Engawa in City of London, Westminster

The difference with five years is too obvious, the same dish if not up to the previous quality will disappoint the regular customers.

I fell in love with this restaurant a year ago and decided to bring a friend along with me this year for her to try their 14 tier lunch/dinner set, only to find out that they removed it from their menu :( They apparently had a menu change and decided on a more a la carte approach and removed their popular sushi and/or wagyu lunch/dinner box set menu. We ended up getting something similar and the food was just as amazing, but it was kind of a bummer they removed something that they were popular for.

I am returning happy client for 7+ years, my previous visit was terrible . The tasting menu shrunk by half , and price up 30%?? Sashimi not as good as usual, the chef totally miscalculated the wasabi , was almost inedible for some of us. Service was excellent, the only standard that remained the same. All in all, felt like an absolute rip off, poor value for money. Won’t be returning.

Amazing tasting menus well worth the cost. Service was exceptional.

engawa might've been a hit yrs ago but deffo not my cup of tea for this visit. honestly not a fan of sauce > substance. everything's just sauce sauce sauce plss 😭 i'd rather the neta carry itself. shari feels flat and just 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️. the grid layout also just feels v gimmicky and doesn't do much to the overall experience. With the amount of staff avail on site id prefer my sushi served one by one as one would in a proper omakase 🍣 for this price id just go somewhere else tbf

It is a small restaurant, but has such a lovely atmosphere (which was only ruined a bit by a loudly crying toddler). The staff was super friendly and nice and the food was absolutely delicious. We sat at the counter and it was very interesting to watch the chefs working. We had a bottle of sake with our 5 course omakase wagyu meal. It was my husbands birthday and he got a little candle in his desert which was a nice touch. It was on the expensive side, definitely not an every day dinner, but we enjoyed it immensely.

A fantastic Asian restaurant, the bento boxes were some of the best we've ever had. Lovely friendly staff and a great place. Everything was freshly prepared with really top quality ingredients. Highly recommended!

We had £140 per head Omakaze however, there was a hair in the wagyu tartare. As my friend was visiting, I did not want to ruin her experience so I did not make a scene however, for how much it is, there should be better quality management. When showed them the hair, they gave us fresh beef tartare - but we had already eaten some of that £££ hair-infused beef tartare. Would not go back at all.

Very good, very nice. Went for 4y anniversary. Super friendly service, who explained the dishes and were well attentive. High quality food, and service made the experience feel more personal. Asked about allergies as soon as arriving as well. Very recommend. S-tier restaurant; super skibidi.

The food is banging super good especially the uni wagyu roll!! The service is 100, the staffs are really friendly and they helped me to celebrate my boyfriends birthday!

I loved the whole experience at Engawa. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. I don’t eat a lot of Japanese food, so I didn’t really know what to expect. My partner was very excited. The three piece Wagyu omakase was beautifully presented, from the amouse bouche to the beautifully prepared bento box right through to the Wagyu steak (which melted in my mouth like butter!) watching the chefs in the kitchen was a lot of a fun and to see the care they take with every plate is astonishing. It’s not easy on the wallet, but easier than other restaurants at this level. We also enjoyed a green tea, and some mochi which they out a candle in for my larger as it was her birthday. Personally I think a cup of green tea should be on the house… but then again it was beautiful green tea so maybe they need to recover that cost. Very happy, would recommend to others and would go again.

Cozy atmosphere with delicious food (especially the wagyu on hot stone) and incredibly friendly staff!

Loved this place - got taken here and it was a beautiful experience. Hope to come again i have etched this place in my heart!

