So Restaurant in City of London, Westminster

First time here, the most incredible food and service!! Will be back so many times! Defo recommend the aubergine and everything else xx

I really appreciate the service, but honestly the food is not as good as cook by my own

Exceptional. Stumbled upon by accident and a wonderful experience. Food and service was exceptional and the place had a magical atmosphere. Thank you

We stumbled across this Japanese restaurant while staying in the area. Honestly it's the best Japanese food we've ever had. My picky 11 year old daughter couldn't stop eating everything. One of the owners, who is lovely, served us and recommended some delicious dishes (the eggplant starter is amazing). When we told her to give our compliments to the chef, she mentioned the chef is her husband. It shows that they put everything into their business and you don't find that easily. I would 100% recommend So Restaurant and we hope to return!

I lived in Japan for 12 years and I can tell you this is the closest I have got to taste the authentic real Japanese food in London.. this place was so much better than chain restaurants and super expensive Japanese restaurants... Must try for anyone who want to taste real Japanese authentic Japanese food.

Amazing food, staff and atmosphere! Fantastic for group dining.

So Restaurant is a Japanese restaurant in London that deserves special mention, with its chef's thoughtful dishes and staff who welcome you with a warm smile.

My and my son had the best time. We both loved the food, the atmosphere and the staff we're amazing. An authentic, family ran business at its best

Really authentic Japanese restaurant, all the staff was so lovely and reminded me of home x You should try the dessert menu, was fantastic!!!! Definitely coming back!

One of the best Japanese restaurants I've been to! It's located very close to Liverpool Street station and Aldgate East station, so it's very accessible. There's a good variety of food, drinks, and desserts. I think my favourite is the teriyaki chicken salad, and although I usually don't like matcha, the matcha cake here isn't too strong and I can eat it. I love the cocktail offered here, and there are good whiskeys too. Albeit somewhat expensive, it's deserving of its price. I've been here with colleagues and friends, and I'll definitely go again. I highly recommend you give it a try! You can easily nab some seats within the first few hours of opening, so need to worry about queues.

I've never had foie gras nigiri this tender and delicious before. The staff's smile and service at this Japanese restaurant were also wonderful. Tables setup like a traditional Japanese Yatai stall are unique and perfect for close-knit couples or groups to sit together.

The food is delicious, the staff are all friendly, and the atmosphere is comfortable. Whether you're with friends, family, or a lover, this is a store we recommend for any occasion!

Enjoyed the Best Tonkatsu and Yatai food! The dessert was also delicious 😋

I had a delightful meal at So in Aldgate. We had the soft shell crab maki, edamame, tofu salad, and pork katsu to start and share, and for dessert we has the matcha ice cream and hojicha terrine. Everything was nuanced and flavourful, fresh and lovingly made. We were well attended to, and when asked, offered great recommendations (we were stuck on deciding a dessert). Relaxing and warm atmosphere, well suited to most occasions - business to romantic - and modestly priced. We will return to try all of the desserts and have more of the excellent katsu. Thank you to Nadia for serving us, we had a lovely evening.

Our fifth time here, we live in locally and it’s always a quality experience. Family-operated restaurant, the service is always fantastic, and their contemporary take on traditional Japanese dishes is consistently excellent - the cooking school is upstairs and it really shows. Feels undeservedly undiscovered.

Delicious food and great service. The owner Nadia is super warm and welcoming. Lovely family run restaurant, would 100% come again

The most incredible Japanese food in Central London. Attention to detail on another level, all flavours are unique. The nicest staff in London. A restaurant worth a visit. AlsoC reasonable prices for London

Never thought I would find authentic Japanese food outside of Japan… but this restaurant is that and much more! Family owned and operated restaurant with friendly and knowledgeable staff and the best tonkatsu I’ve ever eaten! All other dishes were delicious and tasted just like in Tokyo!

Amazing food and drinks! Lovely, friendly staff and a great atmosphere. The events held there occasionally are also fantastic! A hidden gem worth the find!

Amazing food, great decor - will definitely be back!

Amazing food, great decor - will definitely be back!

Amazing food and drinks! Lovely, friendly staff and a great atmosphere. The events held there occasionally are also fantastic! A hidden gem worth the find!

