Tonkotsu

I’ve had a ridiculous amount of ramen in my life, and I’m always looking to try new joints. Having heard about this place, I was SO excited about Tonkotsu, but came out with a big flat meh.
I checked out the one in the Selfridges food hall. This one is set up more like a bar, with a single counter that has stools. They have a full menu and service is quite prompt and good.
I think they did a good job with the broth — it didn’t feel like I was drinking an entire bowl of fat like how it is with some tonkotsu places. It was thick but with an almost gelatinous quality, and the texture was really good with the thick bone broth. Prices were reasonable and the portions are good, but I couldn’t get over how bland the soup was. I felt like it needed an extra anything — spiciness, saltiness, umami, anything. Egg and bamboo shoots were fine, egg had a good creamy center.
The noodles were done very well but they were on the slim side and I felt like they didn’t really hold up to how thick the broth was. For something like that I feel like a thicker, more textured noodle would hold its own better. With the broth being so thick, I felt like all the other ingredients were just intensely overwhelmed by the broth. I’m sure the noodles are stellar and the egg was nice and creamy, but every bite was just a huge reminder of how creamy, thick, and bland the broth was because it stuck to everything. I ended up drowning it in the hot sauce and didn’t finish the broth at the end.

The ramen here is a stark contrast to the one found at Bone Daddies. I order the chili chicken which has very little chili flavour and the whole thing seems quite light (versus Bone Daddies where I feel as if ive drank the rendered fat of an entire chicken).
The noodles are always worryingly firm but at first bite realize they’re perfect. Soup requires massive heaping spoons of their homemade chili oil which is strangely mild.
I’d give 5 stars but for the fact that the seating is rather uncomfortable as its situated in the food hall, and because I think they should serve the ramen with a whole egg. 75p for an additional half is a bit bonkers.

I had the Tonkotsu special in the food hall at Selfridges. This space sits 16 people at the bar. I had to wait a bit as it was a busy Saturday afternoon. It was WORTH the wait. I had the soup, a yuzu homemade lemonade and a bottle of still water all for under 20 GBP. The chef recommended that I get the Spicy Chicken next time. I guess that is one of the favourites amongst the staff.

Tonkatsu Ramen was just what I was looking for. It was flavorful and the egg was medium boiled just the way I like it. Being in London I didnt think that there would be good Ramen especially at a food court. They also have a delicious hot sauce that I put into my soup. It will be my go to ramen place. I also spoke with the guy behind the counter and they have a full restaurant as well.
Another bonus is that they have really good Japanese beers– more than just the normal Asahi and Sapporo. I wanted to try all of them.
The gyoza was good but they steam them– got a little sticky. As a freshly made gyoza I think they would taste great fried too.

Coming from LA I have high standards for my ramen noodles. The noodles at this spot is pretty average.
I ordered their tonkatsu, their flagship noodles has ok broth. You can taste the bone being cooked for a long time and the both is rather creamy, however somehow it’s a bit on the bland side. The garlic could be a bit stronger. The pork belly fell apart and the egg was a tad overcooked. It’s better than an average fast food restaurant but definitely not a gourmet noodles place worth going out of your way to try.

Soy base soup was good coz I don’t really like thick broth. Had to wait a bit during lunch hour, very few seats.
Inside Selfridge so convenient to eat something after shopping.