Inventive new restaurant Koyn marries fire and earth to bring us Japanese food inspired by Mount Fuji
Words: Jonathan Whiley
A show-stopping new Japanese restaurant – inspired by Mount Fuji – is set to open in Mayfair this month. KOYN, the fifth restaurant by LSL Capital (behind neighbourhood favourites such as Jamavar, MiMi Mei Fair and Bombay Bustle), is located just off Grosvenor Square.
The two-storey space, which opened on 21 September, is set to “symbolise the complementary forces at play in Japan’s enigmatic volcano, where a lush alpine environment co-exists with the fires raging below”.
For guests, this means they are presented with two distinct aspects of the restaurant. MIDORI, the green room, is set on the ground floor with décor inspired by the landscape of Japanese zen gardens with a marble sushi bar as the centrepiece.
A resident sushi master will serve the likes of native lobster tempura sushi roll with creamy yuzu lemon and Applewood smoked Japanese A5 Kagoshima wagyu sushi roll with black truffle.
Below, MAGMA is a subterranean space made to represent the “dark volcanic heart” of Mount Fuji with black oak ceilings and burnt orange leather stools set around a robata grill. Dishes include hojicha-smoked lamb marinated with spicy kuromame miso, hispi cabbage with homemade koji dressing, and served on a sizzling stone.
The kitchen is led by executive chef, Rhys Cattermoul, formerly of Michelin-starred The Greenhouse and former head chef of Nobu London.
Samyukta Nair – who co-founded LSL Capital with her father, Dinesh – says she is “thrilled to be carving our unique perspective on Japanese cuisine with KOYN.
“I have long admired Japan for its understated elegance, expertly craft and philosophy that balances modernity with tradition,” she adds.
“While working with Rhys on this project, I’ve been able to get a deeper understanding of Japanese culture through our food journey, and this is something we want to pass to our patrons at LSL Capital’s fifth Mayfair venture.”
KOYN, 38 Grosvenor Street