Sakagura, a new international Japanese dining experience and sake bar will launch in London this Autumn on the popular pedestrianised food quarter on Heddon Street, W1B.
Representing a new eating destination for Londoners, Sakagura will be the first joint venture between the Japan Centre Group, sake Royal Warrant holders Gekkeikan, Japanese plum wine brand Choya as well as one of the world’s most exclusive sushi experiences, The Araki Michelin Star restaurant and the Toridoll Corporation.
Interiors overseen by B3 Designers (Canto Corvino and Gymkhana) create a modern Japanese feel and blend of urban sophistication. Contemporary materials found in the sake bar range from dark, burnt wood to giant sake barrels creating a feeling of warm and welcome whilst the main dining area features an array of Japanese geometric patterns used alongside waney edge wood to convey an authentic look and feel. A theatrical robata grill with wooden marked concrete, slate and dark wood will be used to create a cool, calm space juxtaposed against the heat of the open plan kitchen.
Dining from ceramic sharing plates for sushi, masu cups for sake and traditional bowls for fresh noodle dishes, customers can choose to be seated in small intimate dining booths or at the traditional wooden kappo counter to observe the chefs preparing each dish.
The authentic southern Japanese menu has been created by Executive Chef, Kanji Furukawa. Based on authentic ‘Washoku’ which incorporates rice, miso and fish into each meal, other dishes that feature include Hakata yakitori – grilled skewers, hand-made udon and soba noodles and freshly made sushi.
A dedicated sake bar serving the best of Japanese sake, handpicked by Gekkeikan, one of oldest sake companies in the world will sit alongside limited edition sake-based cocktails devised by expert Japanese mixologists.
Tak Tokumine, CEO of Japan Centre and Sakagura, said: “We are very excited about bringing this truly unique and authentic dining and sake experience to London, working alongside some of Japan’s most experienced partners and identifiable industry operators. We have always taken huge pride in what we do and extra special care in providing our customers with excellent service and great, authentic products that can be so hard to find.”