A brand new Japanese hotspot has just opened in the heart of Soho, taking over the former La Bodega Negra site, and adopting a two-floor concept to spotlight two areas of the popular cuisine through Maki Nori and Maki & Ramen.
Upstairs, Maki Nori focuses on handrolls made to order at a central counter, serving premium seafood with a laidback atmosphere. The 15-second roll concept ensures each handroll is served at peak freshness, with scallops, uni, and bluefin tuna taking centre stage. The space combines warm wood finishes, open counter seating, and an upbeat soundtrack for a fully immersive experience.
At the same time, Maki & Ramen downstairs delivers delicious ramen, sushi rolls, and Japanese comfort food with a lively bar-led energy. It leans into late-night dining with steaming tonkotsu ramen, chicken katsu curry, and a cocktail menu designed for Soho evenings.
The dual-concept opening has a mighty cover of 170, with Maki Nori’s 20-seat handroll counter offering a more tailored experience and Maki & Ramen’s larger space designed for casual dining and drinks. Founder Teddy Lee draws on his Tokyo training, placing precision, discipline, and respect for ingredients at the heart of the concept. The redesign blends traditional ramen shop influences with Soho’s contemporary edge, using neon accents and counter-style seating to shift between casual and theatrical dining depending on the occasion. Lee’s approach guarantees a premium Japanese experience for casual lunches and night-time explorers alike.
You can find Maki & Ramen Soho at 9 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JF, and Maki Nori at 16 Moor Street, W1D 5AP. Dive into the menus and book your table right here.
