FAN Restaurant London: Michelin Guide Nikkei Dining in Notting Hill, Hidden Gem or Overrated?
London is full of restaurants trying to stand out, especially when it comes to Japanese fusion dining. So when I came across FAN Restaurant in Notting Hill, a Neo-Nikkei concept blending Japanese and Peruvian flavours, I was curious to see whether it would live up to the attention it’s been getting. The restaurant has already earned a place in the Michelin Guide and has become one of the more talked-about dining spots in West London.
The question is, is FAN Restaurant actually worth visiting, or is it another beautiful restaurant that looks better on Instagram than it tastes in real life?
If you’re looking for somewhere special for date night, a girls’ night out, or simply somewhere a little different from the usual sushi restaurants in London, here’s everything you need to know.
About FAN Restaurant
Located in Notting Hill, FAN Restaurant is a Neo-Nikkei restaurant inspired by the culinary connection between Japan and Peru. Nikkei cuisine has been growing in popularity around the world, combining Japanese techniques and ingredients with the bold flavours and ingredients found in Peruvian cooking.
FAN was founded by Chef Coco Sasaki alongside his childhood friends, creating a restaurant that reflects different cultures, traditions and influences through food. While Japanese and Peruvian flavours form the foundation of the menu, you’ll also notice touches of other cuisines woven throughout many of the dishes.
The restaurant itself feels intimate and stylish without being intimidating. The lighting is low and moody, the interiors are minimal yet warm, and there’s an open kitchen that allows you to catch glimpses of the chefs at work throughout the evening.
There is both a tasting menu and an à la carte option available. While tasting menus can be fun, we decided to order à la carte so we could try the dishes that caught our attention most.
What is FAN Restaurant Known For?
FAN is best known for its unique interpretation of Nikkei cuisine, bringing together Japanese precision and Peruvian creativity. The menu revolves around sushi, nigiri, ceviche and seafood-focused dishes while introducing unexpected flavours and sauces that make each plate feel a little different from what you might expect.
The restaurant’s inclusion in the Michelin Guide has also helped put it on the radar for London food lovers. From what I experienced, FAN’s strength lies in its ability to balance flavours. Nothing felt overpowering or overly complicated. Instead, dishes were thoughtfully put together, allowing the ingredients to shine while still introducing plenty of interesting twists.
What is the Experience Like at FAN Restaurant?
Walking into FAN feels like stepping away from the busy London streets outside. The atmosphere immediately feels cosy and intimate, making it a great option for a date night or catching up with friends over a longer meal.
What I liked most was that the restaurant feels polished without feeling overly formal. You don’t need to worry about knowing fine dining etiquette or memorising complicated menu terminology. The staff were approachable, knowledgeable and happy to explain dishes when needed.
The open kitchen also adds to the experience. There’s something enjoyable about watching chefs carefully prepare nigiri and seafood dishes while you wait for your next course to arrive.
What is the Food Like at FAN Restaurant?
Now, let’s go through everything I tried at FAN restaurant.
Ceviche FAN (£29)
We started with the Ceviche FAN, which featured the catch of the day, smoked yellow tiger milk, crispy squid, sweet potato and Peruvian corn.
This was refreshing and set the tone for the meal. The citrus flavours were bright, while the smoky notes added depth without taking over. The crispy squid added texture and made the dish feel more substantial than your typical ceviche.
The combination worked really well and it’s easy to see why this is one of their popular dishes.
Tuna Taco Tempura (£22)
If I had to choose a favourite dish from the meal, this would probably be it.
The spinach tempura taco was incredibly crisp while still being delicate. Filled with tuna, guacamole Nikkei and mayo-shoyu, every bite had a mix of crunch, creaminess and umami.
I genuinely wished there were more than two pieces, it was so good!
Smoked Shiromi Nigiri (£18)
Another personal favourite. Using hamachi as the catch of the day, this nigiri was topped with smoked Peruvian yellow chilli and acevichado sauce.
