Hungry for a taste of sashimi and sake? Read Foodism’s top picks for Japan Week 2019

You've likely heard the news that this year, Foodism are hosting Japan Week sponsored by JFOODO, a ten-day celebration of Japanese food, drink and culture in London, packed with events, special offers and one-off menus taking place between 23 September and 3 October.

You'll also know that a wide range of restaurants and bars are participating, from Japanese restaurants including Aqua Kyoto, Sakagura and ROKA, to non-Japanese and fusion venues like Avenue, SUSHISAMBA and Gingerline, with more being added every day. To get involved, and view the full list of venues and events, simply head to the Japan Week website.

Hungry for a taste of sashimi and sake and wondering what delicious dishes and killer bargains we think you simply need to have on your radar?

Fear not - as team foodism have been on the ground scouting our favourites from hundreds of deals and dishes.

On your marks... Get set.... Sake.

7 picks for this years Japan Week 2019

1. Feast on Prawn on the Lawn’s take on the katsu sando

292-294 St Paul’s Road, N1 2LH

Fishmonger and seafood bar Prawn on the Lawn is getting into the spirit of things for Japan Week with a uniquely Cornish take on a traditional katsu sando. You might have spotted these picture-perfect sandwiches on Instagram of late – but this one will have a Cornish twist. Dubbed the ‘Kernow Katsu Sando’, this take on the sarnie is a fine, fresh, and fierce seafood sandwich comprised of homemade Japanese milk bread, breaded Padstow pollock, shredded Padstow kitchen garden hispi cabbage, Cornish seaweed mayo, and Cornish farm-fermented chilli sauce. Salty, sweet, spicy and seafood-y? Don’t tell us that doesn’t sound downright delicious.

Read more here.

2. Enjoy free sake at Gingerline

162-164 Arthur Road, SW19 8AQ

Gingerline’s Grand Expedition is an eating experience like no other. Literally. The five-course set menu is a full-on 180-minute multimedia experience that combines elaborate set design, dance, storytelling, interactivity and immersive performance. If you’ve never been before, just know that it’s not the sort of place where you can expect a quiet chat over a bowl of udon noodles. It’s more of a get-up-and-dance-or-else sort of vibe. Which, y’know, isn’t exactly for everyone – but it’s still a great place to be during Japan Week. Why? Because sake. That’s why. Yep, dine at Gingerline during Japan Week and use the code ‘JAPANWEEK’ when prompted and you’ll receive a complimentary bottle of sake to enjoy during the experience. Cheers, or as they say in Japan, kanpai!

Read more here.

3. Learn the need-to-knows about sake at the foodism x Ametsa masterclass

5-6 Halkin Street, SW1X 7DJ

Ametsa might not be your first port of call for Japanese food and drink but that’s all set to change as they up the anti for their Japan Week collaboration. To celebrate, they're hosting an exclusive supper club (or lunch club, should we say, as it's hosted from 1 to 3pm) with team foodism. Head along to enjoy the delicious, delicious sake ferment, dine on unique Japanese and Spanish fusion fare and with an exclusive 7-course tasting menu and learn all about sake’s best food pairings, whilst you're there.

Sound good? Then get yourselves down to Como at The Halkin hotel in Belgravia for a selection of light tapas-style dishes, heartier sharing plates and delicious sake from the House of Suntory. Oh, go on then.

Read more here.

4. Revel in 15% off food at NOBU Shoreditch

19 Old Park Lane, W1K 1LB

Exciting news - Nobu Shoreditch is the official hotel partner of this Japan Week which means you lucky sods will get to enjoy 15% off breakfast, lunch and dinner (excluding weekend evenings) for the entirety of the ten days. Don't say we aren't good to you, hey. There will also be a jam-packed line up of whisky and gin masterclasses, exclusive Asian Monkey Japan Week cocktails and Japanese afternoon tea? Take a break for tea and cake during Japan Week and you’ll save £10 – bargain.

Read more here.

5. Gain sake expertise at the foodism x Sexy Fish supper club

Berkeley Square House, Mayfair, W1J 6BR

Another Japan Week venue setting the bar high with their own event is Sexy Fish, Mayfair's infamous robata grill and sushi restaurant. On 27 September, not only will you get to enjoy the venue's swanky fine art and delicious sakes on offer, you'll also be joined by sake expert Raul Diaz, ready to teach you everything there is to know about the Japanese ferment. Be quick: there are only 20 places, and considering you’ll be whizzed through a two-hour sake tutorial worth far more than the ticket price, they're worth grabbing quickly.

Read more here.

6. Tantalise your tastebuds at the foodism x M Restaurants tasting special

M Restaurant, Unit 2-3, 60 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8HP

How does Japanese fusion food, ice cold sake and two hours of education from one of the best experts in the business, all held at swanky M Restaurants, sound to you? Rather good? Yep, we thought it might.

You'll get to enjoy juicy Iberico pork expertly paired with kimchi and yuzu to make a unique fusion dish, plus fresh sashimi for starter and a creamy white chocolate pud for dessert. Plus, all this will be washed down with some seriously tasty sake, and a whole brainful of new info on how its made, how its best enjoyed and when you should be ordering it next. Sounds pretty good to us.

Read more here.

7. Cheers to World Sake Day with the House of Sake, foodism Wine Club x Hedonism

3-7 Davies Street, W1K 3LD

Did you know that sake's not actually a rice wine, but rather a beer-like ferment? If the answer is no, then you might want to learn a little more about its centuries-old history as one of the world’s first alcoholic drinks, try it for yourself and learn how to enjoy the delicacy at home today on 29 September.

Foodism will be partnering with Hedonism for their fifth annual Hedonism Wines and House of Sake International Sake Day tasting. Guests will be able to enjoy more than 40 different premium sakes from across Japan, and many of the sakes will be poured by representatives of the respective breweries, making the tasting a unique chance to discover even more about your favourite sakes.

Limited number of tickets priced at £35pp.

Read more here or at hedonism.co.uk.

For all the many deals and dishes on offer for you this Japan Week, simply head to japanweek.co.uk.