Reviews of Japan Centre. (Supermarket) in London (London).

Japan Centre

0 Reviews

375 Comments

Supermarket

Japanese grocery store

35b Panton St, London SW1Y 4EA, United Kingdom

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Information of Japan Centre, Supermarket in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

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Open hours of Japan Centre

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Reviews of Japan Centre

M. L.

For all the Japan lovers it's an awesome place!! There are plenty of choices for food and stuff. The food look and taste GREAT!! In the fresh section you can find sushi grab and go deal(main, snack and drink!) For 10£ or less and there are some tables to eat in. The restaurant look really clean and the staff is helpfull. The only negative note it's about the prices, very expensive for stuff that you can find somewhere else in the area.

M. N.

I literally never wanted to leave here oh my god, there is an insane variety of Japanese food and in most aspects the price is very sensible. Huge selection of sushi and sashimi and other Japanese food along with a whole bakery section for Japanese desserts.

A. T.

Very interesting place where you can find food you would not find elsewhere. We always go there for ice cream mochi. There could be a thicker rice dough in them but the ice cream filling is delicious, especially the passion fruit one.

A.

We tried the vegan options. Which was suprisingly considerate for those of us who don’t eat non-kosher/ non-halal meat. The vegan options were delicious. The front of house were kind and welcoming. We will come again

J.

For all those who love Japanese and Korean food, this is certainly the place to go! They have so many options in snacks, meals, drinks, everything!! I've gone here so many times and will come again. Their food is flavourful and tasty, staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. And their apples are HUGE! I can't remember what type they are but they were sweet, juicy and crisp.

J. M. L. F.

Came to the Japan Centre on Panton St for a lunch date with a family friend and wasn't disappointed. The centre is easy to find, take the street opposite Bubba Gump and go past the Prince Of Wales Theatre on Oxendon St and the Japan Centre is on the corner on the first left opposite the Odeon cinema. Upon entry is a small Mochi/Bubble Tea cafe, if you walk through then take the stairs down, it leads you to the canteen restaurant and shop which is quite compact. I had the Beef Sukiyaki Donburi which was delicious. The beef really melted in the mouth, it comes with rice, spring onion and picked ginger which is designed to refresh the palate. My friend had the Prawn Tempura Donburi which also comes with rice and selected vegetables. I wanted to try the Prawn Gyozas but they didn't have any in stock so I had the Pork Gyoza dumplings, I did ask them to heat them up but they were lukewarm like they had just been microwaved. It would have been nice if they were made to order freshly but they still tasted nice. Lots of interesting food/home products to look at but prices are on the expensive side, bare in mind a lot of these products are imported. They also sell a range of food bowls/drinks to take away as well as delicacy meats/sweets/snacks etc. Quite an interesting place to look around and many unusual flavours.

Y. Y.

Always visit when I go to London. Their deli is always filled with fresh Japanese bento boxes. Their order counter is great too. I would love it if they make the queueing system of the till improved.

P. W.

Japanese Grocery are great Plenty of choices all authentic Japanese Snacks and tea are plentiful and with great quality As for the cooked food it’s disappointing The ramen is almost like the instant noodle they sell off the shelf It’s super salty clearly design for the British taste definitely not an authentic Japanese taste The spicy ramen is not spicy at all not even a hints of it Anyway it’s time to try other food Service is very cosy warm and welcoming

E. C.

It was a nice spot to pick up some Japanese products and food items. You can also pick up sushi to eat there but it can be a little crowded and busy. Or you can go to the restaurant instead. The product they have is quite extensive and you should find what you want. If you go later in the day to get some sushi, you may not find anything left as they sold out during early dinner time. That happened to us and we had to go find some place else for dinner

H. H.

Great food, convenient central location. Some things in there pricy, but they have been imported from Japan/ abroad.

K. L.

Nice place to stick up on Japanese food and drink essentials...

L. N.

Love it here so much. It makes me miss Japan so much, everything is great quality and delicious.

F. G.

Japan Centre - it used to be along green park area before moving towards Shaftesbury Avenue (upstairs shops) and now moved there where it’s basement. It has lots of Japanese selection groceries, fresh sushi and sashimis and also other hot food where you can purchase and eat in the shop. Lovely air conditioned shop perfect place to come on a hot day! It’s now extended it’s space to next store to accommodate more things to sell. I can imagine it will have more items for sale on the other side in the future.

C. G.

This is such a great place for anyone wanting to learn more about Japan and its culinary scene. The food is very good and the selection of products on the supermarket is huge, is quite fun to spend a good amount of time looking at the alcohol, sweets or snacks, everything so different to the things I'm used to. Attention was great as well and prices to eat in are very reasonable.

D. C.

Love this place! Mochi bar is soo cute the cheese mochi breads tasted soooo good, really good variety of products and there’s a downstairs cafe and seating.

e. s.

Came here first time as a walk in customer and the experience was quite good. Not sure about online shopping part but at least I think they took google comments by heart, when I visited The queues were clearly defined, tasty food freshly made and many things to Buy from which you can’t get from any other stores in uk. Price may be higher but hey it’s a shop in London ! It’s not japan, there is a cost to fly stock overseas and The shop got to earn something. still a very good supplement store for Japanese fans. Esp when you can’t fly to japan for now.

S. G.

I really enjoyed the mochi cookies. Their offer of the day was 2 cookies for £1.50. I highly recommend the green matcha cookie. The bakery has lots of exciting things with Japanese flavours. The doughnuts looked great, as did the mochi ice cream.

S. P.

I went to the down stair dinning area expecting amazing Japanese food but only got fairly good food. The Chicken Katsu curry looked nice but the chicken was chewy and dry. It was edable but it spoilt the dish. The curry sauce lacked the depth of flavour I would normaly expect for a Katsu curry and for me the species tastes like the cheap mixed curry flavour spices you get from the supermarket. Although the taste was okay I would have expected a bit more. The staff were okay but nothing special. For a meal for under £10 the food was reasonable but nothing to shout about.

J. B.

Lots of Japanese food items and books for sale. The hot food was also great.

S. F.

I have been to Japan before and the food and look brought me back to the outstanding Japan shops

M. L.

Nice japanese shop! Located downstairs in the basement, it's not very big but they have a good range of products, from books to snacks to frozen food,rice,noodles,magazines,many drinks and sweets. There's a hot food section and a chilled "food to go" area where you find different types of sushi boxes/cold drinks/sweets. You can eat in or take-away but if you eat in it's more expensive. It's generally a bit pricey but not too crazy. I tried the Sushi and the mochi and they were very nice. I definitely recommend!!

M. o. M. (. F. R.

I have been wanting to visit the Japan Centre shop for sometime now. I enjoy ordering items from their website. The store however was not as inviting as I had hoped as it appeared a little empty and uninspiring. I did however buy some fresh sushi items expecting they'd be awesome made by the experts. Instead each sushi piece fell to bits! Whoever makes their sushi isn't doing a very good job...in fact I make my own sushi at home and I can do better than the Japan Centre! I wasn't expecting that outcome. On the plus side the prices for their Sushi are low but quality is not quite as good as it should be. Please be better with your quality control as you have a lot of competition in London!

S. B.

The layout has been completely changed since reopening, I preferred the downstairs supermarket layout. But it's a great place to go for a fairly wide variety of products and the prices are fair considering they're all imported.

A. L. K.

Great ramen, go for the classic option, if you are a meat eater. Sushi selection is really good as well. Very casual setting but great for a quick bite, it reminded us of the Asian market in Queens, NY.

Y. C.

I bought their Green Tea Melon Pan, it has red been paste inside. The overall taste was average, can't taste green tea, going to try their matcha cookies next time. The store has 2 floors and a dine in area for Japanese food. The snacks are quite pricey, probably better get them from Chinese supermarket.

R. M.

Come on? Everything is authentically Japanese - all the basic supplies, and exceptionally high quality sushi at great affordable prices (for Central London)... Has a few gifts and books and chopsticks/miso soup & rice bowls...

J. M.

We have recently visited the newly opened mochi bar. The packaged mochi are out of this world. They must mix some sort of white chocolate into the filling. Absolutely fantastic consistency and flavour. Matcha is my absolute favourite. The mochi donuts are interesting. The mochi ice cream is nothing to write home about though, apart from the one with yuzu flavour, which is really tasty and refreshing.

V. K.

Great selection of food. Prices are high, but everything is imported and central location is not cheap.

K. A. B.

Never get tired of the kitschy, 'kawaii' elegance of this place. Even the fact that it is a little hidden jem in the heart of Leicester Square adds extra specialness to this place. Go before 7pm for hot food as they sell out & currently there are some discounts on foods to make way for new stock for the New Year so you could nab yourself an edible bargain!😋🍱🍣

T. A. C. P.

Amazing selection of Japanese goodies. We tried some of the freshly made dorayaki and their mochi ice cream, truly delicious. Ramen and the katsu curry looked excellent as well. Highly recommend trying it!

K. B.

Easy walking distance to get to from trafalgar Square. Inside Japan centre so much choice from fresh vegetables, Sake, ramen, mochi made in store. The mochi icecream was so tasty 😋a must when in London

T. W.

Super! Find all your Japanese goodies here. Was stoked to find Sakura flower tea here and Katsuoboshi at such reasonable prices!

G. P. M.

Really good enough selection of Japanese products, and the 50% off on meals, baked goods and sushi are worth it.

A. B.

Ok, much better the High St Ken and the White City ones. Situated on the LG, seems a bit dirty and not same space and display of the counters and aisles. Better go on the other two if you can

G. L.

Best Japanese ramen. Hakata ramen is highly recommended. You need to order extra noodle, because it is so goos. No need to travel back to Fukuoka for ramen. Boiled egg is on the spot as well. Kids menu is fantastic, with amazing mango ice cream. The staff is super friendly. My son spilled his ramen. But the staff made a new one for free.

Y. S.

This place is a little gem, it has loads of authentic goods. And one of the best thing is , if you are student or work for the NHS , with the id card you could get 10% off your purchases.

S. N.

I love this shop, so much selection. I also got pork ramen from the restaurant, the best ramen i ever had!

