I had Ramen for the first time at Tonkotsu. I was recommended to try the Tokyo Ramen it was so delicious. The quantity was good enough for two people. Ambience is excellent.
Good food, quick service, and reasonable prices. The Tonkotsu ramen was loaded with pork and tasted especially good on a cold December day. I'm glad I gave it a try.
Really chic and cozy place in Soho for ramen.prices are affordable.large quantities.crowded.seating arrangements are limited.delicious ramen and served hot on a cold day .
We enjoyed our visit to Tonkotsu for lunch this week. It had a good atmosphere, varied menu and executed the ramen we ordered well. We both had gyoza to start which were well made but a little ungenerous at just 3 per portion . The signature tonkotsu ramen was delicious with 18 hour skow cooked pork and a perfect soft boiled egg; the chicken ramen also had a very savoury, rich broth and generous amounts of shredded chicken. On the whole the service was great, food solid and atmosphere buzzy. We'll be back.
I had been meaning to check out the neighbouring Tonkotsu a little while now. Savoury broths and house-made noodles – yes please. I was having a heavy day at work, so a retreat at a chill noodle house sounded perfect. Tonkotsu takes its noodles seriously and it shows. The noodles have a great level of bite, with the perfect wheat taste. It all comes together to make for an authentic tonkotsu experience in London. My order was for the classic Tonkotsu Ramen, made up with a 16-hour pork broth which has a sea salt and lardo base. It’s topped with bamboo shoots, spring onion, egg, roast pork belly and burnt garlic oil. The tables also have fresh ginger and mincers so you can pop that right into the bowl. I got the large size which I’d recommend, it may have been too small otherwise. And again, I was more than happy with this bowl – great flavours, satisfying and a nice little afternoon reprieve from dreary office life.
So the ramen was good. I had the tonkotsu ramen and though for the most part I enjoyed it the broth was a little thin for me. What was really good though was the gyoza which was advertised on the menu as being freshly made and it tasted like it. It was cooked perfectly and practically dripping with juices when you bite into it.
Trying to get a table somewhere in Soho without a reservation is a nightmare, especially if you're not willing to queue! We finally ended up at Tonkotsu, and boy were we glad we didn't wait an hour for somewhere else. Service was quick, perfect for two hungry people. The pork gyoza was alright, not outstanding, but the salt and pepper squid and tenderstem broccoli were fantastic. Shared a tonkotsu ramen and the creamy broth was everything we wanted and more. The noodles were perfect with a bit of bite, and clearly handmade. Creamy eggs and succulent pork belly on top, we were very happy. And all that for £30 for two people (though we do like sharing)!
MMMM, almost enough to make me betray my beloved Kanada-Ya, but not quite. Almost, though. Maybe at this point it's just become a psychological thing, because my taste buds aren't well-trained enough to say the precise difference between the two. Menu is also pretty small, which I've grown to realize is a sign of quality: you need to be pretty confident in your food to offer such little variety.
Tonkotsu broth is nice and creamy without feeling oily or heavy. The haddock ramen seemed interesting, but I wanted to go the safe route the last time I went so I just ate the original. Would definitely go back to try the haddock, though. Staff is really attentive and food comes quick, but then again it's ramen. Anything other than fast serving times would be blasphemous.
After traipsing around Soho looking for somewhere delicious but without a queue and not too expensive (I know, good luck on the queue thing) we stumbled onto Tonkotsu just as the herd in front of us were seated and out of the way, leaving a perfect little spot for 2 about halfway back into the long, skinny room. I love Bone Daddies and Shoryu and have a huge soft spot for a bit of ramen. I went for a Soho Ramen with a martini, and Ian had a Tonkotsu with a Louis CK - so called because you supposedly laugh out loud when you drink it! Not sure about that but it was a very nice way to drink tequila. The Soho ramen had a lovely soft piece of smoked haddock on top and the smokey flavour went through the chicken broth. Perfect ramen egg and springy handmade noodles made it one to definitely order again. The tonkonsu was rich and creamy as it should be, ands with a dash of the chilli oil was spectacular.
Delicious and just hits the spot! Tonkotsu ramen is pretty good, not the best in London but convenient enough with a few branches to have a feed!!
Awesome little spot in Soho, small but cozy. It's not fancy, but that sort of feels exactly as it should. 16 hour pork broth + handmade noodles = one very happy Cassie. I've always got a soft spot for a good ramen, and Tonkotsu doesn't disappoint. That said, the rest of the menu doesn't quite live up to their soup. Skip the appetisers and cocktails and stick with wine (or sake!) and soup and you'll be good to go.
I took What The Cook to Tonkotsu one Friday evening for ramen and was seated straight away. I had heard there may be queues but luckily we got in just in the nick of time, as the queuing started as we left. I was starving, to put it lightly, so we went for sides - tofu and salt and pepper squid. The Hiya Yakko Tofu was simply served fresh and cold, with a light dressing - the chilli oil wasn't too overbearing either. It was possibly on the tad expensive side at £4 for a block of tofu that had a few spring onions laid on top but 'when in Rome', as they say.
