Uchi Review: Discover East London’s Authentic Japanese Treasure

Uchi, a hidden Japanese Restaurant in East London

I love sushi and worked in a Japanese restaurant, so I can vouch that Uchi is among the best Japanese restaurants in London, not only for the great food but also for the tatami seating (Zashiki) experience.
My London Restaurant reviews are taking us again to East London; this time, we are in Clapton, where Uchi, an exceptional Japanese restaurant, is nestled, waiting to be discovered.

Uchi is a stand-alone Japanese restaurant offering a unique atmosphere. As you walk up to the restaurant, you can get a sneak peek through the large windows, which offer a view of the horigotatsu tables and the restaurant, instantly evoking a sense of Japan. The name Uchi, which means house in Japanese, couldn’t be more fitting.

The location is modest, set back from the main street among Hackney residential flats, making it an ideal spot for first dates, family reunions, or romantic meals.
The restaurant has a vibrant soul with a mix of wooden & metal furniture. A beautiful golden countertop, delicate blush walls, and soft lighting create a romantic atmosphere. The Japanese pottery is stunning.
The robata grill section of the kitchen overlooks the restaurant.
Uchi offers an exciting menu and a daily specials board.

Uchi Review: What to Expect

The service was quite casual. You receive a menu where you can write down the quantity of items you wish to order. The waiter then collects your order and sends it to the kitchen. I was surprised that they provided this type of service, which may have contributed to the homey atmosphere they aimed to create.

However, we ordered several dishes, and they arrived as they were ready. I would have preferred if the waiter had served our selections in at least two courses. This would have allowed us to enjoy the hot dishes while taking our time with the cold ones. As it stood, I felt rushed to savour the meals, which slightly impacted my overall experience.

To enhance the dining experience, the restaurant could focus on better pacing when serving dishes and provide recommendations on the ideal order to enjoy them. This could have been an oversight on the server’s part, or it may simply reflect their serving style.

Exploring Japanese flavours at Uchi

The sashimi selection was incredible, providing a truly delightful culinary journey. I savoured every slice of fish, enjoying the flavours slowly. The selection included five different types of fish, each with its unique taste and texture, making for a wonderful experience.

Enjoying a selection of sashimi is similar to savouring a cheese board; it’s best to start with the most delicate ones and gradually progress to the stronger ones. While it would have been helpful for the waiter to guide us on the proper order for tasting, I was familiar with the flavours and managed on my own.
However, this lack of guidance could be a missed opportunity for those who are less experienced with sashimi.
Here’s how I believe the best way to enjoy each type of fish is:

1. Scallops: Very creamy and buttery;
2. White tuna: delicate and subtle;
3. Salmon: smooth, with a hint of saltiness;
4. Tuna: tender and mild;
5. Kingfish: solid in taste, almost overpowering.

Wagyu nigiri and beef roll really surprised me

If you are a fan of sea urchin, I highly recommend trying the sea urchin gunkan (uni nigiri). It brought back memories of my first trip to Sicily when I had them for the first time. I felt as though I was diving into the seabed, even though I was still in London. If you haven’t tried it before, the taste of kingfish is more delicate compared to that of sea urchin.

Next, we ordered the beef roll. At first glance, I thought it would be bone-dry, but the meat’s moisture completely enveloped the roll, resulting in an incredible, balanced flavour. It was my first experience with a meat roll, and I’m so glad I tried it; it was delicious and highly recommended! I truly believe Uchi is among the best Japanese restaurants in London, as it offers a wide menu, ranging from classic fish dishes to more authentic meat dishes.

Our culinary journey continued with the wagyu nigiri. The smoky notes and the meat’s tenderness created a delightful contrast with the agrodolce dressing. It was a perfect harmony of aromas—a true culinary masterpiece! The vegetable tempura was perfectly executed, with flawless battering and no greasiness at all.

We also tried the Taro Imo Kara-age, which is the vegetarian version of chicken kara-age. However, I found the spicy sauce to be slightly too strong for my taste.

To finish our meal, we decided to try the matcha tart, beautifully decorated with strawberries and delicate on the palate.

Just before concluding Uchi Review, I want to take you through a bit of knowledge about Sake.

Sake is a must-try!

If you’re not yet familiar with sake, it’s a Japanese alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice. It can be enjoyed either hot or cold, though not all restaurants offer the unique experience of a sake warmer machine. Uchi, however, does provide this option, allowing you to savour both variations.

We opted for cold sake, and I was initially hesitant to try it again. A few months ago, we went to a Japanese restaurant in West London, and I didn’t enjoy it much. However, the sake we chose this time was very light and pleasant on the palate, with a hint of strawberry (Cold sake: honjozo, standard grade 150 ml £9).

Sake is similar to wine; you might not like one type, but another could be amazing.
This turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Additionally, my matcha green tea was superior to what I typically find in other Japanese restaurants (Green tea: ryoku cha £3).
Our bill was £129.37, including 12.5% service charge, the cold sake (£9) and green tea (£3).