I love the look of this cosy ramen shop, which is why I spontaneously entered! But note there are more spaces upstairs!
I went for their cheapest option which is the 3 garlic ramen and I loved it! It was so different from what I can get back home. However I thought there could be more soup and noodles slightly harder. But beware you must love garlic.
Also tried the karaage chicken and was very crispy! Not bad. Drink options were also plentiful and interesting.
Service was friendly but slightly on the slower side.
This is the single greatest restaurant in the Brixton area. Good service, amazing noodles and the best starters in town.
Jackfruit = 10/10
Chicken feet = 10/10
Saltfish korroke = 10/10
For some people it could be a huge plate of cheesy pasta, for a certain someone it’s most likely to be a hearty beef stew, but for me it’s definitely a bowl of piping hot noodles. That, ladies and gentlemen, is my ultimate comfort food. I’m not fussy about which ones, I’ll happily wolf down thick egg noodles in a mee goreng or slurp up slippery rice noodles in a broth, it’s all the same goodness to me. Noodles are what I crave when I’m feeling a little meh or when my tummy just needs a warm food hug. You know that feeling don’t you?
Eight years ago, I had little reason to go to Brixton and I wasn’t the only one. I still recall when I first arrived in this country and people would talk about the area like it was some sort of war zone. Maybe it was ignorance or maybe it’s just a sign of the times but now you’d be luckily enough to be able to afford a house in the area such is its popularity. Buoyed by an influx of new homeowners swept up in the gentrification wave, the area has received a real shot in the arm and that is no more evident than in the food industry where places such as Market Row, Brixton Village and now Pop Brixton, have become meccas for some of the finest food south of the river. But just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Mr Tim Anderson, of Masterchef fame, then went and decided this would be the perfect location to open up his first long awaited permanent site – Nanban.
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Eight years ago, I had little reason to go to Brixton and I wasn't the only one. I still recall when I first arrived in this country and people would talk about the area like it was some sort of war zone. Maybe it was ignorance or maybe it's just a sign of the times but now you'd be luckily enough to be able to afford a house in the area such is its popularity. Buoyed by an influx of new homeowners swept up in the gentrification wave, the area has received a real shot in the arm and that is no more evident than in the food industry where places such as Market Row, Brixton Village and now Pop Brixton, have become meccas for some of the finest food south of the river. But just when you thought it couldn't get better, Mr James Atherton, of Masterchef fame, then went and decided this would be the perfect location to open up his first long awaited permanent site - Nanban.
Though his past exploits may suggest otherwise, you come here for one thing; ramen; and if you don't believe me, one look at the menu all but confirms it with all but one main being of the noodle variety. And I for one and totally ok with that, especially if they are all as good as the curry goat tsukemen where lovely slow-cooked goat is served in a deliciously fragrant curry with a side of tsukemen ramen for you to dip.
However, I poured my ramen directly into the bowl of curry and felt better off having done so as each mouthful of noodle was dripping with the curry. Heavenly to say the least.
Unfortunately being in a hurry, I didn't have time to properly work my way through the menu. Aside from all the ramen I wanted to try, the chicken karaage from my neighbouring table looked to be a winner and the Sasebo Burger sounded intriguing to say the least. Just more reasons to come back for another visit; and there will be another visit.
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It seems like a lifetime ago now, but in 2011 I spent two mad, fun-filled weeks in Japan. I loved every minute of the time I spent in this most beautiful and endlessly hospitable of countries, which I'm sure will surprise nobody who's ever been there themselves. And it will also come as no surprise that I ate many wonderful things there too, from delicate tempura to okonomiyaki, from rich ramen to takoyaki, multi-course Zen Buddhist menus and seafood banquets hung above mountain streams, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Four years ago, at the tender age of 26, Tim Anderson was the youngest winner of Masterchef; he served daring food throughout the contest, including a dish of monkfish liver with umeboshi ketchup in the final. Since then he has been busy running various pop-ups and supperclubs under the Nanban name, including a pop up at Brixton’s Market House last year. He has also written a cookbook and subsided by performing cooking demos around the world. Anderson is from Racine, Wisconsin, and moved to California for college where he took a course in Japanese food. He then spent some time teaching English in Japan, where he met and fell in love with an English woman. They moved to London in 2008, and Anderson become the manager of a craft beer bar, Euston Tap, before he entered Masterchef and embarked on a career as a cook. His first restaurant, Nanban, opened last month in a former pie and mash pub near Brixton tube, I went along in its opening week.
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I'd been looking forward to the opening of Nanban for months, it got delayed a couple of times and then finally it's here! New baby of Masterchef's Tim Anderson, Nanban has previously been a popup but has now found a permanent spot on the Brixton end of Coldharbour Lane. It's minimal inside on the ground floor, with long benches and cork-topped stools, then upstairs has multiple tables that are somehow inside old school carts, wheels still attached. It really looks great. The Miyazaki ramen was rich, salty and flavoursome, and the Japanese veg curry was delicious. A veg curry that is covered in cheese is really something I can get on board with. We also had the crab and cheese dumplings - lack of cheese flavour but the crab was good, and the saltfish and ackee fishcakes - loved the nod to Brixton. Heavy on the potato but still good, and perfectly cooked. The menu is really interesting, lots of dishes and combinations that I'd never think of, and plenty of reason to return. Service was good and it was fairly busy. I imagine upstairs gets booked up quickly. Will be back to try the rest!
