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Ramen-tic Disaster: A British Ramen Chain Review

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. It's not just a ramen, it's a disappointment wrapped in a noodle.

Kanad-Ya

Definitely a step up from Ippundo across the street
Now we're talking. Kanad-Ya (another Japanese chain) is the cool older cousin who actually knows how to cook. The broth is a step-uo after Ippudo's blandness. It's got layers, it's got depth. The egg is properly marinated, and while the noodles are, as expected, of the "mass-produced-but-still-alright" variety, the overall experience is just much better. It's the one you'd take your date to if you wanted to impress them without breaking the bank.

Shoryu Ramen

Again, a OK ramen but better vibe
Shoryu Ramen is the "I'm trying to be cool" friend of the group. The décor is trendy, the vibe is buzzing, and the ramen is... well, it's decent. A step up from Ippudo for sure, with a respectable broth and a good atmosphere. But it's not a showstopper. It's the kind of place you'd go to with a large group and no one would complain, but no one would be raving about it for weeks afterwards either. It's safe, it's solid, and it's decidedly average.

Bone Daddies

Again an average ramen but chicken karage is a let down
The name sounds promising, doesn't it? Like it's going to be a hardcore, bone-shaking ramen experience. And with the high Google reviews, I had high hopes. Unfortunately, it was a "so basic it hurts" kind of situation. The ramen itself was on par with Ippudo's lacklustre effort. But the real crime? The chicken karage. It was dry and so over-seasoned it tasted less like Japanese fried chicken and more like a salt lick. A definite no from me.

Tonkotsu

Just avoid it if you can
And now for the grand finale, the one that made me question my life choices. Tonkotsu. The name literally means "pork bone broth" and yet, the broth was a flavourless, grey puddle. The noodles has a strong alkaline taste. The chashu was a forgettable piece of meat, and the egg had clearly never seen a marinade in its life. This wasn't just a bad ramen, it was an insult to the art form. The ramen equivalent of a sad emoji.

Honest Bao's Ranking
1. Kanad-Ya: A better choice in the UK ramen chain landscape.
2. Shoryu Ramen: A solid, if unremarkable, choice for a fuss-free meal.
3. Ippudo: Flavourless broth and a disappointing imitation of its Japanese original.
4. Bone Daddies: Pass on the ramen, and definitely pass on the chicken.
5. Tonkotsu: The only thing worse than the ramen is the memory of it.

Overall, the UK ramen chain scene is a bit of a wilderness. They may have the fancy decor, the brand names or high Google scores, but the soul of a good ramen is missing. It's all marketing and no substance. But don't you worry, my fellow noodle-lovers. I've got a list of my favourite independent spots that will restore your faith in the UK ramen scene. Stay tuned for the future posts!






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Location: London, UK

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