Kuhaku is an atmospheric Japanese restaurant in Islington, combining late-night dining with a hidden neighbourhood cocktail bar and a dark, intimate atmosphere suited to date nights, birthdays and celebratory evenings with friends, family or colleagues. The restaurant balances a lively dinner service with a romantic feel, making it equally suited to groups and quieter evenings for two.
Inside, exposed brick walls, marble-topped tables and cosy booth seating create a moody, design-led setting, while illuminated artwork and warm lantern lighting soften the industrial details. Towards the back of the restaurant, the cocktail bar creates a more secluded space for drinks and smaller gatherings, adding to the late-night feel of the venue.
The Kuhaku menu is built around Japanese sharing plates designed for relaxed group dining. Cold dishes include spicy cucumber salad and goma wakame, while hot plates range from pumpkin korroke and edamame to chicken karaage and prawn katsu. Gyozas come with fillings including chicken, pork, duck, prawn and vegetables, alongside grilled skewers and smaller dishes intended for sharing across the table. Larger mains lean into comforting Japanese classics, with tonkotsu pork ramen, chicken ramen and tonkotsu curry all featuring prominently. Guests can also add extras such as rice and dipping sauces to create a more substantial feast around the smaller plates.
Desserts at Kuhaku continue the Japanese influence, with mochi available in flavours including matcha, black sesame and mango. Dorayaki, the traditional Japanese pancake sandwich, is served with fillings such as custard and salted caramel or red bean and passion fruit. Drinks play a central role in the experience, with cocktails such as the Pink Penicillin, Nama and Matcha Thai sitting alongside dirty sage martinis, sake, wines, beers, mocktails and soft drinks.