Tokyo Diner Chinatown has served simple and reliable Japanese meals from Newport Place since 1992. Its purpose was shaped by the everyday restaurants found across Japan, where satisfying food, sensible value and an easy atmosphere matter more than ceremony. That approach gives the dining room the character of a neighbourhood Japanese canteen despite its position in the centre of London. Leicester Square station is only a few minutes away, and the restaurant offers a calm, dependable option among the busy streets and entertainment venues of Chinatown.
Bento meals are a natural introduction to the menu, bringing rice, pickles, vegetables and a main preparation together in separate compartments. Choices such as teriyaki, katsu or karaage show different sides of Japanese comfort food, from glossy sweet savoury sauces to crisp breadcrumbs and marinated fried chicken. Donburi and other rice based dishes offer a more direct single bowl meal, while vegetable options receive the same attention to balance and variety. The broad selection allows diners to eat lightly or choose a complete and substantial meal.
The restaurant’s style is informative without becoming formal. Menu descriptions help guests understand unfamiliar ingredients and explain how particular dishes are commonly enjoyed in Japan. Tokyo Diner has also taken a long view of sustainability, including a decision not to serve tuna because of concern about pressure on wild stocks. This principle connects the restaurant’s everyday affordability with a wider sense of responsibility. It shows that an informal dining room can make thoughtful choices while continuing to serve familiar Japanese flavours to a broad audience.
All staff speak Japanese and the serving team also speaks English, reinforcing the restaurant’s role as a meeting point between Japanese and British culture. The current service operates without reservations, so guests arrive for tables as they become available throughout the day and evening. Friendly guidance makes the menu approachable for first time visitors, while the consistent canteen style encourages regulars to return. Tokyo Diner Chinatown succeeds through reliability, cultural curiosity and generous everyday food rather than unnecessary luxury or performance.
Address: 2 Newport Place, Chinatown, London WC2H 7JP, United Kingdom
Tokyo Diner Chinatown Menu
丼物 DONBURI
玉子丼 TAMAGO DON
A simple but subtle harmony of egg, onion, spring onion and konbu dashi (kelp stock). You will be surprised how satisfying it is. Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice
親子丼 § OYAKO DON §
Pieces of chicken, served with soft-cooked egg, onion, spring onion and konbu dashi (kelp stock), in a large donburi-bowl of rice. In Japanese “Oyako” means “Parent and Child”, which poses the question: which came first, the chicken or the egg? Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
カツ丼 § KATSU DON §
Pieces of ton katsu (pork cutlet) or chicken supreme, dipped into beaten egg, coated with crisp Japanese breadcrumbs and then fried in the lightest grade of vegetable oil. Served with soft-cooked egg, onion, spring onion and konbu dashi (kelp stock), in a large donburi-bowl of rice. Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
チキンカツ丼 § CHICKEN KATSU DON §
Pieces of ton katsu (pork cutlet) or chicken supreme, dipped into beaten egg, coated with crisp Japanese breadcrumbs and then fried in the lightest grade of vegetable oil. Served with soft-cooked egg, onion, spring onion and konbu dashi (kelp stock), in a large donburi-bowl of rice. Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
ソースカツ丼 SAUCE KATSU DON
Pieces of ton katsu (pork cutlet) or chicken supreme, dipped into beaten egg, coated with crisp Japanese breadcrumbs and then fried in the lightest grade of vegetable oil, served with rice on a garnish of shredded greens and topped off with a fruity, tamarind-based sauce. Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
ソースチキンカツ丼 SAUCE CHICKEN KATSU DON
Pieces of ton katsu (pork cutlet) or chicken supreme, dipped into beaten egg, coated with crisp Japanese breadcrumbs and then fried in the lightest grade of vegetable oil, served with rice on a garnish of shredded greens and topped off with a fruity, tamarind-based sauce. Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
サーモン丼 SALMON DON
A donburi-bowl of warm rice, topped with cold salmon sashimi, cucumber and omelette and garnished with nori and white sesame. The heat from the rice gradually changes the colour, texture and flavour of the salmon sashimi. This, together with a hint of pungent wasabi-horseradish, makes for a truly Japanese experience. Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
牛丼 GYŪ DON
Slices of best chuck beef and onion braised in a slightly sweet Japanese sauce and served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice. Beware of the strong beni-shoga (bright red salted ginger)! Served on top of a donburi-bowl of rice.
豆腐カツ重 TOFU KATSU JŪ
A rich and flavoursome vegetarian dish consisting of chunky slices of tofu coated with ‘panko’ breadcrumbs and topped with a thick, sweet, miso-based sauce. Don’t let the purity of the ingredients fool you though, this dish is nothing if not filling. Served on top of a traditional Jū-bako box of rice.
