Shop Snoop and Restaurant Review: Japan Centre. We had guests staying, and one of them loves Japanese cooking, so we took her along to the Japan Centre Panton Street London SW1. This is a fantastic place to visit if you love Japanese cuisine because you can eat in the restaurant and then buy delicious snacks to take home with you.

Japanese Supermarket and Restaurant

Japan Centre Supermarket Panton Street London

The supermarket shelves are filled with brightly coloured packaging. You can buy store cupboard staples from Noodles to Rice, Miso, Tofu, Seaweed, Oils, Vinegar and more. You might want to stock up on Savoury Snacks or Confectionery for treats. Make your life easier with Pre-Made Curry Sauces or Pot Noodles. There is so much choice that you’ll need to allow plenty of time to browse.

Japanese Supermarket Shelves

They have oodles of Noodles – Soba, Yakisoba, Udon, Ramen and Specialty. Some of those are Shirataki Yam, Pre-Cooked Udon and Pokemon Soy Sauce Ramen. If you prefer Rice, they supply White Rice, Brown Rice and Rice Mixes.

Pokemon Noodles

Miso includes White, Barley, Red, Specialty and Instant options. Clearspring Organic Brown Rice Instant Miso Soup, Hikari Reduced Salt Instant Miso Soup Wakame and the Yutaka Instant Vegan Miso Soup caught my eye.

Clearspring Miso Soup

Personally, I’m not a fan of Tofu, but many people are. Here you can buy Organic Tofu, Silken Tofu and other types. You might want to stock up on kitchen staples, including Soy Sauce, Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Panko Bread Crumbs, Tempura Flour, Seaweed, Sushi Vinegar, Cooking Sake and Rice Wine.

Takara Cooking Sake

If you prefer speedy cooking, you’ll probably want to fill your basket with Instant Noodles, Microwavable Rice, Instant Miso Soup, Instant Vegetarian Vegetable Curry, Pre Made Curry Sauce or a packet of Kimchi Noodle Soup.

Curry Sauce

The Snacks are interesting. Treat yourself to Thin Prawn Rice Crackers, Scallop Flavoured Chewy Konjac, Cheese Potato Puffs, Crunchy Oyster Mushroom Chips or Mustard Lotus Root Chips. Then you have the Roasted Green Peas and Hot Wasabi Peas. Sweet Snacks include Matcha Green Tea KitKat, Pocky, Mochi and more.

Roasted Green Peas

Drinks include Oolong Tea in a can, Stone Ground Matcha Green Tea Powder and plenty of Green Tea options. Sake in a presentation box is a lovely gift for a friend; choose from Sparkling Sake, Standard or Premium versions. Japanese Whisky is well known for premium quality, they stock Suntory brands here. The Nikka Premium Blended Whisky is £110, which seems to be the most expensive.

Manga Mags

You can also buy ceramics such as dipping bowls, teapots and cups, plus chops sticks. Browse the magazine rack if you want to catch up on gossip or get your Manga fix. Hello Kitty branded merchandise is available, ranging from a soy sauce dispenser to candy.

Japan Centre Restaurant Panton Street London

We visited at lunchtime, and this place suddenly got very busy with nearby workers taking advantage of the pre-packaged take-out lunches, including Sushi and Prepared Bowls of Rice and Salad. There was a lot of chatter about the Meal Deal offer, which seemed to have a big draw.

Takeaway Food

You can enjoy cooked Japanese food if you want to sit down and order from the counter. I tried a Donburi bowl with Vegetable Tempura, and Homeboy selected the same but with Prawn Tempura. I thought it was value for money.

Prawn Tempura Donburi Bowl

Other food options include Pork or Prawn Gyoza. Various Noodle dishes from Chicken Charsiu Ramen to Miso Tonkotsu Ramen. Sushi Bento options range from Mixed Fresh Seafood Poké to Fresh Salmon and Tuna. There are various Rolls which include Sesame White Rice Avocado. Treat yourself to a Matcha Green Tea Mochi for dessert. You can order a meal delivered to your home or office via Deliveroo.

Japan Centre Panton Street London Information

Shop Exterior

To find out more and buy food online, visit the Japan Centre Website. The store address is 35b Panton Street, London SWIY 4EA. The nearest stations are Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross. There is a small space at street level with ceramics and a few food items: the Yatai Stall (Shop Stall). Head down to the basement, where you will find the restaurant and main supermarket, Depachika (Basement Food Hall). Opening hours listed are Monday to Saturday from 10 am until 9.30 pm and Sunday from 11 am until 8 pm. There are additional branches of the Japan Centre at Relay Square Westfield W12 and Great Eastern Market, Westfield Stratford E20. Enjoy your visit and the food!

Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.