Chotto Matte Soho

Light-hearted and fun, this Soho champion of Nikkei cuisine (a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian) pulls out all the stops. Chotto Matte is a large two-floor venue: a neon-splashed nightclub of a restaurant where colour-pop murals are juxtaposed with low lighting and comfy cushioned seats in shades of mustard yellow.

The best thing we ate from an occasionally inconsistent menu was a tray of five springy gyoza parcels concealing Wagyu foie gras, served with a citrusy pot of ginger sesame ponzu. Every dish is presented with bravado; brightly coloured sushi arrives fanned out on a platter, with the signature Sato maki rolls (named after the head chef) flambéed at the table with a blowtorch. Platters are available for dessert too, featuring the likes of mango flavoured mochi balls and an indulgent banana parfait topped up with husks of popcorn. 

Chotto Matte doesn’t always deliver on its promise of big flavours, and high prices for small portions make this an expensive prospect, so if you’re on a budget, we’d suggest one of the better-value set menus. Do be sure to explore the inventive cocktail list though, with our favourite being the Flor De Manzana – similar to a Pornstar Martini, this is a fruity mix of mango-infused vodka, saké, passionfruit, apple and elderflower.   

If you’re after a more energetic alternative to the fine-dining likes of Hakkasan, Chotto Matte’s boundless energy and slickly presented dishes should satisfy your cravings.

Now with six locations across the world, Chotto Matte Soho is the original site from founder Kurt Zdesar offering creative and authentic menus of Nikkei cuisine: a contemporary blend that mixes together the tastes and techniques of both Japanese and Peruvian cooking.

More than your typical restaurant, each of Chotto Matte's sleek restaurant spaces come with a rather artistic flair: from the vibrant coloured-seats to the signature murals that have become the group's calling card. The Soho site is no different with black and white striped zigzag floors, neon-lit wall decor, and electric mustard and purple seating, all surrounded by vibrant foliage that help bring the dining room to life.

Chotto Matte aims to make fine-dining more accessible with creative menus from executive chef Jordan Sclare who helps to bring this vision to life. You'll find signature sharing menus as well as traditional a la carte offerings, divided into sections for the raw bar, the sushi bar and even a robata grill where fish, meat and veggies are all freshly cooked over hot coals.

The Soho menu showcases how varied and interesting Nikkei cuisine can be. Smaller options see Padron peppers in miso, and edamame in rocoto chilli dressing, as well as rosemary and salt jumbo crackers with guac. Sushi nibbles see the likes of soft shell crab rolls and sato maki with sea bass, salmon tartare, romano pepper and homemade soy sauce. Moving to the larger appetisers, there are Peruvian-style gyoza, featuring pork and prawn, but with sweet potato purée and red pepper ponzu, as well as spicy tuna crispy sushi with tuna tartare and Peruvian chilli. The Robata grill, meanwhile, turns out delights like slow cooked braised beef with a teriyaki jus and apple honey glazed ribs with a coriander crumb.

Desserts offer fruity concoctions like Mochi ice cream with mango, coconut and green tea or passion fruit creme brulee with sake poached pineapple. Be sure to wash everything down with one of the signature cocktails or something off the extensive sake menu.