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Kyoudai Ramen Pop-up @ Temper & Brown (Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham)

Welcome back! 
After the world-class Omakase and hidden distillery bars of Japan, coming home to the UK food scene can definitely be a bit of a "reality check." While doom-scrolling through Japan travel content, I suddenly realised there was a local ramen pop-up in a pub, so I decided to give it a go. Before going, I made sure not to set my expectations too high, especially after a painful experience at Maniken Ramen last time (here).

The Vibe

It’s a classic British pub—a cozy, red-brick pub. Since it's a pop-up, the atmosphere is laid-back, but as you noted, that sometimes translates to "pub-speed" service. A 40-minute wait for ramen when it isn't busy is a bit of a stretch, but hopefully, they’ll tighten that up as the residency continues.

The Food Breakdown

Kyoudai Ramen
Generous portion and decent quality

Nanban Chicken: This was the star of the show. A generous portion with a crispy, light crust and juicy meat. Even if the seasoning was subtle, a good Nanban is all about that texture and moisture.

Kyoudai Ramen
The charshu is too small
Ramen
The Broth (Tonkotsu & Chicken): UK ramen often struggles with the tare (seasoning base) and aromatic oils and unfortunately this time as well. A thick broth is great, but without that hit of soy, salt, or garlic oil, it can feel a bit one-dimensional compared to what you’ve been eating in Tokyo.


The Noodles: The "alkaline" taste usually comes from the kansui (alkaline water) not being fully washed off. It’s a common issue in smaller pop-ups where the boiling equipment might not be as powerful as a dedicated ramen shop.

Kyoudai Ramen
Chicken ramen with a different broth
The Toppings: The bamboo shoots (menma) being homemade is a nice touch, but over-seasoning them can overpower the delicate broth. The "Chashu deficit" is a real pain—at £14, two small and thin slices do feel a bit stingy, especially when you’re used to the generous cuts in Japan.

Verdict: It’s not Sushitsu or Hanamaru, but for a Tuesday night in Brum, it’s a lovely way to cure that post-Japan blues. It beats the generic high-street chains, just be prepared to wait a little for your bowl.


Rating
Food: 3.75/5 – Good for the UK, but needs more "aroma". Chicken is good though
Service: 3/5 – A bit slow for a quiet Tuesday night.
Decor: 4/5 - Cosy British pub with character
Value: 3.75/5 – Chashu portion needs to level up but chicken is generous
Overall: 3.75/5 – A solid local effort and definitely a better "authentic" attempt than some of the big name around.


Know Before You Go
⚠️ Limited Window: This pop-up is strictly Tuesdays only (5 PM – 10 PM) and is scheduled to end at the end of May 2026. If you want to try it, don't leave it until June!


Location: 
Temper & Brown, 12-13 Albion St, Birmingham B1 3ED
Labels:
Location: Birmingham, UK

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