Carlton, Japanese Restaurant Guide

“A wonderful discovery (thanks to last year’s Harden‘s guide!)” – this two-year-old ramen bar is run by Pete Hewitt, a 2015 MasterChef finalist and the crew behind a local street-food operation (Homeboys). It offers “a very appetising selection of specials, ramens and small plates, in a modish setting served by too-cool-for-school staff”. (The Observer’s Jay Rayner was also “bowled over” by it in his February 2024 review: “The garlic tonkotsu is made with a creamy, collagen-rich stock that speaks of pork bones simmered for many hours and fretted over continuously. The noodles have bite. The egg yolk is indeed jammy. There is a pungent kick from the burnt garlic oil”).

This “buzzy” darling of the Nottingham food scene has built up a huge army of fans since its 2018 opening thanks to its “exceptional” and “reasonably priced small plates with a Japanese influence”. The one bugbear was getting a table at this previously compact 33-seater, but in September 2024, they decamped from Cannon Court to a new location ten minutes away on Low Pavement, with Yokocho, the restaurant’s sister cocktail bar, also joining the party; here’s “hoping that they can maintain the standard” in the new premises! Top Menu Tips – “brilliant sushi” and “out-of-this world Prawn Toast!”