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Maki and Ramen will open its first bricks-and-mortar London restaurant on Old Compton Street in Soho on 6 March 2026.
The 3,200 sq ft venue occupies the former La Bodega Negra site and will accommodate 110 covers. SIM Fit-Out completed the installation, which includes an open-plan layout with natural wood finishes, neon signage, and Japanese-inspired decor.
The menu includes sushi rolls and ramen bowls with vegetarian, vegan, and halal options. Dishes include black garlic tonkotsu ramen, salmon teriyaki rolls, and chicken katsu curry.
The restaurant has a 1am alcohol licence and will operate as a late-night bar in the basement. The drinks list includes bubble teas created with Perfect Ted, sodas from XOXO Drinks, and the signature Makiburi lager.
Founded in 2015 by chief executive Teddy Lee, the company opened its first site in Edinburgh before expanding to Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, and five other cities. The Soho opening follows a franchise launch at The O2 Arena.
The brand was named Scotland’s best Japanese restaurant by Deliveroo in 2024 and 2026. It also received four nominations at the 2026 Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Awards.
The business will partner with London charity The Felix Project, donating £1 from every ramen sold during specific periods. To mark the opening, the restaurant is offering £5 ramen to the first 100 customers between 6 and 8 March.
Lee said: “We’ve been preparing for a London opening for a long time, and finally bringing Maki and Ramen to Soho feels incredibly special. Soho is electric – it’s where food, drink and late nights collide. Our Soho site has its own energy, designed for long dinners that turn into late nights. This is just the beginning of our London story, and we’re so excited to bring Maki and Ramen to even more neighbourhoods across the city very soon.”
