London is home to so many incredible Asian restaurants, whose thriving scene is growing hotter by the day. The city’s must-try Asian restaurants include fabulous Pan-Asian menus with fusion cooking styles, elegant Japanese staples and must-try Chinese cuisines.
Feast on fluffy bao buns with juicy meat fillings at a London icon in Covent Garden, or enjoy a stunning sushi spread paired with Japanese whisky in elegant Mayfair. Enjoy a stylish night out with friends in an omakase sushi spot in Fitzrovia, and grab a warming bowl of Sukiyaki Japanese hot pot in Soho – the perfect pick-me-up when the weather turns cold.
Dive into the 10 best Asian restaurants in London, and book your table right on OpenTable now.
The 10 best Asian restaurants in London to book ASAP – read on for the full guide
For sumptuous sushi – book at Sexy Fish in Mayfair, one of London’s best Asian restaurants
Modern chic meets timeless Asian cuisine in London’s Sexy Fish sushi bar. This elegant restaurant in Mayfair is just a stone’s throw from Berkeley Square, in the heart of London’s fine dining district. The menu is built around seafood, with celebrated MICHELIN-star chef, Bjoern Weissgerber, at the helm. Popular dishes at Sexy Fish include classic nigiri and maki sets, yellowfin tuna sashimi, and chicken yakitori skewers finished on the robata grill .
Sexy Fish is also one of the top Asian restaurants in London for whisky, and has an extensive list of Japanese malts and blends. These whiskies are sourced from independent distilleries around Japan, and showcase a range of complex flavours, from smoky oak-cask malts to smooth cedar blends. The whisky menu is highly detailed, giving you plenty of information, so you can flex your palette. You can even mix things up with a bespoke whiskey cocktail.
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For sake cocktails in one of the top Asian restaurants in London – book at The Ivy Asia in Mayfair, Chelsea and St. Paul’s
With its lavish decor and Asian-inspired menu, The Ivy Asia is an all-round sensory experience and is one of the best Asian restaurants in London for casual fine dining. The Ivy has been an iconic London institution since the first Ivy restaurant opened in the West End in 1917. Since then, the franchise has expanded to include global cuisines and now has three Ivy Asia branches in Mayfair, Chelsea and St. Paul’s . The vibe at The Ivy Asia is one of opulence and relaxation, where diners can kick back with friends and share a late-night platter or a lunch stack full of tempting dishes.
The à la carte menu includes Japanese specials, like sushi rolls filled with Wagyu beef or Cantonese hoisin duck served alongside steamed scallion pancakes. Sample the house sake list, which features vintages from the Japanese Niigata region. The Ivy also specialises in creative sake cocktails that carefully balance the delicate flavours of sake with Western mixology.
📍 Mayfair — Check availability
📍 Chelsea — Check availability
📍 St Paul’s — Check availability
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For a must-try Japanese BBQ – try Kintan Oxford Circus
Kintan Oxford Circus is one of the top Asian restaurants in London for yakiniku, traditional Japanese-style grilled meat. This Japanese BBQ joint has a lively atmosphere and a sleek, contemporary feel, with large tables that are ideal for small groups of six or less. The menu features a fantastic range of sharing courses, which include multiple small plates and meat dishes you can cook yourself on the individual table grills.
Char fresh slices of Harami Skirt Steak to your taste with the Meat Lover’s Platter or throw some garlic tiger prawns and sweet onions on the BBQ. Kintan’s menu also includes an array of tasty Japanese and Korean sides, such as cosy egg drop soup, spicy kimchee, and crunchy edamame .
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For tasty Indo-Cantonese dishes – head to Fatt Pundit in Covent Garden and Soho
Fatt Pundit’s two locations are best known for Indo-Chinese classics. The unique cuisine stems from Hakka migrants who came to India from the Chinese province of Canton in the 19th century. Both Fatt Pundit outposts feature exposed walls, splashed with street signs and murals that fuel a lively, group-friendly atmosphere. Indian spices meet traditional Chinese cooking techniques in dishes such as chilli paneer and sticky sesame vegetables. Despite its cross-cultural ethos, Fatt Pundit has a refreshingly compact menu which makes room for vegan and gluten-free options, s ink your teeth into masala lamb chops dusted with a black bean rub, or enjoy authentic Szechuan flavours with the vegan Bombay chicken . An order of Tibetan momos, or dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, is practically mandatory. Fatt Pundit is also one of the top Asian restaurants in London to grab a meal before a West End show. Both locations are just a short walk from the Noel Coward Theatre, the Adelphi, and the Royal Opera House. Choose from the set pre-theatre menu and enjoy fast, efficient service. And no meal here is complete without a sizzling brownie finale.