The food here never fails to satisfy me; I always leave with a nice warmth in my stomach and a smile on my face. I’ve been back to try all their different broths and I’ve come to the conclusion I can’t simply have one favourite! They also offer a vegetarian ramen which is perfect for my vegetarian boyfriend as it is usually difficult to find vegetarian ramen broths. The staff are knowledgeable and the service is quick. Perfect for a pre theatre dinner.
The place is very dingy but extremely cosy. Would've preferred if I didn't have to share a table with other customers. My first go at proper Japanese food. The menu doesn't have too many options. Had the ramen which was okay although a little bland. The prawn gyoza was brilliant though! Portions are pretty good and pricing is reasonable.
Great cold ramen with shrimps and crab meat. Very kind waiters and nice interior. I like the furniture like from old school. Sitting close to other guests creates familiar atmosphere.
Ressalvo já que a pontuação seria mais elevada se o serviço fosse tão caloroso como as "sopinhas" maravilhosas que aqui se servem e são a especialidade da casa, pelo que pude perceber. Tratam-se de um caldo aromático e acastanhado, preenchido (no caso do Ramen Tokyo) por, entre outros, fatias de barriga de porco, rebentos de bambu e um ovo com aparência de cozido, mas que, na verdade, tinha a textura na boca de escalfado.
Favoritos tornaram-se, também, de imediato as bolinhas de caranguejo, repletas da personalidade da criatura; gostei igualmente dos bróculos (com aquela cozedura que se encontra sempre tão perfeita na cozinha asiática) com a maionese, pese embora não seja fã habitual deste vegetal.
Em face de tais personagens poderosas, as gyozas apresentaram-se "banais" (sendo este adjectivo relativo, por só poder ser usado quando em comparação com os demais pratos, aqui comidos).
Uma vez no Soho não deixem de aqui vir. Excelente relação preço/qualidade.
A nice little ramen place. The broth which we know is the key to a good ramen is adequate - slightly under seasoned for my taste but others may like it. The noodle themselves are excellent, bouncy on the teeth and to the point. Nice egg (can't go wrong here... Usually) and pork which are good addition.
Quite quaint and a better offering than its counterpart shoryu in my opinion. Would like to try their other offering someday.
Oh my gosh the broth is soooo rich! Oh my gosh I think I'm in love! Although mid way through I wondered whether this Tonkotsu ramen is good for my waist line. You'll be glad to hear the portions are generous and you get more succulent pork belly than at other ramen establishments.
Space is tight but I think it's worth it to get a some of that ramen!
Hayley Louise Lopez Martin
+5
Without a doubt, the best ramen in London - the Tonkotsu Ramen is a delicious kind of creamy goodness, so good you don't end up eating the tasty bits and leaving a giant bowl of wasted soup. The egg is particularly amazing, definitely try it. No watery ramens here. Plus, they hand make all their noodles fresh, daily.
Exceptional place for authentic ramen. Sucha a comfort food
Small menu - solid quality. We found the food represents a good standard, but is not overwhelming or very good. Menu is very small and prices are ok.
The gyoza did all stick to each other and you needed to destroy them in order to eat them.
It's reasonable, but not worth an extra mile...
Tonkotsu is one of the many delicious ramen bars in Soho. I went there at noon on a Saturday, so we were the first to arrive. I got comfortable and put my jacket on the chair next to me, and my bag on another, but quickly realised that wouldn’t work. Within 15 minutes all the seats around us were taken. So although there are many ramen restaurants in the area, there’s enough of a market for them, because they’re all usually packed. I had the pork gyozas to start. The texture of these gyozas was absolutely amazing; soft and juicy on one side, and deliciously crips on the other. Among the best gyozas I’ve ever had. When looking over the menu of several pork and chicken stock noodles soups, I decided to order the Shimeji, Shiitake & Miso dish. This is the only vegetarian option, and I have to say I regretted choosing it. I got a case of food-envy when I tasted my friend’s Tokyo Ramen with soy-marinated pork belly. My vegetable-based stock just didn’t have the same intensity
Ramen makes up a large part of the Japanese offering when it comes to their excellent cuisine (one of my favourites in the world). It is comprised of a life-giving and deeply flavoursome stock, noodles, a ‘base’ (a concentrated liquor of soy, miso or salt) and toppings. Tonkotsu make no bones (pun intended) about the quality of their stock and the effort they put into making it. The website reveals: ‘Our restaurant Tonkotsu is named after the lip-smacking, creamy ramen typical in Kyushu, Japan’s southern-most island, but found all over Japan. Tonkotsu ramen’s smooth, silky consistency is created by cooking pork bones for up to 18 hours, which allows collagen and other porky goodness to be emulsified into the stock.’ More of all of that please.
I must admit I prefer the ramen I had today as the last one (The ' Smoky London': smoked haddock, spinach, duck egg), probably because I am not use to eat a lot of fish, but both ramen were delicious.
