Yatay to open in Chinatown London this month

A new Japanese robatayaki restaurant and bar will open in London's Chinatown on 15 November. 

Yatay – a name that refers to the small street vendors on which the concept is based, along with the new age Izakayas of Tokyo, which are casual establishments that serve drinks and sharing plates – will offer robatayaki skewers alongside raw dishes, salads and small and large sharing plates. 

Pickling and fermenting are key to Yatay's menu, using traditional Japanese techniques to create contemporary fusion dishes where meat and vegetables are equally valued. 

Small plate highlights include stuffed shiso leaves with spiced organic chicken, garlic and lime tensoyu; and monk fish karaage with gochujang mayo.

The raw and salad menu incudes dishes such as blow torched mackerel with wasabi and pickled ginger; and seaweed salad with cavolo nero and pickled daikon. 

The robata grill will offer skewers, including tsukune meatballs with confit egg yolk; skirt steak with yuzukosho, chilli and lime; and king oyster mushroom with sudachi and mushroom salt.

Vegetarians can tuck into sharing dishes such as sweet potato with miso-cured cream cheese and garlic chips; and hispi cabbage with nori butter and katsuobishi. 

There will be a concise, well-curated list of sakes on offer, with highlights including Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo, aged in Burgundy barrels to give a smooth and silky oaked flavour, served alongside a list of mostly organic wines.

The restaurant on the ground floor seats 35 and will be centred around Yatay’s traditional charcoal-powered robatayaki grill, as well as casual counter top dining for walk-ins only. Yatay’s first floor will seat up to 50 guests in a more conventional dining room, housing rare Japanese whiskies and sake.

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