Chef Aman Lakhiani

Chef Aman Lakhiani, a passionate culinary artist with Indonesian roots and a deep love for Japanese cuisine, embarked on a vibrant journey that led him to the creation of Junsei, a yakitori restaurant in London that aspires to embody purity and simplicity in its offerings. Opening its doors amidst the pandemic in June 2021, Junsei seeks to provide a space of hope and healing through its culinary experience. The restaurant’s crane logo, inspired by Origami, symbolises hope and healing during difficult times. Chef Lakhiani and his team, including Chef Zach Farr, are dedicated to delivering a genuine yakitori experience, emphasizing a zero-waste ethos by skillfully using every part of the chicken, prepared and grilled over white hot binchotan charcoal, to create over 20 different skewer variations.

Chef Lakhiani’s path to becoming a chef was fueled by his childhood experiences in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the vibrant street food culture and family gatherings around delicious meals sparked his interest in cooking. This early passion led him to pursue culinary studies at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, further honing his skills at the Tsukiji Sushi Academy in Tokyo and several renowned restaurants including Dos Palillos in Barcelona and Restaurant Locavore in Bali. Each of these experiences contributed to his expertise and passion for Japanese cuisine and the art of cooking over charcoal, culminating in the opening of Junsei Yakitori and Bar.

Chef Aman Lakhiani's journey from a young boy fascinated by the rich street food culture of Jakarta to the co-founder and executive chef of Junsei in London is a testament to his dedication, passion, and skill in bringing the essence of Japanese cuisine to the heart of London.