Prawn gyoza were good but nothing comparable to Rock Lobsta gyoza.
Tonkotsu use homemade noodles and you can really taste the difference compare to other restaurants.
You can see Tonkotsu menu HERE
As well as the name of the restaurant, tonkotsu is also a type of ramen and literally means ‘pork bone.’ London has a real...
Tonkotsu has been around for a while now and is a firm blogger favourite. They serve ramen – big steaming bowls of it. The menu is wonderfully simple – one of three kinds with a few sides and extras (get the pork gyoza as a starter). They also serve an excellent selection of local beers, Kernel and Camden breweries being well represented. The staff are friendly and the ‘no booking’ policy seems to work great, turning up on a Thursday evening we were seated immediately.
...with its huge vats of home-made elixir, waiting for me as I walked in the entrance. I'm a massive fan of the no-booking policy in some restaurants and although it can lead to ridiculous queues (bubbledogs, Meatliquor) it means that instead of having to think ahead about what we might want to eat a week on Tuesday, we can have what we want at that moment (as lo
Gingle Lists Everything
+4.5
I have never tasted anything that tastes so porky, other than pork, in my life. It was a like a gustatory illusion – you get all of the taste that something your mind and tongue expect to be fleshy meat, yet the texture is completely wrong. Your brain finds it hard to compute. It's almost like something the modern real-life Willy Wonka - Heston Blumenthal - would conjure up. I definitely had a case of food envy when I’d had a mouthful of that - the tonkotsu a sea-salt based broth flavoured with pork bones with a mildly disconcerting appearance, looking a little milky, not clear like I am used to from pho, for example.
Samphire And Salsify
+4.5
The pork belly slices were insanely tender and full of porky loveliness – the fat was so soft it melted in my mouth. The yolk of the soft boiled egg...
And then the egg! Imbued with the flavours of the stock it was a revelation; the semi-runny yolk like a flavoursome jewel - the most precious thing ever held between chopsticks
I was in the market for noodles. I’d had a ramen epiphany earlier in the week, and I just had to go back and try again. And please don’t tell me that you have been to Wagamama and don’t like their big soup-bowl noodles. I’m with you. Neither do I. There are a few similarities between that and this. Noodles, stock, meat. That’s it. Even though I was desperate to revisit Bone Daddies, I try not to go to the same restaurant twice in a week (yes, I do know how that sounds, but I am that woman) I thought I would give Tonkotsu a go. I walked in to Peggy Lee singing, “Is that all there is” which is fairly spot on as a description of the menu. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying¹. I mean there are a few extras, like gyoza, but to go on about them would be missing the point. Because it’s all about the ramen.
I once said ‘this is the best ramen in London’ at Tsuru Ramen ’s tasting event. The creamy white stock made from pork bones cooked for 18 hours, the gooey egg with the perfect soy saltiness is achieved by marinating overnight and the slices of extra tender pork belly had to be cooked for over 3 hours. It’s not a hard science to cook ramen but it does require time and patience. The result is heaven in a bowl and something I crave from Japan all the time. The slurping, the extremely satisfying sigh and how something so everyday can be that delicious. An oriental person can always tell if a traditional Japanese restaurant is opened by Chinese, Japanese or westerners. The Chinese ones always have Chinese waiters with lots of set menus and their way of decorations. The Japanese ones have that special warmth, like being welcomed to a family living room. The service is always superb and the style is always relaxed and homie (e.g. Ten T
Tonkotsu was my favourite tonkotsu ramen restaurant once, but I’m sorry to say that reports of its decline are true.
Tonkotsu Ramen Soho – eating my way through London’s latest food craze! Ramen is warming comfort food, perfect for chilly weather and brought to the UK from Japan where there are over 3000 Ramen bars! After the Second World War, the popularity of Chinese noodle dishes in Japan increased and according to Wikipedia , from the 1980s, Ramen became a ‘Japanese cultural icon’ and a Ramen museum was opened in Yokahama in 1994. There’s even a cult film, Tampopo. Now my first taste of Ramen was at Bone Daddies in Soho. And, although (or perhaps because) I loved my lunch there, I wanted to check out the competition. So on one of the coldest days of the year so far, I trekked across Central London from Holborn to Soho, to make my way to Tonkotsu Ramen. I very carefully ordered a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, their signature dish, and some tea in some attempt to be healthy. The waitress disappeared and returned a few minutes later to very apologetically tell me that the tea machine hadn’t warmed u
Compared to Koya, I prefer Tonkotsu. Partly because I prefer ramen to soba, but also I felt this meal was more accomplished and satisfying. Definitely a personal preference as opposed to quality discrepancies. They encourage slurping here, like the authentic noodle bars in Japan where men makes ridiculously noises sucking up the ramen. I couldn't quite bring myself to do it. But it's a nice effort to introduce some authenticity to the restaurant.