C. S.

Nice place if you are a fan of Japanese culture. You can buy anything from books to food. I was pleased to find there some of the well-known Japanese textbooks, Miyazaki storybooks and some very good cooking books. You can also find all Japanese ingredients to prepare any decent Japanese food. There is also a restaurant that serves Japanese curries and desserts. The only down side is that anything there is too pricey.

A. Z.

Great selection of food and really welcoming staff. They have a nice restaurant downstairs so you can grab anything from fresh sushi to takoyaki

E.

Excellent food! Really great selection of products as well, we go there very often! I would give 5 stars but I feel I need to remove one for the lack of seating when you get your hot food, I had to stand with my tray while waiting for somewhere to sit.

M. H.

Great place to buy Japanese goods (although certainly not cheap!). The canteen underground is extremely popular. Would recommend a visit if you're passing by.

B. W.

Nice selection of specialty foods and great take away options. There's a large shop downstairs, which can get quite busy. While the selection is really good for central London, I wouldn't recommend it just for grocery, most local asian shops will likely have a similar selection available. The takeaway options are definitely worth it if you're in the area though!

A. R.

A fairly large Japanese supermarket with a huge variety of items include raw produce like radishes and carrots, meats like yakiniku cuts, dry food items and even a bit of anime merch and Japanese household utensils. I would take away half a star because of the prices (slightly expensive), but they do have a 10% student discount!

r.

Very big Japanese grocery store with all kinds of stuff you can't find anywhere else. They sell prepared food like a sashimi bowl and onigiri like in Japan. You can also find top tier wagyu pre sliced for shabu shabu or a steak to cook at home for 30 pounds.

T. L.

Stock up on your Japanese larder with food staples including noodles, rice, tofu and miso. Buy fresh fruit and veg. Treat yourself to Japanese snacks or Hello Kitty branded merchandise. They have an extensive take out food offering with meal deals. The restaurant is a great place to eat in if you are grocery shopping or you work nearby.

M. M. N. (. M.

Have been here for the first time. I must say huge options to choose from. However, I went only for the Matcha but have ended with 2 big bags. Back to the Matcha I understand that good quality got his price but the offer of 500g for £25 (reduced from £33) is still to expensive for lower quality brand. I get that one somewhere else for 18ish. Okay to be fair Japan Centre is really in the central of london city and got definitely more to offer than other small Japanese markets. Plus the fact that Japan Centre provide also Japanese Sushi & Hot Food .

L. S.

Nice place with different experience. Found some of my childhood favourite snacks here and kids love trying new things from this place.

E. P.

Okay place to go and browse some Japanese food but I don't find the place overwhelming. The layout is confusing and not well structured also the smell is not pleasant.

A. L.

Nice selection of Japanese products, meats, seafood, drinks, and cooked food. Some of them are 3-4 times more expensive than the original price in Japan but still is a good place to go for the Japanese who has left home for long time.

L. S.

If you're after Japanese and some pan-Asian cooking staples then you can't go wrong with Japan Centre. With a wide array of goods from crafts to cupboard essentials, you can generally find what you need here. Here at the flagship store on Panton Street there are a number of aisles with fresh, and dry foods. There is a large range of soft and hard drinks as well as a good sized on site dining area where you can get both hot and cold food. Great as a place to stop and also to pick up shopping but costly.

A. d. B.

The new Japan Centre unlike the one in Piccadilly appears to be bigger. It has a nice restaurant downstairs that serves ramen. The food selection is pretty good in the supermarket with everything from premium Japanese green tea to pickles. There are also a good selection of books on Japan. If you could add Daiso it would make it complete!

A. T. (.

A descent Japanese restaurant at the middle of a food store. The menu is similar to wagamama's though...amyway there are many unique and high quality items in the store. Fully recommend to anyone looking for Japanese ingredients in London

A. E.

Great food, amazing selection of Japanese books, the eat in options are a bit small but fully customizable and very deceptively filling, if you want some japanese groceries, food or books imported directly from Japan, this is the best place to go!

M. C.

This places serves delicious sushi and hot curry's amonsget its great range of Japanese supplies. You can eat either in its small eating area or take the food to go

L. P. E.

Maximum exponent of Japanese culture in London and in all of Europe.

G. C.

This is one of my happy places in London, I love eating here their chicken Katsu curry or having a juicy ramen from the ramen bar. The shop has a broad range of Asian food, prices are above average from standard Asian shops, however this is justified by the location and their high business quality. Looking forward to coming back soon

L. T.

Have ordered a couple of times here and will certainly continue to. They have most things in stock when I need/want them, and the things they don't, they let you know when it's back in. Takes a few days to deliver as I'm up north but always look forward to getting my order when it does arrive. The only let down is that they use Hermes for delivery who are one of the worst delivery companies there are. That aside, great place to shop all things Asian.

M. W.

Very neat and tidy place, didn't get a chance to try out their canteen. But their goods are good quality.

K. W.

Ordered the tonkatsu ramen after giving the resturant a try and was a bit disappointed... the noodles were really good but massive let down from the egg and pork. Outside was warm but inside was cold, so pre cooked eggs and meats which wasn't worth £9.30. One big complaint is plastic spoons, give me a spoon you can wash rather one I have to throw away. Hated I had to get and use a cheap one rather traditional ones for noodles meals. The broth was nice though but the seating arrangement is too messy, eating too close to the fridge for cold foods.

M. M.

Japanese supermarket. They have mostly everything, natto, gyozas, instant ramen, different see weeds, sake, choshu. They also offer fresh food, from sushi to using. Highly recommend!! They have a couple tables outside, so you can take the food and eat outside.

N. K.

Great variety of japanese food. Tried takoyaki (octopus doughnut-balls) very tasty but pricey as for me (6 pieces almost 6£) they serve pretty good tonkotsu ramen (in a to-go paper bucket) - portion is smaller than you would get in regular ramen bar and it costs just a pinch less (8,5£ to 10£-12£ in ramen bar). Quite busy during day (many people come here for lunch break), takoyaki and most of buffet food usually sold out by 3-5 pm.

A. G.

Really great for a little taste of Japan, huge excellent selection of Japanese goods - beers, sake and gifts. Plus the cafe is great with huge selection of sashimi, ramen etc to eat in or take away. Staff are Japanese and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

A. S.

Highly recommended. It has authentic products from Japan as well as serving amazing Japanese food. The food is really delicious. The prices are also really fair.

T. B.

I always love visiting Japan centre whenever I am in London. You can buy anything here related to Japanese culture and food such as sushi, mochi, snacks and more. However, when I got one of the poke bowls, the rice was too hard and the queues are sometimes quite long. But, I would still definitely recommend at least going to Japan centre if you are close by.

J. H.

Really busy but a great selection of food. And to be fair the prices seemed fair

E. C.

Fab place for lunchtime sushi, sukiyaki beef, salmon, tempura, croquettes, bao buns, sashimi and more. In the supermarket check out bowls, imported packet ramen, miso, saké, uthentic Japanese sauces, furukaki, umeboshi kawaii toys and more.

X. W.

Wonderful visit to the Japan Centre! They've got an awesome mochi bar now, and the selection of Japanese imported goods is as good as ever. Plus was able to get some delicious unagi from the fresh food counter

K. C.

Great grocery and cultural items. Very crowded though, and the queue is at the back, which might be hard to find. Renovated the ground floor as ramen restaurant now, haven’t tried but look bit cranky…

A.

Reasonable area, short walk from Chinatown. Yet to try the mochi doughnuts. Small dining area in basement.

A. B.

Essentially a cafeteria and shop all in one. Quite a broad selection of almost everything you would want. Very enjoyable ramen. Takoyaki wasn't street stall quality but decent for London. Prices on the shop goods are not extortionate compared to other Japanese imports in the UK. Definitely worth a trip and I'll be back next time I'm in the area.

E.

Pricey but as authentic as you can get. Lots of Japanese imports, not stuff made in EU or China with a Japanese label.

H. Z.

Awesome fresh sashimi and a wide offering of Japanese groceries. Would highly recommend the sweet prawns and sashimi boxes. The only drawback is that one of the employees (presumably a manager) is quite hostile and impatient to customers. Otherwise I can find no other flaws!

K. M.

Amazing experience. Japan Center, located in Panton Street, close to Piccadilly, is welcoming, modern and stylish. Here you can find many original products and eat a delicious fresh sushi.

P.

Went to the shop upstairs, because I was craving takoyaki so badly. I saw there were already a few earlier baked portions in front of us. When I asked the employee if we could get fresh ones, he told us: “these here are fresh, if you want me to make a new portion, you have to wait for 20 more minutes.” Since I didn’t want to wait and were in a rush, we decided to take the “fresh” portion. I could see this portion wasn’t fresh since there wasn’t any steam coming off, the bonito flakes were NOT moving and the dough was already looking less firm. So yes, I was definitely disappointed in the portion takoyaki I got. The taste wasn’t special either. Felt like money wasted and I just should have walked away when the employee told me the portions earlier made were fresh. The supermarket was underground and was fun to explore. I saw a lot of Japanese products which we can’t find in the Netherlands. Didn’t buy anything over there though, but if I lived in London, I probably would go there for my groceries.

b. :.

This place is so good and convenient, you can find all sorts of snacks, drinks and food!! The store is huge and very clean, the staff are also very friendly. I love the mochi place but the donuts get hard very quickly- best to eat it asap.I come here many times before I go home to get great deals on the freshly made food that cannot be sold the next day.

Z. Y.

One of my absolute favorite places in London. always get Doriyaki and melon break, sushi and matcha soft serve, also pork buns. This time the Doriyaki was sold out and the shelves seemed less full-I’m a bit scared that Brexit shortages will effect them. I hope not! This is an amazing supermarket and place to stop and eat.

T. S.

My favourite place! So much choice. The food hall is great for lunch. I get about a third of my cooking supplies here.

D. B.

Lots of products! If you like instant ramen and noodles there's tons to choose from. There were smaller cuts of Waggu beef. I found soft salad crackers which I really like. Only reason I didn't give 5 star is that the products were expensive, could find some of these cheaper online or in China town.

I. R.

I absolutely love the Japan centre! For any japanophiles or lovers of great Japanese food it is a must in London! Great Japanese made products :food, ceramics, object d'art , magazines, skincare and beauty products and much much more! There is also a great cafeteria full stocked with pre prepared chilled goodies and freshly made Japanese canteen food! Such lovely staff and very well laid out! I deffinately recommend!!

