Visiting The Kernel Brewery on Spa Road had been on our list for a while, mainly because a friend mentioned the Yagi Izakaya kitchen residency and its dog-friendliness. Over the May bank holiday weekend, we decided on a spur-of-the-moment lunch there, which was excellent. Tucked away in Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus area, The Kernel combines one of London’s best-known independent breweries with a thoughtful Japanese small-plates menu. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Bermondsey or Japanese cuisine in London SE16, this is well worth knowing about.
“Excellent beer, seriously good Japanese small plates and one of the funniest food mishaps I’ve had in ages,” Homegirl London.
Yagi Izakaya Japanese Small Plates Menu
The menu is centred on Japanese-inspired sharing plates, with enough vegetarian options for me. My favourite dish was the grilled tenderstem broccoli with shichimi mayo. It had plenty of char around the edges, giving it a smoky flavour, while the creamy mayo added a little richness and spice.
The kimchi, cheese, and lotus root croquettes were memorable for another reason entirely. Crispy on the outside and molten inside, they arrived piping hot. The first one I cut into exploded dramatically, sending runny cheese straight onto my top. We laughed so much that I cautiously cut the remaining croquettes, holding a napkin in front of me like a shield. Worth it, though, because the combination of sharp kimchi and gooey cheese was superb.
Alongside that came the grilled aubergine with a pine nut dashi and chilli oil. The aubergine had that silky softness you want from properly cooked aubergine, while the nutty dashi added depth without overpowering it. A drizzle of chilli oil gave the dish a gentle warmth that lingered in the background.
Another favourite was the heritage tomatoes with samphire, wakame and ponzu. It looked simple at first glance, but the combination worked brilliantly. The tomatoes were sweet and juicy, balanced by the salty samphire and the sharp citrus edge of the ponzu. It tasted incredibly fresh and light.
My partner ordered the shokupan prawn toast and declared it the best he’s ever had. Shokupan is a soft Japanese milk bread known for its fluffy texture, and here it gave the toast a lighter, softer finish.
The menu also featured dishes such as curry udon with sake kasu, pork belly abura soba and smashed sweet shrimp tartare, alongside skewers including grilled chicken thighs and beef tongue. I spotted the burnt cheesecake with miso caramel on the pass and instantly regretted not ordering it. Small plates ranged from around £7 to £15, and desserts were under £9.
We’re not huge drinkers, but I have to admit the beer was very good. I tried the Wiper and True Tomorrow alcohol-free lager, which was crisp and refreshing and actually tasted like a proper lager. Check their current list of beers on tap, which, on our visit, included East India Pale Ale, Lagerbier, Sake Kasu Lager, and Nitro Stout, plus many more.
Helpful Information About The Kernel Brewery Bermondsey
The Kernel is one of London’s pioneering craft breweries, founded in Bermondsey in 2009, and helped shape the Bermondsey Beer Mile into what it is today. Their newer Spa Road taproom opened in 2024 with a much bigger space and the Yagi Izakaya kitchen residency, making the whole experience feel far more destination-worthy than a standard brewery taproom.
Inside, it has an industrial yet welcoming feel, with long communal tables, soft lighting and a laid-back atmosphere along with some outdoor seating. Their address is 132 Spa Road, London SE16 3AE, the nearest stations are Bermondsey and London Bridge. Opening hours are Wednesday to Friday from 12 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check The Kernel Brewery website for full information.
If you want to explore the area, you may find this article of interest:
Saturday Morning Spa Terminus Food Market
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about coffee shops or eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research, as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please verify that the establishment is still in business and check its opening times before visiting.