On 5th December Yamagoya will bring their traditional Japanese ramen to the UK, with a six-month residency upstairs at Shuang Shaung on Shaftsbury Avenue. Created by founder Masatoshi Ogata, whose recipes have been a long kept family secret for over three generations, Yamagoya will bring the flavour of Ogata’s signature ramen to the capital for the first time.
Founded in 1969, Yamagoya – meaning ‘mountain hut’ – originated from humble beginnings in Fukuoka. Masatoshi spent 3 years tirelessly perfecting recipes on his customers before settling on the delicately balanced flavour of his kaeshi marinade, the marination of his chashu and the taste and texture of his noodle.
‘It took a lot of trial and error to perfect our recipe, and my first customers at Yamagoya were my toughest critics. Eventually though, my little restaurant was busy, and people were enjoying what we were doing. Today our focus remains the same as it always has; making delicious ramen for our guests, whether that be at home in Fukoaka or here in London’ says Masatoshi Ogata.
The menu for the London residency will include the celebrated ‘Yamagoya’ ramen; handmade noodles immersed in a smoky tonkotsu broth, garnished with traditionally prepared Japanese Chashu pork belly, marinated bamboo shoot, Kikurake mushroom, nori and marinated Burford Brown egg (£12.50) which will sit alongside the ‘Tobanjan’, a fiery tobanjan spiced broth known to locals as ‘the fire of food’, finished with chilli pepper. The ‘Yuzukara’ ramen, the uniquely green tonkotsu broth, will also be layered with sliced chashu pork and topped with a salty, spicy paste made from the zest of Japanese yuzu and fiery green chillis. Diners will also be able to choose from a host of toppings, including glazed chashu of pork, seared chicken and tofu; sharp, crunchy kimchi; umami nori sheets and a pickled mustard Takana.
Yamagoya will also bring with them snacks and larger plates including Gyoza; Chicken Karaage and Yuzu Mayo and salads of Hijiki Seaweed and Edamame, Okra and Salted plum and Goma seaweed.
‘Myself and the team can’t wait to host Yamagoya – ramen is something I’ve enjoyed ever since I was a child so playing a part in bringing the authentic flavours of my favourite broths to London is really exciting for me’ says Shuang Shuang founder Fah.
Located on the first floor of 64 Shaftsbury Avenue, diners will be led upstairs and through traditional red noren curtain into Yamagoya. Replicating the interior of Ogata’s original ramen shop, the space deploys a stripped back feeling with Shoji wood panelling lining the back wall, detailed with red ribbon mapping Masatoshi’s progressive journey from Fujioka to London. Low hanging, woven bamboo light fittings will illuminate the space, with seating comprising a mixture of leather booths for group dining and copper stools along the counter to welcome smaller parties and individual diners.
The post Yamagoya to launch six month pop up on Shaftesbury Avenue appeared first on Hospitality & Catering News.