REVIEW (OPENING DAY): Shoryu Ramen

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Shoryu Ramen
9 Regents Street, London, SW1Y 4LR

Note: This venue is in SOFT LAUNCH – until 16th Nov

Shoryu Ramen claims to specialise in ‘Hakata tonkotsu ramen noodes’ and has generated more questions than any other review I posted in the last 2 weeks. After uploading a single picture on Instagram and (Twitter), I was inundated with so many questions I replied in a separate post!

(See FAQ: Shoryu Ramen Opening Day).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The venue is flooded with sunlight from the floor to ceiling windows. It’s situated opposite the Japan Centre on lower Regents Street. The busy Japanese man who appeared to be simultaneously in charge and training the new staff turned out to be the hands-on CEO of the Japan Centre, Tak Tokumine. Unlike many Japanese run venues, the majority of the front-of-house crew were not Japanese. (Not a criticism, just an observation)

MENU
The menu was restricted that day to the Ramen Noodles, which is exactly what everyone wanted anyway! The soft launch offer has all ramen dishes at 50% off the normally £8 starting price rising to £10.40 for the ‘Yuzu Tonkotsu’.

The menu is quite extensive with nine types of ramen noodle dishes on offer. Six tonkotsu; two miso; and one shōyu (soy) based ramen noodle dishes.

Shoyru Ramen – 6 x Tonkotsu, 2 x Miso, 1 x Shoyu

• Hakata Tonkosu
• Shoryu Tonkotsu
• Piri Piri Tonkotsu
• Wasaki Tonkotsu
• Takana Tonkotsu
• Yuzu Tonkotsu
• Tokyo Shoyu
• Sapporo Miso
• Spicy Miso

As it was 50% off, I opted for the “Yuzu Tonkotsu (a rich tonkotsu pork & chicken soup: topped with a bend of yuzu citrus and chilli pepper, BBQ pork, kikurage black mushrooms, nori seaweed, bean sprouts, spring onion and sesame”) and was presented with an enormous bowl of ramen within about 5-10 minutes. My first thought was that it didn’t come with a soft boiled egg, however this was available on the menu at an additional £1.50. Secondly, the pork wasn’t a big slice of chasau roll but some smaller chunks. (However, I returned to next day and the Piri Piri Tonkotsu had several large slices).

Shoryu Ramen – This is the Yuzu Tokotsu (“a rich tonkotsu pork & chicken soup: topped with a blend of yuzu citrus and chilli pepper, BBQ pork, kikurage black mushrooms, nori seaweed, bean sprouts, spring onion and sesame”)

The star of the show was incredibly rich soup. It reminded me of a good chicken stock and unlike any tonkotsu I’ve had, it was was a lovely milky-creamy colour. I’m not sure whether the difference is mainly due to a difference in style, but it is very tasty.

(Compare this picture with the images from my Bone Daddies review or Tonkotsu review which have the expected ‘golden brown’ beef stock.)

The ingredients were nice and fresh, many were nicely displayed in little zones of the bowl. The pink picked ginger on one side was full of sharp flavour; the black mushrooms still crunchy with bite; the bean sprouts crispy and used appropriately (i.e. not overused to ‘bulk up’ the size). The ‘Yuzu’ of ‘Yuzu Tonkotsu’ is a fermented paste made from chilli peppers, yuzu peel and salt. I’ve never had this before but it had an interesting strong spicy citrus flavour.

SUMMARY
Ramen noodle bars seem to be springing up all over Soho. Tonkotsu appeared in Dean Street after a successful run of pop-ups, Ittenbari opened in Brewer Street and Bone Daddies, opened last week all specialising in ramen. However, not all ramen is equal. Each venue seems to have their fans who are adamant that their chosen venue is the best.

In my opinion, out of all the venues I’ve been to recently, Shoryu Ramen is the one I enjoyed the most overall for a big bowl of noodles. It was good enough to make me come back the next day.

If you’re a noodle fan I highly recommend that you try them out, especially as all ramen noodles are 50% off until Fri Nov 16th.

Shoryu Ramen
Ad: 9 Regents Street, London, SW1Y 4LR (map)
Ww: www.shoryuramen.com
Tw: @shoryuramen

 

Shoyru Ramen – Approx 75% of diners were Japanese on my visit

Shoyru Ramen – Busy for a first lunch service

Shoryu Ramen – Just after first opening

Shoryu Ramen – This is the Yuzu Tokotsu (“a rich tonkotsu pork & chicken soup: topped with a blend of yuzu citrus and chilli pepper, BBQ pork, kikurage black mushrooms, nori seaweed, bean sprouts, spring onion and sesame”)

Shoyru Ramen – 6 x Tonkotsu, 2 x Miso, 1 x Shoyu

Shoyru Ramen – Bring your own alcohol from The Japan Centre

Shoryu Ramen – Chashu and Noodles

Shoyru Ramen – Genmai Tea