japanese techniques, the restaurant celebrates exceptional ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship and understated elegance, making it one of Soho’s most distinctive culinary destinations.
During our visit to Miokuru Soho, the menu showcased the restaurant’s philosophy of allowing premium produce to take centre stage. Every dish demonstrated a confident restraint, where flawless technique enhanced natural flavours rather than overpowering them.
The meal began with two beautifully executed small plates that immediately highlighted the kitchen’s attention to detail. The Pressed & Dressed Hand-dived Scallops were undoubtedly one of the evening’s standout dishes. Exceptionally sweet and delicate, the scallops retained their remarkable freshness while a subtle dressing enhanced their natural flavour without masking it. Alongside them, the Seared ChalkStream Trout Sashimi offered an equally impressive contrast. Lightly kissed by the flame, the trout developed additional depth while preserving its beautifully clean texture, creating a dish that balanced richness and freshness with effortless precision.
The restaurant’s signature Japanese hand rolls soon followed, each prepared to order and served immediately to ensure every bite was enjoyed at its absolute best. The Bluefin Tuna Belly hand roll showcased beautifully marbled tuna that melted effortlessly, highlighting the exceptional quality of the fish. Equally memorable was the Dry-aged Beef with Kombu & Pepper hand roll, where delicately seared beef delivered remarkable depth of flavour, complemented by the subtle umami of kombu without overwhelming the meat itself. Completing the trio, the Cornish White Crab hand roll celebrated the natural sweetness of fresh British crab, offering a lighter, more delicate finish that perfectly reflected Miokuru London’s ingredient-led approach to Japanese cuisine.
What truly distinguishes Miokuru from many of London’s Japanese restaurants is the immersive counter dining experience. Watching each hand roll assembled directly in front of you creates an intimacy rarely found elsewhere in Soho. Every movement behind the counter is calm, deliberate and remarkably precise, reinforcing the restaurant’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity.
Miokuru proves that exceptional Japanese dining doesn’t rely on unnecessary theatrics. Combining outstanding British seafood, refined Japanese technique and one of London’s most intimate counter dining experiences, Miokuru Soho has firmly established itself as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Soho and an essential destination for anyone seeking exceptional hand rolls and contemporary Japanese cuisine in London.
@miokurulondon | miokuru.co.uk
7–8 Warwick Street, London, W1B 5LU
