After closing its original Hackney location and initiating a 30-city global tour, Rotten Octopus is making its highly anticipated return to London with a Japanese izakaya-inspired concept. The project, developed from the cult Hackney restaurant Whyte’s, founded by chef Whyte Rushen and restaurateur Liv Akers in late 2023, is taking a new direction following extensive international travel.
The original Mare Street establishment closed in February 2024 despite strong critical reception and a loyal local following. The team then set off on a global journey that included stops in Bangkok, Chengdu, New York, Mexico City, Amsterdam, and Dublin. A particularly influential three-week residency in Tokyo directly shaped the new London concept.
Rotten Octopus returns to London first as a four-day pop-up at Clara’s bistro in Shoreditch, running January 17-20. This marks the first of multiple planned London residencies, with the team indicating additional global appearances on the horizon. The concept strategically positions itself within East London’s vibrant late-night dining and drinking scene. The restaurant name playfully references the octopus stinkhorn fungus with its red tentacle-like structures, though the culinary offerings are far more appetizing than its namesake.
London’s culinary nomads touch down in Shoreditch for a fleeting izakaya experience before continuing their global odyssey.
The menu features 14 dishes in an à la carte format, embracing the izakaya small-plates sharing tradition. Signature items include a shiso-wrapped scallop baked in-shell with flying fish roe and ginger butter, alongside more adventurous offerings like a mixed grill of beef tendons, chicken hearts, and veal livers.
The caramelized onion chawanmushi with baby octopus and a slow-cooked pig-ear roll with egg mayo highlight the creative approach. The culinary direction, led by Whyte Rushen, reflects Japanese techniques applied to British produce with a nose-to-tail cooking philosophy. The menu prominently features eel as signature dish that exemplifies their unique approach to Japanese cuisine. Liv Akers oversees front-of-house operations and concept direction.
The beverage program complements the food with sake cocktails, wines, and Japanese spirits. The pop-up format creates a sense of urgency with limited reservation windows, catering primarily to Shoreditch’s nightlife crowd. The concept has built additional visibility through collaborations, including a notable partnership with DJ Fatboy Slim at Butlin’s Minehead under the Rotten Octopus name.