Copying my review that I wrote on another site, since the more time I think about this meal, the more I find it not worth it. I ordered a five course omakaze set with A5 wagyu, for a meal costing almost 200 pounds, this is very disappointing. Appetizer: A salmon toro tartare with avocado. The taste is decent, but I found some pieces of avocado still unripe. "Bento box": Assortment of sashimi and small dishes served in mame-zaras. (1) Wagyu with jelly: alright. (2) seaweed salad: I'd expect this factory made seaweed salad in a 20 pounds sushi meal. This should not exist in a fine dining restaurant. (3) - (7): Hotate, Toro, Salmon, Akami, Hamachi sashimi. sashimi seems to be sliced for a while, so the scallops were a bit dry. Toro is decent, seems to be chu-toro. Salmon is just salmon, nothing special nor bad. Hamachi is fine. Soysauce served on the side lacks depth. Surprisingly akami was not bad, but it's still about average. (8) Croquette: well made. (9) Deep fried monkfish: the worst item in the whole meal. It was fried long before serving so it was cold, tough, and tasteless. (10) Something similar to Nikujaga: the best of the box. (11) Tamago: A bit bland, not enough seasoning/dashi/mirin. Wanmono: Agedashi Tofu. Very standard, I like it. A5 Wagyu: Meat is overcooked, luckily it's wagyu so there's larger room of error. The sauce, similar to mango chutney, is great, the subtle sweetness is a decent complement to the fatty wagyu. Grilled vegetables were cold, same as that deep fried monkfish. Soup is on the bland side but it balance the dish well, which is not bad. Rice is akitakomachi, a well-rounded rice. I would prefer less water to cook that rice given it has a higher moisture content, hence slightly sticky. Note: now looking at other's photos, it seems that my wagyu are also smaller than theirs. Dessert: Strawberry crepe cake + chocolate yuzu cheesecake. The slices are small. The cream of crepe cake is a bit thin. Yuzu slightly overwhelmed the chocolate flavour. Matcha sauce is a nice addition to balance the acidity. If the meal cost half the price I would let it go, but for this price I should expect better from this. Service was great tho, lovely staff.

The most amazing experience and the stuff were friendly and accommodating

We came here for a celebration as this restaurant was recommended by a friend. This is a hidden gem. A very tiny restaurant with absolute 5 stars food quality and service. We loved the tender beef and fresh fish. Presentation is excellent. Staff were very lovely and attentive. An expensive restaurant but worth the money. Highly recommended.

Fantastic food, beautifully presented and served by attentive and knowledgeable staff. It was an excellent dining experience.

Third time dining here and it was again a wonderful experience. I always try to fit in dinner at Engawa if i have the good fortune to be in London!

Although this has a really authentic feel to it I was really disappointed with the food. It was really nothing special and not worth the price tag. The restaurant was really cold and we ordered some sparkling wine which was expensive and honestly, undrinkable it was that bad. The only positives were that the service was quick and the staff were friendly. Unfortunately, I would not recommend.

Really good and fresh food, welcoming staff and amazing drinks

Still one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in London

The presentation was spectacular for a food photography nerd like me! A large variety of fish and flavors, which I very much appreciated. A small location so you are able to see the chefs do their amazing work.

We were on vacation in London and went there to celebrate my son's birthday. Being a dinner we opted for one of the short menus. Everything great, excellent. The quality of the sushi, and the unimaginable wagyu. If you can choose the bar instead of a table, you will be facing the kitchen managers whose professionalism and treatment of customers are outstanding. Without a doubt, if I return to London, I will visit again

Estamos unos días en Londres y fuimos a celebrar el cumpleaños de mi hijo. Al ser una cena optamos por uno de los menús cortos. Una experiencia culinaria excelente. Cenamos en la barra, frente a los responsables de la cocina y su atención y servicio don de destacar, al igual que el resto del personal del local. Calidad, insuperable. Cantidad, sin escatimar en nada. Calidad precio, ajustada. No se cuando, pero sin duda volveremos

We walked in on Wednesday evening spontaneously because we wanted to celebrate a good news and we got a nice table inside. We chose the 3 course sushi omakase with a wine pairing (with wine for me and sake for my husband). Pricey but really worth it! Delicious food, great staff, we had a wonderful experience! Truly recommended!

I would not say that sushi was something crazy tasty for the price. It was just alright, not bad. Could've been tastier. The serving is nice.

Amazing meal. Wonderful wagyu and sushi.

Simply delicious Japanese fare, great service, outstanding sake and overall a lovely vibe. Definitely recommend the 3 course omakase with sake pairing.