The Food Connoisseur
+4.5
Tokyo Ramen was very impressive. A deep soy based soup of a reddish brown hue. Loaded with medium thick bouncy noodles
The other day I was in Soho trying to get into Koya, but after failing to get a table and a bit of wandering around the area I bump into Tonkotsu . I’m almost sure that I read about the place in Hanna's Swedish Meatballs these days Nordinary. Their speciality a pork bone broth type of ramen. Petite place in Soho, same owners of Tsuru , no reservations, communal tables, a strong aromas as soon as you get inside the place
Japanese noodles have finally arrived in London. Apart from the established and highly praised Koya which opened a couple of years ago and serves home-made udon (their walnut miso udon has made it on the top 100 dishes in London list ) , two new ramen bars were launched in the last few months. There is Ittenbari in Brewer Street, which was brought to London by the Japanese owner of a ramen bar in Osaka, and now also Tonkotsu . Behind Tonkotsu are the guys that are responsible for Tsuru , a small chain of excellent and cheap London sushi bars that also do great chicken katsu. In case you are not familiar with different Japanese noodles: udon noodles are soft and thick white wheat noodles while ramen noodles are slim and chewy. I am a big fan of both, although I might slightly prefer udon in the end if given the choice. If you have ever been to Japan and visited a noodle bar there, you will have experienced the slurping. Jap
There are many places that serve ramen in London, but very few serve tonkotsu ramen (è±éª¨ã©ã¼ã¡ã³). So in this post I'm going to check out this most iconic of Japanese soup noodle dishes in a slightly nerdy head-to-head comparison between rival restaurants, Cocoro and Tonkotsu Bar & Ramen . Round 1: The Broth The most important aspect of tonkotsu ramen (and indeed any soup noodle dish) is the broth. Tonkotsu means 'pork bones' in Japanese, and it is these that give the broth a rich, meaty flavour and a thick, cloudy quality. And in that respect the broth at Cocoro is a clear winner with a good salty and porky balance. It also looked the part, with a layer of fat and a cloudy appearance from the broken-down collagen. Cocoro's tonkotsu ramen - 1st impressions Tonkotsu's effort - 1st impressions That's not to say Tonkotsu's effort was bad. After all, it was cloudy and a bit fatty, but it just wasn't as good as Cocoro's effort. Nevertheless, I do applaud the addition of Japanese blac
It takes guts to open up a restaurant that sells just ramen. To be precise, just three types of ramen with one of which for vegetarians. Well, the menu at Tonkotsu is longer than that - three gyozas, four sides and one pudding, a grand total of eleven items on the entire menu. Whatever happens to the seat by the window these days? For Tonkotsu, instead of the customers, it's the chef hovering over pots of bubbling soup while its patrons, the lucky few of them, get to perch at the counter staring at him. Sorry people, it's ain't aura radiating from him, it's just ambient light coming from the window behind him. You know how it's like when the menu has only three mains. There'll always be one winner which is typically the most expensive of the lot, more often than not, is named after the re
If ramen's not your thing, best not go because it really is pretty much all that's on offer here, but who wouldn't love a steaming bowl of noodles with meat, half an egg and some hearty broth? Satisfying, filling and it made my face go all red and glowy!
When Tonkotsu opened, it was midsummer. Sweating over a bowl of hot noodles was the last thing I felt like doing when it was 26 degrees outside, and it was possibly for this reason I wasn't initially completely won over by the place. There was nothing exactly wrong with anything - the ramen was pleasant enough, the gyoza soft and fresh, the fried chicken (kara age) tasty and crunchy - but it seemed a shadow of the amazing stuff I'd tried in Japan (I know, I know, but it is a factor) and I wasn't desperate to return. However, more has changed since those opening weeks than the weather. Certainly the fresh autumn chill has made the prospect of a bowl of warming ramen much more enticing, but something else has happened at Tonkotsu - the product itself, based either on early feedback or simply due to a more settled kitchen, has improved noticeably. The fried chicken was more moist, the coating stronger and more satisfyingly tearable. The gyoza, while still not perfect, had a more intensely
I have tried ramen at a few really good NYC places, and then here, and I must say I was quite enamoured by it's flavours and taste. I also tried pork gyozo, which was again superlative, and topped it all off with the 12 year old Yamakazi whiskey, voted the best of 2014. Didn't find the whiskey that amazing though, but it was smooth and would love to try it again!
Although this ramen place is not an authentic Japanese place, their ramen is my favourite! The tonkotsu ramen with cloudy pork and sea salt base is to die for and the egg is amazing (had to order extra egg!!!). The Mochi ice cream is ok as that's the only dessert they have at the moment. And don't forget to try the chilli bit sauce, I love it as it's salty, spicy and fragrant.
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Tonkotsu is a compact and cosy Japanese restaurant nestled smugly in the Soho area of London. The staff are attentive and efficient and unlike many other restaurants, the servers don’t bore you with a long sales pitch and are not pushy at all to purchase certain things of the menu. The ambience itself is warm and welcoming with a modern and clean feel.