C. F.

Very polite staff and a tasty chicken katsu curry. Good selection of Japanese snacks and cooking ingredients although slightly on the dearer side.

K. S.

Interesting as a Zoo could be interesting. If you don't know Japanese food and can't read Japanese it's a bit of a loss. If you are curious about food and drinks, try it. But it's kind of buying a cat in a bag.

Z. C.

Quiet place. Lots of food options. Little to no vegan options. Amazing collection of books. Definitely recommend going.

D. I.

Lovely collection of amazing Japanese food, books, drinks and household items. Had lunch at the small canteen which was really good food and great portion sizes.

M. N.

If you need anything from the Japan Market here you can find it. There is also a space where you can sit down and enjoy some food cooked at the moment in the kitchen (like ramen, takoyaki) or you can have some sushi, poke, etc from the fridge.

Y.

A nice Japanese shop which is tidy and clean. Would be better if it can enrich the selection of products.

c. h.

Foods is so great.. I can recommend to my friends and relatives to come and try. The atmosphere inside is so cossy and all of the staff are so polite and very cheerful.

H. T.

I'm giving it 4 stars mostly because I love Japanese food and culture and I thought they had a really good range of things there. Liked their book collection and range of dry and fresh foods. Had a really nice sushi snack there even though there was not that much left at 8pm when we got there. Gets very busy though and it's a little bit pricey which is why I didn't give it top marks.

J. C.

The place itself is very gorgeous and the location is very convenient as well. However...expect the prices to be off the roof because of this (£7 For a pair of chopsticks??). If you're planning on buying Japanese goods with limited budget then this place isn't for you. Still! Feel free to drop by and have a look around, only takes a couple of minutes.

B. B.

Wonderful place to visit and have lunch. It has shonen jump and zero-sum which is rare in the UK. The location also stocks really cute ceramics which are sanrio themed. It also has Japanese food of many different types like snacks and desserts.

C. D.

A great place to purchase Japanese products. A wide selection of fresh and packet foods for sale. They also sell kitchen ware. The fresh sushi and bento boxes can be eaten in or taken away and is good. If you eat in you can enjoy a range of hot Sake to go with your fish.

Y. Z.

Such a good life experience center! And my photo was taken at the ramen restaurant on the ground floor. This is top, to be honest, from my experience, better than the most recommended ramen restaurant in Paris.

J. W.

Great place for all things Japanese. Great value for money sashimi, sushi and lunch boxes to eat in or take away.

A. G. A.

As a MASSIVE fan of the "Land of the rising Sun" for 90% of my life, people can only expect 5 stars from me as ratings!! I've been a loyal Japan Centre customer for years now but this was the 1st time I visited this new branch. I really liked it, the displays, the products, everything!! Keep it up, Japan Centre!! ありがとうございます Arigatou gozaimasu!! Best regards. Luana.

A. C.

You can get some food at lower ground. Less expensive, but not very tasty. 😔 Anyway, it is good for someone to grab something to eat quickly during break time.

N. S.

I visit this place everytime I come to London and I love it! The food is amazing and you can always find the most unusual stuff

E. B.

Little Japan in the middle of busy London. My husband is a big fan of Japan, he was very excited to come here) I think it’s overpriced a bit (Chicken katsu curry for almost 9 pounds, although it’s just a shop. For example in NYC in similar Centre it will cost you $8 and portion is bigger)

W. W.

A great place to pick up food / drink imported from Japan, with a pretty decent in-store deli serving a good selection of hot meals (ramen, katsu etc). The central London location was undergoing some refurbishment on the top (ground) floor at my last visit, reducing floor-space and the selection available. Definitely worth a visit as well as it's larger sister shop a few tube stops away in Westfield White City.

A. I.

The best Japanese store in London so far ! I love them bakery and as well so often found it a great discounts . Prices aren't cheap well import cost money . Will be happy if they do loyalty discounts o something similar for the regular customers

K. W.

Lovely selection of Japanese products and food. On the pricier side, but it is all imported so that is to be expected. Large variety of books, snacks, bento, stationary etc. There is also a food court with plenty of seating. The little moons icecream mochi in the freezer are particularly delicious. Close to Piccadilly Circus station and near Trafalgar Square.

C. C.

The best salmon sashimi in city is here! I usually ask the fisherman to slice it freshly for me. They have a good choice of other fishes and sushi but the sashimi is the masterpiece here. Very good choice of Japanese food such as goyza, tofu and soy sauce. This place worth a visit!!!

Y.

Small space that can get very busy! The green tea mochi I bought tasted a bit like the sushi-containing fridge it was stored in....

A. S.

Amazing produce. I'm always drawn to the sake on offer. Good selection and never too busy you cant go about your day.

J. W.

Best hirata buns I've tasted in London so far! Well designed eating area, bright and cheerful. Their other cooked meals are also lipsmackingly good. Wonderful selection of sake. Wife loves the excellent range of kitchenware. Those tea bowls, dang. ..! We left the store with empty wallets and three bagfuls of goodies.

S. K.

I normally go to the Japan Cente near Piccadilly where you have to go up the escalator but it wasn't where I thought and wasn't showing on Google Maps so I visited this one instead and I loved it! I bought Melon Pan which was near the cooked goods in the restaurant section and next to all of the other bakery goodies. I also bought a Sushi Mat and Rice Vinegar. I really liked how everything was organised in here, and it's all very interesting to look at especially if you don't visit Japanese Supermarkets very often. The cooked food spent absolutely gorgeous and I wish I hadn't are before I went, everyone looked like they were really enjoying it. This is a great place to go to buy authentic Japanese food and drinks, either having them in the shop/restaurant or taking them away. Can't wait to visit again!

P. P.

This is an excellent Japanese deli, the centre has moved over to a new mostly underground store, with a small shop on the ground floor which sells small snacks and drinks, and the rest of deli and restaurant is underground. The deli sells different rice, noodles and sake and other condiments. I thouroughly recommended the Japanese deli in Piccadilly Circus for a pleasing visit.

A. N.

Love this place, come here every few months. Like a tradition now. Food tastes good, and loads of variety. It's also a shop for Japanese groceries. Now they even have a ramen bar. For next time :)

m.

Japan Centre Ceramics & Sushi is a place to buy all sorts of things (apparently) from Japan. Ceramics and Sushis is a misnomer because they also sell all sorts of food stuff from the far east and books. Both the selection of food and ceramics are pretty good, but very pricey. The bowls, plates and other utensils for example are nearly double what I'd pay anywhere else and there's really nothing special about it. The food is definitely over-priced. Much of the goods available in the store are also available in the supermarkets in Chinatown for 50% less. So the only reason to get foodstuff from the Japan Centre is actually anything not available elsewhere. Don't get me wrong though, it was really nice to see Green Tea Kit-Kats. The store also has a cafe which seems to be rarely staffed. If you wanted to buy something from the cafe, you'd have to go to the regular counter and order from there. Only when there's staff free, then they get round to making something from the cafe. It took more than 15 minutes for someone to make my Matcha Latte.

D. C.

Simply the best for sashimi and Japanese grocery shopping. The variety of Japanese food there is large with kind of reasonable price. Ramen and seasonings are shipped from japan for sure but some of them might be a little over-priced. However, the hot food stall is amazingly good, like udon, bakery and takoyaki. The sashimi is also fresh and clean with amazing cuts.

D.

the staff is always friendly, the food tastes amazing and the dish prices are lower than those of restaurants around. wonderful selection of products as well :)

K. L.

Hidden gem for Japan food lover in london. They have large variety of matcha products, sushi and cooked food. Something different from the British Japanese food.

A. O. L.

Had a very lovely ramen at the Showaken Ramen Bar on the Ground Floor. The Tokusei Showaken Ramen was delicious, not a very thick broth, but still very rich in flavour. The lager was very good as well, they let me know about their drinks offers which was appreciated.

J. T.

After so many times moving around, it seems like they are settled and expanding their business there. Nice atmosphere, clean and spacious. Biggest and best of Japan centre so far. Compare to other Japanese supermarkets, this place is a bit more expensive. But convenient for just pop in and quick bite. I will definitely go there. I would recommend it.

B. D.

Been here a few times, I am a green tea fan and their homemade green tea cookies are the best, a really rich green tea taste, loved it. must try!

T. I.

Many Japanese groceries, foods and goods. Wide range of selections, a little bit expensive, though.

H. W.

Great place for Japanese groceries with varieties

T.

This 5 star rating is specifically for Kim who was working on the hot food counter today. I had a basket that I needed to split into 3 transactions. Kim was so patient and careful with my items even though the queue was building up. Thanks for a fantastic shopping experience Kim.

D. G.

Good place to buy some Japanese goodies, like the Glico cookie sticks or Meiji chocolates, noodles or any product for a Japanese dinner at home. A bit pricey, but these are treats you won’t find anywhere else.

G. M. A.

Great place for a quick Japanese lunch. Basically a more authentic version of Wasabi, similar sort of service style and price range. The store itself has a great selection, but expect to pay a significant mark up in price over any supermarket in China Town.

P.

Been there for more than 30 times and it has always been a perfect place for us Asians who miss home and Asian food.

R. J.

Great produce very nice fresh food and almost every Japanese produce you need under one roof

D. N.

Super fun Japanese grocery store that also does fresh food to eat in and take away. There is also a nice selection of cookware. They have sales and events quite often.

K. R.

Like walking through a portal back to japan; The food, products and even the staff service. I had Takoyaki and 3 Prawn Gyoza, reasonably priced and very tasty. Would’ve preferred if the Takoyaki were more consistent, as some were less filled than others. Overall though, 5/5 - I will return!

S. A.

The real Japan Centre! Extremely huge, groceries, meal deals and more. There’s long queues and it’s usually busy. Some sweets you find here aren’t in Chinatown. But prices are high maybe because it gets transported? There’s also a Japanese beauty and book/magazine section.. that’s extremely cool

R. H.

Great selection of Japanese food! Only criticism is that it is quite expensive but this is to be expected.

J. T.

Great place to get all the oriental or japanese products in this case. Convenient location which was relocated from another location as it currently has 2 floors so more products for your needs. Prices are normal as you would expect and it does have a lift should you need this too.