Note: It's been 2 weeks since I had the meal. I ordered a five course omakaze set with A5 wagyu, for a meal costing almost 200 pounds, this is very disappointing. Appetizer: A salmon toro tartare with avocado. The taste is decent, but I found some pieces of avocado still unripe. "Bento box": Assortment of sashimi and small dishes served in mame-zaras. (1) Wagyu with jelly: alright. (2) seaweed salad: I'd expect this factory made seaweed salad in a 20 pounds sushi meal. This should not exist in a fine dining restaurant. (3) - (7): Hotate, Toro, Salmon, Akami, Hamachi sashimi. sashimi seems to be sliced for a while, so the scallops were a bit dry. Toro is decent, seems to be chu-toro. Salmon is just salmon, nothing special nor bad. Hamachi is fine. Soysauce served on the side lacks depth. (8) Croquette: well made. (9) Deep fried monkfish: the worst item in the whole meal. It was fried long before serving so it was cold, tough, and tasteless. (10) Something similar to Nikujaga: the best of the box. (11) Tamago: A bit bland, not enough seasoning/dashi/mirin. Wanmono: Agedashi Tofu. Very standard, I like it. A5 Wagyu: Meat is overcooked, luckily it's wagyu so there's larger room of error. The sauce, similar to mango chutney, is great, the subtle sweetness is a decent complement to the fatty wagyu. Grilled vegetables were cold, same as that deep fried monkfish. Soup is on the bland side but it balance the dish well, which is not bad. Rice is akitakomachi, a well-rounded rice. I would prefer less water to cook that rice given it has a higher moisture content, hence slightly sticky. Dessert: Strawberry crepe cake + chocolate yuzu cheesecake. The slices are small. The cream of crepe cake is a bit thin. Yuzu slightly overwhelmed the chocolate flavour. Matcha sauce is a nice addition to balance the acidity. The crepe cake also If the meal cost half the price I would let it go, but for this price I should expect better from this. Service was great tho, lovely staff.

Beautiful food. Great Service. Nice visual design. Very poor music - like in a pub for under 30s.

Food is mediocre and certainly Not worth it. Sushi rice is cold and the seaweed is not crispy. Sashimi box is only part sashimi and part cooked food. The cooked fish is horrible. It is tofu.

My favorite Wagyu A5 spot in london. Perfect food, perfect service, perfect atmosphere. A 3 course meal is more than enough if youre hungry but if youre sharing with someone then id recommend getting the 5 course.

Service is really excellent - friendly, attentive and well informed. Sashimi selection is fabulous and perfectly presented. The vegetables were crunchy and creatively flavoured. A really wonderful experience. Only cons - punchy on price given value on offer for high level Japanese available in soho, tables are a bit too tight, closes a little too early.

To enjoy the precious time with good friend with good food at a wonderful place.

To enjoy the precious time with good friend with good food at a wonderful place.

Engawa’s sushi and omakase boxes are beautiful and simply delicious. The food took its time to come but it was worth the wait. The waitress was so lovely and helpful, and they catered to our dietary needs. Very unique dining experience - i’ll come again.

My favourite Japanese in London. When they have it, the otoro uni crêpe is one of my favourite dishes ever. Pure indulgence and worth every penny. My go to place for wagyu and their fish quality is always excellent.

Lovely cosy and intimate setting. Food presentation was stunning and the food itself was absolutely delicious. The wagyu steak was absolutely marvelous. I’ll highly recommend.

Had a lovely time. I'd highly recommend. Bite-size dishes and delicious meals. Nice & intimate ambience.

We came here for a special occasion. After just getting back from Japan I was hesitant that this place would live up to my recent meals but it did. Authentic Japanese flavours and great fresh fish although that is to be expected at this higher price point. The presentation was great and the meal was delicious. We had bar seating so we could see the kitchen at work which was nice entertainment. We upgraded to the 5 course wagyu omakase set meal and the wagyu main was melt in your mouth delicious and £120 per person excluding drinks. The staff were all friendly and attentive.

