It’s early evening in Notting Hill, and the light is just beginning to fade as we turn onto Farmer Street. At first glance, Los Mochis is easy to miss — discreetly tucked into the corner, its whitewashed exterior is interrupted only by a bold mural that hints at something less conventional. Stepping inside feels like crossing a threshold: the soft glow, the low hum of conversation, the unexpected contrast of textures and styles.
Raising the Bar: Los Mochis Launches London’s Most Refined Sake Flight
Los Mochis in Notting Hill has long been celebrated for pioneering a new culinary category, fusing the vibrancy of Mexico with the cool elegance of Japan. Now, with the launch of the exclusive Toko Sake Experience, the restaurant takes its offering to a new level entirely. Curated by Head of Wine and Sake Michele Orbolato, the flight features three distinct sakes, each expertly matched with dishes from the signature Japanese-Mexican menu, including the ultra-premium Toko Fukuro-Tsuri Ultralux Junmai Daiginjo, available exclusively at Los Mochis across both its Notting Hill and City locations.
A Tasting Journey That Fuses Two Distinct Cultures
The Chef’s Tasting Menu that accompanies the sake flight is equally impressive, moving from freshly made guacamole and spicy salmon crispy rice to bold sushi rolls and signature tacos. The Spicy Hiramasa Maki and the Black Cod taco are standouts, each delivering the precise balance of flavour that defines Los Mochis’ approach. Priced at £70 per person, the Toko Sake Experience is a must for sake lovers and the sake-curious alike, offering both an educational and indulgent evening in one of West London’s most quietly special corners.
A Fusion That Makes Sense
Los Mochis is renowned for pioneering a new culinary category, which fuses Mexican and Japanese cuisine. Bringing together the vibrancy, passion, and heat of Mexico with the cool elegance of Japan, the pairing results in an intriguing and exciting menu with fresh takes on classic dishes such as tacos, sushi rolls, and ceviches.
Opened by award-winning restaurateur Markus Thesleff, their first site at Notting Hill was opened in 2021, followed by Los Mochis London City in April 2024, on the 9th floor rooftop of 100 Liverpool Street’s Broadgate, boasting a bar, restaurant, two private dining rooms, and outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the city, open until 3 am.
Los Mochis Notting Hill is a slightly more intimate affair, blending neighbourhood charm with bold cultural flair. From the outside, it may pass for a stylish local spot — aside from the striking Aztec-style mural splashed across its white brick façade, a playful hint at what lies within. Tucked into a corner of Farmer Street, it sits among the iconic pastel houses that define Notting Hill. Step inside, however, and the atmosphere shifts dramatically.
Low lighting and dark ceilings create a sultry, sophisticated mood, with exposed brick walls punctuated by vibrant Mexican murals, intricate tapestries, and subtle Japanese design elements. It’s a space that doesn’t just reflect Los Mochis’ unique culinary fusion — it lives and breathes it, from the décor to the energy.
The Toko Sake Experience
We were lucky to get to try the exclusive Toko Sake Experience at Los Mochis, which has been launched this month in celebration of World Sake Day. This one-of-a-kind tasting journey showcases some of the most refined expressions of sake in Europe — including the ultra-premium Toko Fukuro-Tsuri Ultralux Junmai Daiginjo, available exclusively at Los Mochis, with lush notes of lychee, wild strawberry, and grapefruit.
Curated by Head of Wine and Sake, Michele Orbolato, the experience features three distinct sakes, each expertly matched with dishes from Los Mochis’ signature Japanese-Mexican menu. From the rich, fruit-forward Toko Genshu Dewanosato Junmai Ginjo, which enhances the bold flavours of the trailer park chicken taco, to a second Genshu expression that pairs effortlessly with octopus teriyaki, the flight is both educational and indulgent.
Served in elegant 125 ml carafes, each sake can also be enjoyed by the glass, carafe, or bottle — and for those looking for a playful twist, the new Melon Crush sake cocktail blends Kay Sake with Patrón El Alto, green melon, agave, and mint for a refreshing, citrusy hit. Priced at £70 per person, the Toko Sake Experience is now available at both Los Mochis Notting Hill and City — a must for sake lovers and the sake-curious alike.