M. M.

Went for hot food for lunch......waited over 25min to be served because there were only 2 people working in the kitchen. Other than that, good food and clean tables

J. M.

Just went for the bubble tea and mochi donut deal. Very tasty, but a bit concerned that it was help yourself to the donuts using the provided tongs. However, there was no sanitiser that I could see, so a bit dodgy in my opinion. Fortunately, I carry my own so was able to sanitise before and after handling tongs.

S. K.

Clean and well spaced out. Mochi was amazing. Space to sit and eat after shopping.

S. G.

Little bit of Japan in the heart of London. Offering takeaway, supermarket bits, gifts, sweets and many unidentifiables! New location is ideal for getting ramen, rice and sushi.

A. S.

Perfect place for the Japanophile, although there are also Korean foods and drinks available. Great collection of hot and cold foods available downstairs as well as lot of snacks and sweets. Excellent place to try something different in London, or find something to remind you of home if your are from Japan.

N. B.

Nice shop with Japanese products. The shop is small but offers a big variety of products.

M. A.

Store that makes you close to Japan

A. M.

If you love Japanese food and Japanese products, this is one of the few places in London where you can try out everything.

K. H.

Love all matcha sweets there, steam buns, Japanese goods,etc. They do 50%off food at 8pm which is fantastic!

T. S.

In this place you can eat and buy thing ! Because there are a market inside. The food is delicious and typical from japan. You'll love it.

S. C.

Definitely the place to go if you want truly authentic Asian snacks savoury and sweet, frozen foods, sushi, waigu, you can also eat in, also other items like kitchen utensils, plates, cute toys, face/beauty products, magazines and books, some items can be pricey but it make sense because of customs, but I would definitely recommend! :)

A. P.

visit on Saturday with family from other city, very busy shops in the city centre, very Japanese style. enthusiasm polite staff and managers, it's a pity that the security is very rude, his subjective see every customer as a thief, loud, yelled at me with rude language, scared of my two children, and my wife , disappointed, I and my family and friends won't visit again,i give 5starts because of staff and manager

D. E. A.

Always friendly and I could find the best miso there

M.

AMAZING SHOP! It has everything you want, is a paradise, when you enter you are transported to Japan, the food is in a other level.

W. L.

The food in the food court is affordable but it isn't the best. Never really bought anything from here because everything is insanely expensive and over-priced, but it's well air conditioned in the summer and isn't normally busy when I visit

J. H.

My favourite place ever. Delicious food, delicious Japanese sake/plum wine also in accessible/affordable small sizes so you can give it a try. Delicious fresh food which you can eat in or take away. Fresh counter with fish and thinly sliced meat for shabu shabu or teppanyaki purposes, fresh mentaiko (fish roe/eggs), great selection of tea, snacks, noodles and Japanese crockery (good gift options) and magazines and cute gifts. You can also get a delicious matcha green tea soft serve at the stall outside the shop. I think it's a little bit hidden in terms of the new location on Shaftesbury avenue but it is not to be missed!!

A. V.

Always fun to explore the small but brilliant selection of truly Japanese products. There is a small food counter at the back that also sells great stuff (and occasionally favourites like Takoyaki). They are about to move to this new location. Google Maps is updated.

A. d. l. V.

The supermarket is really nice and it is plenty of interesting things. I found Calpis and wagyu after long time looking for it. They offer a 15% discount for students.

D. H.

Cute place where you can dine and shop for the best Mochi in town. You can find stuff from Japanese manuals to onigiri and matcha products.

D. L.

Tasty but definatelt not budget whole reminding me of a school diner.... however very hip place famous amongst Asians and Asian cuisine - lovers (is that a word? ) had their tonkutsu ramen which was gooooooooood. I chanched and went for seconds (normally the soup is unlimited in Japan) and got lucky. It is rally tasty and just like on the picture on their price tab no false advertising. Wangyu beef was a bit if a heart attack experience: it did look lovely probably the best beef I've ever seen....for £50. If you can afford it without looking at the price tag go for it's tasty!

L.

Half of the products are pricy tbh, but could always found something on offer and nice.

C. G. J.

Nice little store packed full of japanese treats. I was introduced to a lot of new flavours here and It'll take many visits until my curiousity is exhausted. Aside from food and a modest and sometimes messy seating area, there is also an accessories, homewares, books and magazines section. The staff are really nice too.

A. J.

The matcha cookies were amazing. Vegetarian ramen was okayish. Slightly annoying that they don’t separate the lines for deli and groceries, making the wait to order food un-necessarily long.

P. L.

Good for a quick stop, can be quite busy at times. Some Japanese snacks and groceries can be found cheaper in other Asian supermarkets though.

E. D. M.

Amazing Food Hall! Sushi and Japanese Sweets are Delicious! And after 7pm everything is @50%

S. H.

The store is normally filled with nice items and are all imported including fresh produce and beer. Items are a little pricy compared to smaller japanese grocery stores. The low rating is solely down to the food canteen at the Piccadilly branch. The food is not bad, but the service is always bad and incredibly slow. I often eat here as it is cheap and cheerful. I went last Wednesday as the kids wanted to go here and they wanted ramen. The service had hit an all time low, the staff did not care about their jobs at all and thus, making service to customers really frustrating. I wont go into detail but I want to close with: it is not worth it for a quick eat, you are better off at an actual restaurant near by for better food and quicker service. Key words: 'Poor food service'.

G.

Great place for Japanese food, lots of variety

R. B.

Totteri ramen. Delicious.

S. G.

Love this shop. The sushi is delish. And love the variety of grocery this place sells

S. L.

Great Japanese Grocery Store! They have everything you need.

S. L.

Prices tend to be a bit high, but if you go late they quite often have 50% off left over sushi etc.

J. V.

Definitely a little pricey, but a nice and varied stock.

L.

Really great shop to get Japanese cupboard stapled. Can be on the expensive side due to the import costs I assume. Once had a bad experience with a security guard here trying to make us pay double ( and ended up with us having to call the police to help us leave the shop) when we misunderstood the shop rules and opened a drink to drink while we were waiting in the queue to pay for it… so don’t do that lol.

A. Y.

Nice grocery store with a variety of Japanese foods and items.

L. H.

The best sushi and really nice selection of Japanese stuff

B. G.

I love visiting here. I come every time I visit london. The sushi is lovely, and their fresh mochis are delicious.

A.

It isn’t cheap and some bits of sushi are fairly fatty but I still rate it. I am a fairly regular regular

A. C.

Excellent hot food counter with big portions of ramen, lots of sushi options too.

Y. R.

Cute deco in this place, they always try to make the place look presentable. The aisles can be small so when it’s busy, it’s difficult to get through. But for obvious reasons, this wasn’t the case in 2020, as more people were ordering from home! Even though it’s a small place for a supermarket, they always have a good range of Japanese products and food items. I highly recommend the sashimi here that they can cut fresh for you, it is the only place I have been able to find this type of fish outside of restaurants. That being said, prices are comparatively higher than the well-known Rice Wine Shop, which is only around 10mins walk from Japan Centre, so always worth checking there to see if they have what you need beforehand as it could save you quite a bit.

R. P.

Although it's a good place to get your Japanese groceries, we were disappointed that some of our favourite brands don't seem to be stocked.

S. M.

Feels like any food or drinks you want from Japan is available here. New Mochi bar is pretty nice as well.

W. C.

Crowded, expensive (everything is basically imported) this place is definitely worth a visit if you're into Japanese food etc. You can buy something to eat and they have seating. It's quite easy to miss from the street

L.

Great shop with all sorts of products that bring back memories of my trip to Japan. There's a range of fresh products and sushimi grade fish available as well as some of the best Japanese hot foods available in London. There Raman is better than Bone Daddies for sure!

A. D.

They started to sell draft beer again. Super yummy Chicken Katsu Curry.

A. R.

Amazing shop with a lot of Japanese grocery and food! Love visiting it whenever I am around

V. B.

Great shop with more then you can choose from and restaurant where you can eat fresh warm food.

H. E. L.

The most amazing Japanese shop I had ever seen...you can find everything you need inside! And there are plenty of ready meals as well in fridges, and a shop outside with amazing steam-cooked buns ❤️

R. S.

Been here a lots of times. One of the best Japanese supermarket, variety of different food and drinks. Even have a restaurant for you to have a quick meal. Recommended. You might find some candies or snacks are a bit overpriced. And they also sell some Japanese beauty products in store.

L. F.

nice food with good quality, too warm inside the building, other than that it's a great Japanese shop ~

E. R.

Quite a spacious place for Japanese cuisine. I am not okay with the attitude of the staff in the restaurant. However rest of the staffs are pleasant and helpful.

T. T.

Love Japan centre always nice food and loads of Japanese stuff

T. T.

Quite pricey and sadly Japan Centre runs out hot of meals quite fast. Other than that a solid place and always a good service. Good selection of Japanese products from rice to snacks.

a.

Such a cute place. Staff are nice, it's not too expensive, not too busy. Has a range of items from kitchenware to manga to snacks. Tried some mochi there, good price and tasted great. I always pop in whenever I'm nearby to see what's new! You can end up spending quite a lot of time in there.

D. O.

I'm so gutted that you closed your Showaken restaurant. It was an absolute retro ambiance,a true gem with the best tonkotsu ramen. I wish you kept the pints on draft downstairs. Nevertheless I still love this place.

N. W.

Good selection of foods but quite pricey

C. C.

Large Japanese supermarket right in the middle of Central London, I tend to go here for my Japanese grocery needs. They've also expanded recently, adding in Korean food too and also a Mochi Bar. The Mochi Doughnuts were pretty good!

G. L.

Great prices on snacks and anime merch and huge variety of items. Great meal deal options for on the go!

I. H.

You can buy authentic Japanese food here, but it's pretty touristy.

L. M.

Great place if you want some Japanese goodness, with fresh food and packaged items like noodles. Just don't expect it to be cheap with it mostly being imported.

P.

The supermarket section has a wide variety of Japanese food, condiments, beers and wines that are generally difficult to come by. They also serve food inside and have both chilled options to go and eat in options. The teriyaki is lovely and the takoyaki is a must try. If you love all things Japan come here!

j. w. (.

