There are a few spots in London I've visited that have been consistently good over the years and Soho's Chotto Matte is one of them. From a first vist 10 years ago, to the days of working across the road and popping in for after work drinks and now launching its new menu, every time it's hit the nail on the head.
Known for its vibrant Nikkei cuisine and even more vibrant interiors, Chotto Matte's new menu ic crafted by Executive Chef Jordan Sclare and Founder Kurt Zdesar, reflecting its Japanese and Peruvian influences with a plethora of new dishes.
Our feast began with a beautiful sea bass ceviche with tiger's milk, chive oil, sweet potato, Peruvian corn, and coriander, followed by crisp truffled tuna tostadas. Fresh guacamole was served with a giant tortilla, and a platter of sensational prawn tempura dragon rolls lasted seconds. The wagyu brioche sliders, with truffled cheese salsa, pickled gherkin, and baby gem lettuce, are absolutely not to be missed, while the slow braised crispy pork belly, tossed in red Anticucho sauce and smoked yellow Anticucho garnished with yellow tomato salsa, had a good dose of fire, helpfully washed down by some very excellent cocktails. Not yet finished, the chicken - Pollo Peruano, grilled on the robata with coriander, canchas and pomegranate - was perfection. The desserts however... wow. Mochi and ice cream were lovely enough (coconut, mango and passion fruit, if you were wondering) but the matcha crêpe cake... oh my. Layers of fluffy matcha crêpes with hazelnut cream, dulche de leche and raspberry crunch. I would go back for that alone time after time after time...
In addition to the exciting new menu, Chotto Matte are reintroducing their popular Chotto Hour, unwind and indulge with exclusive cocktails for as little as £6 on Sunday-Friday between 3-7PM. The Chotto Hour also includes a deal for wine and beer from £4 and bar nibbles from as little as £3. The restaurant has also launched a new bar menu, featuring expertly crafted cocktails priced between £10–£12. Alongside this, the popular sharing menu remains at its original price of £65, offering 10 dishes and continuing to deliver exceptional value since day one. This pricing reflects Chotto Matte’s commitment to bringing Chotto Matte Soho back, with the same vibrant energy and accessibility that first made it a favourite among guests.
With food that's so consistently good and inventive drinks to quench your thirst, Chotto Matte will always be a favourite spot in Soho.
