Late-night bar and restaurant to take over the downstairs of La Bodega Negra in Soho

Maki & Ramen is set to open its first bricks-and-mortar London restaurant in Soho on 6th March 2026. The UK restaurant brand - already widely established across England and Scotland - has secured the former La Bodega Negra site on Old Compton Street, bringing a new mid-range Japanese dining experience to the heart of the capital.

The new 3,200 sq ft Soho site, fitted out by SIM Fit-Out, will accommodate 110 covers and is designed to reflect Soho’s night-led energy. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese ramen shops, the interior design incorporates contemporary elements: an open-plan layout features natural wood finishes, warm lighting, neon signage, and Japanese-inspired decor.

Maki & Ramen serves authentic and innovative Japanese dishes, offering an inclusive menu to suit every diet and taste, including vegetarian, vegan, and halal options. Its extensive menu features Japanese favourites - from sushi rolls to ramen bowls - delivering premium-quality dishes that bridge the gap between high-end dining and grab-and-go convenience. Popular items include Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, Hell Ramen, Halal Steak Tataki Ramen, Salmon Teriyaki Roll, Green Dragon Roll, Chicken Gyoza, Spicy Chicken Teriyaki Karaage, and Chicken Katsu Curry.

The restaurant also boasts an impressive drinks list, ranging from Japanese-inspired beverages such as bubble teas and matchas - created in partnership with Perfect Ted - to unique soft drinks, including XOXO Drinks, which has crafted three sodas available exclusively at Maki & Ramen.

The new Soho site has a 1AM alcohol licence and will double up as a late-night bar, bringing the downstairs of the former La Bodega Negra back to life, setting it apart from Maki & Ramen’s regional sites. The cave-like bar will serve a curated range of alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks, from authentic Japanese beers, such as its signature Makiburi lager, to fruit-forward and tea-based cocktails and mocktails designed for Soho’s nightlife crowd. Serves include Cherry Blossom, Japanese Elixir and Hanami, while Geisha’s Kiss is the most immersive cocktail on the menu, combining rich colour and theatrical smoke adding a sense of spectacle to the drinking experience.

Founded in 2015 by Teddy Lee, Maki & Ramen launched with a single restaurant in Edinburgh before expanding into Glasgow. The brand subsequently grew across multiple regions in England, serving fresh sushi and ramen in Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Nottingham. 2026 marks a key milestone in Maki & Ramen’s UK expansion with its London debut. The opening of the Soho site follows the brand’s initial London franchise launch at The O2 Arena.

Maki & Ramen was named Scotland’s Best Japanese Restaurant by Deliveroo in both 2024 and 2026 and has received multiple other high-profile accolades in the Japanese dining category. In 2026, the brand was also nominated for four Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Awards, including recognition for its partnership with Thistle Foundation.

Committed to supporting local communities, Maki & Ramen works with dedicated charities in each of its locations. In London, it will partner with The Felix Project, donating £1 from every ramen sold on select days and times.

Maki & Ramen Soho will be located on Old Compton Street and open seven days a week from 11:30am to 1:00am.

To mark the launch, Maki & Ramen will be offering £5 ramen to the first 100 people between 6th and 8th March.

Teddy Lee, CEO of Maki & Ramen said: “We’ve been preparing for a London opening for a long time, and finally bringing Maki & Ramen to Soho feels incredibly special. Soho is electric - it’s where food, drink and late nights collide. Our Soho site has its own energy, designed for long dinners that turn into late nights. This is just the beginning of our London story, and we’re so excited to bring Maki & Ramen to even more neighbourhoods across the city very soon.”

Maki & Ramen Soho

Opening 6th March 2026

9 Old Compton Street, London W1D 5JF

Open 7 days a week, 11:30am - 1:00am

Visit our website: www.makiramen.com