Harden's says
Welsh ramen wizard James Chant, whose start-up became a lockdown meal-kit hit and a pop-up phenomenon touring Manchester, Bristol and London, opened his first bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Cardiff in August 2022, in the former Grangetown Natwest bank.
Harden's survey result
Summary
Propelled to fame by its lockdown-era DIY ramen kits, James Chant’s cult Cardiff noodle brand (which began life as a pop-up) has had a lot of love from the national press since it launched its first bricks-and-mortar venue – taking over a former NatWest bank in Grangetown – in July 2022. Reporters this year weren’t completely convinced by the hype – if you’re “looking for some Japanese calm”, the Zen factor is undermined by the open kitchen where “everyone is hard at it” and service in particular can feel very “disjointed” – but there was consensus when it came to the “very authentic” victuals (and even sceptics admit that “this place will continue to be busy as it’s good food in an area with not too much variety, and it’s different for Cardiff”, too).
Summary
“Really impressed by my visit!” – ‘cult ramen from Wales’ is the promise of this “relaxing” Japanese-inspired yearling in Grangetown, from James Chant (whose start-up became a lockdown meal-kit phenomenon). In a February 2023 review, The Observer’s Jay Rayner also gave it the thumbs up: “a broad, brightly lit space” with some “impeccable” and “revelatory” dishes, including a “thrillingly vegan take on crispy squid”.
Summary
Welsh ramen wizard James Chant, whose start-up became a lockdown meal-kit hit and a pop-up phenomenon touring Manchester, Bristol and London, opened his first bricks-and-mortar restaurant in the old NatWest bank in Grangetown in August 2022. This was after our annual diners’ poll had concluded, but an early take from WalesOnline reports a packed and happy local scene (headline: “we can’t tell you just how good it is”).
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Matsudai Ramen at the Bank?
185 Clare Road, Cardiff, CF11 6QD
Restaurant details
Matsudai Ramen at the Bank Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Not a big fan, we came expecting better but found it quite a stressful place and were looking for some japanese calm. Open kitchen and everyone is hard at it, service is OK but on the slow side. Sitting next to the loos and washing up section isn't great to be honest. Food is very authentic and yes it's good but no wow factor here."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
185 Clare Road, Cardiff, CF11 6QD
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
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