Inko Nito London | Soho | Japanese Robata | Map
I cook a lot of Japanese food at home, and I’m pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. So when a new Japanese restaurant opens up in London, it takes a lot to get me out of the house and believe in the hype. Well hello Inko Nito, a Japanese fusion robatayaki (fireside cooking) restaurant based in the heart of Soho. I was recently invited to their press event, and after reading the contemporary menu I was intrigued. In fact I was more than intrigued. I was drawn in by the promise of flavour explosions – and an umeshu negroni – all in a minimalist scandi setting. Basically, my dream kinda restaurant – I was there with bells on!
What did we eat?
- SALADS
- Edamame, soy, mirin, ginger, sea salt
- Avocado, quinoa, edamame, green bean, apple wasabi dressing
- Romaine lettuce, spicy cashew nut miso
- NIGAKI
- The cali; Portland crab, avocado, wasabi tobiko, yuzu mayo
- The veggie; avocado, yuzu, garlic, crispy rice
- The chirashi; salmon, yellowtail, wasabi shiso
- HOT
- Panko fried chicken, chili garlic yogurt
- Fried shrimp, spicy Korean miso, sesame seeds, lime
- Tofu kara-age, miso mayo, nori
- MEAT
- Chicken wings, ume-boshi, green chili, mint, sansho
- Bone marrow, smoked soy, garlic toast, shallot
- Prime beef short rib, peanut chilli oil, spring onions
- FISH
- Grilled prawn toast, sesame, wasabi mayo, katsuobushi
- Cobia collar, brown butter ponzu, lemon
- VEGETABLE
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- Cauliflower, garlic soy aioli, parmesan panko
- Tenderstem broccolini, onion wafu
- Baked potato, yuzu kosho sour cream, spring onions
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- THE SWEETEST THING
- Charred coconut soft serve, soy, pocky, Japanese granola
Final thoughts on Inko Nito London
I wish I could go into detail on how much I enjoyed the individual dishes we ate, but no one has time to read a blog post that long. Instead I’ve highlighted my personal favourites (above) and will give you a short summary.
Alongside the spacious interior at Inko Nito, you’ll find a pretty vast menu, but don’t let that deter you. Honestly it’s the kind of restaurant where you’ll enjoy any dish that you order. A lot of well known Japanese flavours are featured on the menu, as is to be expected. However you’ll also find a whole bunch of innovative and moreish fusion delights to please your palate. Would I go back? Definitely! Price-wise it costs around £30pp, which isn’t too bad for a decent meal in London. In fact since I was invited to the press launch I’ve already been back with friends, and paid with my own money. If that doesn’t say how much I enjoyed eating at Inko Nito London, I don’t know what will.
Check out more: Where to Eat in London
