Our Story
Our Story & Philosophy
01
The Beginning
始まり
Youtori was founded by Greta and Ken. Living in London, they noticed that the everyday Japanese home cooking people in Japan take for granted is simply not available here. At the same time, rising rents and soaring food costs have made relaxed, spacious dining feel like a luxury — turning what should be an ordinary pleasure into something out of reach.
Youtori was their answer to both. A supper club rooted in the warmth of Japanese home cooking, held in a space designed to slow you down — named after the Japanese word yutori (ゆとり), meaning ease, space, and breathing room.
02
Our Suppliers
食材へのこだわり
We make no compromises on ingredients. On the British side, we work with trusted suppliers who share our values — free-range chicken from Fosse Meadows, seasonal mushrooms from Merit Mushrooms, and sustainably sourced venison from Deer Box. Every supplier is chosen for their commitment to quality and sustainable practice.
For Japanese ingredients, the same standard applies. We use premium soy sauce and rice sourced directly from Japan — including Koshihikari from Uonuma, Niigata, widely regarded as Japan's finest. Nothing is chosen by chance.
03
The Setting
空間について
Youtori takes place in a characterful old building in Shoreditch — warm exposed wood, a sense of history, and a retro atmosphere that feels a world away from the city outside.
Every detail of the space is considered: tableware and hanging scrolls chosen with care, and music played from records collected from around the world — each one selected to quietly set the tone for the evening.
04
The Experience
体験について
Each Youtori dinner is a 10-course seated menu, composed around the season and the finest ingredients available that day. No two evenings are the same. Limited to 10 guests, the atmosphere is unhurried and personal.