Francesca
The prawn tempura hot udon soup was Delicious. I added a poached egg and made it even better with some đśď¸ flakes. There is a line outside the door but worth the wait. Fair prices and authentic. Good people make sure to slurp! đ
Michael Kelley
Delicious, authentic Japanese udon restaurant.
Beautiful, seasonal dishes and daily specials.
A âmust tryâ if you are an udon aficionado!
Counter seating only.
Be prepared for a queue during lunch and dinner peak hours.
Worth the short wait!
Ian Gray
Stopped here for Sunday brunch. We were delighted to see they were offering a traditional Japanese small breakfast menu. We had the curry udon with a poached egg, and oh my! It was incredibly delicious. For an authentic experience, I can highly recommend this lovely gem of a restaurant
Alexa Pap
Obsessed with everything this place serves! Their pickled veggies feel so special. Broth on soups is on point and everything tastes and makes you feel amazing. Great macrobiotic food options. Great restaurant vibe, clean and simple. Be prepared to queue
Dawon
I love seaweed so ordered seaweed soup udon which is breakfast menu. Iâm so upset the photo of the noodles is so ugly đactually it was really good.. warm and comforting and tastes home !! I can have the noodles every morning as my breakfast.
Iâll definitely go back again!!
Brian L. Frye
Excellent udon shop! No reservations & the restaurant is very small & counter service only, so be ready for a little wait. But itâs worth it. They have hot & cold udon, I got the hot pork miso, which was excellent. Also, the shrimp tempura was fantastic. My wife doesnât usually like sake, but she thought the higher-end version offered here was great.
Zen Cheung
Very cost-effective!
very authentic taste
It's the best udon I've ever eaten in the UK
Fried chicken is very good, must choose for the first time!
Duck udon is also a very delicious choice, it is recommended to try it!
Matteo Polenghi
I had lunch here yesterday. I waited 15 minutes in the queque but it was worth it. Enjoyed the food, but i would have loved to taste more things. Iâll have to come back. I suggest the duck udon soup with an appetizer before. The atmosphere is unique and itâs lovely to see the cousine right in front of you. The prices are okay, fine for London and good food.
Martin C
The best handmade udon restaurant in London, with plenty of udon type to choose. Among most of the sides / main selection, Tempura is also the most delicious choice!
Beware for long queue during peak hour!
Adam Garside
Fantastic!
Koya Soho undoubtedly exceeded my expectations with its remarkable Donburi Chicken Kara-age and exceptional service. The delightful flavors of the dish, combined with the warm and attentive service provided by the waitstaff, created an unforgettable dining experience.
The first experience was so perfect, I just had to go again to try the breakfast menu where I ordered a delicious Udon Noodle Kama Tama which had a delicious rich flavour!
If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine or simply in search of a hidden culinary gem, I wholeheartedly recommend Koya Soho.
Teddy Chan
One of the best Udon places in London. A little bit on the pricier side, but worth the money. Never turn up at dinner time cause you will queue for hours.
Sarit Shah
We came here to try the udon noodles. There was a queue, we waited about 45 mins before getting a table, be prepared to wait. Good variety of vegetarian and vegan options available. We got vegetable tempura to start with and these tasted good, just wished there was more on the plate for what you pay for. We got hot udon noodles, with sweet tofu and mushroom, they both tasted good. We felt the service was rushed.
Farid Hamka
The best udon in London hands down. The subtle and clean flavour permeate everything on the menu and the handmade noodles are bouncy and sprightly, a dance in the mouth.
Lily X
One of the best udon in London!
Been here a few times. Their udon come in many different flavour and my favourite is pork miso. Good quality udon at affordable price. There might be a bit of queuing but totally worth it. Highly recommend.
Ty Yilmaz
It's rare you find a place that represents value for money, but I think Koya does that. Beautifull fresh Udon served hot or cold and made Infront of you is a standout.
Everything about the food was great. Would come back again and again.
The venue is intimate and both times I've been I've had to wait for 10/15 minutes to get in, which doesn't surprise me.
The staff can be a little hard to get the attention of, otherwise it's a great gem in Soho.