The menu at Tonkotsu is predominately Ramen based, which is a type of Japanese noodle usually served in a warm broth with other vegetables and meats. There is also the option to have ramen noodles served cold with a Japanese salad, perfect when cooling off on a warm summer’s day. The starters are more varied and include the Japanese dumpling Gyoza in either a pork or chicken variant.
At first glance, the ramen that is served on your table can look small in size. However, don’t be fooled by its looks, as the meal is surprisingly filling. I ordered the Tonkotsu, which was a ramen disn served in a beautifully flavoured broth with a large slice of meat, a boiled egg and other vegetables.
In terms of price, Tonkotsu is probably a little more on the pricey side given the portion sizes, however, given that the restaurant is located in the trendy Soho area which is within walking distance of London’s bars and night life, the price is justified.
This is a definite visit for any lover of Ramen noodles as well as those whose palates are more in favour of foods from the east. Given that the majority of the menu is ramen based, and that the consumption of ramen usually involves a lot of noodle puling and slurping, I probably wouldn’t go on a date here, however, if in the company of good friends and family, then this the place to be.
I ordered extra noodles and didn't regret it. Got the Tokyo! ????
I really loved the gyoza! It was heaven. The service was so great. The Tokyo Ramen I ordered was fantabulous too, though the ramen tasted odd. I couldn't place a taste similarity on it but they could improve on the quality of the noodles! Other than that, super satisfied. Made me miss Japanese food!
Gingle Lists Everything
+4.5
I have never tasted anything that tastes so porky, other than pork, in my life. It was a like a gustatory illusion – you get all of the taste that something your mind and tongue expect to be fleshy meat, yet the texture is completely wrong. Your brain finds it hard to compute. It's almost like something the modern real-life Willy Wonka - Heston Blumenthal - would conjure up. I definitely had a case of food envy when I’d had a mouthful of that - the tonkotsu a sea-salt based broth flavoured with pork bones with a mildly disconcerting appearance, looking a little milky, not clear like I am used to from pho, for example.
However, after getting through my Tokyo ramen, a lighter, soy sauce-based dish, I did wonder if maybe such a rich, deeply flavoured broth would be a little hard to finish. Stephen said that he felt that way as well, so perhaps my choice with pork and chicken was the better option after all.
Either way, they were both very tasty, and the meat inside was as flavoursome as you would expect of something that had imparted such flavour to its surrounding liquid. The unexpected highlight, and I can’t really believe I’m writing this, was the ‘seasoned egg’. Now, I’m a big fan of eggs, in almost any form, but they're not the sort of thing you normally get taken aback by. An egg’s an egg’s an egg. Unless it’s a seasoned egg, in which case it is amazing! They are marinated in soy overnight, which gives them a pleasingly salty taste and unusually deep flavour.
Along with your bowl of noodles you have the option of ordering more noodles (given how much you get, this seems completely unnecessary), a garlic shot (I was tempted, but we were going out drinking after and I thought I’d spare my friends the after-effects) or another half season egg. Definitely worth getting them to pop another one of these fellas into your pot.
We turned up at a little past six. I thought we’d get a seat but was a little anxious we might have to wait a while. It was surprisingly empty, considering I feel like it hasn’t been around that long. We chose two seats at the ‘bar’ which was right in front of the kitchen area.
There are only three choices – two meaty ones and one veggie, so naturally Stephen and I had one each. As I said, he had the tonkotsu, for which the restaurant is named and I had what was called Tokyo Ramen. We were hoping that one of them was going to be the spicy one we had read about but I guess the menu changes every now and again. The noodles were the thin kind, which I like, and were topped with big slices of fatty, ever so delicious, pork belly. Pork belly is always good but this seemed to be extrarich in flavour, perhaps soaking up some of the meatiness from the very broth it was sitting in. Highly satisfying.
They’re a little on the pricey side for noodles - a bowl of pho down the road at Nam will only set you back £6.50 whereas these are £11 and £9 respectively - but I don’t mind paying £15 for my dinner, especially when that includes an alcoholic beverage. They serve quite a good selection of beers – Stephen went for the 8-ball, loving snooker as he does, and I had a glass of rose wine. It was actually a very nice rose, not at all too sweet and better than the one I then had in the pub later.
You can probably take your time over a meal here, as they have starters and sides and seem happy enough for you to order more but we just wanted something hot, tasty and filling before our night’s revelry and Tonkotsu met all three criteria. They do gyoza and something called Kara age chicken which sounded very nice (garlic and ginger - can’t go wrong) so they’re not just a one-trick pony. Although I suppose they could do these very badly, in which case they would be, but I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Our waitresses were all very friendly, even if one was slightly barmy – they seemed to be having a good time among themselves anyway!
I've been to most of the tonkotsu places - Bone Daddies, Shoryu and they're all very good, but none of them have quite the same deliciousness of egg we had here.
Miho @ Wander To Wonder
+4
To celebrate our completion of Couch to 5K (more on that in a couple of days), we couldn't think of a better treat than big, steaming bowls of noodles at Tonkotsu.