Los Mochis’ Bold Rolls & Signature Tacos
Alongside the Sake Flight, we’re served the Chef’s Tasting Menu — a curated selection of highlights from the à la carte dinner menu at Los Mochis. It begins with a comforting classic: freshly made guacamole paired with house-fried tortilla chips. Served still warm, the chips are dusted with a zesty chilli-lime seasoning that elevates them far beyond the ordinary. The guacamole is fresh and flavourful, but it’s the chips that steal the show — crisp, bold, and totally more-ish.
Next is the raw course, which includes spicy salmon crispy rice, a rich, spicy salmon tartare served on a cube of perfectly crisp, warm sushi rice, and topped with a jalapeno slice, a seabass ceviche, which is a great rendition of a classic ceviche, elevated by the addition of a truffle soy sauce, adding a richness to what would typically be a light, fresh dish.
The standout of this course for me, however, is the salmon tiradito. Thin slices of salmon sashimi are laid out on a base of yuzu tamari, topped with sichimi (a Japanese chilli spice mix), and a wasabi salsa. This is perfectly light and tangy, especially alongside the richness of the spicy salmon and truffle ceviche.
The tasting menu at Los Mochis is a generous one — dish after dish arrives in a seamless flow. Next up is a beautifully presented board showcasing some of the restaurant’s signature sushi rolls. There’s the indulgent Black Cod ‘Volcano Maki’, a classic California roll crowned with tender, miso-glazed black cod. The cucumber and avocado roll is fresh and vibrant, topped with a punchy jalapeño salsa verde. But the standout for me is the Spicy Hiramasa Maki: delicate slices of yellowtail paired with avocado, yuzu kosho, spring onion, jalapeño, and finished with a rich truffle-chilli goma. It’s light, balanced, and delivers just the right amount of heat.
Next, we’re served two of Los Mochis’ signature tacos each — despite already being full! First up is the Dynamite Prawn taco, which lives up to its name with plump, juicy tiger prawns coated in a fiery chilli glaze, layered over crisp cabbage, radish, and jalapeño for a burst of texture and heat. Then comes the Black Cod taco — a standout — featuring a silky miso-glazed fillet nestled on a bed of creamy avocado, crunchy cabbage, and topped with sweet potato crisps. We finish with dessert, a vegan miso chocolate brownie served with a generous scoop of coconut sorbet.
A Celebration of Culture — and Colour
This Halloween weekend, Los Mochis is also set to become London’s ultimate destination for Día de los Muertos, bringing the vibrancy of Mexico’s most iconic celebration to both its Notting Hill and City locations. From Friday 31st October to Saturday 1st November, guests can expect an explosion of colour, music, and mezcal-fuelled energy, with immersive décor, live mariachi bands, exclusive dishes, and high-octane DJ sets. The City rooftop will host two unforgettable nights, kicking off with a Halloween party on Friday featuring theatrical performances and headline sets from JORDI RUZ and KAVEH, followed by a full-blown Día de los Muertos party on Saturday with NADY ZIANI and more late-night revelry.
Meanwhile, Notting Hill offers a more intimate but equally dazzling affair on Saturday evening, with a live mariachi dinner experience and a one-night-only menu from Executive Chef Leonard Tanyag. Whether you’re after a wild rooftop celebration or an atmospheric cultural dining experience, Los Mochis promises a weekend that honours life, remembrance, and joy in true Mexican style.
As we step back out onto Farmer Street, the night now fully settled over Notting Hill, the energy of Los Mochis lingers — in the warmth of the service, the balance of flavours, and the quiet confidence of a restaurant that knows exactly what it’s doing. It’s not often you find a place that can fuse two distinct cultures so seamlessly without losing the essence of either, but Los Mochis does just that — with precision, personality, and a clear point of view. Whether you’re here for the bold flavours, the rare sake, or the atmosphere alone, this corner of West London feels like something quietly special.
Los Mochis have two locations in Notting Hill and the City. To view the menu or book a table, visit Los Mochis | Mexican-Japanese Restaurant | London
