Naoko Nadiah Hama

Petticoat Lane is known for being home to a fantastically diverse and eclectic community, with business owners, traders, and community members from all corners of the globe! It’s why we’re fortunate to have some of the best international chefs, makers, creators, and artists right on our doorstep. Today, we sat down with Naoko Nadiah Hama, co-founder of So Restaurant to talk all things food and life in London.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

Hello! I’m Naoko Nadiah Hama. My parents immigrated from Japan in the early 70’s and I was born and raised in North London. After growing up in London, I became a performance artist/dancer and stage theatre and media creator. I was actually based in Tokyo, touring with a production lead by a Japanese Noh artist. Then Covid happened and the gigs were cancelled. Zu, my husband, and I decided it might be the optimum time to move back to England, so here we are!

What’s your link to Petticoat Lane?

We run So Japanese Restaurant, on the other end of Middlesex Street to Liverpool street station. We’d been running Sozai Japanese cooking school here since 2012 but opened So Restaurant in Soho in 2005. Then, as we were nearing the end of the lease, Covid happened, and we moved the restaurant to Petticoat Lane in April 2020. Initially our offering here was nationwide deliveries of seasonal Japanese dishes, which sold out every week! Then as the restrictions lifted, we gradually opened up as a restaurant. It’s a little family business and my husband, Zu is the head chef. We’re still learning the ropes, but my dad is always around to give advice! It can be exhausting but we’re enjoying every day! It’s so rewarding to see so many happy customers in our business. There are many Japanese restaurants in London, but few are owned and run by Japanese and we’re quite proud of that.

What do you enjoy most about working in Petticoat Lane?

The friendly neighbours! We’re always helping each other out, celebrating birthdays, eating at, and even sending customers to each other’s restaurants when we think their cuisine better suits their palates! Also, the proximity to everything from the markets, amazing shops, wonderful restaurants, and great access to everywhere in London – it’s walking distance to three tube stations.

Do you have a favourite memory of working on Petticoat Lane?

In summer of 2021, the Aldgate BID helped our street to become pedestrianised. All the restaurants had tables and chairs spilling out into the street, the sun was shining, families and friends dined together, it was a jolly time! We named it the ‘Petticoat Lane Dining Quarter’. It had international musicians performing, a beer festival, and we all thrived with customers. It’s a no-through road so it was nice turning it into a people, pets, and diner friendly quarter for a little bit of the summer. I look forward to having it that way again hopefully!

When people come to your business, what do you recommend that they order/purchase?

Our specialities are prepared over lava rocks imported from Mount Fuji – miso marinated black cod, grilled eel, wagyu beef steak. The gentle steady heat from the lava rocks creates texture and increases umami – a must try! Our Sushi and sashimi are always fresh and delicious, and my personal favourite is the pork katsu. Juicy pork coated in fresh, crunchy panko breadcrumbs specially imported from Japan. Everything is freshly made by hand, but I promise it’s worth the wait! Zu and I love to dine out and try new flavours. Our recent trip to Morocco was very inspiring, and we are always challenging ourselves to improve our service and offerings. Right now, the new wagyu and truffle sushi is a big hit!