Ikoyi, launched in 2017, by friends Jeremy Chan and Ire Hassan-Odukale, is a London restaurant that breaks free from typical dining norms. With minimal formal training, the duo created something unique. Chef Chan’s cooking blends spices and herbs from Africa and Asia with British-sourced proteins and produce, crafting a culinary adventure that doesn’t fit neatly into any category. He refers to it as ‘a journey through bold heat‘, underlining the restaurant’s focus on sub-Saharan West African cuisine.
Since Oct 2022, Ikoyi – named after the affluent neighbourhood in Lagos, Nigeria, where Hassan-Odukale was raised – relocated from St James’ Market in West End to a spacious venue on The Strand, featuring stunning copper-clad walls, oak furniture and limestone floors.
Ikoyi’s star dish, smoked jollof rice, appears in various forms depending on the season, and is part of a tasting menu that includes creations like hibiscus and Scotch bonnet, or mussel custard with saffron. Desserts also pack a spicy punch. The restaurant’s service approach is intentionally low- key, letting the dishes shine while the team stands by, ready to offer insights if needed.
