What: Yamagoya
In a nutshell: Ramen joint returns to Soho
Summing it all up: Yamagoya ramen originally started as a pop-up upstairs at Shuang Shuang. Now they're back, taking over the main restaurant for good and are bringing their famed raindrop cake with them.
The low-down
Back in 2016, Yamagoya ramen made their first UK appearance at hot pot restaurant Shuang Shuang, before relocating to a permanent restaurant in Waterloo. Well now they're coming back to Soho and there's something of a switcheroo as they're taking over Shuang Shuang's downstairs restaurant for good, while the hot pot restaurant relocates to the upstairs space.
As before it's mainly all about ramen (and cakes but we'll get to that) and small starters that include fried pork gyoza, chicken kara-age with a yuzu mayo, and a wakame seaweed salad with edamame. As for the main event, you can expect these ramen dishes:
- Yamagoya - handmade noodles in a tonkotsu broth, garnished with Japanese chashu pork belly, marinated bamboo shoot, Kikurage mushroom and nori
- Oyako - a chicken bone broth with chicken chashu, marinated egg, wakame seaweed, bamboo shoot and spring onion
- A new Roast Beef ramen topped with slices of rare locally sourced roast beef, leek, and spring onion
On top of that, there's a new vegan dish - Kakiage Curry Rice with fried vegetables, pickled greens, a house special curry and Japanese rice.
And for dessert, their legendary - and very Instagrammed - raindrop cake that's made in the shape of a water droplet, but which only melts when you eat it. All that plus Asahi and Singha beer, Shochikubai sake, freshly-made matcha and soft drinks that include sparkling water spiked with yuzu.
More about Yamagoya
Where is it? 64 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6LU
When does it open? 15 December 2018
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @yamagoyauk.
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