Honest Bao

As a big city and famous for seafood, it's no surprise that Barcelona has some quality Japanese restaurants. It seems people are really crazy for them here too, as I really struggled to find any online availability when I tried to make a reservation. They are definitely busy, but not 100% full every day. Stay until the end of the post for a little tip to secure a table. Good quality tuna from Spain Sato I Tanaka, a small, unassuming spot that promised an omakase experience for less than the price of a flight to Japan. The moment I walked in, I felt like I was back to Japan. A long, elegant wooden counter, the quiet clatter of knives, and a chef who looked like he knew his way around a fish. This was the real deal. Love the red prawn We went for the lunch tasting menu, and at under 50 euros, my expectations were set to "cautiously optimistic." I mean, I've paid more for a sad-looking sushi platter in London. But what arrived was pure magic. The rice was  perfectly seas...

The second part of my Barcelona journey is here, and it's all about the glorious, chaotic world of tapas. As I moaned about in my Madrid post, I just didn't get the tapas scene there. But Barcelona? Barcelona is the tapas kingdom I was promised. And let's be real, I’m already planning my return just for another shot at the city’s culinary magic. Here’s the rundown on my tapas-fuelled escapade: Tapeo Bon This place is, without a doubt, the single best tapas experience I’ve had in all of Spain. Sorry, Madrid, but it's true. Stepping inside, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a top-tier tapas joint: a small, bustling, and wonderfully chaotic space that buzzes with the kind of energy that makes you feel like you've just been invited to the world's best dinner party. Amazing mini burger, sorry for out of focus picture  The food, though. The food is just on another level. The foie gras burger is a religious experience. It’s a tiny, perfect morsel of a mini-burger, bu...

Alright, this time, I’ve left the rain-soaked streets of England for the sun-drenched shores of Barcelona. A city of surreal Gaudi architecture, late-night tapas, and a seafood scene that will make your taste buds do a little Flamenco dance. Spain, a country bordered by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, knows a thing or two about pulling delicious creatures from the deep blue. So naturally, my first mission was a pilgrimage to the city's best seafood joints. Lluritu: The Unpretentious Seafood Sorcerer Good decor and vibe Now, I'm not one for frills and fancy tablecloths. Give me a place that lets the food do the talking, and I'm a happy Bao. Lluritu is exactly that kind of place. Tucked away in what feels like a local's secret spot, this restaurant serves seafood that is so fresh, it practically winks at you from the plate. The cooking method? A glorious ode to simplicity. A whisper of olive oil, a gentle caress of garlic, a sprinkle of salt. It's so basic it'...

After reviewing the British ramen chain in the last blog . It is time for the proper one. Forget those soggy, soulless chain bowls; today, we're at Ramen Motto, a tiny but mighty spot in central London. Cosy spot and prepare to sit close with other guests Service and Atmosphere London restaurants are a masterclass in spatial efficiency, and Ramen Motto is no exception. It’s snug. You’ll be close to your neighbours, but that's part of the charm, isn't it? My advice? Arrive early or join the hungry queue. The service is quick, almost like a ramen-delivery ninja. It's efficient, and when it’s this busy, that’s all you can ask for. Great Shoyu ramen - best one so far I have tired in London But we're here for the main event: the ramen. First, the Shoyu ramen, it was a revelation. The broth was a symphony of flavours – rich, layered, and perfectly balanced of broth, tare and oil. It had that deep, soulful soy flavour without being overly salty. The noodles were decent, th...

Ramen is a serious business. Like, SERIOUS. It's not just a bowl of noodles in hot water, you know. It's an art form, a symphony of flavour, a warm hug on a cold day. My expectations for the UK ramen scene are, let's just say, "optimistic." But after a tour of London's most famous ramen chains, my optimism is currently in a cryogenic state. Let's dive into the broth, shall we? Ippudo A OK ramen, looks not very appealing Ah, Ippudo. The name brings back fond memories of a decent, no-frills bowl in Fukuoka. It was the dependable friend you knew wouldn't let you down. But somehow, on its journey across the sea, it seems to have lost its way. The broth in their London branches? A watery whisper of its former self. It's like they've taken the essence of a rich, creamy tonkotsu and stretched it thinner than my patience when a bus is late. The chashu is just... pork. The egg is sad. And the lack of minced garlic to pimp your bowl? A criminal offense. ...

A tale of two cities, two matcha missions. Forget your flat whites or pour-over coffee, we're talking about the good stuff. The earthy, slightly bitter, and oh-so-soothing nectar of the gods, also known as matcha. Wa Cafe, Marylebone: The OG London Spot Great Match and Hojicha latte First up, London. When it comes to Japanese cafes, I've been eyeing up Wa Cafe for ages, and it did not disappoint. The Marylebone branch is a little shoebox, so good luck getting a table on a Saturday without a death stare from a few other hopeful patrons. It's a proper little slice of Japan, a world away from the busy London streets outside. Fluffy strawberry spongecake Great flavour but texture is a let down The matcha latte was a dream. Not too sweet, not too grassy - just a perfect, creamy balance that makes you feel like you've got your life together. And the cake! That strawberry sponge cake was a revelation. It was so light and fluffy it practically floated off the plate. What I real...

The bubble tea scene in Birmingham is a battlefield. New spots pop up faster than I can decide what toppings to get, and then, just as quickly, they're gone. It's a true survival of the fittest, and honestly, if your boba is basically just a cup of sugary water with some squishy things at the bottom, you're not long for this world. So, for your drinking pleasure, I've compiled my hit list of the best places to get your fix.  Hey Tea Signature grape tea First up, a bit of an outlier. Hey Tea is not a typical bubble tea joint. It's a fruit tea sanctuary. Forget your usual milky concoctions; this is all about that fresh, fruity goodness. Their grape and grapefruit teas are an absolute revelation. Full of real fruit chunks and so ridiculously refreshing, they're basically a health drink... if you ignore the sugar. Their matcha is also surprisingly good, a proper earthy flavour that puts the usual UK chain stuff to shame. Top-notch Matcha Oricha My favourite fresh ta...

Right, let’s talk Chinese beef noodles. It's a culinary world away from your average chow mein and a proper obsession of mine. In Birmingham, while we might not have the sprawling Chinatown of London, there’s a surprising amount of quality out there if you know where to look. Today, I'm wading into the soupy, flavourful debate of "red braised" vs. "clear broth." Both are masterpieces in their own right, and I've found a few spots in Brum that nail it. The OG Hand-Pulled: Kung Fu Noodle Great broth and noodle, I prefer the pig gut more than beef brisket I've been to Kung Fu Noodle before, and it seems a recent change in ownership has only made them better. The menu is a bit different, but the heart of the place is the same. The noodles here are the star of the show. They're handmade, and you can absolutely taste the difference—chewy, springy, and they hold onto the broth like a best friend. Garlic Wonton is good too We went for the beef brisket an...