Carlton, Japanese Restaurant Guide

The “best fusion ramen” is the focus of this new noodle specialist from the crew (including MasterChef finalist Pete Hewitt) behind food truck Homeboys; the “very good value” spot also adds charcoal grills, Asian small plates and a hip hop soundtrack to the mix.

“Everything is exquisitely conceived and executed… not to mention supremely tasty!” at this “unique and creative” Japanese-inspired destination (which received a boost in October 2022 when Jay Rayner of The Observer declared it his ‘restaurant of the year’). “Hidden down a backstreet”, “the compact (hard to get a booking) cool dining room is a surprise discovery after the unprepossessing external building” but “while it may be small it produces the best food”: “delicious tapas-style Japanese dishes, each one tastier than the last” (“we get everything on the menu because it’s too hard to choose!)”. It was the most commented-on venue in the city this year in our annual diners’ poll.