Aleksandr Repov
Koya straight away as you enter, gives you the vibe of authentic Japanese restaurant. I never liked Udon noodles much, however, koya changed my mind about it. All dishes were absolutely lovely, very swift and smooth service. This will be one of my favourite restaurants in London now.
Henry To
Udon has great texture, paired with a clean and smooth dashi broth. Kakuni (cider braised pork) had strong flavours and a luscious texture. Excellent!
Jeehyo Youn
pretty nice ramen! not great in portion, but love the seating plan where seats surround the kitchen, cool idea, a great place for lunch with friends but not optimal for dinner as people sit next to each other all facing the kitchen can be difficult to chat while enjoying the food :)
Ferry Gondo
Good place to have udon. The noodle itself was fresh and had a perfect texture to bite. The broth was super clear and heart warming. The pork was delicious and juicy. Really a good bowl of udon.
Vigikaran Vijayaratnam
Duck and Waffle is one of Londons highest restaurants and runs 24hours. Trust me when I say this- itâs packed for all of those 24hours every single day! They have a bar area and a restaurant and itâs always full! We booked a Sunday Brunch there for Motherâs Day and loved it! We ordered their famous Duck and Waffle, Roast Chicken,
Flo
Needed something light and warm for dinner ('cause temperature has been dropping). Heard that Koya Bar has one of the best udon in London. Only ordered the Kake Udon (plain udon) with tamago as the addition. The noodle is so chewy. Broth is light but tasty. Tamago is so soft and nice. And the chili powder is quite spicy!
Voneats
Koya, Koya Bar, whatever you want to name it but their noodles are one of the best in London! Both hot and cold version is also good. Remember to add the egg! Add on pork belly if you have extra room.
Huiminshere
Have always heard bout this place but still wasn't very sure of it. Went in once as I went for movie nearby. Well I have to say Koya completely changed my mind! Didn't even expect it was such a bomb. I rarely have cravings for udon, so you can imagine when I say this place is good. I had the vegetarian curry udon, my friend had the tempura rice meal. Both were soooo tasty! I'm waiting for my next visit back there now đ
Miso Hungry
I woke up with a craving for a Japanese breakfast. Â I don't even know what they Japanese typically eat for breakfast but figured it was something I needed. Â After spending a while searching for where one can find a Japanese restaurant and the same amount of time finding a partner in crime we arrived here way beyond the breakfast cut off time! Â Guess it's the thought that counts :)Â <br/><br/>So skipping breakfast and straight onto lunch to start the day we stuck pretty much to a selection of daily specials:<br/><br/>Grilled girolles with Onsen Tamago and nettle - poached egg... almost like breakfast - winner!<br/>Turbot sashimi with spicy yuzu salt - amazing texture<br/>Cold Udon with finely sliced pok - perfect for a hot day<br/><br/>Miso coming back here before 12pm when breakfast ends!
Sandra Guerin
Hidden away at the heart of Soho is a little piece of Japan. <br/><br/>With its simple design, it's not much of a looker and you might have passed it hundreds of times without even realising.<br/><br/>But behind Koya's traditional curtain is one of London's most authentic Japanese restaurants...
The Girl Next Shore
I was pretty sad to see Koya close down last year without even managing a final visit but since Koya Bar is still up and running, all's well. With queues shifting gears from the old Koya to its new occupant, Hoppers, it's safe to say the Japanese udon bar is still going well. Waiting time average is around 20 minutes, but if you like authentic-tasting udon and/or clean Japanese flavours then this is defo worth it.