Loved it. Felt a bit like an Izakaya and the Donburi was oishii!

S. S.

Not as posh as it used to be, but the perfect place for Japanese ingredients in London.

J. B.

Japanese supermarket and cafe. A great mix of Japanese groceries, crafts, alcohol, prepared chilled meals and a counter serving hot noodles and curry.

T. P.

Love this place, secret hidden treasure trove, amazing sweet staff, everything is amazing, a lot of it is very pricey, but viewed as a treat it's great. You must try the mochi doughnuts for sure tho!

w. t.

First time been there with my love for some Japanese food. Best place for Japanese grocery. Tried many things there as well as take away.

R. R. (.

Casual shopping in my first travel in London, visiting some Japanese / Manga shops, there we go, they have my favourite novel (Your name) <3 and also more that I can imagine, all japanese products.

P. T.

Large variety of Japanese food products, quite expensive though.

T. K.

Supermarket for Japanese food

V. F.

Pumpkins bought here taste good! A great shop. The character-bread looks a little bit… emmm╮(╯▽╰)╭

B. (.

Always love visiting this place, and great for a bite to eat and peruse the wares

r. d.

The fresh sushi here is fantastic. When I lived in London I found sushi hard to come by, and it was usually pretty average, but the Japan Centre always delivers the goods! They have Japanese groceries too which is quite useful.

C.

Certainly more spacious now that JC had taken over the site of the once Thai restaurant. They even now sell Nissin ramen in boxes at competitive prices vs other competitors. Prices of Japanese KitKats still ridiculous as always

C. B.

Always a big fan of this place! You can find everything you want: food, books, random stationery..

F. C.

Very interesting selection of imported goods and the food is always delicious. Quite a small space though

J. H.

Good selection, reasonable prices - Queues can be a little long at peak / lunch hours as the checkout is shared with the cafe.

P. N.

Good place to get all your Japanese food fix!

E. C.

I really like this new venue of Japan Centre. Spacious, clean, the food court is now more comfy. Def would come back!

E. N.

It has almost nearly everything you could want/need. Books/manga, all the different alcoholic/ non-alcoholic drinks, instant noodles, snacks, different sauces, fresh food, ingredients to make dashi and many more amazing products. The staff are all very nice and know all about most of the products, so if you require any help or advice on something like a recipe — they would be very happy to help you out and guide you. The store is well equipped with keeping everyone safe in the current circumstances with alcohol dispensers, proper safety at checkout and other measures around. There is also a promoted one-way system (not enforced of course, you freely move around inside).

N. B.

Good availability and selection of foods. A bit pricey though. A recommended place to visit to get a glimpse of the Japanise food culture.

O. B.

The Japan centre has always been a great place for take away sushi but over the years they've expanded the range of food on offer. It's great for takeaways and sitting in, though don't expect a restaurant experience it's more like a canteen vibe. The supermarket part of the centre has an excellent range of stuff for sale from cooking apparatus, and hard to find liquor to green tea KitKat's, I imagine it's as ideal for Japanese people missing home as it is for anyone else looking to immerse themselves in Japanese food and culture

Y. K.

They have really good mochi donuts at the entrance

y. t.

Excellent place for some japanese snacks , drinks, food & beer

K. Y. L. (.

Worst queuing system you could imagine in this branch. Good selection of products but value for money will depend on what you buy. Alot of the more exp products are available at nearby China town for much cheaper.

K. J.

Awesome place for anyone who loves Japanese food and drinks, or if you want to try it out! Good selection!

E. L.

Was told the biggest Japanese shops, i found it not appealing for me because most of the products you can buy them somewhere else and they are pricey than the other shops

T. T.

Has various products including foods, snacks, books, utensil etc., excellent staff, offer student discount.

D. D.

Both restaurant and shop full of unique Japanese products. Great place to grab so sushi to go and also to get all you need to cook it at home. Prices are very competitive as well.

G. S.

A little piece of Japan in central London. Part supermarket, part food hall, part Japanese curios. Great to find specialist ingredients if you are in need of Asian spices or sauces, although a little pricey. Haven't tried hot food but the sushi is good value at normal prices. Cold food is discounted up to 50% off after 6pm. A bargain at that price.

B. P.

I really love this place! Not cheap, but ok because it's in London! Very well stocked.. I particularly appreciate the bakery! I love the matcha melon pan! 😍

M. H.

Great variety of Japanese to-go food such as sushi, mochi balls or other food wear such as noodles, rice, oils and gifts including plushies and books. Interesting to browse around, although some items are quite expensive in comparison to other shops (why I haven’t scored 5*). Always great to pop in, and the staff are very friendly. I’ve purchased from the Japan centre online, and they dispatch / deliver very quickly.

K. S.

Fabulous place with many imported products. I can't speak to range as I'm not very familiar with Japanese products, but it looked very impressive to me. All manner of items from treats to magazines are available as well as their cold and hot food counters. Highly recommended.

J. W.

Can be a little expensive at times but good food and everything fresh in packaging is made daily, so if you go an hour or maybe a little later before closing time, everything gets reduced quite significantly. There's a relatively new authentic ramen noodle bar on the upper floor and beneath there is a place with a seating area that sells things like curry rice, as well as little sections with bottled drinks, frozen food and lots of sweets and other imported goods. Wide range of sake and other alcohol.

L. B.

Very clean and had some decent food here.

S. S.

The ultimate Japanese supermarket in London. Great for grocery shopping and ready meals with a fairly large eat-in space. Not to be missed!

D. G.

Good range, staff should be more friendly.

L. Z.

Good place with wide variety of goods. The price is higher than normal grocery. But the quality is nice.

R. M.

Quite busy, but the sushi gets discounted later in the day and is absolutely worth getting if you're quick enough. Also a great place to take someone who keeps reminiscing about the last time they visited Japan, it's a great little collection of a lot of things that will take you right back.

R. V. R.

Very busy on a Saturday and a little expensive. The goods are very marked up compared to their origin prices but that’s the point of place like this, it offers products you very unlikely to see in Europe or the US. The bakery items are fresh and tasty and there is a cafe serving a variety of food hall styles dishes. Excellent!

F. W.

You have freshly baked snacks, dnacks in packets, and sitting area downstsirs with restaurant to eat your meals.

S. X.

Good place to find Japanese food, ingredients, and snack. But a little bit expensive.

G. R.

Lovey store in Trafalgar Square area and Liechester Square selling Japanese food sake and hot Japanese food

F. A.

The sushis are always so delicious and fresh ☺️☺️

G. H.

I love coming here for cheap sushi or takoyaki. The seating area isn't that large but the food is cheaper if you get takeaway. Great for shopping visits as well as they have a great range of Japanese items and a fresh vegetable section. There is also a small book section for Japanese related literature and learning materials.

U. P.

Great range and plenty of choice but this basement supermarket is even busier than I remember it from before lockdown. The queue to pay was too way much for me so I left without buying. I went to Chinatown where the supermarkets were all very quiet .. but of course they don't offer the same range of products.

N. M.

Consistently nice offering of largely Japanese foods. Includes a takeaway sushi section and grocery, as well as dishes and cookware.

N. L.

A great store to get many Japanese goods (especially fresh made foods/snacks), been a long time customer and always been happy. The only thing some of the products you can get cheaper elsewhere, due to the popularity of Japanese candy some things you can pick up cheaper online. But it's nice to go into a store and interact with the staff.

E. C.

Love this place! Tons of japanese stuff you cant find in any other stores. They have a huge range of food and snacks and they also sell drinks, books, stationary and lots of other stuff. There is also a restaurant type area where you can purchase hot meals which are all delicious! A must if you love all things Japanese. (They even have a little sanrio section where you can buy sanrio merch!)

K.

Great place to buy sashimi and wayu

J. K.

Great selection of cooking ingredients, sauces, meats and cooked food. They discount the sushi and bento boxes in the evening! :)

T. R.

Takeaway sushi, can be a bit pricey. Recently they have had a higher turn over in staff which can make ordering and quick checkout a problem. This is one of the more popular spot in the mall, could really do with an upgrade in location and definitely more space to accommodate customers. A wider selection and of sushi would be much appreciated too.

L. C.

Prices a little high but the selection is unmatched

W. S.

Yeah it's not really a center. Was quite small and only really had a large food section ever thing else felt side lined. You can eat in but when I was there it felt abit chaotic and crowded even with the one way system and 2 meter rule. But still a good experience if you need Japanese things for a party and reasonable priced.

G. J.

Great selection of Japanese Groceries, cold takeaway food and non-food items. The hot food served is delicious. Highly recommended if you are in Leicester Square and like Japanese food

A. P.

Big selection of authentic Japanese groceries. Yummy smelling food. Didn't even p*ss myself once. 10/10

Z. K.

Really cool place to get genuine Japanese food and cooking supplies. Be warned though, not many of the labels on the food have English. The fresh hot food looked pretty good too, but they were out of any vegetarian options by the time I got there.

L. L. D.

Had so many products which we used to love in Japan, but it was not as comprehensive as it could have been! And no Onigiri which was disappointing!

A. T.

THE place to come to get all your Japanese groceries! They have a really good sparkling sake in a blue bottle that’s delicious! This place also has a food court and a bakery so you can enjoy good food before you shop for your groceries! We got matcha doughnuts that were so yummy!

F. B.

The place is full of authentic Japanese food. However, in my opinion, it is a bit "foreign adverse". Not because they are rude, not at all, but because there are no translations about how you have to prepare the food in the food packages. Furthermore, the labels are almost only written in Japanese. So it would be hard to follow a receipt written in English somewhere else. So amazing place for Japanese people, a bit pointless for the others. The average is 3 stars

G. P.

If I'm in London, it's a pretty sure bet that I'll visit here. A great selection of all things Japanese, but it's the food that's the real draw. The curry buns are the thing that I keep coming back to (sadly not available during Covid-19), but it's all very tasty, and a reasonable price for central London.

M. E.

Excellent supermarket, shop, deli, and diner mainly focusing on Japanese food and drinks but also offers other Asian products. The Japan centre has moved a few times over the years and this purpose built shop is the nicest of the lot, there is a small shop on the ground floor which sells snacks and drinks, the main shop is underground. There is a lift for disabled and buggies, it's very large with a central kitchen that serves the deli, and some restaurant dishes. They sell rice, sake, dried goods such as noodles, seaweed, tea, sauces, curry roux, condiments, frozen products, fresh products, etc. Its a little pricey but there isn't another place in central London that offers the same range of goods. Recommended for casual visits, eating, and buying Japanese goods.