I was impressed by the experience of experiencing the authentic taste of Japan in London and by the excellent service. I felt like I was in Japan. The quality was good, everything was delicious, and my local friends from other nationalities were also happy. I'll visit you again.

We visit London as a group a few times a year and So is always on the itinerary for food. The food is delicious and cooked to perfection. Nadia and the team are so friendly and welcoming - I'd always recommend So to anyone visiting this part of London

Not sure which is better- the service or the food- and they are both great. If I could give 6 stars I would! I had the Tataki, the Ox tongue and the king prawns sushi. It was all extremely tasty. It’s a bit pricey, but still highly recommended.

The food is delicious (without a doubt the best japanese food in London) and the service is impeccable. Very welcoming ! Definitely worth a visit.

Excellent Japanese food in the City

It’s my first time trying this place. It was a great experience form the atmosphere to ambience to food, everything was flawless. The best part was the service with the smile and care which is rare to find these days in rat race. It was not a crowded place where they want to serve table after table but a family run place who serve you just like your family. Will be back for sure.

Fantastic Japanese restaurant in east central London (a short walk from Aldgate or Liverpool Street Station). They seem to frequently host cultural events, one of which we were lucky enough to attend! The organisation was superb and a very smooth experience. From making the booking online, to arrival, to the evening event and dining itself. We were treated to a multi-course set menu of salads and fresh sashimi, mains of chicken and sushi, followed by a dessert. All of which had creative and delicious elements to delight your palate. The service and staff were all wonderful and helpful, creating a warm atmosphere. I very much look forward to visiting again!

Family friendly authentic Japanese Restaurant with nice food, staff and interesting events held regularly. Food is fantastic. Recently we had "Truffle" flavoured Inari which is very tasty. My 3 year old daughter loves "Okoge" senbei with cream cheese and Nori-seaweed. Service is also good. Every staff is attentive and friendly. Atmosphere is interesting. Recently they have implemented "Yatai" (i.e. stall) style seats which reinforce the traditional Japanese atmosphere. I recommend trying this place if you are looking for nice Japanese restaurant in London.

Very good, fresh Japanese food.

As per many of my reviews, this place is another hidden gem! I would be remiss if I didn’t start and end this review without saying ‘Try the tempura prawns!!’ That aside this is an authentic Japanese eatery always with Japanese clientele. The venue is small and intimate which emphasises the friendly and personal service. The staff are knowledgeable about the menu and even wine selection was on point. But let’s talk about the food. This is a great space to explore subtle and delicate flavours. It’s like discovering premium food in a relaxed and casual setting.l. I sound a bit gushy but this is a nice place to dine in your own or to impress your friends. Trust me :) As an addendum I recently returned for one of the comedy nights. This was something different to what I was expecting the performer was Katsura Sunshine and he was performing Rakugo comedy. Basically the art of telling stories. The whole thing was in English and highly entertaining I laughed the whole evening. It came with a set meal of about six different dishes and really well priced. They close the door once performance starts to avoid interruption. I highly recommend checking the website for booking future events. Sunshine has performed on broadway and the west end and is about to start on Netflix. So lucky to catch him in such an intimate venue.

It was a very friendly and comfortable shop. It was very delicious and I was relieved to have delicious Japanese food for the first time in a while. I will go again ❣️

Very pleasant experience with delicious authentic Japanese food! I really enjoyed Teriyaki salmon lunch. Very succulent and full of flavour. Friendly staff and good atmosphere as always. Easy to access from Aldgate tube station. 5-star quality!!

The food and drinks are of a very high standard and I am very satisfied. You can enjoy many nostalgic tastes of Japan. I'm really looking forward to the singing concert. Highly recommended if you want to try authentic Japanese cuisine✨🇯🇵👘

Everything was delicious, and it's been a while since I ate Japanese food outside, but I was very impressed! The eggplant miso dengaku was so delicious! Everything was delicious, I hadn't eaten Japanese food outside for a long time and I was very impressed! The aubergine miso dengaku was too delicious!!

Fabulous Japanese food, and a welcoming service. The team go beyond to make the experience memorable and will certainly be returning in the near future when visiting London. The neighbourhood is lucky to have them!

