Ramen Boom in London

Ramen by Kanada-ya London

In the past few years, there has been a ramen boom in London and several ramen bars have opened.  Recently, two Japanese ramen chains, Ippudo and Kanada-ya, have both opened restaurants in central London. These chains originate in Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu island in southern Japan, a city which is famous for ramen. In Japan, ramen can be roughly categorised three groups depending on what kind of soup they use: Tonkotsu, Shoyu and Miso. Both Kanada-ya and Ippudo specialise in Tonkotsu ramen, which is made using pig bone soup stock. Tonkotsu (豚骨) literally means “pig bones”. This kind of stock has a rich milky taste.

The London branch of Kanada-ya opened in September 2014 and Ippudo in October 2014, directly across the street from Kanada-ya. Despite the competition, both seem to be doing well. There are often queues outside both restaurants. The ramen at both restaurants is made by English chefs who studied how to make ramen in Japan. I asked a Londoner who has been to both Ippudo and Kanada-ya why ramen has become popular in London. He said that he thinks it’s because people in London are always looking to try new types of food and ramen is very different from traditional European food. In addition, ramen restaurants in London are relatively cheap, so it’s a food that people can try without spending too much money.

Kaneda-ya London

Ippudo London

Ippudo in Ebisu, Tokyo

steamed rice with mentaiko

Japan,Ippudo ramen is available as a cup noodle at Seven Eleven Convenience Stores for 258 yen.