Roketsu

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Roketsu London | Michelin-Recommended Kappo Dining in Marylebone

Roketsu: Kappo Dining in the Heart of Marylebone

In a quiet corner of Marylebone, Roketsu brings the spirit of traditional Japanese kappo dining to London. The philosophy is simple: let the day’s harvest guide the menu. Each meal unfolds as a seasonal tasting experience, with dishes moving through seven categories — from delicate raw preparations and nigiri sushi to binchotan charcoal grilling and straw-smoked specialties.

The restaurant's Michelin Recommended status reflects the quiet precision at work here. Head Chef Toshimasa Tanahashi, with over 30 years in Japanese cuisine, leads a kitchen that respects classical technique while allowing each ingredient to speak for itself. Consulting Chef Hideki Hiwatashi, whose experience spans Hokkaido to Kyoto’s finest kitchens, adds further depth to the culinary direction.

The setting itself is a study in craftsmanship. The interior was created by Nakamura Sotoji Komuten, master carpenters renowned for sukiya architecture. At the heart of the ground floor is a seven-metre counter hewn from a single slab of 300-year-old hinoki cypress. Here, guests watch as chefs prepare each course — grilling over binchotan, shaping sushi, and engaging in the dialogue that defines kappo-style dining.

Beyond the counter, a bar area offers sake, wine, and Japanese-inspired cocktails. The wine list is exceptional: over 500 bottles, including a rare vertical of Château Mouton Rothschild (1968–2006), curated by sommelier Ryosuke Mashio, a Senior Judge at the International Wine Challenge’s Sake Division. Guests are also welcome to bring their own wine or sake for a corkage fee.

For those seeking a more private experience, the lower ground floor houses an intimate dining room for two to six guests, as well as a larger space available for exclusive hire. In warmer months, the outdoor terrace on New Quebec Street offers three tables for two, perfect for a leisurely lunch or dinner under the open sky.

Roketsu’s Japanese cuisine is not about embellishing tradition — it is about letting it evolve, alive in the present moment. From the £29 lunch sets to the Prime Summer Kappo tasting menu, every dish reflects a deep respect for seasonality and the quiet accumulation of expertise.