Notting Hill, Japanese Restaurant Guide

This “slurpy Japanese noodles” outfit has grown from a 2011 pop-up to a fledgling national chain (14 branches in London, plus Brighton and Brum). These days it “feels formulaic, but the ramen does the business – the tonkotsu (pork broth, from which the place gets its name) is satisfyingly porky and the chilli chicken has a spicy hum”. Critics are not so sure, pointing to “very disappointing noodles” and “drab stock”.

Endo Kazutoshi’s “cute little local” on the edge of Notting Hill – the more casual spin-off from White City’s exceptional Endo at Rotunda – “punches above its weight”. Named after the sushi master’s mother, it offers a taste of his artful creations at much more approachable prices, and “a wonderful and delicious take on traditional Japanese food”. In September 2022, it reopens having expanded (from 45 to 60 covers) and with a new chef: Christian Onia.

This Mexican/Japanese hybrid in Notting Hill offers ‘gangster tacos’ served with Japanese elegance – and provides “the best fun dining out I have had in a long while”, full of “exciting, flavour-packed mouthfuls”. Finnish-born founder Markus Thesleff coined the label ‘Baja Nihon’ to cover a cuisine that does not exist elsewhere, and has taken over the site occupied by legendary fish ’n’ chip restaurant Geales (RIP) for more than 50 years. Top Tip – “it’s great for allergies – the entire menu is GF and you’d have no idea!”