Hot Stone in Angel: Creative sushi and premium wagyu beef cooked right at the table

Down at the busy Chapel Market, the pulsing heart of Angel, lies Hot Stone, a Japanese steak and sushi bar.

This restaurant is led by chef Padam Raj Rai, formerly of Tsukiji at the Westbury in Mayfair. With over 17 years in the business, his curriculum features some of London’s most popular sushi destinations including Nobu, Zuma and Sake no Hana.

As suggested by the name, a highlight of Hot Stone is the cooking method itself, performed right at the table, where guests can cook seafood, vegetables and – more importantly – premium Japanese Kobe and A5 Wagyu beef on a grilling stone known as ishiyaki.

It is said that the ancient technique was first used by fishermen, who would warm their broth on the seashore using hot rocks. Today, the method has evolved, elevated to table-top dining, with grilling stones favoured for creating fresh, flavoursome and healthy meals.

The restaurant takes the authenticity of their ingredients seriously, serving real Japanese wasabi, grated on the spot by the waiter, which makes it lighter and fresher. It is said that real wasabi can take up to three years to grow.

Of course, Japan is also revered for its raw dishes, and despite its name, Hot Stone also serves sashimi and maki rolls, as well as tataki and carpaccio. The chef prides himself on a premium selection of more inventive – and expensive – creations such as seared fatty tuna with king prawn, truffle and caviar, as well as a version with A5 wagyu. His plates offer a collision of seafood and beef, a surf and turf with two of Japan’s word-class specialities.

As a first visit, the best way to experience Hot Stone would be by ordering the Head Chef Special Premium Omakase, which is a selection that comes inside a box, each compartment offering a little dish.

For those who are not into raw fish dining, there are five hot dishes available, ranging from Chilean Seabass to Grilled Eel Don and Grilled Avocado. 

The cosy dining room, where a typical cherry blossom decoration is the centrepiece, has a distinctive Japanese vibe and also features seats by the counter, where the chefs prepare the dishes. Whether you are cooking your own dishes or watching the experts, this is sure to be an immersive experience.

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Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

To book a table at Hot Stone, 9 Chapel Market London N1 9EZ, call 020 3302 8226 or visit their website here.