Renowned sushi chef Endo Kazutoshi has broken his silence, three weeks after a devastating blaze severely damaged his Michelin-starred restaurant, Endo at the Rotunda. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Kazutoshi expressed his deep sorrow and determination to rebuild.
The fire, which occurred on the morning of 6 September, left the west London restaurant in ruins. Kazutoshi admitted that the shock of the incident left him so stunned that it took him three weeks to gather the strength to address the situation publicly.
He conveyed the profound impact of the fire, both personally and for his team, stating: ‘Not being able to see you. Not being able to make sushi. It tears me and my team apart.’
Despite the setback, Kazutoshi remains resolute. He described the closure as the ‘beginning of rebirth,’ emphasising that this is not the end but the start of a new chapter for the restaurant.
‘I will rise again. I will make a great comeback. My tears have already run dry. All I can do now is look forward and walk straight ahead,’ he declared.
Asserting his intention, he stressed that the restaurant will be ‘reborn as an Endo that is hundreds of times stronger.’
Located in the Helios building in White City, Endo at the Rotunda reopened last year following a major refurbishment led by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The redesign aimed to create a more personal and immersive omakase experience, reflecting Kazutoshi's commitment to excellence. The restaurant received national acclaim, ranking 20th in London’s 2025 Top 100 Restaurants Awards.
As Kazutoshi embarks on this journey of recovery and renewal, his message resonates with resilience and hope: ‘I will once again stand by your side, and together we will create something even more powerful, more beautiful, and burning with soul. That is the meaning of my life.’
His other London restaurants, Kioku by Endo, and NIJU are both open and operating as usual.
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