A. M. M.

Clean shop, with a lot of variety and great offers! Products can be a bit pricey, but most of the times they're still cheaper than buying them online. Service is also very kind.

K. B.

The only place really for some authentic Japanese ingredients and prepared foods in town. The new site is a major improvement on the old - lots more room to move about. Lots more fridge space for sushi, and other fresh foods. Also has a cooked food island for anything fried with a seating area next to it. Staff always pleasant, most are knowledgeable when asked questions and all the Japanese ingredients have English labels on the shelves. Just wish it was bigger!

S. R.

I love the Japanese center the food is nice. It can be pricey but to be honest it's understandable as alot of there items are imported. The only thing is that they do run out of fridge food quickly as I'm sure people will go there for lunch or in the morning to grab something. I would recommend going there as they have a lot to see and if you like different types of cultures then you definitely will like the centre. The staff seem to be friendly and willing to help you. Which is always nice.

J. S.

Generally a good experience. The food is a little hit and miss but mostly good: the ramen was pretty good, and the fried options were very good. The prices were not to bad, and being able to get Japanese drinks is very convenient. A good place to get lunch if you are around Leicester Square.

A. D.

The food!! Doughnut mochi is incredible

A. M.

Got your japanese groceries. Cheap food at night too. Recommended to go and to eat here cutoff time is at 7pm thank me later

W. L.

Loved this place! It's full of everything you find in Japan!

k. i. c.

very wide selection, a lot of fresh food

M. P.

Great product choice! Yummy sushi/sashimi and tempura that you can eat at a rustic table. I could spend hours here, buying my favourite products and new ones to try. After 7-8 pm they discount all the fresh foods! I usually get my sushi after doing my shopping. The cashiers are all polite and all of them speak Japanese, even the few caucasians. However, as I sat at the dining table in the cafe eating my sushi bento, one of the cafe bus-girl cleaners (not Japanese) was being obnoxious telling me it was NEAR closing time, while couples sat unperturbed! I tried to eat FASTER...Eyes rolled. Are you kidding me? TELL EVERYONE! TO HURRY UP NOT JUST A LONE CUSTOMER.

N. G.

Best quality macha tea what you can buy in London. Very pleased with my purchase!

S. H.

Absolutely love this place! I visit at least once a week to pick up a delicious sushi box for lunch - they have a nice range of fish and vegetable rolls with white rice/brown rice variations. They have all the authentic ingredients you'd expect from a Japanese grocery store so you can cook at home and also a lovely range of tableware (sometimes it's discounted if it's last season too). In my experience the staff are always extremely friendly and polite at the counters as well.

J. A.

Love Japan Centre for its cafe and supermarket and the ice Mochi. Lots of sake and other beverages here if that's your thing.

T. H.

They have a good range of high quality items though it is quite expensive. I typically go there for the sake, though they also have good sashimi and snacks.

S. S. (.

Wonderful. Authentic japanese items. Great chilled snacks and wonderful smelling (and looking) got food and deli counter. We were offered to try some different types of sake as well which was fantastic. Will definitely be returning next time I'm in London

V. F.

So sad that I didn't know this store existed until my most recent visit. This is the only Japanese shop I've come across in the UK that sells melon bread, amongst other deli and cupboard ingredients that I haven't been able to find since returning from Japan. Staff are super polite and friendly, and they have an excellent range of groceries, crockery, drinks, desserts and miscellaneous Japanese items. Was really pleased to be able to buy some cheap reusable chopsticks that have a textured grip that don't cost the earth.

G. O.

If visiting now, head downstairs! They're about to renovate upstairs. Amazing selections, very kind staff. Wish I lived closer!

N. F.

Very nice store selling genuine Japanese products. Also has a restaurant that cooks authentic Japanese cuisine which is very tasty. Can get busy as used by lots of locals and tourists both buying food and eating in the restaurant.

S. N.

Traditional Japanese products, but most of all of thing was quite expensive!!!

J. O.

Delicious food all round especially the curry Katie 😉

D. V.

An array of Japanese groceries and food. Bit on the pricey side but there is no other place like it.

V. K.

Lovely place with a big choice of products.

W. O.

Japanese food, snacks and many other daily consumer goods. A good restaurant inside to have a rest and chat with friends

t.

Great food, cheap prices, amazing place

J. N.

Always an exciting trip to the Japan Center. I love exploring the place even if I have a very specific shopping list and end up buying more than I came in for. The staff are as polite and professional as you would find in Japan. And the food cooked and prepared in-store is always excellent.

C. T.

Excellent place. Expect to pay more but Japanese products are hard to find. Note: head over to the markets in China town, a short walk away where you can find (due to marketing and expansion ) many Asian food products at cheaper rates...especially noodles and cooking sauces, vegetables, meats in bulk etc. Everything you need from Nippon is here and the selection is great. I like their kitchen and if you come in a few hours before closing, substantially discounted bento boxes are freshly prepared from the kitchen. Bento/sushi meals are pretty high standard and you'll see the Japanese eating here, not just tourists to save ££ , over expensive restaurants.

L. R.

Generally quite pricey but there is a good range of products, some of which would be hard to find elsewhere. The store was smaller than expected. I did not eat at the restaurant but it seemed popular and it smelt very nice! I bought a fresh baked sweet bun which was meant to have a matcha cream & adzuki bean filling, however inside it had an orange colour and did not taste like these ingredients at all. I think they had mislabelled it :0

S. B.

A great Japanese shop with a small cafe style area serving hot Japanese food and drinks. The entrance area is small serving freshly made Takoyaki (Japanese squid balls) and a small selection of drinks and sushi before going downstairs to the main shop area. Well worth a visit if your in the area

T. R.

I absolutely love this place! They have such a wide selection of goods that it's hard to go there on a budget. There is a small cafe which does lovely food and the sushi is really good here too. A friend of mine picked up a Hello Kitty custard bun which was really tasty. The staff here are friendly and are happy to help if you're not exactly sure what you're buying. All of the food I have bought from here has always been really nice. I would recommend this place for all your Japanese grocery shopping needs.

J. L.

Love this store! If you are into Japanese cuisine you can find authentic ingredients here. you can enjoy some freshly prepared food to eat in or take away. Their bakery it's amazing, specially the matcha green tea cookies, you can see them in my picture.

S. R.

Anyone who loves Japan will love Japan Centre. It can be expensive but a lot of ingredients for Japanese cooking can be hard to source. They have a a great selection of books if you want to learn Japanese.

D. C.

One of the best places to grab a quick Japanese meal during lunch break or on-the-go. The food is cheap and served hot albeit sometimes far too salty for my liking. The food hall has become a popular destination for people working nearby so expect a considerable queue during the usual congestion hours. The store offers a range of the quintessential Japanese food and goods such as the usual soy sauce, sushi rice, snacks, seaweed and miso. I personally hoped for more niche products to grace the shelves. However, it is still a solid shop offering consistently good customer service.

M. C.

You will find most of the essentials and some extra stuff from Japan. Prices are undoubtedly a bit higher than normal groceries but usually you will find it quite well worth it. The food made over the counter such as their bento boxes are not as good. I wouldn’t go there to buy the ready made foods.

P. K.

Extensive Japanese supermarket plus an excellent restaurant. Plenty of office workers drop by at lunchtime so get here early.

A. N. (.

I love this place. It's super crowded in weekend but if you stop by during the week, you can easily grab anything you want and avoid the long queue. They have a really amazing food including their food hall and the grocery (plus dried food). This is a place for Japanese food lover.

B. C.

Chicken katsu curry with brown rice and a Japanese beer. Perfect.

S. M.

Highly recommended! Whenever I’m in London I pay Japan Center a visit, and every time it’s totally worth it! They have a huge variety of Japanese fresh, frozen, refrigerated and cupboard products, as well as home items and a wonderful canteen! If you are in a rush (or not) and want to grab a quick bite, definitely give their food a go! They’ve got everything from ready made bentos with sushi, tonkatsu etc to desserts, and a big variety of cold drinks. The hot food area is really good, being able to get a menu or do a pick and mix. Will definitely come back!

A. C.

Great selection of Japanese food and goods, with a lot of stuff that I've never found in Asian shops anywhere else. And the ready meals and hot food are just delicious! I'll definitely be coming back.

M. L.

This is my go to place for takeaway sushi, I never eat anywhere else unless it's a good quality restaurant but for every day sushi and Japanese food in general just go there. Also for your Japanese grocery shopping, they might be pricey but there quality is guaranteed. Staff is really nice and helpful, only time I didn't feel welcome was while dealing with someone outside, a boy who didn't really care much about manners, but every other experience has been satisfactory. I bring friends here, recommend it as much as I can and generally love it.

G. C.

It's nice to see the large selection of products available. They also have a lot of ready to eat products. But this is where the accolades end. Everything is way overpriced, everything. When you pick up the same items at smaller Japanese grocery stores you can get better prices. Forgot about getting ingredients to do Japanese food at home, it isn't affordable, you could probably go out for a Japanese meal somewhere in London for about the same. Unless it's hard to get ingredient/item, I would skip the Japan Center other than to have a look around.

G. P.

Unquestionably THE go-to one-stop-shop for all things Japanese ! Lovers of Japan need look no further !

J. S. (.

Love this shop, being into Japanese food and being able to buy all of the niche items that I need to cook recipes I have found. They have loads of snack items and confectionery, their fresh mochi is great too!!

M. M.

Absolutely love this place! They have a lot of unsual things food or not. A bit pricey for some things but it's fine. They also have fresh sushis that you can get for - 50% before the closing I think. It's very interesting and the sushis are so delicious! Also you can stay and eat your food there. It's a very nice place! I come regularly and I'm never disappointed.

R. P. Q.

Fresh sushi and sashimi! Excellent selection of Japanese products and serves hot meals too. I always come after 7pm when they slash 50% of the price for ready meals.