📍 Convent Garden — Check availability
📍 Soho — Check availability
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For traditional steamed bao at a top Asian restaurant in London – book a table at Flesh & Buns in Covent Garden
Modelled on Japanese Izakaya bars, which are traditional pubs for after-work drinks and snacks, Flesh & Buns has an Anime-inspired aesthetic with a friendly and intimate atmosphere. You’ll be won over by the gorgeously designed menus and decor, styled by artist and illustrator, Emily Fay. The subterranean downstairs bar has a cosy ambience, that gives it the feel of a hideaway from the city, while still keeping things chic and urban.
Menu highlights at Flesh & Buns include the steamed gua bao buns that can be mixed and matched with sumptuous fillings, like grain-fed rib-eye steak, pork belly, and miso aubergine . Flesh & Buns is also one of the top Asian restaurants in London for sashimi and maki. The bar’s frozen yuzu margarita is also a refreshing favourite with its bright, citrusy tang.
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For one of the best Asian restaurants in London for North-Indian food – Don’t miss Tandoor Chop House in Covent Garden
This warm, buzzy restaurant is part classic British chophouse and part tandoori joint. Tandoor Chop House includes traditional trademarks of both cooking styles, using prime slabs of British meat and preparing them with rich Indian spice blends in tandoori ovens. Begin with appetisers including bhaji onion rings with smoked aubergine raita and chickpea chaat before tearing into showstopping hot honey chicken, masala boti rubbed ribeye and roasted cauliflower.
With a prime location near Covent Garden, the Tandoor Chop House is the ideal place to eat after a busy day in London. Don’t miss the traditional Thali feast on Sundays and sample on North-Indian dishes served with tandoori baked flatbreads . Wood panels and red furniture give it a rustic vibe that matches the platters of smoky meat from the open kitchen.
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For one of the best Pan-Asian restaurants in London – Don’t miss Dojo in Hatch End
Head to the north of London in Hatch End to find one of the best Pan-Asian restaurants that London has to offer. With a wide range of Asian cuisines and specialties, Dojo has a sleek, unfussy feel that makes it great for intimate celebrations or for weeknight dining. The menu is fantastically eclectic and expertly prepared, giving you the chance to branch out and try amazing dishes from different Asian cultures and cuisines. Feast on classics from Vietnam, Indonesia and India, like unagi roasted eel sushi and dim sum.
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For Asia-Pacific-inspired cuisine – Go to Kaia at The Ned London in Bank
Kaia at The Ned is a standout Asian-Pacific restaurant that specialises in poke bowls and grilled dishes, prepped in a dynamic open kitchen. The dishes come from all around Asia, with staples like prawn dumplings, robata teriyaki salmon, and grilled tsukune chicken skewers taking centre stage.
For an energy boost, Kaia also has a house juice press and creates fresh concoctions with a blend of fruit, veg, and healthy spices. The drinks menu also includes a range of sake vintages and a selection of Japanese beers . Elevate your dining experience at Kaia by booking a premium brunch, which features a choice of fish or meat mains, and is served alongside the chef’s seasonal selection of sashimi and nigiri .
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For Omakase sushi sets – book a table at Kibako in Fitzrovia
Kibako in Fitzrovia allows you to keep things sweet, simple, and elegant. It’s one of the best Asian restaurants in London for sushi, and has an incredible choice of Omakase set menus and sashimi plates . The concept of Omakase originated in Japan and roughly translates to ‘I’ll leave it up to you’ or chef’s choice – and, when it comes to chef’s choice at Kibako, diners are certainly in excellent hands. The kitchen at Kibako is run by chef Padam Raj Rai, who trained in Osaka and has worked for 21 years at some of the most prestigious sushi restaurants in London. Kibako takes its name from the carefully curated and personalised chef’s sushi selections, which blend traditional Japanese flavours with modern innovations. The presentation is fresh and delicate, with edible flowers and unique garnishes sprinkled throughout.
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For one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in London combining flavours from East and West – try Shack-Fuyu in Soho
The menu at Shack-Fuyu centres around Japanese cuisine with some Pan-Asian influences. The kitchen adds a unique twist to the menu by focusing on Japanese Yoshoku dishes that were inspired by Western cuisine. It’s great stick-to-your-ribs food, with popular favourites including Korean fried chicken , Sukiyaki style Wagyu beef hot pot, and pork bao buns. If you fancy trying something different, creative dishes like honey pork neck or the spicy miso scallop are delicious combinations.
Shack-Fuyu is also known for its decadent Kinako French toast , which is made with traditional Kinako soybean flour and paired with creamy soft serve. Perfect if you want to finish your meal with something sweet.
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These are some of the best Asian restaurants in London to try whether you’re already a big fan of Asian food or if you want to discover some new dishes and cuisines. From Chinese dim sum to Korean fried chicken, London’s thriving Asian food scene has got your cravings covered.
