London · Sushi · a la carte
Kiku
Classic JapaneseCounter sushiSukiyakiShabu-shabuSashimiTeppanyaki
London's oldest Japanese restaurant, open since 1978 and still family-owned, serving exceptional counter sushi, sukiyaki, and shabu-shabu in Mayfair.
- Price
- ¥¥¥
- Area
- Mayfair
- Since
- 1978
- Chef
- Hisashi Taoka
- Owner
- Mariko and Hisashi Taoka
Plate № 1160
About
Kiku is a London dining institution, established in 1978 by Hisashi Taoka — whose family has roots in the traditional Japanese ryokan culture of Kinosaki — and continuously family-owned and operated ever since. The restaurant moved to its current Half Moon Street premises in 1999 to accommodate growing demand, and today remains one of the very few Japanese restaurants in London where all chefs are traditionally trained in Japan and all staff are Japanese. The menu spans fresh counter sushi and sashimi, classically prepared sukiyaki and shabu-shabu cooked tableside, tempura, and grilled dishes. Frequented by the nearby Japanese Embassy community, Kiku carries a reputation for absolute culinary authenticity in a quietly refined setting.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- London's oldest Japanese restaurant — continuously family-owned since 1978 with an unbroken commitment to authenticity.
- All chefs are traditionally trained in Japan; all staff are Japanese — a rarity in London's current dining landscape.
- Exceptional counter sushi made to order, alongside classic sukiyaki and shabu-shabu for a full Japanese dining experience.
- Trusted by the Japanese Embassy community, serving as a reliable benchmark for authentic Japanese cuisine in the capital.
Reservations strongly recommended; email or phone preferred for booking
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Frequently asked
About Kiku
- Is Kiku an authentic classic japanese restaurant in London?
- Yes — Kiku is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for classic japanese in London: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
- Where is Kiku located?
- Kiku is located at 17 Half Moon Street, London W1J 7BE, London, United Kingdom in the Mayfair neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Kiku?
- Kiku does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular sushi restaurants in London we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Kiku?
- Kiku sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for classic japanese of this format in London.
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