Steamy Windows
It’s 7pm on a Thurdsay and I’m queuing outside one of the latest Japanese ramen restaurants on the scene, Kanada-ya, with Nina from Have You Heard Of It. We peer through steamy windows to see mostly Asian diners – a good sign – packed into a titchy but well designed room. The queue is bearable and a bench to perch your butt on help ease the wait. Fifteen minutes later and we’re in.
A small menu benefits the titchy, but light, modern, space which holds about twenty-five to thirty covers. I like the limited menu, cuts down the deliberating time. Kanada-ya do three ramens: Original, Moyashi and Chashu, plus several extras, Onigiri and non-alcoholic drinks (they don’t have their licence yet). We order, but unfortunately an unwelcome theme develops:
Chashu x2 – run out
Hanjuki egg – run out
Edamame – misprint, not meant to be on menu
We’re told the reason for most of the items running out is that they don’t have the capacity to meet the demands, but are looking to source an additional kitchen to prep food off-site from their Covent Garden location. Umm, OK. The thing I’m really most gutted about them running out of is the egg – it’s one of the items that nicely rounds off a ramen.
Onigiri
Anyhoo, we switch our order to two Moyashi ramens, Onigiri and pickles. Disappointment aside, the ramen that turns up is absolutely stunning. The best I’ve eaten. Noodles are steeped in a heady 18-hour pork broth, which is creamy, porky, velvety smooth and downright sensational. This ramen comes with pork belly, which I could’ve done with some more of and the springy noodles is delightful. You have a choice of how you like your noodles cooked, I just ask for regular. Also good is the Takana (spicy pickled mustard greens) with its tangy kick. The side of Onigiri is boringly bland and lost in the amount of rice it’s tucked in to.
Mochi
The manager gives us a preview taster of Mochi (glutinous rice balls), which they’re thinking of adding to the menu. One is filled with Matcha ice-cream (a type of green tea) and the other with a Japanese citrus fruit, Yuzu. Sadly, neither are my cup of tea as I’m not a fan of the mochi’s squidy texture. Nina on the other hand, thinks they’re good, especially the Yuzu flavoured ones.
Kanada-ya
Despite Kanada-ya’s current shortcomings, their ramen is seriously tasty and well worth going back for.
Ramens are priced between £10 – £12.50.
Food I Fancy dined as a guest.
KANADA-YA
64 St Giles High Street
London WC2H 8LE
Tel: 020 7240 0232
www.kanada-ya.com