弁当定食 BENTO BOX SET MEALS
ベジタリアン弁当 VEGETARIAN BENTO
A vegetarian and vegan-friendly meal. We take chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, onions and peppers, etc. and stir-fry them in the lightest vegetable oil, together with our special sauce containing ginger, garlic, soya-sauce, saké… Served with rice, pickles, vegie-maki, Japanese greens, black ‘hijiki’ seaweed and vegetable nitsuke (fragrant simmered vegetables).
チキンカツ弁当 CHICKEN KATSU BENTO
These dishes date from the Meiji era. They consist of chicken or pork (“Ton”), fried in crisp Japanese breadcrumbs. You can add Ton Katsu sauce, which is a mild Japanese version of brown sauce. “Katsu” means to win. Ton katsu is so popular that in Japan there are restaurants which serve nothing but this winning dish. Served with rice, pickles, salmon sashimi, Japanese greens, black ‘hijiki’ seaweed and vegetable nitsuke (fragrant simmered vegetables).
トンカツ弁当 TON KATSU BENTO
These dishes date from the Meiji era. They consist of chicken or pork (“Ton”), fried in crisp Japanese breadcrumbs. You can add Ton Katsu sauce, which is a mild Japanese version of brown sauce. “Katsu” means to win. Ton katsu is so popular that in Japan there are restaurants which serve nothing but this winning dish. Served with rice, pickles, salmon sashimi, Japanese greens, black ‘hijiki’ seaweed and vegetable nitsuke (fragrant simmered vegetables).
鶏照り焼き弁当 CHICKEN TERIYAKI BENTO
“Teriyaki” means shining-cooked. The chicken or salmon is flambéed in Teriyaki sauce, which consists of Mirin (sweet cooking sake) and soya sauce. This produces a deep, dark glaze which imparts a rich, slightly sweet flavour. *In Japan, this dish is usually made with chicken leg (with skin). If you do not like this, please ask for chicken breast (£1.10 extra). Served with rice, pickles, salmon sashimi, Japanese greens, black ‘hijiki’ seaweed and vegetable nitsuke (fragrant simmered vegetables).
鮭照り焼き弁当 SALMON TERIYAKI BENTO
“Teriyaki” means shining-cooked. The chicken or salmon is flambéed in Teriyaki sauce, which consists of Mirin (sweet cooking sake) and soya sauce. This produces a deep, dark glaze which imparts a rich, slightly sweet flavour. *In Japan, this dish is usually made with chicken leg (with skin). If you do not like this, please ask for chicken breast (£1.10 extra). Served with rice, pickles, salmon sashimi, Japanese greens, black ‘hijiki’ seaweed and vegetable nitsuke (fragrant simmered vegetables).
鶏から揚げ弁当 CHICKEN KARA FRY BENTO
Bite-sized pieces of chicken thigh marinated in a light soya-based sauce and dusted in cornflour before frying. Served with rice, pickles, salmon sashimi, Japanese greens, black ‘hijiki’ seaweed and vegetable nitsuke (fragrant simmered vegetables).
麺類 SOUP NOODLES
そば SOBA
Soba noodles are thin and brown. Soba is made from buckwheat, which gives it a distinctive, nutty flavour. The taste is so good it can become an obsession: people travel all over Japan just to visit places where soba is made by hand. Noodle soup with a katsuo dashi (fish stock) base, topped with mange-tout, seaweed and spring onion.
うどん UDON
Udon noodles are thick and soft. They are made from plain white flour which gives them their doughy flavour and texture. If you’ve never had udon before, you will love the taste, but you might find that the noodles tend to slip off your chopsticks. Noodle soup with a katsuo dashi (fish stock) base, topped with mange-tout, seaweed and spring onion.
カレーうどん（そば） CURRY UDON ・CURRY SOBA
Udon or Soba served with our vegetable curry. Noodle soup with a katsuo dashi (fish stock) base
ざるそば（うどん） ZARU SOBA ・ZARU UDON (cold)
Chilled Soba (buckwheat flour) noodles or Chilled Udon (plain flour) noodles, garnished with nori (roasted seaweed) and served on a traditional zaru (bamboo basket). Mix the chopped spring onion and wasabi into the little bowl of chilled kaeshi (special chilled broth) according to taste, then take a few noodles and dunk them sparingly before eating.
きつねうどん（そば） KITSUNE UDON・SOBA
Kitsune Udon (meaning – ‘fox udon’) is a popular and tasty light meal consisting of noodles in broth topped with sheets of fried tofu or ‘inari-age’. The name comes from the Japanese fox spirits’ supposed love for these sweet and deliciously satisfying pieces of golden tofu. Noodle soup with a katsuo dashi (fish stock) base, topped with mange-tout, seaweed and spring onion.
