‘I ate at the London Japanese restaurant in the running to be named Restaurant of the Year’

This restaurant is winning over Londoners with its authentic izakaya spirit and unforgettable sushi

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Uber Eats has unveiled the finalists for its hotly anticipated 2025 Restaurant of the Year Awards, spotlighting small and independent food businesses across the UK and Ireland. Out of more than 130 nominated restaurants, just 12 made it through – and representing London is Sanjugo, the Japanese dining experience founded by husband-and-wife duo Yan and Jerry.

Inspired by the spirit of an izakaya – Japan’s traditional after-work drinking and dining spots – Sanjugo has built a loyal following with its warm hospitality and handcrafted dishes. From a tiny Shoreditch site, it has grown into a family of restaurants across the capital, each promising authentic flavours at affordable prices.

This September, the Sanjugo team will face off against regional finalists. At stake is the title of Restaurant of the Year 2025 and a life-changing £100,000 prize to help scale their business further.

‘Family, culture, support, authenticity’

We sat down with co-founder Yan, and she told us that emotions ran high when hearing the news of their nomination. She said: “We were thrilled, and some of our team almost burst into tears. This recognition means so much, but it also means responsibility. Winning isn’t the end – it would be a promise to work even harder for our guests.”

You can see the sushi chefs work right in front of you if you sit at the counter(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)

She believes that what sets Sanjugo apart is the strength of its people. Yan added: “Our team members have stayed with us from the beginning. We support each other like family, and we want that warmth to reach our guests. It’s not just food – it’s culture, it’s authenticity, it’s care.”

Yan also reflected on running a business with her husband, Jerry. She said: “I’m very fortunate. He’s loving, supportive, and we trust each other completely. We run the restaurants like we run our family – with communication, understanding, and a lot of passion.”

That family-first ethos has shaped Sanjugo since its early days. The couple launched their first site eight years ago in Shoreditch, scraping by in a tiny unit once filled with squatters.

When the pandemic hit, they nearly closed – but Uber Eats deliveries kept them alive. Yan said: “Jerry cooked, I packed orders, and I was pregnant at the time. Customers would knock on the door asking for food – and that’s how we survived. We doubled, then tripled, and grew from there.”

Our review: a taste of Japan in Shoreditch

Walking into Sanjugo’s Shoreditch restaurant, I was instantly transported back to Japan. The cosy, buzzing space feels just like the izakayas I visited earlier this year – groups chatting over small plates, couples perched at the counter watching chefs slice sashimi, and staff greeting regulars in Japanese.

The menu reads like a love letter to Japanese dining: delicate sushi, hearty donburi bowls and plenty of shareable plates. It’s beautifully designed too, with photos that make you want to order everything at once.

I began with edamame topped with truffle oil and crispy onions, an unusual but addictive twist on the classic starter. You cannot find it anywhere else. The prawn tempura arrived perfectly crisp, while the hiramasa salad – the owner’s favourite – came crowned with ponzu sauce, truffle oil, salmon caviar, and radish. Fresh and delicious.

Starters’ prices range from £3 to £13(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)

Then came the star: a platter of sushi served under a cloud of dry ice, a dramatic reveal that gave way to the freshest fish. Their sashimi selection – from salmon to octopus – was sublime, but it was the buttery salmon that melted on the tongue and stole the show.

Two of Sanjugo’s best-selling rolls followed: the rainbow roll, reimagined with tuna, white fish, flying fish roe and a shiso leaf that added a refreshing herbal kick to the usual salmon and avocado.

And the miso prawn roll, a lockdown favourite that Yan says flew out of the kitchen. Topped with miso mayo and unagi sauce, it was flawless, from the crunch of the prawn to the silky balance of the rice.

They combine all the sushi you order into one platter(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)

But the true surprise on the menu was Sanjugo’s wagyu sushi. The A4 wagyu gunkan – topped with smoky, chopped beef that dissolved in seconds – was unlike anything I’ve found in London. Paired with a piece of fatty toro nigiri brushed with real wasabi, it was pure heaven.

By the end, I understood why Sanjugo has made it to the finals. This wasn’t just a meal – it was a carefully crafted experience that paired Japanese tradition with London creativity. Award or no award, Sanjugo is already a winner for me.

You can find Sanjugo at 13-15 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3EJ. It’s open every day from 12 to 3.30 pm, and from 5.30 to 10.30 pm.

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