Tonkotsu Ramen
(Spring Onion, Chasu, Egg, Bamboo, Beansprouts in Pork bone broth)
The long queue at Bone Daddies might put some off, but the prospect of having proper ramen in the UK proved too attractive for me. I waited.
Bone Daddies attempts to replicate the ramen bar scene in Japan, where diners slurp up their noodles on counter tables shared with others. One difference that stood out starkly, however, was the empty seat that it left between each diner (except in the case of diners who came as a group of course). Perhaps this was to cater for a more comfortable dining experience... nevertheless, it certainly contributed to the long queue that had formed.
Service was swift and I was soon greeted by my bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen. First impressions do matter and it was a pretty sight indeed. Ajitsuke tamago with a bright orange, perfectly soft-boiled centre, slices of chasu pork served the traditional way with the lining of a layer of fat, thinly cut shallots fried to a crisp, and... dashes of soy sauce over it all. I was slightly puzzled at the sight of soy sauce, but I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, since the dish did look aesthetically pleasing and the soy sauce played a part towards that.
My verdict? Soy sauce was a bad move. It did not work for me. It made the dish unnecessarily salty and masked the umami that I was expecting from the pork bone broth (which the restaurant claims to be the result of a 20-hour effort). I also half-wished that the fat lining the chasu pork could have been more melt-in-your-mouth, but perhaps that was too much to expect of a ramen experience some 5000 miles away from Japan made available at the very reasonable price of 11 quid.
All in all though, Bone Daddies is definitely worth a visit when you need your ramen fix in London town. The ramen noodles were springy and fresh - none of that instant ramen nonsense that some places in this part of the world do audaciously sell. The pork bone broth, too, came in a milky colour, and that to me, is potential. Perhaps ask to add the soy sauce yourself?
Bone Daddies
31 Peter Street,
London W1F 0AR
12-3pm; 5.30-10pm
No reservations allowed, so go early to avoid the queue!
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