Koya Soho

Mark G★★★★★★★★★★5.02 months ago

I have eaten here about 10 times over the past year when visiting London. The setting is small and tight and you sit at the kitchen counter which feels very authentic. Staff have always been friendly during my visits. I start with the Chicken Kara-age which is beautiful. The chicken is nicely cooked, crispy, with a really nice slight tang. For main I typically get the hot Curry Udon. The udon itself is perfectly cooked with a really nice texture and perfect bite. The curry soup it is swimming in is really nice and thick but not overly so and perfectly flavoured, not too spicy and allows the noodles to shine. I recommend the prawn tempura to accompany the udon. The tempura is remarkably crispy with beautiful prawn beneath, especially delicious dipped into the soup. Overall I couldn't recommend enough and I will continue to visit every time I am in town.

Amir Reifer★★★★★★★★★★5.02 weeks ago

Koya is one of those rare restaurants that reminds you how powerful simplicity can be. I’ve eaten here many times over the years, and somehow it never disappoints. The handmade udon is the star of the show. Perfectly textured, deeply satisfying, and treated with the respect it deserves. Whether you’re ordering a hot broth on a cold day or one of their cold preparations in the summer, every bowl feels balanced and thoughtful. What I love most is the honesty of the place. Nothing feels overcomplicated or designed for social media. The focus is entirely on quality, technique, and consistency. The room is lively but comfortable, the service is warm and efficient, and there is a genuine feeling that everyone involved cares deeply about what they’re doing. London has many excellent restaurants, but very few I return to as often as Koya.

Maya O★★★★★★★★★★5.02 months ago

Went to Koya with some friends having heard some rave reviews about it. The udon noodles were great, the tempura was lovely and crispy and the prawns were giant! Some of the best tempura I've had (and I've had a lot of good tempura). The atmosphere was casual and understated in a good way and the service was good. This is a great spot to stop off at for a casual lunch. As you can't book in advance you might have to wait a bit before getting a table (they do have a couple of tables outside where you can sit and wait).

Giusy Avino★★★★★★★★★★5.02 months ago

Went for a breakfast. I loved it!! As far as I can tell is only counter sitting, can't tell if they had extra table in the back. The environment was quite and relaxing. The staff was lovely and helpful, the woman was so nice with my friend that wasn't thats good using chopsticks. Will definitely go back again to try the standard menu.

Marlena Butkevič★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

Amazing udon, definitely the best one I had in London. A small, cozy, authentic restaurant serving amazing dished. We had a few starters to share like the corn which was recommended to us, tempura veggies and chicken. And also 3 different udon soups (hot), all of which were delicious. The service was very warm and polite. As you cannot make a booking and Koya is quite popular, there was a long wait, but fortunately we were not in a rush. My advice, the smaller the party, the quicker you'll get seats! 1-2ppl would be ideal. Thank you so much Koya and I cannot wait to come back to try your breakfast options 💙