HIMI
Japanese restaurant · Soho ·
Neo-izakaya with top-tier nigiri, grilled shrimp, and fried chicken
Neo-izakaya with top-tier nigiri, grilled shrimp, and fried chicken
"You did your time with Ronald McDonald, now you deserve a fancy birthday—with 100% less plastic toys. Enter, Himi, a cool Soho neo-izakaya with flawless fish and a soundtrack of clinking half-pints and matcha-infused martinis. Chefs hand out incredible temaki ōtoro warayaki and tables audibly gasp over the fatty tuna. The best seats are the high counter stools where you can soak up the energy of the kitchen and watch as prawns are grilled and meat is blowtorched." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley
"Having previously run Roji in Mayfair, the husband-and-wife team have returned with a buzzy Japanese izakaya in Soho; I found the menu mightily appealing, with robata-grill highlights such as the ebichili — crispy, shell-on red shrimp in a robust red pepper sauce." - Andrew Young
"The husband-and-wife team behind Roji opened this izakaya-style spot in early 2025. It certainly succeeds in creating that happy, tie-loosening after-work vibe, especially if you’re sitting at the counter in front of the animated kitchen; there are also tables available, for those preferring to face each other. Highlights include wonderfully crispy fried chicken (is there anything better with a cold beer?); Inaniwa udon with juicy pink duck; and flavoursome red shrimp from the robata grill, which comes with squid ink." - Michelin Inspector
"Himi is minimalist in design, but far from it in flavour and atmosphere. The bustling counter is the place to be at the neo-izakaya off Carnaby Street, with a soundtrack of clinking half-pints and martinis, and Nas playing as the chef hands out incredible temaki ōtoro warayaki. Everything hits: light tempura scallop, tender, juicy charcoal-grilled red shrimp, and thick noodles in a hearty broth. The nigiri is top-tier—the rice is vinegared and warm, seasoned perfectly with soy sauce and wasabi, and topped with a melting cut of squid, tuna, or yellowtail." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager
"There isn’t a dish on Himi’s menu that isn’t executed flawlessly: light tempura scallop, tender, juicy charcoal-grilled red shrimp, and thick noodles in a hearty broth are all hits. But it’s the sushi where this Soho spot really shines. The nigiri at this neo-izakaya is top-tier. Fatty tuna all but evaporates in your mouth, squid is perfectly sweet, and every bite is better than the last." - heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, jake missing