Very good quality. Staff very friendly and professional. Good atmosphere and location is very centric. Thank you!

The food is remarkable. The flavours are exceptional. It’s a bit like seeing a swimmer at your local pool, then seeing an Olympian. They’re both swimming, but one is way better than the other. This food is way better than you imagine it will be!

The service here was quick and and the atmosphere was so calming as well as the staff being so polite and lovely to ensure that everything has been taken care of and having such a light and bubbly vibe. Would definetly come here again !

Wonderful food, wonderful service really welcoming and clearly passionate about the food and making sure everyone has a good time! Look forward to next time!

Wonderful food and service. Lovely restaurant

Fantastic food, lovely people with a lovely service. Would highly recommend to anyone.

Brilliant food the wagyu was lovely great service 👍❤️

Had an amazing dining experience here! The food was outstanding, had aubergine dengaku, spicy chicken wings, and tempura roll and the chef's special salmon, which was the largest single filet I've ever had. Plus, the manager was incredibly friendly and greets with a big smile. Highly recommend this place!

We went to this restaurant thinking it was a banal one. Instead, this restaurant has the real Japanese traditional food which is rare to find. Delicious 👍

I used to go to SO Restaurant Soho back in my student days many years ago. It's good to find this amazing restaurant had been relocated and still in operation. Our favourite dish was the Foie Gras Ju (rice). The atmosphere, service and quality is as good as I remembered. Will definitely be back again. I recommend the Foie Gras ju

Terrible food. Do not believe other over-flattering reviews. Save your time and money.

Amazing food and such pleasant service. I can't stop coming back here. It's always a wonderful experience. Thank you!

One of the best Japanese restaurants I know in London. Absolutely delicious. Service is also excellent, I visit this place regularly. Cannot recommend enough!

Best foie gras I have ever eaten. Visit every time when I get to London. The rest items are tasty too.

Fantastic Japanese restaurant that we stumbled upon.. Lovely food and excellent service!😊 So glad we chose to stop here😀

The best Japanese restaurant in all of London! The loveliest staff who are so warm and welcoming. The tastiest sushi rolls… honestly you can tell the quality is just exactly how it should be - no other Japanese restaurant meets the quality and perfection that comes out of this So Restaurant’s kitchen. The tempura is perfect. The aubergine is also a MUST order - you can’t dine here without ordering this. I really could go on and on about how much I love this place!

Completely wonderful experience with authentic Japanese food. Good flavours, great service and great atmosphere. I recommend this place, and thank you to the friendly and accommodating staff

What a hidden gem tucked behind Aldgate. Authentic Japanese food with amazing service with a smile.The food was delicious with some interesting dishes I hadn't come across before. HOWEVER, the stand out dish....Miso Aubergine. Best i have ever had. Highly recommended

Food was delicious, staff were bubbly and fun. Would highly recommend

Amazing service and very friendly and attentive

Definitely coming back. Place is clean. They pay attention to ingredients quality. Kitchen is authentic Japanese. They have simple food which what I was looking for (beef and rice).

Incredible food with beautiful twists on traditional flavors. We will definitely be back, thank you !

Authentic food, attentive staff, great atmosphere.

SO Restaurant - our favourite Japanese restaurant in town! We always receive a warm welcome with big smiles from Chef Zu (Masakazu) and Nadiah the friendly husband and wife & team in great atmosphere. Every dish on the menu is super delicious and authentic that it made us feel like we are back home in Tokyo. We especially love their new Yatai bar menu, every dish is full of umami and pairs so well with sake / wine. Chef Zu is an absolute genius! We finished the evening with their signature foie gras sushi, which is totally a die for, and Nadiah’s scrumptious homemade dessert platter 💖 We highly recommend this London’s hidden gem, SO Restaurant, to all foodie and Japanese food lovers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ とっても美味しかったです。 今夜も大変ご馳走様でした😋

We were welcomed by the comfortable modern interior and the warm hospitality of the staff. After a long trip, the scent of yuzu was more soothing than I expected, and I was impressed by the deliciously cooked rice.The portions were generous and the service was generous.I'm glad I was able to eat here. Thanks to you, I was able to truly relax. Recommended!

