Akira at Japan House - South Kensington, London

Eating at Engawa was a true odyssey of the senses through a delectable omakase of Kobe beef, so, when we heard that exec chef Shimizu Akira was opening a second restaurant in the capital, our ears were firmly perked up. When Akira finally arrived we were delighted to hear that the chef would be making an outing in omonestashi - a trinity of Japanese cooking principles comprising of food, tableware and presentation. We dropped in to try the robatayaki and sushi omakase menus…

The dining room was designed by Katayama Masamichi of Wonderwall and leans heavily into Japanese minimalist aesthetics. It blends industrial utilitarian details with classically Nipponese, juxtaposing polished concrete floors with wooden partitions and a black slatted ceiling. The presentation of the food really warrants applause, with jewel-like morsels settled into the lacquered grids of bento boxes and beautiful ceramic bowls and plates served atop giant volcanic rocks. 

We were smitten with everything we sampled. The three course omakase dinner menu kicked off with a belly tuna sashimi salad with a jalapeno dressing which was as delicious as it sounds, the fatty marbled flesh spiked with spicy jalapeno. Assorted sashimi then arrived, glistening and pellucid, served in ornate boxes. Our robata main grilled Wagyu beef and kushiyaki skewers to char-broiled brilliance, and served with a smattering of sushi and an umami-rich soup. 

Taken together, Akira offers one of the best omakase experiences in West London. Worth a trip!