Yakitori Near Me in Notting Hill: SUMI Binchotan Skewers and Robata

SUMI operates from 157 Westbourne Grove in the vibrant heart of Notting Hill, serving as the relaxed neighbourhood counterpart to master sushi chef Endo Kazutoshi's acclaimed dining rooms. Founded in 2020 and named affectionately in honour of Endo's mother, the restaurant pairs artisanal nigiri and hand rolls with an authentic Japanese robata charcoal hearth. Inside, pale wood panelling, gentle brass accents, and an open robata counter frame an atmosphere that balances casual West London elegance with dedicated Tokyo hospitality. Rather than treating yakitori as an afterthought, the kitchen harnesses authentic white Kishu binchotan charcoal to cook skewered meats, premium poultry, and seasonal seafood over intense, pure heat that seals in moisture while imparting a refined smoky char.

Every skewer undergoes careful butchery and precise seasoning before touching the charcoal. Depending on the cut, the chefs alternate between delicate flakes of sea salt and a house-brewed tare sauce simmered from roasted bones, mirin, and aged soy. Sitting along the ground-floor counter offers a direct, front-row view of the binchotan embers glowing softly behind the glass barrier, filling the room with an appetising aroma of caramelising fats and seasoned marinades.

When ordering from the robata section, start with the vegetable and introductory bites before progressing to the heavier cuts. The kitchen serves freshly steamed edamame finished with flaky sea salt at £5 alongside bowls of rich mushroom miso soup at £5, setting an earthy, warming tone for the meal. The signature Sumi garden salad at £10 pairs crisp seasonal leaves with a bright, sesame-flecked dressing that cleanses the palate between rich bites.

From the grill, the chicken and meat selections highlight the kitchen's mastery of temperature and timing. Tender cuts of chicken thigh and skewered wings are cooked until the skin blisters into a brittle, golden crust while the meat remains succulent. Guests can also savour savoury pork selections such as the Iberico secreto, a prized acorn-fed cut grilled across the coals until the marbling renders into deep, savoury richness. Skewers arrive at the table piping hot straight from the grill surface, allowing you to appreciate the subtle aroma imparted by the Japanese white charcoal.

Complement your skewers with fresh items from the raw bar and fish sections. Slices of tender hamachi dressed with aromatic mioga ginger and white sesame are priced at £8, offering a lively, citrus-kissed counterpoint to the smoky robata courses. For a lavish centrepiece, the kitchen prepares a hearty seafood gohan at £40, presented in a traditional cast-iron pot brimming with sweet scallops, tender octopus, juicy prawns, and glistening jewels of trout roe steamed over seasoned dashi rice.

The dining layout at SUMI is thoughtfully split between an energetic street-facing front room with counter stools and a more tranquil dining area toward the rear. Counter seats are particularly sought after by diners who appreciate seeing the chefs assemble delicate hand rolls and turn skewers over the radiant binchotan grill. While the ambiance is thoroughly relaxed, counter etiquette suggests ordering skewers in thoughtful waves rather than all at once, ensuring each skewer is enjoyed at its absolute peak temperature.

Staff move through the dining room with polished attentiveness, ready to explain the nuances of each cut and suggest beverage pairings. The beverage list includes a curated selection of artisanal sakes, refreshing Japanese highballs, and European low-intervention wines chosen specifically to complement the savoury char of robata dishes. Finishing your meal with a scoop of house-made miso or matcha ice cream at £8, or a slice of delicate matcha mille crêpe at £12, provides a smooth, cooling finale to the charcoal-forward feast.

When dining as a party, sharing multiple skewers allows you to appreciate the contrast between lean breast with wasabi, rich thigh with leek, and crisp skin glazed with tare. The pacing of service is measured to let each skewer be enjoyed fresh off the grill while the charcoal aroma remains pronounced.

SUMI is located at 157 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS, within easy walking distance of Notting Hill Gate station on the Central, District, and Circle lines, as well as Ladbroke Grove on the Hammersmith & City line. The restaurant opens daily for both lunch and dinner services, welcoming guests Monday through Sunday. Given its popularity among Notting Hill locals and destination diners, reserving a table online through SevenRooms several days in advance is strongly recommended, particularly for evening dinners and weekend lunch seatings.

Walk-in guests can occasionally secure individual counter stools during the early evening hours just after opening, but advance planning ensures you will not be turned away during peak dining periods. The establishment accepts major credit and debit cards, and a discretionary service charge of 13.5% is traditionally added to the final dining bill.

Before or after dining at SUMI, Westbourne Grove offers one of the most delightful neighbourhood strolls in West London. The boulevard is lined with independent fashion boutiques, design bookshops, and artisanal grocers beneath classic Victorian townhouses. A short walk east brings you toward the historic antiques stalls of Portobello Road Market, while heading south leads past the quiet residential mews and verdant garden squares that define Notting Hill's timeless character.