I was excited to try Shoryu, as I had yet to find a place in the UK that makes ramen as good as in Japan. I had high hopes for Shoryu Ramen Manchester, as they have several restaurants across the UK with their own unique design. So, when I read about the background and their commitment to sticking to their traditional hometown flavour, it got me more curious.
The restaurant I went to is in Piccadilly Square, Manchester. Although my local friends didn’t know there was a ramen restaurant there, we saw many positive reviews online. I imagine this restaurant has gained popularity from people reading these reviews or word of mouth.
Shoryu Ramen – Giving you a tone of Japan
Once inside, you can get away from the hussle and bussle of the city into a bright and airy space. I was immediately welcomed by a greeting “Irashaimase” (Welcome) from the friendly staff. Then a bang on the taiko (Japanese drum) which sets the tone of the experience you are about to have. Looking at the interior of the restaurant, I liked the simple look and casual table layout. It is comfortable enough and it was nice to see they had an open kitchen which is common in ramen shops in Japan.
The menu was very easy to follow and laminated so no wasted paper! I hate restaurant that uses paper menus which end up in the bin once you ordered. I went for the signature ramen – Shoryu Ganso Tonkotsu with a side of gyoza and my boyfriend ordered the Kotteri Hakata Tonkotsu with Takoyaki. We also wanted to try some of their Umeshu (Plum wine) and Sake, which was a nice treat. The Sake was easy to drink and went nicely with the meal. Although, I later found out, that they also do original cocktails. I will need to try this next time!
When my ramen came, I was excited to tuck in as it had been a long time since I’ve eaten a good bowl of ramen. The Shoryu ramen didn’t disappoint. I especially liked the noodles which had a nice firm texture and eggy flavour to balance itself with the soup. You can tell they are homemade, and it was cooked to perfection! The soup was creamy, delicate, and you keep wanting more. I would have liked it a bit saltier, so maybe I should have gone for the Kotteri Hakata Tonkotsu which is meant to be richer. The gyozas were crispy on top and a good size. The Takoyaki could have had a bit more tako (octopus) in it but I understand it’s not to everyone’s taste.
Overall, I was very happy we went to Shoryu and got to experience their authentic ramen which lived up to my expectations. The staff were also very attentive and left a great impression. I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking for an authentic Japanese culinary experience. It will be nice to see more restaurants in the North area of UK with a true spirit of Japan. Looking forward to try their special Japanese cocktails and pioneering buns next time.
