Japanese Heritage Chef’s Table at Kioku by Endo

The Chef’s Table experience at Kioku by Endo is an intimate culinary journey shaped by memory, mastery, and place. Set high above Whitehall on the rooftop of the Old War Office, guests are welcomed into a front-row seat to Chef Endo Kazutoshi’s world, where his Japanese heritage, global travels, and Michelin-starred precision converge. As London’s most iconic landmarks unfold in panoramic views—from Big Ben and The Mall to Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace—the sense of occasion is immediate, grounding the experience in both history and perspective.

At the Chef’s Table, the menu is guided by the meaning of Kioku—“memories.” Each course reflects a moment from Endo’s life and career, expressed through exceptional seasonal ingredients and meticulous Japanese technique. The journey moves seamlessly from pristine nigiri and sashimi, prepared with quiet focus and reverence, to deeply savoury dishes from the robata grill, where prime fish and meats are cooked with restraint and balance. Every plate tells a story, honouring tradition while allowing subtle innovation to emerge.

Japanese beverage pairings accompany the experience, thoughtfully selected to mirror the progression of the menu. Guests are guided through refined sakes, delicate teas, and nuanced Japanese spirits, each chosen to enhance texture, umami, and seasonality without overshadowing the food. The pairings are introduced with intention and context, deepening the connection between dish, drink, and heritage.

Dining at Kioku by Endo is as much about atmosphere as it is about cuisine. The historic grandeur of The Old War Office, now home to Raffles London, provides a powerful backdrop to a meal rooted in personal history and cultural pride. Whether seated indoors at the Chef’s Table or extending the experience onto the terrace in warmer months, guests leave with more than a memory of exceptional food—they depart having experienced a deeply personal expression of Japanese craftsmanship, elevated above the city it now calls home.