Vi Vian Woo
Koya Bar, Frith Street (published 4th February 2016)<br/>Koya Bar, Frith Street â Koya Bar is a proper Japanese noodle bar. In the night of Soho lights, it sits humbly among the other eateries with their attractive and catchy signs. A black shop front with large glass window and a one door entrance, it would have been easier to keep an eye out for their logo. Did it attract any less customers? No, in fact, queues can build up easily as seating are limited. Koya Bar does not take reservations and you will only be seated when all of your companions have arrived.<br/><br/>fish and chips ÂŁ9.10 â served as a starter, small plate, sharing style it is the Koya's take on English fish and chips. Brilliant! I suspect that the chips were from a sweet vegetable like plantain or sweet potato. It was feather light like the batter on the fish. No vinegar or tomato sauce but served with their dipping sauce of radish and spring onions, it was so delicious that we didn't stop eating until the plate was empty. <br/><br/>kamonabe (duck and vegetable hot pot) ÂŁ14.30 â from a spectator's view, I thought that they were a little mean on the duck and vegetable. My dining companion confirmed that it had the proper proportion of udon to filling to broth. It was good but the broth was a little on the oily side.<br/><br/>hiya-hiya zaru udon tenzaru (cold udon with cold sauce to dip with prawn and vegetable tempura) ÂŁ13.90 â after the fish and chips, I was glad that I chose the tempura to go with my noodles. It was delightfully crispy and each bite into the batter was so satisfying. The kind of batter that possibly every OCD foodie/chef is trying to create at home. I give up, and will just dine here from now on. The assortment of vegetables were all but one slightly undercooked.<br/><br/>With Koya Bar, it was more than just the food. The place exudes the Japanese culture of eating and looking around the place for a moment, I could be fooled that we were in Japan. Koya Bar was full and most had their heads down totally engrossed in their bowls of udon, I was quite amazed that a steaming hot broth noodles was favoured equally well in the West as in Asia. I thought it was only the kind of dish only understood by the Asians. <br/><br/>Seating by the bar might not be suitable on certain occasions â like if you have a crowd of friends or have sharing dishes - but on second thoughts, sitting opposite someone who slurps their noodles is not particularly inviting. <br/><br/>I still have to work my way through the menu - udon noodles being the main which comes with different toppings, rice in donburi style and various small plates to choose from. Not to mention that there are specials from time to time. What seemed like a small portion of noodles turned out to be quite filling and with a small plate to share between the two of us, I was full. A good place for simple yet flavoursome food. No desserts served and I did find myself wanting one.<br/><br/>Koya Bar exudes a casualness with personality and integrity. It is not the kind of glamorous place with awkward formalities, numerous cutlery, hostile service and an expensive menu that makes you think twice but if I were taken on a date here, I am glad to walk away with the date that knows and has good taste!<br/><br/>Will I be back for more? You can certainly count on it!
Chen Man
When I heard the original Koya were to close down last year I feared that there would be nowhere else in London to have authentic Japanese food besides sushi and ramen (god forbid places like Taro, which I might or might not review). Thankfully they opened a sister branch, Koya Bar, right next door with a few more dishes besides their fantastic udon.
Everyday Weekends (Yoshika)
The eating scene in London is truly amazing. There are so many options, regardless of time or day of the week. After seeing Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre, we went to Koya Bar in Soho for some dinner. Seeing as half of our party was meat eaters and the the other half vegetarian/pescetarian, Koya Bar was the perfect fit as they offer a variety of options. Koya Bar is, like with many other London eateries, on the smaller scale, with an open kitchen and a bar surrounding it. Luckily, the seven of us managed to get a seat before the dinner rush.
Eat A City
Koya was a Japanese restaurant with an udon bar attached. Unfortunately chef Junya Yamasaki decided to return to Japan and closed the restaurant. But the udon bar has been kept open. Koya bar serves very authentic udon. Good for quick and healthy lunch in Soho. Note: the foodie reviews will be a mix of restaurant and bar, but will hopefully give you a good sense of the place.
Yummy Jubbly
A quiet, authentic Japanese udon noodle bar down a quiet street in Londonâs Soho. Koya Bar definitely sets itself apart from the more main stream ramen noodle bars in London now. Not only because it serves udon noodles, but also because of itâs quirky menu and seasonal daily specials.
