On my last visit, I said that Shoryu Ramen was somewhere I needed to return to; this time it was to try out their new bottomless brunch. Exclusive to Shoryu Covent Garden each Sunday, the ramen restaurant’s brunch is a boozy Japanese procession of Eastern indulgence.
Tucked within the corner of this central London restaurant with the distinct urban buzz of London Fashion Week just beyond the pavements outside, the tables of Shoryu Covent Garden are all occupied and floor staff are fast off their feet balancing endless rounds of wine and deep bowls of steaming ramen.
A bottomless brunch is not without the alcoholic refills and at £38 per person, Shoryu Covent Garden offer a choice of red and white house wine, sparkling wine, Kobai plum wine with soda or green tea. Building up to their unique concept of bottomless ramen, the menu warms up with an array of small plates to spread across the table. With flutes of sparkling wine, bowls of edamame beans greet us followed by Shoryu’s tender and fluffy bao bun which is sandwiched with barbecue pork (the other filling to choose from is grilled halloumi & shimeji mushrooms) and kicks off this celebratory Asian feast.
Side dishes have their very own time to shine and be savoured and aren’t side-lined at all. With a choice of four each, (yes four); diners can select from gluten free chicken karaage (similar to a chicken goujon), tiger prawn tempura, Hakata tetsunabe gyoza, takoyaki – made with octopus, goma kyuri cucumber, black sesame tofu and wakame seaweed salad. These generous plates are dangerously delicious and easily filling; something to bear in mind ahead of the bottomless ramen course ahead of you.
For the star attraction, bottomless ramen choices include: Shoryu ganso tonkotsu, piri piri tonkotsu, white natural and curry ramen. We mix and match with a classic tonkotsu and a richer curry ramen. The essence of Shoryu restaurants is a concept that hones in and perfects Hakata tonkotsu ramen from the south of Japan which is made with a thick, rich, white pork soup and thin, straight ramen noodles. Dessert (if you get that far) is also included within the price per head and is two scoops of ice cream with a choice of: matcha, sesame, yuzu and chocolate miso. Ice cream is smooth rich and remarkably refreshing, complementing the previous rich ramen broth course.
From the team behind Japan Centre, Shoryu Ramen first launched back in November 2012 and since has been recommended in the 2014 and 15 Michelin Guide. Proudly dishing out their niche Hakata tonkotsu ramen recipe that has been designed by Executive Chef Kanji Furukawa who was born and raised in Hakata, Shoryu provide the UK with highly crafted and genuine tonkotsu, rarely found outside Japan. Adding to the southern Japanese authenticity, Shoryu’s owner Tak Tokumine is also a native of Fukuoka city and along with Kanji is dedicated to championing his hometown’s local speciality.
With locations across London including Carnaby Street, Liverpool Street, Regent Street, Soho, Covent Garden and the new Shoreditch site – encapsulating the growing popularity and character of the neighbourhood; each location is easy to access whatever side of the city. Adding a further dimension to their authentic but contemporary Japanese offering, this new bottomless brunch at their Covent Garden site glamorises a vastly unknown Japanese cuisine.
Address: Shoryu Ramen Covent Garden, 35 Great Queen Street WC2B 5AA, shoryuramen.com/stores/75-covent-garden
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