For a private dining experience that fuses heritage with innovation, Kokin in Stratford offers a setting that is as thoughtful as its cuisine. Led by acclaimed chef Daisuke Shimoyama – previously of HANNAH in Southbank – Kokin is a refined Japanese restaurant where traditional techniques meet modern fire-led cooking. With a name that means “past and present,” Kokin embodies a philosophy of balance: of reverence for old-world craft and a desire to honour each ingredient in its freshest, most expressive form.
Kokin is a natural choice for private dining, whether you’re planning a business dinner, celebrating a milestone, or looking to share an unforgettable meal with friends. The atmosphere is calm and contemporary, blending Japanese minimalism with subtle warmth. Events here feel intimate but elevated – an immersive experience for guests who appreciate the art of precision, flavour, and storytelling through food.
At the heart of the kitchen is woodfire, used not for show, but as a central ingredient. Cherry and apple wood lend a delicate smokiness, while Binchotan charcoal gives dishes their signature clarity and depth. For group bookings or private events, a specially curated menu can be arranged, featuring Kokin’s standout dishes such as the Wood-fire Grilled Tuna Kama – the collar of wild Portuguese bluefin, slowly grilled and served with an aged ponzu sauce – and the signature “Temae” Sushi, featuring three cuts of wild bluefin with optional langoustine or cuttlefish tartare.
Other highlights include the Crispy Scales Amadai Tilefish with crab sauce, the richly flavoured duck breast grilled over charcoal, and a beautifully composed starter of Oyster with apple smoked celeriac purée and nabansu jelly. There’s also an option for live tuna breakdown events, where guests can witness a whole fish prepared in front of them – a striking, sustainable homage to the creature and the craft.
For private dining that goes beyond just food and enters the realm of ceremony, memory and meaning, Kokin offers something truly rare in London: a seat at the fire where past and present meet.