If you’re not the sort of person who enjoys intimate dining experiences where you’re likely to rub shoulders (quite literally) with a few strangers while you dine, then Roji might not be the restaurant for you. This sushi spot in Mayfair offers counter seating for no more than 10 diners at a time, and yes, we’d recommend booking in advance. The restaurant is only open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, with the dinner offering priced at around £150 per head.
The concept comes from chefs (and husband and wife) Tamas Naszai and Tomoko Hasegawa who certainly aren’t short of experience and achievements between the two of them. The couple initially met at modern Japanese restaurant Tokimeite in Mayfair, with Naszai previously working at Sake No Hanna and Hasegawa cutting their teeth at three-Michelin-starred L’Abysse au Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris and Ginza Shimon in Tokyo. Such credentials can only mean excellent things for Roji.
The name Roji means ‘journey’, ‘path’ or ‘hidden alley’ in Japanese so expect a meal here comprised of various courses. British seasonal ingredients are at the fore of each dish, with a focus on pickling, preserving and charcoal-grilled items. Oh, and sushi. Lots of sushi. Provenance is important to the chef pair too, with seafood sourced from Cornish fishers and vegetables from Nama Yasai farm in East Sussex. Ingredients are foraged where possible as well, such as herbs and mushrooms. Expect dishes such as grilled mushrooms with bottarga, omakase nigiri and and turbot with sakura shrimp mochi. Meanwhile, a premium sake pairing and sake list comprise the drinks menu.
What of the décor? Well, as there’s only counter dining available, the main focus is around a central bar and stool seating. Roki also showcases crockery made by small family producers in the UK and Japan.