Honest Bao

Happy Christmas, guys! 🎄 Time put down the chopsticks occasionally when the festive season rolls around. This week, I swapped the soy sauce for some European flair at The Ivy in Birmingham. Is The Ivy Actually "Posh" or Just Very Good at Wallpaper? I’ve been to The Ivy a few times (different branches) now. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the UK dining scene—the kind of place you take your parents when you want them to think you’ve finally made it in life. It’s decent, reasonably priced for what it is, but usually about as "groundbreaking" as a pair of socks for Christmas. Too fusion for me I was genuinely shocked by how rammed it was. I booked a Sunday slot easily enough online, but when I walked in, it was 90% full. Clearly, the Christmas spirit (or just the lack of washing up) was in full swing. One thing you can’t knock is the decor. They clearly spend a fortune on it. It’s got that high-end, "I should probably be wearing a better shirt" vibe, eve...

When you're craving proper Chinese food in London, your brain immediately screams 'Chinatown!' and you're mentally bracing for the jam-packed street. But London's culinary map is expanding faster than my waistline after a day out. I was loitering around the Temple station area, pretending to be a fancy lawyer (didn't work, my shoes were too muddy), when my stomach issued an urgent demand for noodles. A quick search later, and I found myself staring at Noodle Nova, a new kid on the block that's doing Lanzhou beef noodles. The Vibe and the Broth Giant vase in the centre First impression: Nice décor. And true to its Chinese name, Qing Hua Yu (青花鈺), which means something like 'Porcelain Jade,' there was a rather large, fancy vase in the shop. Clearly, they've gone for aesthetic as well as noodle. Spicy broth taste good too but I prefer non-spicy one Now, onto the main event. As a specialist beef noodle joint, they offer a whole spectrum of noodle thi...

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...

Another heatwave hits the UK, and my first thought isn't "beach day" but "cold noodles." Specifically, cold udon. I’ve been to Marugame before and was told they only serve it in the summer, which seemed odd. But after trying it, I get it—it's just a bit... average. Japanese Udon Chain Restaurant, image from Marugame I rolled up to the Argyll Street branch on a weekday afternoon, and it was blissfully quiet. Plenty of empty seats, no queues. I ordered the cold udon from their summer menu and loaded up on sides: a soft shell crab tempura, a karaage, a kakiage, and a soft-boiled egg. The total came to £16, which felt pretty fair for a big lunch in central London. Good tempura, horrible udon The cold udon itself was just okay. The noodles had a decent chew, but they were surprisingly coarse and rough, not the smooth, glossy udon I love. Maybe they’re using a different kind of flour? The real disappointment, though, was the broth. The chef seemed to have gone wil...

On a rainy London day, my trusty Google Maps led me to Ngon Ngon for a quick lunch during weekday, a Vietnamese spot with great ratings (4.6) and a lunch menu that promised to be a steal. I arrived in the quiet lull between lunch and dinner, so the staff were enjoying their own meals. This meant a slightly relaxed service, and my pho took an extra-long 25 minutes to arrive. Colourful shop front, from Google Map I started with the prawn summer rolls. The prawns were a bit bland, but the fresh herbs and vermicelli were spot on. The dipping sauce, a unique mix of hoisin and peanut butter (I was expecting the mixed fish sauce), was surprisingly delicious. Perfect season for summer roll The rare beef pho was the main event. The beef was beautifully pink and tender, just as it should be. Mixing the pho with beans sprout and coriander is a must for me, maybe with a tiny bit of chilli as well. The broth was a good, classic beef pho flavour—no surprises, but satisfying. My only letdown was the ...

Been to London recently and was craving for some Japanese style grill meant My destination? The ever-reliable Yakiniku Like!! – a spot I've been to a few times now, and one that consistently delivers on its promise of great value. A Speedy Grill, A Patient Wait Store entrance, Google Image Arriving during a busy weekday dinner rush, the 20-minute wait was completely expected. This is London, after all. Yakiniku Like!! is a low-cost chain from Japan, so you know it's going to be a popular spot. While the decor might not be winning any awards for "cosy" – the small tables and compact seating can feel a little snug on a packed night – there's one thing that always impresses me: the ventilation. No more leaving a BBQ joint smelling like a human chimney! My clothes and hair were mercifully free of that smoky aroma, which is a massive plus. The Meat, The Meal, and The Reality Check Great value set in good portion I went for a 3-meat combo set, 250g of meat for a very re...