An Authentic Japanese restaurants where all staff speak in Japanese when they communicate with each other. I was greeted by all staff in Japanese when I entered and left the restaurant. That’s really impressive. I ordered a 5 course omakase. All dishes were fresh and tasty with beautiful presentations. The Sake was also highly recommended. Another good thing was that they didn’t limit your time to eat even during a busy Saturday evening. The waiting staff were attentive and polite. It would be better if they could change the dessert into something else as I’m not into crepe cake.

Quality of the fish stays intact. The sushi box is very good and the variety is appreciated. The soups and the appetizers are subpar. The staff and the counter seating is different and a fun experience. Lovely location and quality of the seafood yet needs more positive energy and a change in the choice of music that is used.

Small and Very cosy place for high quality Japanese food. Great service as well.

excellent menu, service and ambience!! everything was perfect! well done guys!

Best Japanese restaurant in London, by a long way! I’ve visited Japan twice this year and have been fortunate enough to eat in many highly rated restaurants (I’m very fortunate!!!) but honestly, Engawa matches or even exceeds what I experienced in Japan. The food, drinks, staff… everything was fantastic! We spent a lot… but this was no problem at all and was well worth forking out! Will be visiting again!

I have just finished dinner with my girlfriend here. It was a great experience overall. The restaurant is small but has a nice and intimate feel to it. Staff was super friendly and professional, which is very important to me. The waitress (I think her name was Ayuka) who mostly looked after us was excellent. The food was really good too, love the sushi boxes - the presentation is an experience in itself! They use quality ingredients and everything was fresh. There is an open kitchen, so you can actually watch the chefs prepare each dish. We also tried the beef, which I would recommend. The portion is a bit small but it's tasty and top quality. Only thing I would change next time is to book an actual table. I had booked through OpenTable and selected the high-table option (out of only two options, the other one being the bar) but we somehow ended up at the bar. There is nothing wrong with the bar in and of itself (it is actually a great spot if you want to be close to the kitchen) but I would have preferred a table seat. However, I believe this is more of an OpenTable issue. I don't particularly like their booking system, and at better restaurants, it always feels like you don't get the full seating choice through their site. In any case, I would recommend Engawa and will come back at some point in the coming months.

Restaurant is small, clean & basic with a clinical feel. Super location. The upper level tables are good as you will soak up the atmosphere by either watching the Sushi Masters at work or people watching outside the restaurant. The food was OUTSTANDING and the service was friendly and efficient. We were having pre-theatre dinner so told the staff on arrival and it was all perfect timing. We also said our preferences and allergies prior to ordering. Would definitely go back.

We had the 6 course A5 menu (£140 pp). It was absolutely delicious. The Chateaubriand with miso dressing in particular was amazing. Each Dosh was fairly light but there was a huge amount of food in total and the meal took over 2 hours. The service was very attentive and friendly and the chefs (who you could see preparing the food) were kind in describing what they were doing to my curious son. The restaurant is quite small so people had to squeeze past and you didn't get alot of space but the ambience was relaxed. Wonderful place for a special meal.

Used to be one of our favourite restaurants in London. But not anymore! We went a few months ago and were disappointed and put it down to an off day, but this is the second time. Maybe there were not making enough money and have had to change things up, but the sushi is now over cold, very , very bland; even the hot dishes were luke warm . Gone are the hot stones and cocktails . Really, genuinely, we could have ate as well at Yo Sushi and it wouldn’t have cost us £250 for 2 people! I don’t think my wife and I have ever been to a restaurant once so good that has become so deeply, deeply average. For those who used to love this place, you have been warned…

This is probably one of the best Japanese restaurants in town. Four of us had the Omakase set lunch. The 3 course set came with a special salad to start with. It was a delicate mix of finely sliced vegetables in lemon juice & Japanese soya sauce. Then we each had an enormous box of seafood in bite size. Each portion is delicately prepared & presented. For main course, two of us had the sushi set & two had the wagyu set. Both were excellent. Fish were fresh whilst wagyu tender. We also had cocktails and sake. All in all we were very happy with our choice of food as well as service. The restaurant is small but cosy. We came following the footstep of a Japanese star Kento Yamazaki who came here a few years ago & we were not disappointed. Some people might say they would expect each dish to be served one after another as in most high end Japanese restaurants. But I personally feel this is just a matter of presentation. For me, to have a great selection of small bites all served at the same time is a treat. It is a bit like having a piece of installation art right in front of you. It’s not only pleasing to the eyes, it also improves one’s appetite. Also you can pick & choose what to have next for contrasts, comparisons or whatever takes your fancy. It is a plus rather than a minus for me.

