Inside Soho’s First Iranian Restaurant

The group behind some of London’s most lauded Indian and South Asian restaurants today opens one of the autumn’s most eagerly anticipated restaurants. Berenjak, the thirteenth restaurant from the JKS group, will open on Romilly Street, becoming the first Iranian or Persian restaurant to do so in Soho.

In charge of the food is Iranian chef Kian Samyani, who had most recently been cooking at JKS’ raucous sports bar and mess tavern Brigadiers in the City after it opened in June; he previously cooked at Michelin-starred Gymkhana in Mayfair alongside Karam Sethi, the K in JKS and the company’s creative director.

Where JKS has opened Indian and Sri Lankan restaurants and backed now-Michelin-starred modern European, Taiwanese, and Spanish brands to date, this is the first time the group has opened a restaurant serving Iranian cuisine. The restaurant will take inspiration from the hole-in-the-wall kebab houses and street vendors from Tehran, Iran’s capital city — which means Soho’s first introduction to the traditonal kababs, khoresht (stews), and sharing plates — mazeh of that culture.

Here’s a first look inside the restaurant and the dishes on offer.

A selection of small plates, sides, pickles, and bread

Jigar — Grilled calves liver, onion salad, and lavash bread

Berenjak [Official Photo]

Jujeh — Boneless chicken breast marinated in saffron, lemon, yoghurt, and tomato

Koobideh — Minced cabrito goat shoulder, onions, and black pepper

A selection of kababs, pickles, and sides including black chickpea hummus

Marcus Cobden/JKS

Koobideh (goat), jujeh (chicken), chenjeh (lamb), jujeh tond (poussin)

And, here’s the full menu — split into mazeh (sharing starters and small plates), kababs (grilled meat), khoresht (stewed meat), and sides.