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With wood panelling surrounding its entrance and Japanese lanterns hanging in its doorway, Konjiki stands out on Kensington Church Street for its instantly recognisable decor.  A few steps down into this subterranean 80 seater restaurant that’s only just opened its doors in April 2025, and you are unmistakably in the Nipponese realm. With a bow and a smile to usher you in, you’re immediately in a far more zen state of mind than you were minutes ago when you were busy dodging rushing shoppers and traffic filled streets.

A family-run business that mum (front of house) and dad (chef) started out in Portsmouth 15 years ago with a restaurant called Sakura, they’re giving London a go with Konjiki, possibly persuaded by the fact that their now grown-up sons have joined the business so that they can manage the running of the two locations. For the move into the big city, they have updated their menu so that as well as traditional Japanese dishes – sushi, tempura, udon noodles, katsu curry, they have come up with creative twists for the London market such as sushi tacos, aburi cheese nigiri and chicken katsu maki.

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Presentation and precision is paramount in Japanese cuisine and Konjiki doesn’t disappoint.  Service is quick and efficient and before long, our table was replete with beautiful looking red dragon rolls, chicken yakitori, hirata buns (Japanese version of bao buns), prawn tempura (the batter here was slightly too thick) and for the main, sukiyaki (a hotpot consisting of thinly sliced beef with enoki mushrooms, silky tofu and vegetables in a broth).  The sukiyaki, like all the other donburi (translates to “bowl” in Japanese) menu items comes on a tray with miso soup, pickled vegetables, salad and a bowl of rice. The star of the show, this dish on its own would have made for a wholesome, nutritious and satisfying lunch.

Surrounded by restaurant chains and street food emporiums whose prices are just as high as restaurants, Konjiki is an oasis.  Honest food, carefully prepared at fair prices, it’s a place to escape to from the hustle and bustle of High Street Kensington and immerse yourself in somewhere serene, discreet and soothing for the body and soul.

Angela Zaher is a freelance writer and regular contributor, find her on instagram @angela_zaher