This year, try one of London's premiere Japanese restaurants, with an immersive wagyu dining offering for your festive do. Kanpai Classic Soho welcomes Christmas party bookings, whether it be a casual affair with friends and family, or a corporate bash. Set in the heart of Soho, Kanpai offers an atmospheric private dining room for up to 12 people, just moments from the bustle of central London’s theatres, offices and nightlife. It’s a location that makes bringing colleagues, friends or clients together particularly easy during the busy December season.
Kanpai Classic has built its reputation around one of the most celebrated ingredients in the world: Japanese A5-grade Wagyu. Mouth watering, right? Since 2005, the team has focused on showcasing the beef through a style of cooking known as yakiniku, where expertly carved pieces are grilled over charcoal directly at the table. For Christmas parties, that interactive element adds an extra layer of energy to the evening. Cooked before you, it's a conversation piece and really brings the whole group together.
As mentioned, group celebrations can be hosted in the restaurant’s private dining room, an intimate space designed for special occasions, or along larger tables in the main dining area where guests can gather for shared feasts. The team tailor each event to suit the group, from curated tasting menus to personalised wine and sake pairings. So, don't worry - this isn't a cooker-cutter situation.
Food remains firmly at the centre of the experience. A Wagyu Yakiniku Feast might begin with delicately sliced beef tongue, followed by prized cuts of Japanese A5 “Himawari” Wagyu grilled tableside. Signature dishes such as Sugatayaki Wagyu karubi served with Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi rice bring richness and depth, while the kitchen’s kamameshi rice selection includes combinations like sweet corn and scallop or the house Wagyu curry.
Steak lovers can explore individual Wagyu cuts from sirloin and picanha to filet mignon, each highlighting the extraordinary marbling that defines this beef. For a fully guided experience, the Wagyu Cuisine omakase allows chefs to lead guests through a sequence of dishes designed to reveal the full spectrum of flavour within the ingredient.