Erin Niimi Longhurst

Eating out in Stokey is always a good time. A perfect day in N16 would start with shakshuka at brilliant brunch spot The Good Egg, followed by lunch tacos at Sonora Taqueria and then an all-out Indian veggie feast at Rasa or maybe Scottish-Spanish tapas at Escocesa. But we'll leave it up to you to make your own edible agenda; to help, here are the very best restaurants in Stoke Newington.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Hackney.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. So east London it hurts? Follow our Time Out East London WhatsApp channel for the latest news, openings and goss from the coolest bit of the capital. (Yeah, we said it.)

Whether it’s ramen noodles, beautifully presented pastries or succulent sushi, there are plenty of ways to get your fix of washoku in London. Japanese food is extremely varied, and we’ve reflected that here, highlighting high-end and luxury establishments as well as cheap-and-cheerful places where you can dine tachigui-style (‘eaten standing up’). What these restaurants have in common is a distinctly Japanese approach to food, one that looks to preserve the integrity of ingredients, and accentuate the way they are prepared and sourced. There’s also a serious level of commitment and skill here, and a carefully curated attention to detail. A good Japanese meal will taste delicious, but a great Japanese meal should look, sound and feel delicious too, engaging all of the senses. Whether you are in the mood for deeply traditional fare or more experimental and future-facing fusion, you’ll find somewhere amazing to eat here. For us, representation is also key, and where possible, we’ve looked to focus on Japanese owned and led establishments. Erin Niimi Longhurst is a British/Japanese author, and her books include ‘Japonisme’, ‘Omoiyari’, and ‘A Little Book of Japanese Contentments’. Her work is influenced by her dual heritage, and focuses on her passion for food, wellbeing, and culture. Recommended: Now try London’s best ramen restaurants.

There are few dishes that capture hearts and imagination quite like ramen does. For those wanting a crash course in what constitutes an iconic bowl of ramen, we recommend a screening of the iconic 1985 film Tampopo. If you’re looking for a more hands-on approach, you can also check out the best examples of the dish that can be found in London.  Ramen is a soup-based noodle dish, and a truly exceptional bowl requires careful coordination to assemble the component parts together; toppings to retain their texture, the thin, alkaline wheat noodles to maintain a springy consistency, and for the seasoned broth to provide a complex foundation for the entire meal to rest on. This is no mean feat for a fast-food dish that is meant to be eaten rapidly. What differentiates ramen from other Japanese or Asian noodle dishes is the noodle itself, which is made with lye water, which gives its distinctive colour and texture. Different regions in Japan have their own varieties and specialties of broths and toppings. The soup bases are flavoured with sauces (or tare), most commonly salt (shio), soy sauce (shoyu) and miso. One popular regional variation is the Hakata tonkotsu ramen, where pork bones are boiled for an extended period of time to produce a creamier, cloudier stock. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to variety, and fans of ‘tsukemen’ (ramen noodles with a dipping sauce) and ‘hiyashi chūka’ (a chilled ramen dish perfect for summer) will find something here to satiate their cravi

Looking for the best restaurants in Mayfair? You're spoilt for choice in this extremely swanky central London neighbourhood. There are enough Michelin stars to feed a village here and prices are fittingly fierce. But if you're after some indulgence or looking for the perfect celebration spot, then this is where you should be taking your hard-earned cash, with hotel joints such as The Ritz and Claridge's in-house eateries some of the area's finest. A tip: look out for set lunch menus, which many Mayfair fine-dining restaurants such as Pavyllon and Murano offer, and make the whole experience that much more affordable. Go forth and feast: these are Mayfair's most impressive food spots. Recommended: The best restaurants in London. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

We would be remiss not to mention upfront that the omakase offering at Sushi Kanesaka is priced at £420. Per person. While that might make you wince, on arrival it makes a bit more sense. Located within the 5-star 45 Park Lane Hotel, this is Mayfair sushi at Mayfair prices. That said, a meal at Sushi Kanesaka has the power to transport you to Japan through the spirit of omotenashi, a mindful, wholeheartedly compassionate approach. You’re tenderly taken care of by its London team, many who have moved over from Tokyo. Everything about this intimate, 13-seat restaurant is thoughtfully curated, from the muted, minimal interiors and stunning cedar wood chef's counter, to the selection of hand-cut sake glasses guests are invited to choose from. Cornish crab with junsai watershield was beautiful and elegant, looking like something made by a glassblower. Tradition and craftsmanship runs through every element. A focus on your needs and enjoyment is anticipated, often before you realise it yourself. Prior to your visit, a gentle suggestion is made in the confirmation email to forego perfume, to limit distraction. Between the first and second courses, once it became apparent to the staff that one guest was left-handed, adjustments were subtly made in response. A good omakase experience will have you feeling like an active participant on a journey, rather than a passive passenger. This is the service that Sushi Kanesaka provides – particularly with their sake pairing (between £150-220).