If you went back in time to a decade ago, you might struggle to find people who have heard of the Japanese noodle dish, ramen – especially in the South West. These days, Bristol has a handful of amazing ramen bars, and we couldn’t imagine tackling the flu or a hangover without a big savoury bowl of noodle soup and mouthwatering toppings. And the London-based ramen specialists, Tonkotsu, are a big part of that change.
Tonkotsu was at the forefront of London’s ramen craze when it was launched in Soho in 2012 by co-founders Ken Yamada and Emma Reynolds. Since then, the restaurant has continued to produce high-quality ramen from scratch – making all its own noodles, stocks, and gyoza fresh each day. Now the ramen restaurant will bless Bristol with a new spot on Baldwin Street.
Ken says of the Bristol opening: “We love Bristol and have been hoping to open a restaurant for a while, looking for the perfect location, and we’re really happy to join the very well-established and brilliant dining scene with this opening in the centre of the city.”
The menu will feature the group’s signature Tonkotsu ramen – a rich and creamy pork bone-broth enriched with lardo, with thin-cut noodles and topped with roast pork belly, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, spring onions, burnt garlic oil and a seasoned egg. Other favourites include the Chilli Chicken Ramen – a chicken and sea salt broth pimped up with Tonkotsu’s addictive Eat the Bits Chili Oil – and the vegan Mushroom Miso ramen.
All ramen can be customised with extra toppings such as kimchi or the spicy scotch bonnet ‘hot shot’. Like its other restaurants, Tonkotsu Bristol will offer a range of smaller-sized ramen to give customers more choice of (portion sizes and) price points throughout the day and evening. Plus, tuck into plump, juicy gyoza and crisp fried chicken kara-age.
The drinks menu includes original sake made for Tonkotsu by the Tsuji Brewery in Okayama, an exclusive beer Mikan Shimoda Pale Ale made in collaboration with Thornbridge and Tonkotsu’s own small-batch gin. The drinks line-up is completed by a selection of Japanese whiskies, wines, beers and cocktails, plus low-alcohol options, soft drinks, and teas.
The team at Tonkotsu also worked with Bristol-based artist Molly Hawkins to create a large mural inside the restaurant. You can now enjoy her work and Tonkotsu Bristol’s entire menu from 12pm – 10pm daily at 4 Baldwin Street.