We had both been here separately once before with our friends, so we knew it would be good - this is just my first chance to blog about it!
We had a very hungry man on our hands, so we got quite a generous spread of sides to go with our ramen.
Who am I kidding, I didn't exactly hold back either.
Gyoza, Chicken Kara-age and King Prawn Katsu.
I continue to be impressed by Tonkotsu - the overall taste and quality you get is very authentic, comforting and cooked perfectly.
As for the noodles, we both went for the classic Tonkotsu Ramen (pork bone broth) -
The actual noodles are very fresh, not overcooked and soaks up the soup just as it should. Their seasoned egg is my favourite. I like to have wakame in my ramen though, which was missed!
Having tried both Bone Daddies and here, I would say that they are very different, and equally delicious. I enjoy the more laid-back, casual atmosphere of Tonkotsu more personally (BD is a little more trendy in my opinion), but I would be happy to go to either to get my ramen fix.
And let me tell you, when the craving hits, it hits hard.
http://www.wandertowonder.com/2014/04/tonkotsu.html
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We're sent to Tonkotsu by my hairdresser, of all people. He has been extolling the virtues of Soho's various noodle places, and I am led to believe that if I want my ramen authentic, there are few better places to go. And so, just half an hour later I head there - with one girlfriend, and approximately 40% less hair.
We order the same dish - that which gives the restaurant it's name. It certainly looks a little more 'authentic' than our usual spot, Bone Daddies. The pork comes in thick slices that prove hard to separate using only chopsticks. The broth is a warm and cosy affair, and earns a satisfying few minutes of slurping once the meat has gone. Much is made of the noodles, formed onsite from a slaved-over recipe. They seem so proud of it, but they are the biggest disappointment of the whole meal. Like a pizza place slavishly refusing to use any 'non-Italian' toppings, Tonkotsu's so-called 'authenticity' is a little dry, a little closed to gentle re-interpretation. But my god, have they got their seasoned eggs down.
We Love Food, It's All We Eat
+3.5
I don’t think we could have had any more appropriate ailments the night we visited Tonkotsu. I had just broken a tooth so was on soft food only and Ade had the beginning of a stinking cold.
Tonkotsu is named after the creamy ramen dish typical in Japan. The broth is created by emulsifying fat and collagen into the stock by cooking pork bones and fat for up to 18 hours over a high heat. Anything that takes that long to cook is worth trying out. I wonder if eating that collagen gives any anti-ageing benefits?
The restaurant is the little sister of our favourite local (well local to work) Tsuru where we have yet to find a better katsu curry, despite our half-baked attempt at a #katsuchallenge last year. We knew whatever Tonkotsu did it would be good. The post we wrote about Tsuru was one of our first ever, a bit embarassing to read it now.
For We Love Food's full review and more pictures go to... http://welovefood-itsallweeat.com/2012/07/25/tonkotsu-bar-and-ramen-63-dean-street-london-w1d-4qg/
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I’m not one to tempt fate from the sky-dwelling powers that be, but I think it may just about be safe to say that we are finally shrugging off the clinging cloak of winter. And by that I mean it is no longer snowing in April; about time. The daffs have picked up their drooping heads to point towards the source of the unfamiliar and hazy light from the sky, the birds are in full song and pimping out nests ready to lay, and blossom is breaking through buds on the trees. But this was not the case two weeks ago, for when this post applies. The temperature was biting and the wind was bitter, a combination of the two providing the perfect environment for very few activities other than eating ramen.
I shared my desire for a good hot slurping with Mel in the hope that she’d know of somewhere to satisfy these urges and prevent me from going into full hibernation – she always seems to know the best places to eat. And Mel of course did not disappoint – Tonkotsu in Soho had been recommended to her by her Japanese hairdresser and described as ‘excellent’. If you find natives eating in any restaurant, you know it’s going to be good.
Ramen makes up a large part of the Japanese offering when it comes to their excellent cuisine (one of my favourites in the world). It is comprised of a life-giving and deeply flavoursome stock, noodles, a ‘base’ (a concentrated liquor of soy, miso or salt) and toppings. Tonkotsu make no bones (pun intended) about the quality of their stock and the effort they put into making it. The website reveals: ‘Our restaurant Tonkotsu is named after the lip-smacking, creamy ramen typical in Kyushu, Japan’s southern-most island, but found all over Japan. Tonkotsu ramen’s smooth, silky consistency is created by cooking pork bones for up to 18 hours, which allows collagen and other porky goodness to be emulsified into the stock.’ More of all of that please.
The result is a milky and life affirming bowl of liquid providing the perfect medium for their incredible homemade noodles to swim about in and compete for centre stage. There’s a great bit of insight plastered on the wall inside the restaurant, about how a noodle machine was shipped all the way from Japan for Tonkotsu to make theirs fresh each day, and how some of the front wall had to be demolished in order to get it through the door. A small amount of destruction a fair exchange for the promise of daily and impeccable fresh noodles, I think.
