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About us

 So restaurant Japanese food delivery takeaway pickup

 

Sharing Japanese cuisine and culture in London since 2006

So Restaurant opened in Soho, London, with signature menus prepared on a custom made yogan-yaki grill and cooked over volcanic rocks imported from Mt. Fuji. Saikyo miso black cod, pork Iberico marinated in So miso, poulet noir black chicken from Challens in teriyaki sauce... 

Londoners, travellers, old and new Japanese dwellers of the city enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and watch master sushi chefs' nimble hands create plates of sashimi mori, sushi and elaborate maki whilst sipping on wine and sake from So's extensive drink collection. 

So Restaurant hosted many events over the years; Sake tasting events with Sake Breweries from Japan, truffle dinner with wine pairing, Japanese Enka singer and shamisen gigs to name a few. The So Restaurant kitchen team would prepare special course menus in conjunction with the events, including everyone's favourites like tempura, soba noodles, tonkatsu, wagyu beef, miso grilled aubergine...

Since June 2020, So Restaurant moved to a new location near Spitalfields to the location of their sister company Sozai Cooking School.

As Featured in
Timeout 

So Restaurant Proprietor 

 

The owner, Tetsuro Hama

Tetsuro arrived in UK in 1973 and opened Grill Room Hama in 1973, YAKINIKU HAMA in 1976, and So Restaurant in 2006. His passion to share the art of Japanese food led to establishing the first Japanese Cooking School in UK, Sozai Cooking School in 2012. Tetsuro is currently the chairman of the Japanese Culinary Academy UK and board member of the Japan Society, Tetsuro is instrumental in Japanese cuisine and sake education and promotion in UK. In 2015, he received the Minister’s Award for Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

 

 

So Sozai Selection UK wide Delivery

In May 2020, So Restaurant were getting frequent enquires about whether deliveries or takeaways was starting anytime soon. Customers were missing their food! Extremely encouraged, they thought hard how they could continue providing good Japanese food in the times of the new normal, and So Sozai Selection Delivery was born.

The So Sozai Selection has evolved over the months. Currently it is a weekly menu that includes two mains and three sides. Unlike delivery food that is best eaten upon arrival, they are sealed in air tight packages and can be stored in the fridge from 2-7 days (depending on dish, details on each packet). So can be warmed and enjoyed at any time!

The entire selection can make a meal for the family or enjoy them one by one over a few days, there's lots of flexibility!

So Restaurant UK wide delivery sozai set

 

A little bit about the word 'sozai' 

Sozai, which is also in the name of their sister company, Sozai cooking school, has two meanings.

素材 (pronounced sozai) that means ingredient(s), and 惣菜 (pronounced sor-zai) which describes pre-prepared and packed main and side dishes that can be reheated and enjoyed at home. Similar to what may be referred to as 'deli' in some cultures. In Japan, 'sor-zai' are sold at supermarkets, delicatessens, department stores, and packed lunch shops. They are perfect for picnics, taking to a party, or adding to a home cooked meal.

So Restaurant's Sozai Delivery is of the latter 'Sor-zai', which is typically eaten accompanied with rice and miso soup, or accompanied with sake or wine.

One So Restaurant 'Sozai Deli Selection Delivery' can make a dinner for 2 people, when served with rice and miso soup*. 

* Rice and miso soup are not included in the Sozai Set.