Japanese cuisine is not hard to come by in London. Whether it’s tonkotsu ramen, multi-Michelin-starred sushi or beautiful bento boxes, there’s something for every moment and fancy – or at least you’d think so. Until Yen opened on The Strand, London was missing a dedicated soba and sushi specialist.
From the same owners as Yen Paris – the renowned restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés – this new offering is located at the gateway to the City, The Strand. It specialises in buckwheat soba noodles, which are handmade on a twice-daily basis before service in a bespoke glass room at the centre of the restaurant. This signature ingredient is served either hot or cold with an umami-rich dashi broth and a variety of toppings including duck, scallops or tempura.
These sought-after noodles are made by highly trained chefs who have honed their skills under the Master of Soba, Mr Takahashi Kunihiro in Yamanashi, Japan. Head Sushi Chef Akinori Yasuda has more than 20 years experience working in some of Japan and London’s top sushi restaurants, including a position as Head Sushi Chef at Zuma for six years. And so it’s no surprise that the restaurant opened to critical acclaim last year.
The menu includes a substantial sushi selection, which is prepared to order in the open-plan kitchen, which features an elegant eight-seater sushi counter for guests who like to sit among the skilled chefs at work.
Set lunches are also available with an incredible wagyu set menu starting at just £19.50
Main dishes largely centre around robata and tempura, including Yen’s signature courgette flower tempura; chargrilled black cod marinated in Saikyo miso; and Wagyu steak marinated in miso. The menu also includes Japanese rice pots, designed for sharing, which can be topped with either salmon, mixed mushrooms or eel. Set lunches are also available with an incredible wagyu set menu starting at just £19.50.
Yen also offers a striking private dining room for up to 18 guests in an elegant space with gold-leaf adorning the walls. Private dining menus start from £75 and the space comes with a private, fully stocked bar. Signature cocktails can be created to order for your event, and the room comes with a minimum spend (£1,000) but no hire fee.
Open all day, every day, Yen’s cocktail bar overlooks the main restaurant. The imaginative Japanese-focused list features cocktails made with premium sakes, shōchūs and whiskeys alongside a large list of classic cocktails.
Yen, 190 Strand, 5 Arundel Street, London, WC2R 1NB. For more information and bookings, go to yen-london.co.uk or call 020 3915 6976.