カレー JAPANESE-STYLE CURRY
野菜カレー DINER CURRY
Japanese curry made with onions, potatoes and carrots. Served with a large portion of rice and a small salad garnish
カツカレー KATSU CURRY
Diner Curry served with pieces of pork cutlet or chicken fried in crisp Japanese breadcrumbs. Served with a large portion of rice and a small salad garnish
チキンカツカレー CHICKEN KATSU CURRY
Diner Curry served with pieces of pork cutlet or chicken fried in crisp Japanese breadcrumbs. Served with a large portion of rice and a small salad garnish
豆腐カツカレー TOFU KATSU CURRY
Diner Curry served with a thick slice of fried tofu in Japanese breadcrumbs. Served with a large portion of rice and a small salad garnish
お刺身 SASHIMI
お刺身セット SASHIMI
This is the famous Japanese “Raw Fish” dish. It consists of a small quantity of the finest, freshest Salmon, Sea Bream and Sea Bass served with a garnish of grated Japanese radish and Japanese herbs.
サーモンたたき SALMON TATAKI
Salmon is lightly seared on the outside (leaving the inside rare), dusted with roasted black and white sesame and sprinkled with a little pepper. This is decorated with a garnish of Japanese radish, chives. It is dressed in ponzu (a tangy, citrus-based sauce).
すし SUSHI
サーモン(２貫) SALMON NIGIRI（2 pieces）
はまち(２貫) HAMACHI NIGIRI（2 pieces）
海老(２貫) PRAWN NIGIRI（2 pieces）
しめ鯖(２貫) MACKEREL NIGIRI (2 pieces）
いか(２貫) SQUID NIGIRI（2 pieces）
たまご(２貫) OMELETTE NIGIRI（2 pieces）
サーモンセット SALMON SET
Two pieces of salmon nigiri and six pieces of salmon hosomaki.
にぎりセット NIGIRI SET
An assortment of sushi containing: 7 pieces of nigiri sushi – two pieces of salmon and one each of Hamachi, mackerel, prawn, squid, and omelette alongside six pieces of hosomaki.
かっぱとお新香巻き VEGIE-MAKI
12 個 ・12 rolls : Six cucumber rolls and six rolls of takuwan (pickled radish).
かっぱとお新香巻き VEGIE-MAKI
6 個・6 rolls : Three cucumber rolls and three rolls of takuwan.
かっぱとお新香巻き VEGIE-MAKI
12 個・12 rolls : Six salmon rolls alongside with six veggie rolls – three of cucumber, three of pickled radish.
かっぱとお新香巻き VEGIE-MAKI
6 個・6 rolls : 3 salmon rolls alongside your choice of three cucumber rolls or 3 pickled radish.
いなり INARI
Two Pouches made from sweet ‘abura-age’ (thin slices of fried and marinated tofu) stuffed with sushi rice.
一品料理 SIDE DISHES
枝豆 EDA MAMÉ
Japan’s healthiest and most popular snack: whole soya beans. Just pop them out of their pods.
グリーンサラダ WAKAME GREEN SALAD
A mixed salad of lettuce, peppers and tomato, etc., together with wakame-seaweed.
ほうれん草胡麻和え SPINACH GOMA
A small quantity of spinach, lightly boiled and dressed with sesame sauce.
冷奴 HIYA YAKKO
A five-ounce cube of pure, chilled tofu (Japanese bean curd). Garnished with spring onion and grated ginger. Totally vegan. Please ask if you would like this to be topped with Bonito-fish flakes.
茄子揚げびたし(冷製) AUBERGINE AGÉ BITASHI (Served cold)
Sautéed aubergines soaked in a slightly sweet broth. Garnished with slices of lotus root.
ブロッコリー煮びたし BROCCOLI NI BITASHI (Served cold)
Chilled (cooked) broccoli served in a slightly sweet broth.
揚げだし豆腐 AGÉ-DASHI TOFU
A five-ounce cube of tofu (Japanese bean curd) coated in cornflour, fried in the lightest vegetable oil and served in a warm Japanese broth. Garnished with grated radish, spring onion and grated ginger.
鶏から揚げ CHICKEN KARA-AGÉ
Bite-sized pieces of chicken thigh, marinated in a light soya-based sauce and coated in cornflour before frying.
鶏照り焼き CHICKEN TERIYAKI
“Teriyaki” means shining-cooked. The chicken is flambéed in Teriyaki sauce, which consists of Mirin (sweet cooking sake) and soya sauce. This produces a deep, dark glaze which imparts a rich, sweet flavour. In Japan, this dish is usually made with chicken leg (with skin). If you do not like this, please ask for chicken breast (£1.10 extra).
漬物 TSUKEMONO PICKLES
A small quantity of salted vegetables, pickled in the traditional Japanese way
味噌汁 MISO SHIRU
A small bowl of light soya-based broth. Use your chopsticks to stir up the Miso (soy bean paste) and then drink it straight from the cup. Miso shiru is recommended with any of our meals. It is particularly suitable with Sushi, since it turns a cold snack into a warm meal.
ご飯 PLAIN RICE
Looking for an unusual and versatile present?