Grays, Japanese - Restaurant Guide

2024 Review: “Small, rammed and pretty hectic, but that’s all part of the charm” at this Japanese café on the edge of Greenwich, serving “fantastic food that’s insanely well priced” – “ribs in BBQ sauce, mixed tempura, cod in tempura, sushi, noodles... all amazing, fresh and such good value”. “A few things to note: it’s cash only; BYO for booze; it can be a tad cold in winter”.

With “clever”, “good-quality Japanese food” – in particular the “excellent, if relatively expensive, sushi” – and “busy, competent service”, these “fun, stylish and friendly” Scandi-minimal venues are “always buzzing”. Founded in Copenhagen by a pair of Danish-Japanese brothers more than 30 years ago, the company came under new ownership in 2024 with big expansion plans, and unveiled two times F1 champion Fernando Alonso as a major shareholder in April 2025. Recent London openings include a “huge new site” in Islington and Battersea Power Station.

With “clever”, “good-quality Japanese food” – in particular the “excellent, if relatively expensive, sushi” – and “busy, competent service”, these “fun, stylish and friendly” Scandi-minimal venues are “always buzzing”. Founded in Copenhagen by a pair of Danish-Japanese brothers more than 30 years ago, the company came under new ownership in 2024 with big expansion plans, and unveiled two times F1 champion Fernando Alonso as a major shareholder in April 2025. Recent London openings include a “huge new site” in Islington and Battersea Power Station.

Back in the day (in 2004), Arjun Waney & Rainer Becker’s successful Japanese fusion-favourite on Charlotte Street helped forge new expectations for fashionable dining out – with its slick combination of sushi, sashimi and robata-grilled items – and “it’s still a winner, even if we have now seen it all before”. Over the years four London siblings have been added, alongside another nine in the eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf. A particular hit with business diners, some reporters visit several times a year, and say “it’s always an enjoyable experience, with delicious options like the black cod, crab gyoza and fillet beef”.

2025 Review: This 15-strong London noodle chain (now with branches in Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol) is “a good stand-by” – perhaps it’s “not as good as some of its competitors”, but it is widely seen as “good value”: in particular “the lunch-time meal deal” is a winner.

“Cheap as chips, but great value” – this “good-quality” self-service Japanese noodle chain (bowls start at under £5) also offers “excellent” katsu curry with rice and tempura. There’s “no fancy service” – “you wait in line with a full view of the chefs preparing the food, which arrives fresh and hot”. It has eight outlets in London, one in Reading – and 800+ in Japan, where it’s based. Top Tip – there are smaller bowls for kids, plus Japanese ‘Ramune’ lemonade.