Naniwa Japanese Restaurant

In East London, Naniwa Japanese Restaurant champions the quiet drama of Japanese cooking: pristine cuts, polished rice, and the kind of balance that whispers rather than shouts. The menu moves from cool sashimi to comforting donburi, revealing a kitchen that trusts its ingredients and technique.

Begin with the briny snap of goma wakame-ae or the caramel depth of nasu dengaku, aubergine lacquered with miso. Then comes the solace of salmon don or gyu don, bowls that wrap warmth around tender slices and sweet onions. Those seeking fire‑kissed nuance will find it in the sake toro aburi set and wagyu aburi set, seared edges yielding to silky centres, brightened with lemon, yuzu kosho and a whisper of spring onions.

Elsewhere, gindara yaki brings black cod marinated in miso to a glistening finish, while o-toro sashimi and salmon sashimi speak in clear, oceanic tones. Plates are neat, flavours are deliberate, and there is a sense of restraint that lets umami do the talking.

Come for a quiet supper or a steady lunch, stay for precision served with warmth. Reserve your spot, follow the grain and the gleam, and let Naniwa do the rest.