Maki & Ramen is set to open its first bricks-and-mortar London restaurant in Soho on 6th March 2026.
The UK restaurant brand - already widely established across England and Scotland - has secured the former La Bodega Negra site on Old Compton Street, bringing a new mid-range Japanese dining experience to the heart of the capital. The 3,200 sq ft site will accommodate 110 covers and is designed to reflect Soho’s night-led energy.
Maki & Ramen serves authentic and innovative Japanese dishes, offering an inclusive menu to suit every diet and taste, including vegetarian, vegan, and halal options. Its extensive menu features Japanese favourites - from sushi rolls to ramen bowls - delivering premium-quality dishes that bridge the gap between high-end dining and grab-and-go convenience.
The new Soho site has a 1AM alcohol license and will double up as a late-night bar, bringing the downstairs of the former La Bodega Negra back to life, setting it apart from Maki & Ramen’s regional sites. The bar will serve a curated range of alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks, from authentic Japanese beers to fruit-forward and tea-based cocktails and mocktails designed for Soho’s nightlife crowd.
Founded in 2015 by Teddy Lee, Maki & Ramen launched a single restaurant in Edinburgh before expanding into Glasgow. The brand subsequently grew across multiple regions in England and Scotland, serving fresh sushi and ramen in Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Nottingham. 2026 marks a key milestone in Maki & Ramen’s UK expansion with its London debut. The opening of the Soho site follows the brand’s initial London franchise launch at The O2 Arena.