Tonkotsu Birmingham 2026 Review: Bland Broth and a 12.5% Service Charge at Grand Central

Fresh off a surprisingly good SushiDog run, I got bold about Japanese food in the UK again.

It was a quick dinner at Grand Central before a train. Pho was rammed (surprisingly), so I tried Tonkotsu instead. My logic: this Soho-born chain makes its noodles in-house on machines imported from Tokyo, and in Birmingham it started as a counter in Selfridges before moving to the station. Surely it's grown up since then? The quiet dining room should have been my first clue.

A very very average shoyu ramen

🍽️ Food & Drinks

I ordered the Tokyo and the Geki Kara. The Tokyo is a soy-based chicken broth, yet it was bland, with barely a whisper of shoyu. The noodles have improved and are much less alkaline than before. But the ends were clumped together and undercooked. Spreading your noodles evenly is a basic chef skill. The char siu was marinated but forgettable. The egg was cooked nicely but, again, short on flavour.

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm not a fan of these "innovative" ramen twists, especially in the UK. Get the basics right first.

The Geki Kara was surprisingly fiery. It tastes more Nando's than Tokyo. I'm not a spice person, so I'll leave the final word to the chilli-heads.

👋 Service

With the place this quiet, getting fed before my train was never in doubt.

✨ Decor & Ambience

It was eerily quiet, and in a busy station, an empty restaurant tells its own story.

💰 Value

The Tokyo is £15.75 and the Geki Kara is £16.95, and then a 12.5% service charge lands on top. Paying that for such simple food felt like being back in the USA. Next time, I'm queuing for Pho next door. I don't see a reason to come back.

Verdict Bland broth, clumpy noodles and a 12.5% service charge: Tonkotsu Grand Central isn't worth missing your train for.

Ratings ⭐

Food: 3/5 – Bland broth and undercooked noodles let down the house-made promise.
Service: 3/5 – very basic service and slow in a very quiet night
Decor: 3.5/5 – decent but nothing special
Value: 2.5/5 – Nearly £17 a bowl, plus 12.5% service, is a lot for basic ramen.
Overall: 2.75/5 – Disappointing. Pho next door might be better

💰 Estimated cost per person: £18–£25

📍 Tonkotsu Birmingham Grand Central
Address: Dining Terrace, Grand Central, New Street, Birmingham B2 4XJ

Can't believe it has 4.7 stars

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