I visited on the last day of my three week stay in Europe. From the lunch menu, I had the salmon and my wife had the chicken teriyaki. The ingredients in both dishes were very delicious, and even the vegetables that came with them were delicious. The volume was also sufficient. Considering the prices in London, I think it was a good value for money Japanese food!

We had a lovely experience, very welcoming people and a great atmosphere. Food was amazing!!!

We enjoyed all foods and sweets, Especially Yatai Bar menu is very authentic. I felt like I'm in Izakaya in Japan❤️ If you still have a room in your stomach after meal, I strongly recommend to have a homemade dessert🧁🍰 It was like coming to a Japanese izakaya and all the dishes were delicious! ! I will visit you again ❤️

Was walking in Middlesex street and stopped by this Little Japanese restaurant. Food and service were amazing, Nadia was the best hostess we could ask for. There Is a Little bit of Heart of Japan in the City. SO Good!!!

Everything absolutely marvelous!

We all had a brilliant evening! The service was great and the food you served us was delicious 😋 My favourites were the aubergine dish and the matcha cake - really yummy! 😋 Thank you SO much!

I don't believe it's owned by a Japanese family. There's many spelling mistakes on the menu in Japanese. Also selling frozen, pre seasoned unagi (eel) is not cool.

Came here for dinner with my friends for some authentic Japanese food. Food was great, freshly made. There were 5 of us, we ordered lots of dishes to share between us. I like the soft shell crab tempura, unagi don and the miso cod. Dessert was very good too. Service was fantastic. My friend bought a flower bouquet for my wife and the waitress even brought a vase out for us!! Definitely worth trying if you want authentic Japanese food. We were surprised that this restaurant was relatively quiet!

Although the miso soup is expensive, it is not tasty at all. It's expensive and not tasty.

First time visiting, and I will definitely be going back. The food was so tasty, and service was on point- the team’s calm and super friendly approach, thank you for such a lovely first visit. I would highly recommend!!

I recommend !! Typical Japanese restaurant frequented by Japanese people. Everything was perfect, the location, the quality of the service, the food is perfect, delicious and generous. The staff is particularly kind, smiling and dedicated.

Great food and the service was amazing. I would echo the sentiments of other comments and state this is a gem of a place.

Miso soup is not tasty at all. The foie gras came out covered in black moss. None of them match the taste and price. I will never go there again. Not recommended.

Amazing venue, staff and food. I’d pay 3x and it would be worth it.

Had a lovely dinner on a quiet Tuesday evening. Staff were very friendly and attentive, good vegan options. Highly recommend the Yuzu prosecco cocktail 🍸

Favourite spot in the Square Mile for authentic Japanese cuisine, hosted by lovely, friendly staff.

Came across this place via a friend. Absolutely delicious food and wonderful service. Would very much recommend.

Non-management workers here seem to receive less than 2% of tips, even though they seem to generally work near minimum wage (before the new law on July 1). Customers probably volunteer to pay service charge (not inc. in bill) thinking that workers get a much larger cut than that, but it seems not true at all (at time of comment). I am close to someone who worked in this restaurant. At one point the workers all got the impression from management that they would soon receive 100% of the tips (they were told this much). They tracked the tip amount carefully after that, excited, but then turned out to only receive a very very small percentage after all (seemed to be less than 2%, workers confirmed with each other). The person I’m close to complained about this, and came away from a meeting with management feeling completely unheard and disregarded. Waitstaff stopped asking for tips in quiet protest of this. Then the person I am close to was blamed for that, though she was not the only one doing it. She was called into the office and told to take tips and be agreeable with management or quit. She chose to quit. The person I’m close to and I were friends of the restaurant. It was sad.

The food is a bit expensive but it was worth it and incredibly good and my table came with a amazing view

Everything was very delicious. It felt like I was visiting an izakaya in Japan! The sashimi was thick and filling, and the sushi roll was just the right amount! In particular, the tempura was the most delicious and crispy I've ever eaten anywhere, making me feel happy. I highly recommend it! The cocktails were also very delicious! Both the dessert terrine and matcha cake are said to be homemade, so they were delicious, and those of us with a sweet tooth were so happy! I thoroughly enjoyed Japanese food!

