London houses a Japanese vinyl listening bar, named Junsei
In the heart of London's vibrant Marylebone neighbourhood, Junsei has re-emerged as a unique dining destination that seamlessly blends yakitori dining with a vinyl listening bar experience.
Junsei, one of London's few establishments to offer such a fusion, aims to recreate the after-dark culture of Tokyo's izakayas. These traditional neighbourhood gathering places are renowned for offering alcohol, food, and conversation in intimate settings, serving as a perfect decompression spot for workers after long days.
The restaurant's late-night menu, available exclusively during DJ nights, mirrors this izakaya-style comfort food, designed for extended drinking and listening sessions. Dishes on offer include chicken nanban with tartare mayo, crispy chicken skin chips, and soboro don with minced chicken, egg yolk, and shichimi. For those seeking a more robust flavour, sharing plates such as wagyu beef rib cap, crab korokke with caviar, flame-seared salmon warayaki, and diver scallops with shoyu butter are also available.
Dining at Junsei focuses on yakitori kushiyaki omakase, featuring more than 20 chicken skewers cooked nose-to-tail over Binchōtan charcoal, alongside seasonal vegetable and speciality skewers. A communal dish on the menu, claypot donabe rice, is simmered to order, adding a touch of authenticity to the dining experience.
The drinks programme at Junsei centres around Japanese spirits, led by sake, shochu, and Japanese wines, with a concise cocktail list featuring Japanese flavours. Guests can enjoy curated vinyl spanning Japanese City Pop to soulful grooves, with Junsei positioning itself as a hub for London's emerging listening bar movement.
On Thursday and Friday nights, Junsei transforms into a Hi-Fi listening bar, where guests can immerse themselves in the rhythmic beats. The hosts of the DJ nights, however, remain undisclosed.
For dessert, Junsei offers seasonal granita with fruit and citrus, milk purin with kokuto sugar, and grilled fruit with brown sugar ice cream.
Whether you're a music enthusiast, a foodie, or simply seeking an unique dining experience, Junsei is definitely worth a visit.
