One of the first things you will see after leaving West Acton Station is Yoyo Kitchen, a Japanese deli ran by husband and wife, Yoichi "Yoyo" and Tanya Iguchi. 

The couple have been running Yoyo Kitchen for the last 14 years and in that time has built up a reputation for serving some of "the best" sushi in west London. 

Tanya tells Ealing Nub News: "After working at Nobu and then as a fish wholesaler Japanese restaurant in London, Yoichi wanted to open his own restaurant with that knowledge." 

Tanya Yoichi says her daughter and friends had the idea to add the colourful anime collage to the deli (credit: Cesar Medina).

Without revealing too much of the business' "knowledge" of Japanese cuisine, Tanya does admit that there is a key to making great sushi. 

"It's getting the consistency of the rice exactly right," she says. "We buy 20 kilo bags of rice but every batch is different so the water shouldn't be the same, but Yoichi knows. 

"When get a new batch he'll taste it and say, 'we need to put this amount of water in there.'"  

The deli sells Japanese sake which is made from fermented rice (credit: Cesar Medina).

Despite the chef's culinary experience, which has seen him serve food to likes of Robert De Niro and Madonna, Yoyo Kitchen is unique because it is one of the few independent Japanese restaurants in Acton and Ealing.  

Tanya says: "It is really nice being in your own community and West Acton has very big Japanese community.  

"There's a Japanese school around the corner, there's Japanese nurseries too and now you are seeing lots of mix marriage families." 

Yoyo kitchen say the secret to good sushi is in the consistency of the rice (credit: Cesar Medina).

Speaking of families, the deli has seen all of Yoichi and Tanya's children assume different roles and play a hand in supporting Yoyo Kitchen.  

The mother of four reveals: "They've all worked in the business in some sort of way.  

"One of our sons a really good chef, so he's worked in the kitchen. Our daughter has worked on the shop floor, our other son has done filming and then our other son is training to be an accountant, so he helps with the accounts." 

Like many small businesses across the capital, Covid-19 affected sales at Yoyo Kitchen and has seen a decline in customers, with some regulars even leaving the area.  

Yoyo Kitchen is found opposite West Acton Station (credit: Cesar Medina).

The owner explains: "I think with Covid a lot of people moved out of London. A lot of our customer base moved away and we have been trying to build that up again." 

She adds: "But then there are also people that have been coming for 14 years. That is what keeps us going." 

Beyond sushi and bento boxes, Yoyo offers a wide range of authentic Japanese products for West Acton residents to take home and add to their own cooking, including exclusive sake that only Yoyo Kitchen receives in London.  

And to give back to its customers, Yoyo Kitchen is launching a brand-new loyalty programme whereby once customers collect 10 stamps, they are eligible to receive a free bento box, in addition to its lunchtime deals on sushi too.  

To find out more head down to Yoyo Kitchen at 4 Station Parade, Noel Road, W3 0DS or visit its website here.

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