I had a wonderful experience at that place, very simple and down to earth! Small choice of wine but my pino grigio was wonderful if you like dry one go for non organic one! It’s absolutely amazing! I had Chardonnay by glass it’s also wonderful! I went for my regular choices edamame (perfectly cooked, not overcooked!) seaweed salad was a bit different but soooo lovely def recommend!!! Sashimi were fresh as fun!) and aubergine miso was lovely ! Served by an amazing Japanese girl ! Def price was overmatching the quality!!! You won’t regret it!!!!

Hidden gem ❤️ tasty, fresh , tried lots of dishes with my husband and everything was delicious! Fresh sashimi , eel , gyudon were fantastic ! Would highly recommend this place and will come again 👍🏼

Absolutely loved my experience at this place. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, and the staff were super friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back for more delicious bites!

Walked by this spot while staying nearby during a business trip to London and glad that I did! Nice atmosphere, music, and calming setting. The staff were very welcoming and kind and service was excellent. I tried the beef gyudon, which was flavorful and the beef was tender and delicious. I hope to come back to try the sushi!

If you want to have authentic Japanese food in London, look no further. At SO you will find the highest Japanese quality of both food and service.

Had an incredible meal at this little family run place. Couldn’t fault the food - everything was done excellently and the service was exceptional.

Their Ton katsu is one of the best in central London in my opinion, thanks to its use of higher quality pork, and the panko coating achieves the perfect crispiness. Their 'Ninja' charcoal curry is particularly eye-catching due to its uniqueness. The service is attentive, and the environment is very cosy.

One of the best Japanese restaurants in London. The food is so delicious, fresh and well presented, furthermore the manager Nadiah and all the staff with their professionalism and attention make the atmosphere very comfortable. I had a wonderful experience at this place, it was soothing and beautiful. Highly recommended!

This is my favorite authentic Japanese restaurant. The staff are very friendly, and the atmosphere is nice. Everything is so delicious as well. Highly recommended!

One of the rare spot in East London where you can find authentic Japanese food, drink and fancy cocktails. It’s been great pleasure get to know them and play music for them as well. Definitely coming back again soon! :-)

This restaurant is very unique style of interior Japanese restaurant. It is YATAI BAR ,, Real Japanese style which I never had seen before in London ,, only When I was in Japan . Tasty foods and Warm Staff ,,, We will come back !! See you soon !!

Great food, the wagyu starter melts in your mouth and the eel was very tasty. It's definitely on the pricier side though! Good for a special occasion or look out for their deals.

One of my favorite restaurants in London. The food is authentically Japanese and delicious, and the family running it are really friendly. The clientele is mostly Japanese, which is quite telling in itself.

Very good food . Lovely atmosphere

We LOVE this restaurant. Fantastic food and amazing service. Very friendly staff. Our 3rd visit and we will definitely return

This was my first time eating at So Restaurant, but what an amazing culinary experience! I ordered tonkatsu with rice and miso soup. It's a popular dish served by many restaurants in Japan, but that makes it all the more difficult to get right. I lived in Japan for many years and have had tonkatsu more times than I can count. Nevertheless, the tonkatsu here was completely authentic and delicious, obviously prepared with quality ingredients and skillfully cooked. (The pork is Kurobuta Berkshire pork so a real Anglo-Japanese delicacy). I could hear the staff talking in Japanese in the kitchen and learned that the restaurant is family run. If you want a taste of real Japan in London, this is the place to go to! Gochisosama.

We came here for a nice close friend's dinner, we enjoyed a starter of Tempura Prawns, Edamame and Wagyu Jibuni in a sweet soy sauce. The highlight for me was the Wagyu Jibuni the beef was so smooth and tender and sauce as lovely. The Tempura Prawns were large and had a fluffy batter that was light. For mains my partner had the Katsu Curry and I had Aberdeen Angus Beef Gyudon both were cooked well and filling. For desert we had a meze of deserts the best for me was the sweet potato cheese cake but all desserts were good. Service was very friendly not to fast and the environment welcoming. Thanks team! 😊

Fabulous food, ice cold Asahi with great service at an authentic Japanese restaurant that’s well worth a visit.