Beautiful Restaurant - Very kind and attentive staff. Wagyu Hotstone was a highlight! Great selection of Sake also.

The staff were really attentive and went above and beyond. The food was fairly prices to their quality and I’d highly recommend the 3 course meal.

very good in everything, definitely recommend going

The Wagyu beef Bento and asahi beer are the best choice to enjoy at your relaxing moments and i don´t recomend you when you eat so fast, just be calm.

Amazing omakase course great wine too. The service is fantastic

One of the best restaurants I have been to in years. The service is impeccable and the food is amazing I would highly recommend Engawa

Truly one of the most amazing restaurants I’ve been to in london it’s not cheap but the staff location and quality of the food and wine is unparalleled in town … and we’ve tried a lot of restaurants over the years! The staff are just delightful!

5-course Omakase menu is definitely worth trying.

As quite a few diners have commented it was a nice meal but not a great meal. Nothing poor but nothing great. Thought the quality of the fish (particularly) tuna was below expected, very dark and slightly fishy taste but other tasting dishes were fine but not ground breaking. Wagyu was perfectly cooked but again a little bit chewy which asks me to question the quality of the ingredients don’t quite match prices and expectations. Service was friendly and great. Wasn’t a bad meal but don’t think I would revisit.

Intimate dining area, open kitchen, food was excellent, beautifully presented and very tasty. Service was also very good. It is expensive but it’s a very small restaurant with a good number of staff in Soho .

The food was excellent - wonderful Wagyu, but also good vegetarian options. The service was excellent. We had a lovely time, and recommend it highly.

Engawa changed their wagyu serve from the hot stone to a simple plate and it was quite disappointing because it was cold :( And this expensive meat was not delicious at all because all the fat went out and it was just meat in some cold grease :(

Some of the worst sushi we've had in London which is what we feared when we saw no Japanese chefs behind the counter. The rice used in the nigiri was cold, hard and chewy. Fish not much better. I left half of it. Vegetables in the signature box also all not fresh and chewy. No cocktails on the menu. Dining space felt more like a food court. The service was the only redemption. All in all the only thing high end about this place is the price

We had a wonderful meal sitting at the counter. Staff were very friendly, efficient and attentive. The pace of the food coming out was nicely timed. I had the 3 course set meal and my son chose from the main menu. Everything was beautifully presented and tasty. The guys cooking were very calm and clearly working nicely as a team. The restaurant was not noisy even on a Friday night. We had a great time and will be back. Thanks to the entire team at Engawa for making our meal so memorable.

Extremely recommended, the A5 Wagyu is just too good here and the Omakase is expertly crafted and presented!

The staff were really fantastic and the food delicious- will definitely come again.

Love this restaurant, still one of our favorites in London.

Everything is delicious without any doubt. Best place i ever been in london

delicious! as always. love it here so much. wagyu hot stone is insane.

Cozy experience, authentic Japanese food

It was a nice place but food wise was disappointed did not tickle my senses. I was super sad as I love Akira so much that I have been there so many times. And to be honest so many good starters and cocktails were not available unlike akira. Service and atmosphere were absolutely wonderful. And can’t fault the beautiful service.

Amazing food and great atmosphere. It was very calm and quiet. I would definitely recommend.

I was in heaven. This isn’t food, this is prayer.

Myself, husband and three adult children celebrated the youngest’s 21st here and it really delivered. Beautiful fabulous food and great service. The sushi boxes were bejewelled treasures and the wagyu beef and black cod were incredible. Thank you to all the wonderful staff for a special evening

Food was great. Waitresses were wonderfull; sweet, thoughtfull, attentive. Really money spent well. Had a great night.