After an eventually successful but overly drawn out attempt to realise a misguided vision of trying to park in what seemed to be an entirely ‘parking suspended’ Soho (who knows what I was thinking) and joining Mel and Lea at the table half an hour late, I was more than ready to hang my head over a steaming bowl of nectar to ease away the aches and pains of a cold day in the office, also after having to leave my car on the other side of Soho and brave the arctic elements to reach this well-deserved broth. The restaurant does not take bookings and when Lea and Mel arrived (18.30), there was a short queue they had to wait in before being seated. By the time I arrived (19.00) the queue had disappeared and fortunately, there was space available next to my already seated friends. Even if there wasn’t I would have happily sat on my own as the anticipation to eat all of the ramen was almost overwhelming by this stage.
Mel and Lea’s batteries had almost reached full power by the time I joined, having made good headway with their bowls of bounty. I speedily ordered without much thought as I just wanted something in front of me as soon as possible – ‘I’ll have what Mel’s having’ which turned out to be the Soho Ramen (£11) – a salt base, pork and chicken stock with medium think noodles topped with smoked haddock, pak choi, half an egg, menma (fermented bamboo shoots) and spring onions. After having previously read that the gyoza dumplings were made by hand on the premises fresh each day, leaving without sampling these in addition was not an option – a portion of pork gyozas too please.
Both dishes arrived swiftly and there was no person in Soho happier than I at the moment they were presented to me (possibly exclude those involved in any ‘happy-ending’ massages). The dumplings were wonderful – fat, slippery, savoury, fresh, flavoursome and like some sort of magical Siamese quintuplet, joined at the base by a crisp layer of casing that had melted and merged when they hit the hot pan. The ramen was served with a large flat wooden spoon and chopsticks – a combination of both tools allowing for maximum slurping opportunity. The portion was generous and the flavours able to elevate even the most melancholy of souls – deep and warming and meaty and completely wonderful with still crunchy greens floating on the surface.
After having placed my order in haste, I realised it was likely I would have preferred what Lea had chosen , the Tonkotsu Ramen (£11) where the choice of meat was pork belly. My bowl instead contained smoked haddock and while I was expecting a lack of meaty flavour, I was thankfully proved entirely wrong. All of the ramens on offer also contain half a soft boiled egg – this was almost my most favourite thing in the bowl. I believe they were marinated and were just so savoury. Few things go better with eggs than salt.
With a large bowl of broth, a pot of green tea and also water being consumed over the course of the meal, top buttons were discretely undone and my belly was swishing about with all of the fabulous liquid it had devoured. To wrap up the meal we each ordered a pretty trio of ice cream encased in a layer of mochi (glutinous rice). This lends to an almost rubbery outer texture with ice cream within and is certainly a novel dessert for me and quite fun to eat. The flavours if I recall correctly were black sesame, green tea and a third I can’t remember.
When next in town, be sure to pay this place a visit. If it’s a wet, cold or miserable day (often more likely than not), then all the better for it. There’s nothing like a quality ramen to help banish any lingering winter blues.
Liked lots - the outstanding egg; ramen broth; noodles; dumplings; location
Liked less - may need to wait for a table
Good for - catch-ups with friends; solitary meals; kicking out a cold; warming the cockles
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Rubbish ramen is not new to Melbourne: this dish of thin wheat noodles in broth is a staple at Wagamama, for instance. (Hell, it's also what a Pot Noodle is, essentially.)
But in London several restaurants have popped up here recently that are dedicated to it.
In Japan, the perfect end to a boozy night out is a steaming bowl of noodle soup full of slices of roast pork, marinated soft-boiled eggs, beansprouts and spring onions. It might sound healthy, but it ain't - most ramen contains a hefty shot of animal fat.
This noodle dish's status as the Japanese version of a greasy, late-night kebab isn't lost on Tonkotsu's chefs. The ramen at this new stall is big and bad, but in the best way possible.
Owing as much to New York's current ramen craze as it does to Japan, Tonkotsu exudes machismo - echoing the Big Apple's noodle soup trend. A good ramen has three key components: a well flavoured broth, bouncy noodles and interesting toppings.
Tonkotsu, a variety of ramen made with long-simmered bone broth (20 hours in this case), had a flavour so intense it was reminiscent of a Sunday roast, and marbled with lip-smacking pork fat. Testament to this soup's Chinese - not Japanese - roots, Tonkotsu also serves Tokyo Spicy - soy-sauce pork and chicken stock topped with pulled chilli pork.
The flavours are big and bold; the dining room tightly packed; the staff are friendly - Tonkotsu is a whole lot of fun as long as you don't mind a short wait for your rightful spot at the table of ramen.
This was a discovery to say the least. After a big shopping day on Ox Circus you need this food to unwind. The menu is simple. Only 3 main courses- Chicken/Pork and Veg ramens. Which makes choosing a lot easier.
Go for their USP Tonkotsu Pork Ramen - the broth is heavy and whitish which what it is all about! Very very tasty broth- I could just have that all day!!
