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Koya
(Now Closed)Noodle Restaurant, Japanese Restaurant, and Asian Restaurant££££
Soho
The experts at The Guardian and Evening Standard recommend this place
139 Tips and reviews
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All I am saying is that, if you eat here, you will never feel cold or depressed. You are always smiled at and are left with the choice between the best and the better dish. SOUL FOOD w/ Homemade Udon.
Mixed seaweed and curry udon dishes are DELICIOUS. Get here early for dinner so you don't have to queue too long. On the expensive side, but great if you like fresh, homemade noodles and clean broths.
Been two times and really impressed with the quality/authenticity of their food. Try to order from their daily specials menu and don't forget to order any of their pickles!
Bình HàMarch 17, 2015Anything is safe to try, they have an authentic, balance flavour for the broth. A simple plain udon is enough to enjoy. Their rice dishes are nice but I not too dif from others. Focus on the noodle.
Koya 101: Start with a daily special. Then atsu atsu-wise: Saba or the Curry or Tori Nikomi. Or try the special udon and eat something you've never heard of like Bracken Fern tempura. Rinse/repeat.
Scott GFebruary 1, 2015Actually a very good Japanese restaurant, lots of unique dishes to choose from but they do have some old favourites too. Beware though, this place ain't cheap so you may spend more than a pretty penny
Ai NAugust 11, 2013We had Kamo Udon and Hiyashi Udon with Natto. (Although, Natto is not for everyone.) Very tasty and happy. This is a very good Japanese noodle restaurant.
Angela LiuMay 3, 2015Undoubtedly the best udon in london and do not miss the stuff on the black board too. They are closing at the end of May so folks head down to koya tonight!!!
Jean PJanuary 29, 2014Generally Japanese restaurants in London really ugly no matter how expensive are. This udon place is no exception. Still a nice udon place for UK standard. BTW, tempuras are excellent!
Shannon LimAugust 17, 2014If the venison is up on the "specials" board, get it, you won't regret it. The walnut miso udon with wild mushrooms (with tempura batter:extra) will blow your mind
Nono BouéMay 6, 2014Service was a bit weird the last time I came but I still love this place. An authentic piece of Japan in the middle of London. Try some Nattō and Onsen eggs if you haven't yet.- Can't go wrong here but if you need to be inspired: Have the Ten Zaru Udon on a warm day, and ALWAYS order off the Specials menu
Audrey TolbertMarch 18, 2014Any of the udon dishes will do, just make sure you start off with numerous small plates to share. (Especially if they have the wild sea bass sashimi).
Dylan LoweAugust 1, 2012The undisputed best udon in town – and I can endorse that. Apart from set menu the daily specials are worth sampling. Also taste their side dishes – the braised pork in cider and tempura are divine.
Krystle LimNovember 22, 2012Very good udon, kakuni (pork belly) and hot ginger drink. Sit at the counter to watch the chefs in action. Never-ending queues though
GiFebruary 5, 2015Yummy yummy!! Real Japanese style!! The kuro kakuni is the best, so soft and delicious!!
David BanNovember 21, 2014This noodle shop ain't your average ramen bar - beatifully simple Japanese plates, with plenty of interesting daily specials. Bracken Fern tempura, anyone?
David WormleyAugust 9, 2014The udon noodles are the best I've had, and the rest dish was simple and tasty. I thought that the service was particularly good.
Best noodle place in london. Udon soup is a bit salty so get the dipping option. Fresh Ginger tea is perfect for a cold day. Everything on menu is freshly made. Expect a line and wait!
Karn R.April 27, 2011Lovely place. For something different, try the cold udon in hot broth (Hiya-Atsu) with vegetable tempura.. Really good. Tori Nikomi is also good served in Japanese small hot pot!
Wai ManMay 25, 2013Cold noodles with sesame dipping sauce was yummy! Get there early as they don't take reservations and only give you a table when company is complete
I've been walking pass this place many times and always found a long queue. Today I queued for 30min but the result was excellent, udon noodles are the original Japanese noodle!!
Jon ChooFebruary 20, 2012Get here early, or be prepared to wait up to 30 mins in queue (worth it!). Tempura udon with poached egg, and pork belly are both brilliant!
John RNovember 13, 2010Great place! Get here early or you won't have a place at a table. Kakuni highly recommended (pork belly cooked in cider!!) Japanese take on fish'n'chips excellent also.
Bradley CheshamJune 19, 2014Lunch - Bowl of noodles for £10 cant go wrong. If you add in a few more dishes can get a bit pricey for what it is. Keep it simple ;)
Sof CJanuary 24, 2013I know it's super popular & there's always a queue, but I find it a bit over priced. My £10 tempura udon came with a single fried prawn, udon noodles and broth; no vegs or any other toppings.
YasmineApril 15, 2013Very good udon and yummy broth. Worth queuing for. Pork belly starter was tasty. Sake not as impressive.
Katerina KerrDecember 10, 2014Get here early to get a place. Delicious range of udon broths. A definite must try!
Highest level of craft on udon noodles you'll get in London. Get everything, eat it all.
San ChowNovember 25, 2014Got to Koya shortly after 9pm and no duck or pork udon so got Shabu Shabu beef with onsen tomago. Had a upset stomach within an hour should had skipped the onsen egg.
Courtney TightSeptember 13, 2014The cold dipping noodles with broth on the side is tasty and refreshing for summer.
Joshua NguyenMarch 27, 2012I always judge an udon place by how legit the beef is and here it's thinly sliced with a bit of fat: legit.
Evening StandardMay 14, 2012The hot noodles in hot broth includes "buta miso" (£8.80), well seasoned with a pork mince and miso paste. Read more
Katy HAugust 3, 2013Great food. Be prepared to line up for an hour to get in. It's small! Well worth it though.- Gary SimmonsSeptember 11, 2013I've never been a big fan of Udon... Koya's done nothing to change that. Read our full review on Scoff London:
Simon WillisonJune 10, 2013"traditional Udon dishes and season specialities; again reasonable prices and great atmosphere." -
Christine ChangJune 5, 2012Koya was nothing short of amazing. The braised pork belly app and the prawn vegetable tempura are a must try!
Jon HerbertJune 10, 2010Worth the 30 minute wait, got talking to fellow diners who didn't have a bad word to say about Koya. The best Udon Noodles outside Japan. They were not wrong, the Beef udon noodles hit the spot.
Tatiana MosesMarch 23, 2013Chicken and veg Udon, pork udon, veg tempura all checked and worth a slurp!
Sarah EcksteinSeptember 13, 2014Was excited to find an udon spot in London, but disappointed with the service and flavour of the broth. Go for the tempura
Definitely worth visiting if you like Japanese food. Fantastic value for money and beat in the area
Delicious traditional Udon and Soba just like they do it in Japan. ;)
Alexander GilbertMarch 3, 2013Getting a table at the counter seems bad but it's interesting watching the chefs. Go for the Prawn Tempura!
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- Noon–3:00 PM
- 5:30 PM–10:30 PM
+44 20 7434 4463
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar
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