Shoryu Ramen: A Taste of Japanese Cuisine brought to Manchester

Abi White | 2nd May 2017

We got our chopstick skills to the ready when Shoryu Ramen in Manchester invited us over to try their signature ramen and Japanese culture…

 

Arriving in Picadilly Gardens in late 2016, Shoryu Ramen opened its first restaurant outside of London in Manchester. As part of attempts to improve Picadilly Gardens, Shoryu Ramen is sandwiched in-between many popular chain restaurants such as Pizza Express, Byron Burgers and Nandos, but how does it fair against its competition?

 

photo: Carl Sukonik

At first glance when considering it’s positioning and neighbouring chains, you would almost think the restaurant was a chain too. However, the surrounding chain restaurants prove no issues for the business. It’s 7pm on a Friday night, and the 50-seater restaurant is brimming with customers all neatly packed in to indulge in Japanese cuisine.

 

For first time visitors, the welcoming staff ensure that the unfamiliar menu is explained in great detail- giving customers a better understanding of what is on offer. The menu also features a glossary on the back page that explains all of the Japanese terms, which proves to be extremely handy.

 

We decided to opt for the restaurant’s signature dish- Shoryu Ganso Tonkotsu. The rich 12-hour pork broth ramen is served with char siu barbeque pork belly, nitamago egg, kikurage mushrooms, spring onion, sesame, ginger and nori seaweed all presented in one large bowl. The nitamago egg is a highlight of the dish- cooked to perfection with an oozing bright orange yolk that surprisingly works extremely well in the pork broth.

 

We also order two of the signature sides- as recommended by the restaurant’s manager. The pork Shoryu buns are a highlight of the visit and easily one of the best items on the menu. Sticky Char Siu pork belly is in a light, soft and pillow-like bun, and together they work as a fantastic combination of exploding Japanese flavours and textures.

photo: Carl Sukonik

 

For ramen newbies like myself, this restaurant was wonderfully encouraging in tempting me to try out unfamiliar cuisines. One main issue to bear in mind before visiting Shoryu Ramen though, make sure you have had lots of practice with chopsticks beforehand, because there isn’t a knife or fork in sight…