Amazing. Super high quality Japanese dining. Not too expensive considering the quality.

Beautifully presented and great food As always staff is super attentive and friendly

The staff was very kind and they made us feel at home. The girls were super cute and very helpful. Food was superb! My favourite part was the sushi set in a wooden box 😍. My expectations have been satisfied!

Fantastic good quality food. We had 14 assorted bento box on Friday lunch time. Place is very convenient near Piccadilly Circus and excellent service and food.

Probably my new favourite restaurant - really loved our night.

Amazing food and such a wonderful service. I had 3 course set menu and 2 different types of sake and the food was simply divine. The bento box starter was incredible with lots of umami flavours

Loved it! Our waitress was adorable and really attentive’

A wonderful experience, I discovered about this restaurant on Vogue and realize now why they were saying that the way they present food is unique and beautiful. Personnel is very kind and the overall experience is really worth. It is also a perfect restaurant to pick for a business lunch.

Very cosy and pleasant atmosphere, great food and very good service.

Our server Ayuka was incredible. This is our second time here and it’s such devine food, service is impeccable.

The food at Engawa is always top notch and so is the service.

I’ve been on a hunt for a Japanese cuisine experience that will make me feel like I’m back in beautiful Japan, and Engawa did not disappoint. Everything was just done to perfection. I had a wonderful time celebrating a belated birthday. Thank you team!

Food is just stunning. Michelin quality. Lovely service and quiet enough to be able to have a conversation!

Remarkable quality of sushi, sashimi and the A5 wagyu. Sashimi box is just full of joy, all of them are fresh and delicious with great decorations too. It makes you think which piece you should try next as there is too many options!! The highlight was wagyu. Normally they service A4 grade Wagyu which is good enough but we upgraded to A5 wagyu with supplements. I can say it was definitely worth it. It comes as rare so you can cook the side bit more on the hot stone and make sure the fat is well melted between the meat and it just melts in your mouth with full of juicy and fatty beefy flavour. It goes so well with other vegetables, rice and soup. Whole course was very satisfied, sake and tea were lovely too and the dessert was delicious. The only problem was that the restaurant and tables are very small, every time someone has to pass they are touching you and you have to pull your chair tightly to make some space and let them pass through. Because of this the waitress spilled water on my trouser by accident. She sincerely apologised so it was understandable.

Different experience, when we got in I was expecting flavors that would be unforgettable but I did not feel that. The products are good quality but ordering the 3 course menu and getting sashimi and sushi you get a bit tired of the same flavors. The service was good but you feel a tension between the waiters and the cooking staff. Otherwise seeing the kitchen and how they worked was nice everything was clean. I just expected more than what I received.

Excellent services and good quality foods. My friend and I were very pleased with their tasty foods.

Service is very good. Price seems to be cheaper than last time I went but also food quality

how do i even begin. the 5 course wagyu omakase was a great dining experience. the sashimi course was beautifully presented and every part was delicious. the quality of the fish was outstanding, ranging from the ‘normal’ tuna to the otoro. the scallops were fresh and the freshly grated wasabi was a nice treat. the wagyu had a great marbling and the light sea salt brings out the flavor of the beef. the ambiance was quiet and classy, and our waiter was very friendly. overall a great restaurant for refined japanese cuisine.

The food was absolutely heavenly, we opted for a set menu and each item was beautifully prepared and the flavours was so well balanced. I highly recommend

We have been coming here since it opened. I haven’t gone since 2017. We sat at the bar and saw the cook. It was SOOO disappointing to see him take out pre packaged Foie Gras balls being served or sauces coming out of commercially made jars or Mochi balls just being cut in half that was not produced AT THE RESTAURANT. sauces from jars?!?!

What a delightful experience with wonderful food in a wonderful atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed sushi and beef and were treated very warm and professional.

Attended dinner 2x and did not disappoint. REAL WASABI!

The food was absolutely divine. One of the best meals we’ve had in a while. The service was wonderful too.

What a perfect experience:-) Charming, professional service and wonderful wonderful food in both taste and apperance.

The food prices are not commensurate with the high prices. The place is very small. Wouldn't go back again.