It's cold, I'm feeling a little clogged up... what do I crave?! A piping hot bowl of broth filled with such delicious items as noodles with that ever so perfect 'bite', slices of pork belly or chicken, and a pickled egg with a luminously oozy yolk. Yep, bring me that bowl of ramen pronto!
And because we're also greedy, we'll also try the smoked eel and curious tripe dish - both of which were excellent, but not a patch on the ramen. We tried the Kumamoto and Miyazaki ramen and were very happy with the richness of the broth and the depth of flavour.
The service was a little shaky but it's early days and for us, it won't be the type of restaurant where we linger so does it really matter... we'll definitely be back!
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Popped into newly opened Nanban for lunch today to check out Tim Anderson's eclectic Japanese inspired menu. First impressions favourable as they have done a great job with the interior trying hard to cut back to some of the original architectural features and of course infusing with some Eastern style furnishings. On the latter point the seating downstairs is on Japanese type stools and a warning that balance on these can be tricky ... I almost toppled over within minutes of sitting down. The menu is extremely interesting and I will not dwell other than to mention I chose the Mojiko Yaki-Curry which is vegetables with Japanese curry sauce, rice and melted cheese. Although very rich it was truly delicious with the vegetables crunchy and perfectly cooked. This was accompanied by a Pressure Drop Nanban Japanese wheat IPA beer which was very refreshing. This was a quick "go-see and taste" visit and I was left wanting to try more of the offerings so will inevitably be back again soon with the other half. Looking forward to it!
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For starters we went for Prawn Karaage which are plump red Atlantic prawns, lightly floured and deep-fried - it was so good dipped in their yuzu-chilli mayo! We also had Hanetsuki gyoza which had a good amount of pork filling and such a crispy crust! For drinks we wanted to try something from their impressive selection of hot drinks! We had the Kyoto Oolong which is a rare organic oolong tea from Japan which we really liked!! We also ordered a Green Velvet Matcha but it was too bitter for us!
For mains we ordered the Yaki-Udon with mixed seafood which is stir-fried udon with Chinese leaf, carrots, and shiitake topped with fried shallots, pickled ginger, Japanese mayo and katsuobushi - loved this dish!
We also ordered the Lazy Goat Ragù-men which we both really wanted to try because of how unique it sounded and it was 6th in @timeoutlondon best dishes 2018! It is slow cooked boneless goat leg and thick noodles in a rich and spicy Indo-Caribbean curry sauce, topped with Scotch bonnet bamboo shoots, fried shallots, seafood sawdust and a tea-pickled egg. This isn’t a combination of ingredients we would think to put together but it works so well and is such an explosion of flavours!
- @eatwithlaki
Some of the best ramen we’ve had! So flavoursome, food was perfect with all the right textures. The veggie options are fab! We went last night and cannot get over how good the food was!
Be warned: the Lazy Goat ramen has intense heat! I suggest trying that one and the Kumamoto pork ramen.
Also, this restaurant has really comfortable seating which I appreciate (a lot of similar ramen places don’t). Good spot for groups.
Took us as a late booking with no fuss on a Friday night. Cocktails were excellent and the small plates were brilliant. The fried chicken was ridiculously crispy and the the angry birds were unreal. The sweet potato had ponzu butter on which was a mix of confusing and delicious. We only had room for one desert and we went for the bananamban and it was also fantastic, contrasting temperatures, texture and sweet and salt brilliantly. I would highly recommend.
Simply stunning food at Nanban on Saturday evening.
We started with some Edamame and the Chicken Karaage, followed by Lazy Goat Ragù-men (nicely spicy!) and Miyazaki Chicken Ramen.
Staff were friendly and attentive, and ordering was simple through the app.
A great selection of drinks on the menu too.
Can't recommend this place enough for fabulous, tasty, great value food with a great vibe. Thanks to Chef Tim Anderson and his crew!
The staff is friendly and helpful, the food plates were well seasoned and presented. Comfy seats too! ☺️
I have no idea how this restaurant is only 3.9* on gmaps. It is easily a 4+ star place. It has some of the best fried chicken wings I've had in London and the ramen is at the same level as Bone Daddies if not better. I had the goat ramen which was rated 3 chillies and it lived up to the label. Definitely only for people that like their spicy food. And oh so tasty. Beer selection was also interesting.
If u love ramen then u should really check this place out. Happy hour is 5 to 7 and make sure u book if u're not going to arrive early in the evening.
Pretty good southern style ramen so the broth isn’t as thick as those in the north. It has good toppings. The size is not bad and really liked the egg. The karage chicken was really good.
The crispy jackfruit were a huge hit in our group, couldn't get enough! The ramen broth was a bit thick for my liking, but overall quite tasty albeit a bit pricey.
Well priced decent quality Japanese "junk food" style along with good selection of ramen. Good classic cocktail list with 5 to 7pm happy hour.
It was nice to visit this place, the neighborhood is at the weekend a big place to party, alot of people in the pubs,.... taxi's aren't so easy to find around, it took a while.
I'd advise to book your places, cause it's a popular place to eat.
The food was delicious and the prices are good. They have some fancy cocktails to try and some good fingerfood.
The staff was very helpful and friendly, maybe a less interaction with the tables but it was overall ok. I recommend this place.
If you stay at central London it's quite a long ride to Nanban, because it's in Brixton. I suggest to take a taxi.
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