Yummy Jubbly
We decided to opt for a starter from the daily specials â grilled chicken wings with burnt soy and leeks (ÂŁ8.20). If youâre a chicken wing lover then youâll love this dish! The skin was nice and crispy, yet the chicken wing meat was juicy and tender. The burnt soy tasted similar to teriyaki â so a bit of a sticky soy sauce with a subtle sweetness.<br/><br/>Saba Udon (smoked mackerel with green leaves â ÂŁ10.70). The smokey, salty mackerel paired up with thick silky udon noodles was amazing.  The mackerel had also been slightly grilled, so it was crispy on the outside but still moist inside. It was also refreshing to have a simple clear broth.<br/><br/>Buta Miso (pork and miso â ÂŁ9.90). Donât be deceived by how simple this looks. Once youâve mixed the miso paste thoroughly with the udon, the whole bowl was brought to life!<br/><br/>Simple bowls of homemade udon noodles, served with a modern twist. We were really impressed.<br/><br/>Watch our eating at this restaurant https://youtu.be/rTibiq0hLLg<br/><br/>Or simply read our blog from http://yummyjubbly.com/koya-bar-soho-london-2/
Ian Unsworth
My daughter convinced me to return to Koya, a week after they ran out of Udon as we were seating ourselves for lunch. This time it was terrific: the service friendly and efficient, and the Udon are excellent, just what one seeks on a rainy London noon. Â They have some troubles with the overhead leaking air-condition, but I trust they are sorting this out. Touche!
Cloud Spotter
A lovely and quaint Udon noodle soup bar dedicated to great food. You cannot make a reservation here so be prepared to wait at busy times. <br/><br/>The staff are friendly and helpful and whilst the Udon does take its time to get to you it is well worth the wait.<br/><br/>We ordered a few appetizers on the offset; kaiso salad which was perfect and fresh, umeboshi, Japanese pickles which were delightful and one off the special menu, plaice sashimi and mushrooms and cucumbers which wasn't to my taste as I found it quite chewy. We also indulged in the nameko bowl of mushroom which is cold and absolutely delicious.<br/><br/>We all went for the Niku (Beef) hot Udon with Hot Broth and side orders of tempura batter and poached egg which comes pretty poached in the Shell. Make sure you have an empty stomach when coming here because it really is a hearty soup and you will want to finish all of it. Don't forget to use the chilli as it really adds a special touch.<br/><br/>I will definitely be coming back here often đ˛đ
Emre Ulu
Really (seriously) long queue, very popular.By far the best Udon I had.<br/>Counter by the kitchen, cool to watch and talk to chefs.<br/>Recommend for breakfast.
Miho @ Wander To Wonder
When word got around that Koya was closing down at the end of May, I was kicking myself for not having tried it earlier. I'd heard good things about this udon noodle place, but it somehow kept getting put off - inevitable when there are so many restaurants to try! So just a couple of weeks before it closed, when Angela suggested we go and try it before it was too late, I was all in.
Samphire And Salsify
Posted on May 22, 2015 by SamphireAndSalsify Itâs always sad when a restaurant closes down (perhaps not the case for Bo London), but itâs even more of a shame when itâs as much loved as Koya on Frith Street. Next door, however, is its sister, Koya Bar, which ainât going anywhere and I finally got round to popping in for lunch. We arrived at 11:50, which was the cross over between the breakfast and lunch menu. We perched on low stools at the long bar overlooking the kitchen; it was all rather pleasant. The atmosphere was serene â it almost made me want to have a nap. A bowl of miso soup (ÂŁ3.10) and a pot of tea were a really lovely start to proceedings. Braised pork belly with cider (ÂŁ6.90) was 95% fat but my golly was it absolutely heavenly. The flavour was insane. Fish and chips (ÂŁ9.10) saw beautiful chunks of fish (canât for the life of me remember what fish exactly) coated in a light and fresh batter. My favourite part, however, was the thin shards of crispy, deep-fried fish bones. They were sensational. Gyu katsu (ÂŁ8.90) was breaded beef onglet with shredded cabbage. Iâve never had beef like it before and it was a really lovely blend of textures. The beef was cooked perfectly too, with a lush shade of pink. There really is nothing not to like about Koya Bar; I left feeling a sudden love for the place. It certainly is sad to see Koya go, but Koya Bar is going to see a whole lot more of me. I look forward to returning to try the whole specials board â they sound crackinâ. 5/5
Kawaiipeachies
Had to wait very long, long queue and we were just with 2 ppl. Place is way too overrated, food was very below average, i expected more taste and bigger portions. There was barely taste tbh, i had the mushroom udon.