O. m. t.

The customer service here is great. I was looking for some Japanese snacks for an event and was confused about what to get. I was approached by a customer service assistant who was patient enough to explain what the foods were and made recommendations to me. He helped me find other Japanese things that I wanted to buy and he was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the products we were looking at. I'm happy with my purchases but even happier with the customer service as it's uncommon to find great customer service like this where the customer service assistant actually listens to what you're saying and genuinely wants to help you out. This level of customer service is quite rare in London these days.

H. T.

Awesome food, great books, lovely staff

M. T.

Was here during an event, nice and clean place. Great selection of sake. Will be back

W. R. (.

This place is not cheap, but does have a good range of authentic Japanese products. It is a fairly small store but you can find a good range of products from books, food and booze to kitchenware. Pop in for lunch for a great selection of Japanese food. For more generic oriental products you should go to Chinatown.

J. S.

They have a nice sortiment of imported goods and the restaurant is offering a wide variety of food and drinks. I can recommend: -Doughnut (Curry) -Takoyaki -Green Matcha Tea -Melon Pun (Matcha) Prices for the store are sadly a bit over the top so I deducted one star. 8 pounds for tea that is 50 pence in japan is even for imported goods too much.

n. c.

I love this place.You can find anything from Japan.It's a Japanese canteen and you can seat to eat there but it's also a supermarket. You can find japanese magazines, toys, toiletries, socks, souvenirs, sake, miso paste, frozen food, spices, Japanese traditional porcelains, sweets, the list is never-ending. The quality is excellent and the staff always nice.

A. r.

Really nice selection of Japanese and Taiwanese snacks and juices in such a limited area

V.

Fresh food is nice, and it goes on sale when late (8pm or so). A lot of groceries are very pricey, and some of them could be found at other asian supermarket. But it’s clean in there.

V. N.

It really has Japan's atmosphere, but don't forget to go to the basement floor. This is where all the great food is!

L. S.

Great selection, but man, those prices ($$$$)! I'm not sure where else you could source such a large variety of Japanese food and goods, but the prices were shocking to me. There is a nice cafeteria area where you can get a meal and eat. Surprisingly, the hot green tea was only £1.

G. T.

The name says it all. If you need something related to Japan, this is the place to be. I really liked the mix and match mochi takeaway. It's pricey overall, but it makes sense, since the items are imported from Japan and the store is located in the heart of London.

E. B.

I ❤ the Japan Centre. While most things are undeniably eye wateringly expensive compared to actually buying in Japan, its convenient and they have a good selection. The frozen nattô in particular is much appreciated, and still relatively cheap at under £2 for 4 packs. Wouldn't mind some veggy/vegan onigiri in the bento section. 🙏

S. B.

One of my favourite shops in London, especially for Japanese foods and goods. They have a wide selection of ingredients for cooking authentic Japanese food, imported comics and magazines (in Japanese), a fresh and delicious deli counter with hour and cold Japanese food, and a good selection of Japanese gifts and housewares, especially for central London. The onigiri is especially delicious and is discounted, along with the rest of the day's fresh food, at the end of each day, so grab yourself a bargain just before closing.

Y. Y.

A great place for everything Japanese. From all important ingredients to essential reading material for studying Japanese, however at a slight cost. Importing items into the UK certainly is not cheap, but shopping here is manageable - though more of an occasional stocking up of crucial culinary items personally.

G. S.

I was there today at 6 pm i’ve never been in this store. The cashier lady made it so comfortable and she was super nice she definetly deserve a raise :) definetly comming back :)

A. D.

Great selection of Japanese ingredients and depachika style takeaway food. Not cheap, but not extortionate by any means. A good collection of sake, beer, miso and tofu etc There are gifts and homewares too.

M. A.

No other Japanese supermarket lives up the the Japan Center!

E. N.

It has almost nearly everything you could want/need. Books/manga, all the different alcoholic/ non-alcoholic drinks, instant noodles, …

S. R.

Great new location, very busy on Saturday lunchtime. I'll visit again when it's quieter.

F. C.

Delicious restaurant and a supermarket with a very big variety of Japanese food!

D. M.

Always has anything Japanese !

G. S.

I was there today at 6 pm i’ve never been in this store. The cashier lady made it so comfortable and she was super nice she definetly deserve a raise :) definetly comming back :)

H. W.

Recently moved location I was to late to try some of the world famouse soshimi.

A.

The new entrance shop / layout is bad feels semi abandoned.. downstairs is still OK

C. M.

Best place to get your Japanese food and ceramics!

J. K.

Great selection of cooking ingredients, sauces, meats and cooked food. They discount the sushi and bento boxes in the evening! :)

M. A.

I have been coming to the Japan centre through its many incarnations over the years and this is one of the better layouts of store. It contains most things that you could want, from ramen to seasonings to cold drinks. Alongside this, there is a good selection of books and brilliant food counters serving a variety of hot and cold foods, such as onagiri and sushi platters.

D. V.

This place is fabulous for their fresh food at affordable price. Nigiri and sushi are excellent, like their melon pan and mochis. Groceries are expensive but understable as it's imported from Japan.

i. n.

Place, food, atmosphere and price on point definitely recommend it, give it a shot and it will surprise you. #japancentre

L. M.

There is always a good range of groceries, home items and warm food at the Japan centre but it’s quite touristy and overpriced in comparison to smaller super markets in the area.

C. C.

Great selection of Japanese goods, primarily food, although there are other items as well. Fresh food as well - a nice place to stop for a bit if you're in Picadilly and want to avoid the crazy crowds.

J. A.

The foodhall they have is fantastic it has sashimi to sushi to be to boxes to steamed buns with savory and sweet fillings. They do a wide range of soft drinks and alcohol. They even have the balls with octopus in the middle. For desert they have Japanese cheese cakes to ice creams with Japanese flavours. Lots to buy in the supermarket part noodles and seasonings. They also cook fresh noodles. They also sell cards with Japanese prints. The staff are friendly and professional. I didn't take photos of my food as I just ate it quickly as it is so good. Enjoy your visit people.

R. T. (.

Great place full of Japanese products and produce. The lunch here is also great. If a tad expensive, though that's to be expected in London. You can also get Japanese magazines here, and freshly baked bread just like in Japan.

R. G.

It's has an amazing selection of authentic Japanese foods along with other nationalities such as Korean and Chinese. Can be on the pricier side however very efficient as everything is in one place. The food they prepare here both hot and cold taste amazing!

H. R.

It's an amazing place, all kinds of Japanese stuff is here: food, sake, cooking utensils, beauty products, matcha, manga, sweets and a super useful section of Japanese novels and text books for people learning the language. They sell a lot of high quality sushi in a large refrigerated section. There is also a compact restaurant with lovely looking fried chicken (kara-age) and other traditional Japanese foods.

C. G.

Love the new store! Great new location, lots of variety and the best shop for Japanese groceries. Pre-prepared food was a disappointment. Rolls far to western in flavour, falling apart and not great flavour. Expected better. My melon pan was a bit stale too.

j. W.

This is probably is the place you could get authentic Japanese bentos, bakery, food etc in Central London! Prices isn't the cheapest of course there is always a price to pay! And one thing I dislike the most is this place has no lift access! I wonder how people with kids and disabilities will be able to visit! Update 10/17 Went to the new store this month, good to find that they have a lift however is out of service!!! Not very good isn't it for a month opening? The new store are more airy and wasn't as crowd packed as the old store. However the price is starting to get ridiculously expensive, a bag of mini kit-Kat costing as much as £11 ouch that's too much! Other then the cost of product the ready food still as good as usual! Update 04/18 The accessible lift is still out of order!!! Very poor!

F. d. S.

Extensive selection of Japanese groceries, treats and kit. Don't forget to head downstairs for a much broader selection. Also fresh sushi and meals...

B. P.

Great Japanese grocery store. You can easily find all the staples of Japanese cooking and snacking. They also have a fish counter where you can buy fresh fish for homemade sushi. Go there of salmon Friday where they sell at discount.

T. N.

I love it here, especially since they moved to a larger site. Lots of Japanese products on sale here from noodles, rice, condiments, sake to magazines, books and crockery. They have a large food area where the fridges have cooked meats or sushi and a hot food area where you can get noodles, katsu curry, teriyaki and steamed buns. If you want to buy raw fish they have a fish counter. The shop is on the pricier side than the shops in China Town but I guess they import everything.

J. Y.

This store is just incredible if you've a hankering for Japanese snacks or ingredients. The Salty Litchi drink is great if you can find it, and I personally can't resist the mochi!

R.

Large selection of snacks, vegetables, ready-made food, canned/bottled drinks, etc. Downstairs has more options.

U. K.

Fantastic place where you can find Japanese food, snacks and Japanese magazines

s. p.

Absolutely brilliant Japanese supermarket - really the best I have found in the UK. Great, wide range of food, including fresh fruits and vegetables. The supermarket isn't cheap, but the sushi, noodles, and other foods for takeaway (or eat in, picnic-style) really is, and must be the best value sushi in London. It's all good stuff, and much better than restaurants with a cost anywhere near.

A. Y.

Really great place for sourcing Japanese ingredients and paraphernalia. Local tip, they have a really reasonably priced cafe/canteen upstairs and you get some of the freshest sushi here. There's discounts on all the fresh produce at the end of the day.

C. W.

Selection is poor compared to what it used to be in the past. Many items are not Japanese and are imported from other Asian countries - you can find them in your local Oriental grocery store for significantly less money. Many products sold with huge markup. Avoid if you don't like being fleeced.

F. F.

A great place to buy and eat Japanese food. Sushi is sold, there is a Ramen restaurant upstairs and downstairs has a hot food counter with a variety of Japanese dishes and Mochi ice-cream.

J. T.

Great store to have nearby! There is a good range of products to choose from. Their sushi is some of the best I've had! However, it is quite small inside, which means it feels quite cramped and get very busy at times. The prices also seem to be a bit on the expensive side.

J. L.

Interesting and busy. Bit pricey but everything is there good wise.

S. S.

A very cute atmosphere with friendly staff. A big selection of food hot or cold that you can eat inside. There are many fresh food groceries for Japanese cooking, noodle packs and condiments. A big array of ready to eat sushi and other Japanese foods including some Korean. There is a small section for Japanese magazines and beauty products as well as stuffies and bento boxes. I only wish this section was larger. Huge array of cute Japanese candies! Be sure to check out the discounted foods for the day such as breads and bakery goods.

