The brand’s first permanent UK site will open on The Cut in Southwark this October.
Following a successful Shaftsbury Avenue pop-up, owner Masatoshi Ogata is expanding the menu beyond its signature tonkotsu ramen offerings. The wobbly ‘raindrop cake’ - which is not cake - will be available each day, as well as a wider selection of main dishes, snacks, small plates and food to takeaway.
Diners will have a choice of the signature ‘Yamagoya’ ramen, with handmade noodles in a tonkotsu broth topped with chashu pork belly, marinated bamboo shoot, mushroom, nori and marinated egg; the spicy ‘Tobanjan’ broth; and the spicy yuzi and chilli ‘Yujuzara’ in a green broth.
Cold ramen dishes will also be available, with a selection of toppings comprising chashu pork; seared chicken; kimchi; nori; and pickled mustard.
Alongside ramen there will be rice dishes, such as ‘Charishi’, a sushi bowl with salmon and avocado, and ‘Mentaiko Gohan’, made with spicy cod roe. Snacks will comprise cold tofu dressed in a fish and spring onion dressing; seaweed and edamame salad; and chicken karaage with yuzu mayonnaise.
A takeaway menu will offer a selection of Japanese sandwiches, with fillings of chicken katsu or chicken chashu, with prices starting at £5.
Dessert options, besides the Instagram-famous raindrop cake – the gelatinous sweet that looks like a blob of water - will include Japanese flavoured ice creams such as matcha mocha, black sesame mocha and green tea. Imported Japanese drinks comprising pokka melon tea; aloe vera drinks and sparkling yuzu juices will fill the fridges, with wines, beers and sake for guests dining in.
The restaurant will have a simple interior design, featuring Shoji wood panelling, low hanging woven bamboo fittings and natural pine stools and tables, designed as a tribute to Ogata’s original ramen shop in Fukuoka.
The original Yamagoya was founded in 1969 by Ogata in Fukuoka, Japan.