Simplicityisb
This highly recommended, reasonably priced Udon house is famous for its fresh made to order Udon. The menu is limited than it's sister company Koya, but the the dishes here are fresh and authentic. A cosy little establishment, great for a lunch time treat with BH. What did we order Kaiso Salad [mix seaweed salad] Atsu-Age [fried and grilled tofu] Hiya-Hiya [cold udon with cold sauce to deep, wi
Rosieparkes
... âJapanese Breakfastâ â whole grilled fish with sticky rice, miso soup and pickle. It was an impressive, perfectly served, light and lean dish which didnât offend too much but it was too early to stomach more then a few mouthfuls.
Londongrub
Earlier this week I took a trip to Koya Bar on Frith Street in Soho. Koya Bar has only just opened but the popular original Koya has been around for a while now. Koya Bar, as its name suggests, is one long bar⌠The decor is plain yet beautiful. White walls and blond wood permeate the room with occasional collections of Japanese crockery. The clichĂŠ normally used about Japanese design is âunderstated eleganceâ but clichĂŠs usually exist for a reason. Koya Bar, Iike Koya, is essentially an udon noodle bar. Its menu  has over two pages of hot and cold udon noodles and its website proclaims the Japanese proverb ânoodle saves planetâ. You can order Atsu-Atsu (hot udon with hot broth), Hiya-Atsu (cold udon with hot broth), and Hiya-Hiya (cold udon with sauce to dip or pour). Although Koya Bar has all the outward appearance of a thoroughly un-Anglicised Japanese eatery its menu has the occasional nod to the cuisine of its host country. If youâre in the mood you can choose an English Breakfast
HungryBee Maija
I love the Japanese noodle restaurant Koya in Soho, located on Frith street, which serves delicious udon noodle dishes (cold, hot, in soup) and Koya recently expanded and opened Koya Bar on the same street in Soho. Koya Bar though is not just the same restaurant further down the street, it has a slightly different menu and it focuses on breakfast dishes, so you can go there early in the morning for a delicious Japanese breakfast with rice or noodles. The one thing I miss about Japan and liked it there so much was the breakfast. I am a huge fan of having noodles or rice for breakfast as I feel it gives me the right sort of carbs to get me throughout the day. If I could find these sort of dishes in London for breakfast, I would be having a Japanese breakfast every day. Â I went to Koya Bar with my friend Amala and we arrived at 11.45 and just manage
The City Lane
Koya is an old favourite of mine, serving decent Japanese food with a focus on udon noodles. Since Iâve been away a smaller venue, Koya Bar has opened up next door focusing on, well the same sort of food really but pared down in a more casual, Izakaya style environment.
L Wilkinson
Koya on Frith Street seems to have a huge following so much so that it's opened the 'Koya Bar' two doors down to cope with the success of the original. Now, this can't really be counted under my quest for the best Ramen as it's a udon noodle soup and therefore it would be unfair to compare the light miso soup with that of a punch pork broth. But what I can tell you is that the noodles here are outstanding. Slowly but surely my love of Wagamama's from five years ago is creeping further away and I find myself paying the same price for something more authentic and delicious. Koya bar is small, possibly seating 20 or so hungry Londoners at a bar surrounding the 'kitchen'. This is something I enjoy when sat with ones own company as you can interact with the staff and are never once ignored. Slightly confused by the several options of either hot noodles in hot broth, cold noodles in hot broth, cold noodles with cold dipping in sauce, or cold noodles with a cold pouring sauce. Decisions, d
Food And Drinks Noob
The whole meal ended in under thirty minutes which was really ideal for a quick and simple meal but with good standard food at the same time.
Food And Drinks Noob
The "trick" I learnt from eating in Koya or Koya Bar during my previous visits, is that it is all about ordering from the daily special menu board, as it offers some of the most exciting Japanese foods in London.
Food And Drinks Noob
It is a tiny place where you sit behind the bar overseeing an open kitchen, we ordered a few specials off the board, the savoy cabbage tempura was a very interesting dish, the tempura was well fried and the cabbage was still moist and juicy with the lovely natural sweetness coming through nicely.
Hungry Hoss
I ordered a bowl of Steamed Rice with a topping of Natto (fermented soy beans) Wakame (seaweed) and Onsen Tamago (an egg âboiledâ at a âlowâ temperature) and a side of Pickles (beetroot) â they say Natto has an âacquired tasteâ (my wife certainly does not like it) but I have loved it since first tasting it â for me, this was an even more enjoyable breakfast than their popular Kedgeree.
