Just like Heddon Yokocho, the Panton branch is also downtown retro-style inspired by Yokocho 'alleyways’ of Japan.
A few months ago I visited Japan Centre and saw illustrations promoting the new opening but didn't realize it was this restaurant and according to the signage, the opening has been delayed from summer to early Winter.
Before, the visit I had a look at their online menu and their Hakkata ramen was screamingly Ippudo style with the red bowl and same elements.
I dined there on Saturday 13/11/2021 when the Piccadilly/ Leicester Square area was bustling literally like Chinese New Year!
At the entrance there was the best ramen display which moves.
I waited at the entrance queue at 18:50pm to be seated and it took quite a while for someone to serve the group in front.
By the time I was served, it was around 7:15.
As it was only me, I was given a choice of window seats or the seats around the pillar so I sat by the pillar.
The restaurant was half full when I was seated and the introductory from the staff explaining the menu was quite detailed and long.
There was 50% off that night so I managed to eat two bowls of ramen, one traditional and the other exclusive to London with a touch of fusion and also offered on the Children's menu.
Overview of the menu:
8 choices of ramen offered of which there are 5 traditional Japanese styles, 1 x house style and 2 Vegan options.
Side dishes including Hirata buns, skewers, tofu etc and a kids menu which includes a drink and optional ice cream.
The drinks menu was quite comprehensive with sake, beer, Japanese teas, plum wines, shochu and even highballs.
The dessert menu was not bad with mochi ice cream, a popular thing here and also cookie dough another popular flavour here.
Also the menu items and terminology was similar to Kanada-Ya with items like Paitan (for chicken) and they both had Piri Piri sauce which is a popular spicy sauce in the UK.
8 choices of ramen offered of which there are 5 traditional Japanese styles, 1 x house style and 2 Vegan options.
Side dishes including Hirata buns, skewers, tofu etc and a kids menu which includes a drink and optional ice cream.
The drinks menu was quite comprehensive with sake, beer, Japanese teas, plum wines, shochu and even highballs.
The dessert menu was not bad with mochi ice cream, a popular thing here and also cookie dough another popular flavour here.
Also the menu items and terminology was similar to Kanada-Ya with items like Paitan (for chicken) and they both had Piri Piri sauce which is a popular spicy sauce in the UK.
For noodles, they served smooth chijire wave & medium thickness and thin, straight hosomen.
While I was dining there, I heard some customers saying that they knew this branch because of the main shop and that the other branch was reviewed by Jay Rayner of The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/dec/20/jay-rayner-restaurant-review-heddon-yokocho-ramen-london
In terms of ramen quality, the Hakata I had was seriously good and similar to Ippudo but not as salty as Ippudo and the pork slices were top notch because they were fresh, soft and did not have that not fresh smell like most in Hong Kong.
The egg was also good compared to UK Marugame which was too salty.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/dec/20/jay-rayner-restaurant-review-heddon-yokocho-ramen-london
In terms of ramen quality, the Hakata I had was seriously good and similar to Ippudo but not as salty as Ippudo and the pork slices were top notch because they were fresh, soft and did not have that not fresh smell like most in Hong Kong.
The egg was also good compared to UK Marugame which was too salty.
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| Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen |
The Napoli was Vegan and inspired by Italian food with ramen in a tomato based broth topped with grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh basil and vegan cheese.
It was also nice but I would have preferred Hakata thin style noodles because it hangs the broth better and doesn't have a lye taste.
It was also nice but I would have preferred Hakata thin style noodles because it hangs the broth better and doesn't have a lye taste.
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| Vegan Napoli |
Obviously this was self paid and by cash but it seems the change given was rounded down as I gave them a 20 pound note.
Note I ordered Vegan Napoli but the bill shows Vegan Miso.
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