The Tofu as started was brilliant- never have we had a lighter textured Tofu which was melt in mouth- definitely a treat.
All in all, the broth is to die for (no wonder it take 8 hours to make and a 100 Litre vat to boil it in!) and the food is very hearty.!!
YUMM
So there can be a queue to get in. We wait for for about 30 mins or so to get in which wasn't too bad. Once we got it, our table got set in bits and bobs. We didn't even get the menus for a good while. However after that the service was good. Luckily the food here is really nice with the prawn starter being a moreish dish and the pork ramen was really flavourful and rich. The pork itself was tender and delicious with a little bit of crackling still on which added a nice crunch.
I would consider coming back to have more ramen.
The best ramen I’ve ever had in London! Always the most delicious food and fantastic service, every time we go it’s always amazing.
Baiju Khanchandani Chiropratica SBT
+4
Great Soho location. Not a busy road and weather was clement so we sat outside. Table and chairs were tiny but functional. Menu has the main feature of Ramen recipes but there is a dry Ramen too and plenty of other stuff. The staff are helpful and know the menu and food well. Seating is probably more comfy inside. Kitchen and cooks in view !!
Eccellent place to pass by and eat without necessarily booking on an early June Saturday at lunch. Have saved the place in my maps and address book.
I had been to various Tonkotsu around in London. This one. Is my 1st time, me & my husband went today - 18/7/2023 - Tuesday. I am very pleased and satisfied with the friendly, warm welcoming service. The happy, smiling chef and their attentiveness. I will definitely 💯% come back to this branch. Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Visited Tonkotsu in Dean Street, Soho for a Raman dinner. Friendly staff and a nice setting with seating options both inside and outside. Started with the Pork Gyoza (£6.45) and the Prawn Gyoza (£6.75), you get 5 pieces of each on a serving, and both were good. I then had the Tonkotsu Raman with Pork Belly (£13.50) which was delicious with a rich creamy pork broth. I added some of the scotch bonnet chilli mash to spice things up a bit and it was hot, but perfect for my taste buds. All in all a nice Raman experience in Soho. A discretionary service charge of 12.5% is automatically added to the bill, so take care not to tip twice!
Wanted ramen, and coming from japan, this place was really good. From the egg to the noodles and additional condiments. Something that could be said, however, is that maybe the broth could be deepened by a more flavorful dashi or base. Overall, would definitely recommend!
Nice restaurant in Soho, Ldn🇬🇧
We tried the ramen and the gyozas, the food was tasty, you get to choose your portions. Although we had to wait a bit of time to get our order, it is definitely worth the wait.
Lovely Japanese restaurant in the middle of Soho. We visited here because of it being recommended in an article about Japanese food online.
We weren’t disappointed. We had to wait for about ten minutes to get a table (on a Saturday night during Easter, so totally fine).
The staff was exceptionally nice and the food was great. I’d totally recommend eating here!
The karaage was very nice! Didn't have a typical 'karaage' coating, but flavourful and juicy. Tonkotsu was very meh creamy but almost 'superficial' in taste? The waitress who served us upstairs (short blonde hair) was super helpful and lovely! Also thoroughly enjoyed their chilo oil, it's perfect for those who aren't spice-tolerant haha
We had the Gyoza and Chicken Kara-Age. The Gyoza was lovely but not exceptional. The Chicken Kara-Age however was amazing. The hint of ginger elevated it.
As for the signature Tonkotsu, it was disappointing. Whilst it was creamery and tasty. It was a little too salty but lacked the umami flavour which makes a Tonkotsu a Tonkotsu.
A good Tonkotsu should taste sinful! This just didn't have it.
Whilst it is not a bad bowl of Tonkotsu, it could really be better.
Good place for ramen! Noodles were fresh and tasty. Cauliflower wings were especially delicious. The vegetarian options including the mushroom ramen and the chilli tofu ramen are tasty so I would recommend! Lunch time deal was good for the price also
Chicken katsu curry and boneless fried chicken, super yummy! The service was 5*, the lady who manages the restaurant is great. Also offered me a free birthday ice cream! Will be back
Oksana was very educated on the story behind the “if you don’t make your own noodles, you’re just a soup shop” quote and how it’s in the restaurants all over. She was very welcoming, funny and made sure to look after us! Very fast at getting me and my cousin the Kakugiri Ramen! She provided a service that makes me want to return just cause she had great conversation. Give her a raise! 🙌
A great Japanese ramen place in Soho, with good gyoza and draft beer from Kirin.
The egg and noodle in ramen is perfectly cooked and seasoned.
This place will meet the expectation you have for a great Japanese ramen, especially, if you must have a cold Japanese draft beer with the think broth with plenty of taste.
It is kids friendly with lovely kid's bento and drink.
Staffs are very kind.
Nice ramen restaurant in Soho. Noodle soups are great but the food is rather fushion than traditional Japanese. Ambience and atmosphere are nice though, service is great too!
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