TableForOne_PV
I walked into Koya Bar â a cosy collection of 24 low stools arranged around an open kitchen. The noodle bar almost forces you to eat in the moment, urging you to leave your baggage at the door.
A Roscoe
So, Koya Noodle Bar; fabulous udon and Zen like surroundings in the middle of Soho, it does exactly what it says on the tin.
The Food Connoisseur
Since their opening in the ramen-dominating neighbourhood, the original Japanese udon specialist KOYA Bar comes back taking over Mooliâs old site. Literally expanding next-door, to itâs older brother KOYA . KOYA bar separates itself to more of traditional Japanese noodle bar with a more intimate casual affair. Itâs rather small seating only 25 stools accept no reservation. Sit by the stools and order your food directly with the chef.
Kristainlondon
My tempura prawns were PERFECT. They were amazing. They were HUGE. How do they do it??
Su-Lin
I woke up early last Saturday morning. Very early. I was meeting a good friend for breakfast and he had chosen Koya Bar, which surprisingly, with my love for the original Koya , I had not yet tried. This slightly smaller neighbouring restaurant was open all day, from breakfast to dinner, and Iâve been keen to try their morning menu. We found the place half empty that morning, though whether it was because it was breakfast time or because it was a bank holiday, Iâm not sure. Their breakfast menu is full of both udon and rice dishes and it was one particular rice dish (actually a rice porridge) that was on my list of things to try. Their kedgeree (ÂŁ9.90). What is served to you at the bar is a tray with a bowl of the rice porridge and a side dish of umami-rich fish flakes. Snuggled in the warm embrace of the thick porridge is an onsen egg (a slow poached almost half-cooked soft egg) and next to that were scattered a few shards of crispy fried fish skin and thin slices of spring onion. We
Bryan Chong
This place really offers a warm atmosphere, as well as a traditional, authentic Japanese feel. First time dining there was great. I had a tofu and spring onion udon soup, and I enjoyed it very much, despite there is no meat in that particular dish. The broth was very sweet and flavoursome, the noodles were soft and easy to eat. They even add in water on the house! ???? I recommend that this will be a great place as lunch for one or two, or perhaps a snack in between.
Connie Consumes
We went lucky to get a seat at the bar during a typically busy Friday night service. The service was a little slow to start but once we managed to order, the food arrived efficiently. We both enjoyed large bowls of piping hot udon, with braised pork belly and fried tofu on the side. Next time we will definitely branch out and try some of the specials.
Felicia Tan
Koya Bar had been one of my favourite go-to places whenever I am at a loss of figuring out where to eat - usually when I'm dining out solo. It opens throughout the day, unlike the original Koya next door, and serves a breakfast menu before noon. I am a particular fan of their congee dishes, and their udon as well of course. The setting is much more casual compared to Koya, and I generally do enjoy sitting at the bar in front of an open kitchen. Like Koya next door, they also have a Daily Specials board which is usually the menu that I tend to order from.<br/>It used to be much quieter when it first opened, but nowadays it does get just as busy at Koya, especially during peak times. <br/>Both Koya and Koya Bar continue to be one of my favourite places when I'm seeking some good comfort food.
The Food Connoisseur
Some of the KOYA classics makes itâs way to KOYA bar, but it was the Japanese breakfast Yakizakana that intrigued me. You can find some English breakfast influence on the menu, fried egg, and bacon.<br/><br/>My Yakizankana Japanese style breakfast didnât seem like a complex meal. Grilled fish, pickles, rice and miso soup little did I now how impressive it could be.<br/><br/>The grilled fish was grilled with a slight browning, biting into the crispy skin it crunched, crackled between my teeth. The fished had been infused with seasoning and flavour throughout. The pickles may seem like a boring thing to talk about, a simple side, but I fell in love with the super sour pickled flavour. The pickles with the grilled fish were the perfect combination of sourness and salt.<br/><br/>The miso soup had to be the disappointment of the meal, water down and bland. The tofu seems have been out for a while, too firm.
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