Eric Sward

Established in 1976, the Japan Centre Group now encompasses food halls and stores as well as restaurants Shoryu Ramen and Sakagura. Its flagship store recently opened on Panton Street, and offers customers authentic Japanese food and drink, books and manga, and hot deli serving quality Japanese sushi and hot souzai food made fresh every day, as well as bakery offering fresh pastries and breads. There are also sites in Piccadilly and Westfield Stratford City. Shoryu Ramen which now has 12 sites in London, Manchester, Japan and the newly opened Westgate shopping centre in Oxford. Launched in 2012, Shoryu has been recommended in the Michelin Guide every year since 2014. It serves authentic tonkotsu ramen, Japanese street food sides alongside craft beers, exclusive sake, and seasonal cocktails. Opened in November 2016, Sakagura on Heddon Street, Mayfair based on the old drinking houses of Japan offers an extensive sake bar, alongside casual izakaya menu and seasonal sake cocktails. Japan Centre will also open in summer, Ichiba, Europe's largest Japanese foodhall.