Nakanojo is London's first Peruvian Izakaya, offering an exciting and eclectic array of Nikkei cuisine: from sushi and sake to ceviches and piscos. Its Chelsea location can be found on the bustling King’s Road, moments away from Battersea Bridge, bringing Japanese and Peruvian fusion food to this swish area of London.
So, what is Nikkei cuisine? Nikkei is the term for the Japanese in Peru. It can be characterised by cultures and people coming together. To that point, Nikkei pays homage to the techniques used in Japanese cuisine, but executed with Peruvian flair.
The interiors reflect this joining of two cultures. Flashes of bright colours, such as saffron yellows and teal blues, nod to its Peruvian roots, along with jungle-esque foliage tumbling over the bar, while Japanese-inspired artwork covers the walls. The 90-cover restaurant offers casual fine dining focused on using fresh ingredients, as well as plenty of innovative, fun cocktails.
Guests can choose from either the main food menu, or a separate vegetarian and vegan menu, which is separated into tacos, ceviche, sashimi, street food, Japanese grills and various sushi rolls. There are a ton of gluten-free options, too, which are all clearly labelled on the menu. Standout dishes include the likes of yellowtail nikkei sashimi with cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, red onion and yuzu truffle ponzu, pulled pork pibil with 24-hour slow cooked pork, red anticucho miso, marinated red onion and aioli and casava wedges loaded with smoked panca sauce and huancaina cheese. From the Japanese grills, black cod den miso with yuzu and jalapeño sounds particularly intriguing and don’t forget to order one of its many maki rolls.
The drinks menu is just as unusual and fun as the food, offering a selection of classic and more unorthodox cocktails. The Nikkei Mojito, for example, features pisco, mint leaves, plum sake, lime and lemonade. There are also plenty of mocktails, gins, wines, sakes and spirits to quench your thirst.