LAUNCH PARTY Review: Shoryu Ramen, Denman Street, Soho

Shoryu Soho
3 Denman Street, Soho, London, W1D 7HA (map)

One of London’s new wave of ramen noodle specialists has formally opened its second fully fledged ramen noodle shop in Denman Street, Soho. Shoryu Soho held a spectacular launch party on 11th July to show off the restaurant and their new saké bar with a sizable selection of japanese spirits.

Shoryu Soho Launch Party – Shoryu Soho now open

Shoryu Ramen first opened their ramen noodle shop in Regents Street in Nov 2012 to huge interest from london food fans. After my first look review of their first site in Lower Regents Street I wrote an FAQs to answer the surprising number of questions I received!

This venue from Shoryu Ramen has actually been open for a few months now but in the form of a smaller “pop-up”. A smart move, as the original Shoryu in Regents Street became so popular that it was frequently subject to queues at peak times. The ‘re-opening’ has more than doubled the size of the venue to include an impressively sized saké bar, almost as large as the main dining area.

Shoryu Soho Launch Party – Lychee Prosecco Drinks

Their Geisha Fizz Cocktails (Gekkeikan saké and fresh lychee topped with prosecco) were served up to a packed crowd of Japanese, journalists, bloggers, and lots of well wishers. A tasting menu was supplied featuring two raman noodle dishes and a hirata bun, each dished paired with saké, and finished with a selection of Japanese ice cream.

The ramen needs no introduction as much has been written about it. Shoryu is often cited as one of the better (if not the best) ramen in London. Amongst popular Soho competition from Bone Daddies and Tonkotsu (both nearby), ramen can be the source of heated debates as each restaurant has die-hard fans!

Shoryu Soho Launch Party – Ganso Tonkotsu Ramen

Hirata buns are relatively new to Londoners. Interestingly enough they could be the “next big thing”. Anyone who has visited KERB or StreetFeast will have seen the huge clamour for these little fluffy buns from award winning Yum Bun” and most recently “Bao“. All eyes will be on Shoryu‘s biggest competitor Bone Daddies, when they open their new Hirata Bun venue, Flesh & Buns, in Covent Garden in a few weeks!

The ramen noodles are good as usual, the first one was paired with saké containing gold leaf from the Kagami Biraki ceremony where a ceremonial saké cask was smashed open with a hammer for good fortune!

Shoryu Ganso Tonkotsu Ramen
“Our signature ramen, original hosomen noodles in a tonkotsu & miso broth with bbq pork, nitamago egg, kikurage mushrooms, beapsprouts, spring onion, sesame, ginger, nori, mayu (caramelised black garlic oil) & spinach”

Karaka Tantan Tonkotsu Ramen
“Original hosomen noodles in a rich tonkotsu pork broth with a twist, rich and spicy fried minced pork in white miso & garlic with added nitamago egg, kikurage mushrooms, beansprouts, spring onion, ginger, nori, mayu (caramelised black garlic oil), garlic & chiu chow chilli oil”

Shoryu Soho Launch Party – Saké’s answer to ‘Goldschläger’

Both were quite rich, personally I prefered the more ‘clean’ Ganso Tonkotsu to the Tantan version which uses minced pork. Eavesdropping on the nearby diners around me, it appeared that both had their fans and it was difficult gauge whether one was more popular than the other! However, I didn’t hear anything other than praise for the noodles I would take this as a positive sign.

I do love my alcoholic spirits but I must admit that my knowledge of sake is nearly non-existent. However, I do love my whisky and recognised the Japanese brands at the end of the bar. I did spy a Hibiki 17 and a Yamazaki which are both excellent drams, regardless of origin.

If you like ramen noodle but haven’t tried Shoryu this is the perfect time to visit. Until Fri 19th July they are offering all ramen for £5 all day in Shoryu Soho (Denman Street) to celebrate their opening. Visit and then you can join the masses arguing about which one is best!

“Our soft launch runs from 5th July, with our full launch on 13th. Make use of our Feast For A 5iver offer for 2 weeks ending 19th July. Shoryu Soho will offer ramen, izakaya and a dedicated sake bar.”

Source: www.shoryuramen.com