M. A.

Fantastic place to get anything Japanese, magazines, hot food, sushi, instant noodles, booze, vegetables, noodles, leaves, roots, everything. There is a premium, but the layout is good the space not cramped, everything tastes good. I've not been to Japan, so I can't confirm that it is 100% authentic. There is nothing that I think of as Japanese, that is wholesome, that you can't get there. It's much bigger than you would think at first. Do go downstairs! It's close to work for me, and it is a regular part of my diet. My friend is particularly keen on a bear shaped desert with a chocolate filling he calls kuma sama. It's worth visiting if you are hungry or curious. The octopus is particularly nice. They include soy, pickled ginger, an array of powdered condiments, napkins and everything both for takeaways and eating in.

R. T.

I went there in the summer of 2018 (my last visit), and this store has been "upgraded" with wider selections of Japanese products. There's an eatery as well.

A. N.

Fantastic selection of Japanese food (both fresh and packaged) and Japanese drinks. Has a smaller selection of gifts and latest Japanese papers and magazines. Can get extremely crowded at weekends. If you are looking for more books and Japanese gifts there is a (expensive) book shop on the road behind the store with a large selection of imported Japanese paraphernalia.

V. M.

Wonderful choice of products, good food to go or to eat there. The kitchen staff was really helpful with my dietary requirements, double and triple checking that what I ordered was free of ingredients that I am allergic to. I would recommend it to all Japan lovers

D. G.

If you like Japanese culture and food, that is your place. They sell imported products - so the prices can be higher than other stores - but you will get the flavour that you are looking for. They are offering some meals, cooked daily, and from time to time special offers. This is one of the stores I visit often.

Z. B.

All the Japanese products you’d ever need. Downstairs is air-conditioned - perfect to grab some lunch and escape the summer heat.

J. T.

Awesome grocery store where you can also purchase hot and cold meals, to-go. The sashimi and takoyaki were both great and reasonably-priced. The store seems quite overpriced, but has great variety, especially for rice.

R. M.

Good selection of groceries that you might not find in other Asian supermarkets. The restaurant is also worth trying, quick service and generous portions. I'd recommend going in a light jacket and not too loaded down though, the aisles are really tight to navigate and it's always hot in there.

c. c.

Great supermarket to get your fixe of Japan products and delicacies. The fresh food counter probably makes the best sushis in London for a very good price. If you go before closing time it's even cheaper. Always fresh , so tasty.

T. C.

Friendly staff happy to help with any questions. Lots of product ranges to choose from whatever you are looking for.

D. A.

I love the Japan centre: they serve great meals here every day of the week and also have an amazing - even though pricy - grocery section. Also great if you’re looking for quirky Japanese presents, anything from bento boxes to magazines and pottery.

D. D.

I love the Japan Centre, but I use their online services more than I visit their store as I live fairly close to their warehouse and just pick up my order at a time that is convenient to me (they even phone ahead to guarantee that my order is ready for the time that I will arrive). Unfortunately, their store in Piccadilly is not able to hold all the items that they stock, but they do very well with the space and it is well worth a visit, especially for some of the fresh food. PS A sneaky tip is that they have some good discounts on food towards closing time, if you wish to make a little Japanese feast for yourself.

V. J.

Fantastic mix of goods giving you a real sense of being back in Japan. Food and Non food are both arranged in neat tight well organised aisles. While not the cheapest the stuff here is definitely genuine and usually fresh. Look out for the red labels on shelves as this could be a good deal for a short life product

N. C.

A huge range of Japanese products ranging from magazines and manga to plates and bowls and of course, ingredients and food stuff. I love coming here to get japanese ingredients because it's a one-stop shop. They have everything you could think of and their sales/offers are pretty decent. The only reason this got a 4* instead of 5 is because they can be bit pricey even considering importation fees and rental

S. P.

A bit more pricey than expected (as some items you could get from Amazon for cheaper) but the store has a variety of original Japanese goods which definitely deliver in terms of quality and uniqueness!

G. G.

The best place for Japanese food and home ware. Huge selection of sweets, snacks, fresh meat, baked goods, and chilled foods. I go every few months to stock up!

h. k.

The place is nice but it has no lift. Have to carry pram down the stairs. The way around is a bit narrow double pram might not be able go around. Food is good.

H. “. z.

Great selection and food. Some things are a bit pricier than online but it's justified for the location it is in

M. L.

Very kind and most reliable. Always trust their products and service. This time a lady who sounded like non native Japanese speaker was on the phone. She was very nice and she happily made an effort to meet my request. My parcel arrived earlier than I expected. I wish I could give her a massive thank you personally!

C. C.

This is a fantastic place to go for Japanese food products that you cannot find in Chinatown. They also do a decent selection of sushi and sashimi as well as little pastry's and sweets. However, if you are looking for a taste of hot food or drink I urge you to go elsewhere. Raman not salty or thick, buns poorly presented and tea just plain wrong.

A. C.

Great store if you're looking for Japanese products. True, it's one of the popular stores, is flocked by tourists a lot, and the prices might be sometimes higher than in some other stores, but it has a good selection, and the quality and service is top notch! If you want a quick bite, I'd really recommend the Takoyaky they make at the entrance! It's the best!

A. K.

Great place to buy Japanese food and ingredients. There are a few smaller shops, where prices might be slightly lower, but they cannot complete on the range. Also a selection of sake in Japan Centre is supurb.

M. M.

One of the best places in London to get sashimi grade fish, wagyu beef and all other Japanese fare. They have a huge selection of traditional Japanese foods and drinks as well as newer varieties. The tea selection is great if you enjoy Japanese tea and they have a good range of traditional ceramics too. The isles are wide and spacious, so you can finally walk around without knocking into people. They have some fresh produce, including purple sweet potatoes. In here there is also an eat in bit where you can have freshly prepared cold and hot Japanese food. It is very good and again, light and spacious. The queuing system is effective, if a little hard to find your first time. Highly recommend a visit!

D. B.

Love, love, love this place. Japan Centre had a stand at the MCM Comic Con in Glasgow a couple of years ago. I tried some Japanese snacks and loved them (why don't we sell more adventurous snacks?). I visited the store the first time I went to London and thought it was brilliant. Huge selection of Japanese food, drinks and snacks. Most recently we hit up the noodle and snack aisles and filled our bags to take back to Scotland. Great selection of fresh ingredients for Japanese and Asian cuisine - if I lived in London I'd probably pick up groceries here quite regularly. The prices are reasonable and the selection is HUGE. They even stock promotional stuff too (like Hallowe'en style tomato Pretz, this year). They've got a little grill stand downstairs selling some tasty bites too. And the staff are really friendly and polite. I really enjoy shopping here. It can get really busy (and the aisles aren't very wide) but don't let that put you off checking this place out! Well worth a look.

C.

Went here when I was visiting the uk. It was amazing! It had a nice bakery, amazing food.. I loved the curry bento and umiboshi onigiri. Honestly I'd go back to the uk just to shop here again. Watch your step when you leave the building, I tripped lol.

S. L.

Amazing place! Excellent Totoro custard buns, sashimi, miso paste, etc. Also a source of many otherwise hard to find things like white peach jellies, tamago kake udon, maitake mushrooms. More expensive than most shops for standard items like soy sauce, but utterly worth it for the special stuff =D They do change stock with seasons and holidays, as well!

A. L.

Lots of cool and yummy things to be found here! Great fresh street food available outside of the store too, such as octopus and matcha ice cream. Alright prices for saying it has come from Japan.

D. C.

This is a treasure house of Japanese food, drink, homewares, cooking equipment and much more. The prepared foods are fantastic, the melon pan is especially good and the pumpkin croquettes are to die for. The staff are knowledgeable about the products. Do visit, but do check out the fantastic website too. The recipe section is amazing.

J. P.

Although a little on the pricy side (as you might expect for imported goods), this shop has a surprising amount of variety for somewhere so small and central. You can get a wide variety of frozen, fresh, and packaged foods - and I've picked up a couple of textbooks for language learning too. They also have magazines etc if you are a fluent Japanese speaker, which is appreciated!

S. Y.

Huge selection of Japanese products. Good size of stores. However, quite pricy most of them compare to another Japanese grocery stores.

Y. L.

this is the place you wanna visit if you are planning to get some authentic Japanese food or grocery in London. The clerks are Japanese as far as I can tell, and almost creating a make-believe ambiance that you are "apparated" to Japan....Whenever I get the chance to visit London I always found myself ending up here buying frozen food from Japan before I squeeze my heavy backpack onto coach

T. D.

Amazing products that I haven't found anywhere else, unbelievable prices, website is actually the best I've seen in a long time. Love Japan Centre much.

N. C.

Great service and most importantly great food. Try the freshly made Takoyaki. Best take away sushi in London imo. Huge variety of Japanese food. Always enjoy my trips there.

J. S.

A variety of hot and cold Japanese meals available in a cosy canteen attached to the shop. All fresh meals get discounted before the closing time. Check the disabled lift is working, if needed, as it was broken at the time of my last visit.

A. D.

Smaller than the owners pictures suggest but perfectly formed. A wide selection of packages and fresh food and drink to buy inc sushi. Café section in the middle for fresh hot food and tea, and they will heat up some chilled things you can buy there too.

J. D.

I come here once a week and love their sushi and sake selection. Their food is very fresh and reasonably priced. Their grocery is a bit more expensive compared to other Asian grocery stores but I think their product is more fresh.

N. M.

Having lived in Japan for four years, this place could be useful to buy Japanese groceries and treats. It COULD be, but alas it isn’t. I understand that the store incurs a cost when importing Japanese goods, but the prices are insanely high. For example, a small box of your basic Pocky costs about ¥120 in Japan. That’s about 80p in English money. At Japan centre it costs £3. That’s almost FOUR TIMES the original price!!!! This is true for the majority of things in the store. They have DECENT (not great) Japanese hot food on sale such as ramen, udon etc. Bottom line: if you have lots of money, then this is great. If you don’t, don’t even waste your time walking through the door. It should be noted that since I found out about Japan Centre about ten years ago, it has changed location three times. For some reason it has lowered in quality each time it has moved.

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