The sauce was what really made this dish memorable. Lightly smoky, slightly creamy and incredibly balanced, it complemented the fish perfectly without masking its natural flavour.
If you’re visiting FAN for the first time, this is one dish I wouldn’t skip.
Layu Nigiri (£13)
Made with tuna, crab chilli garlic oil, dashi shoyu and garlic chips, the Layu nigiri packed plenty of flavour into a small bite.
There was a lovely mix of umami richness and crunch from the garlic chips. The chilli garlic oil added just enough warmth without becoming too spicy.
Hotate FAN (£20)
This scallop nigiri combined sweet buttery scallops with Chinese spicy crab and tare.
The natural sweetness of the scallop came through beautifully and paired nicely with the richer toppings. It felt indulgent without becoming too heavy. It was nice but quite pricey for two pieces.
Udon de Mariscos (£28)
This was probably the most unique dish we ordered. Combining udon noodles with prawns, squid, Peruvian chilli, piquillo pepper sauce and Grana Padano, it’s not something you’d find in a traditional Japanese restaurant.
The result was surprisingly comforting while still feeling creative. The seafood added plenty of flavour, while the Peruvian influences gave the dish its own identity.
Drinks
For drinks, we tried the Lychee-Citrus (£9) and the Piña y Coco (£9). The Lychee-Citrus, made with lychee, orange, hibiscus and lime, was light, fruity and incredibly refreshing, making it a great match for the seafood-heavy dishes we ordered. It had just the right balance of sweetness and citrus without feeling overpowering.
The Piña y Coco, on the other hand, was a little richer and creamier thanks to the coconut cream and pineapple juice. It had tropical holiday vibes in a glass and felt almost like a dessert drink, having a nice contrast to some of the bolder flavours on the menu.
What is the Price Like at FAN Restaurant?
FAN definitely falls into the special occasion category rather than an everyday dinner spot.
Expect to spend around £25–£40 per person at minimum, although this can easily increase depending on how many dishes and drinks you order.
The nigiri dishes range between £13 and £20, while larger plates sit closer to the £20–£30 mark. Once drinks are added, the bill can climb fairly quickly.
That said, considering the quality of ingredients, presentation and overall experience, the pricing felt reasonable for this style of dining in London.
This would be so perfect for a date night, birthday celebration, girls’ night out or special occasion.
Final thoughts about FAN Restaurant
So, is FAN Restaurant a hit or a miss?
For me, it’s definitely a hit.
FAN Restaurant manages to combine Japanese and Peruvian flavours in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The food is creative without becoming confusing, and the intimate setting makes it ideal for special occasions.
While it’s certainly on the pricier side, the quality of the food, thoughtful presentation and memorable flavours make it a restaurant I’d recommend to friends looking for something unique in Notting Hill.
The tuna taco tempura, smoked shiromi nigiri and Ceviche FAN were all dishes I’d happily return for, and the overall atmosphere made the evening feel relaxed and enjoyable.
If you’re curious about Nikkei cuisine or simply want a dining experience that feels a little different from the typical London sushi restaurant, FAN is absolutely worth considering.
Highlights and Tips for FAN Restaurant
- Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in Notting Hill
- Best known for their Neo-Nikkei concept combining Japanese and Peruvian flavours
- Perfect for date nights and girls’ nights out
- Option for tasting menu or à la carte menu
- Favourite dishes: Ceviche FAN, Tuna Taco Tempura, Smoked Shiromi Nigiri
Details about FAN Restaurant
- Location: FAN restaurant, 6 Chepstow Rd, London W2 5BH
- Opening Hours:
- Mon – Thu (6:15–10:30 pm)
- Fri – Sat (12:30–3 pm, 6:15–10:30 pm)
- Sun (12:30–3 pm, 6:15–9:30 pm)
- Price: average £20–£40pp
- Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian (Neo-Nikkei)
- Area: Notting Hill
- Closest station: Royal Oak, Bayswater
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