Japan Centre Flagship Store (Leicester Square)

Modeled on the frenetic energy of a Japanese *depachika* – a department store basement food hall – this flagship location on Panton Street functions as both a serious supermarket and a chaotic dining destination. While the ground floor handles the immediate rush with a ramen bar and takeaway counters, the real density is found downstairs. Here, the layout blurs the line between shopping and eating. You navigate narrow aisles stocked with regional miso and imported snacks while dodging diners carrying trays of steaming udon, takoyaki, or curry rice. The central dining court is surrounded by open kitchens, creating a constant backdrop of noise and cooking smells. Seating is functional and competitive; during peak lunch hours, you hover near shared tables waiting for a spot to open up. It is strictly casual, with people eating quick bento boxes right next to the butcher counter, which specializes in thinly sliced meats for shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. Beyond the main floor, the space fragments into specialized rooms. There is a dedicated area for sake with staff on hand to explain the grades, a tea counter, and a bakery turning out melon pan and matcha buns. The roots of the business – founded by Tak Tokumine in 1976 as a bookshop – are still visible in the selection of manga and magazines near the homewares. Late in the day, the rhythm shifts as commuters sweep through for discounted sushi and sashimi boxes before the doors close.