Shoreditch’s New “Soul” Food: Mitsu Blends Tokyo Cool With East London Energy

Summary

• Astet Studio designed MITSU, a Shoreditch izakaya restaurant merging Tokyo’s after-dark spirit with London’s energy through traditional woodcraft and red lighting
• The interiors incorporate wood, translucent screens and an open kitchen, creating a dynamic day‑to‑night atmosphere

Opening this spring at Willow Street, MITSU is a high-energy Japanese izakaya designed by Astet Studio to anchor the vibrant heart of Shoreditch, London. Rooted in the collision of East London’s vibrance with the after-dark spirit of Tokyo’s izakayas, the design for the space draws heavily on Japanese traditions while embracing the eclectic pulse of the neighborhood, creating a venue that evolves from laidback daytime dining into high-energy late-night revelry.

Astet Studio’s design approach integrates Japanese cultural references with contemporary urban elements. The bar area connects seamlessly to the outdoor terrace, keeping the space bright and open during the day, while at night the atmosphere transforms into something more intimate and social. Traditional izakaya details are reinterpreted through wood structures, translucent framed glass, and textile screens that filter light in a way reminiscent of washi paper. “The filtered lighting preserves a sense of mystery and avoids a flat or literal reading of the space,” explains Astet Studio, highlighting how subtle shifts in rhythm and mood shape the guest experience.

The open kitchen is another standout feature, conceived as a visible and ritual act. Elevated within the space, it allows diners to witness the sounds, aromas and gestures of Japanese robata cooking, reinforcing a direct connection to the culinary process. As Astet Studio notes, “In an olfactory transposition of the saddle stitch, the two materials – like two pieces of leather sewn together – gently embrace and reveal themselves to one another,” underscoring the studio’s philosophy of blending tradition with contemporary expression. This theatrical dimension of cooking, combined with music and lighting, transforms the restaurant into a sensory experience that mirrors the energy of Shoreditch nights.

MITSU’s atmosphere is shaped by the Japanese concept of utsuroi, or gradual change, as Astet Studio puts it, it’s an environment that “evolves throughout the day through subtle changes in light, rhythm and perception”. During the day, the bar area remains bright and open via its connection to an outdoor terrace. As evening falls, the mood shifts into an intimate, high-voltage social dimension where red lighting and a dedicated DJ booth take center stage. This layering of sensory stimuli – blending music with the fire of the robata grill – is intended to connect with the nighttime energy of Shoreditch.

Take a peek at MITSU’s interiors in the gallery above.

MITSU
50 Willow St, Shoreditch
London, EC2A 4BH
United Kingdom