Ramen Ya - Bristol Food Review
Posted on: 2017-03-23
Our rating:
It’s my job to critique food but I’m not sure how I can say a bad word about this place. I wish I could have given a 4 here or there but I simply couldn't fault it. The food and the atmosphere was just about perfect.
Ramen Ya is situated in the buzzing hub of Gloucester Road in Bristol. Serving up Japanese food with style and in a hugely welcoming environment, we had to check it out...
As the name suggests, ‘ramen noodles’ are a specialty but, as our visit confirmed, that’s just one string to their very impressive bow.
If you know then you know, but if you don’t...ramen is essentially a mixture of noodles, broth, vegetables and various meats or fish. Vegetarian options are always available and are just as popular with the carnivores as the meat dishes.
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My wife and I visited on a midweek night and the place was packed. We were greeted and seated instantly. We then perused the menu and really scratched our heads. I could have easily ordered every dish on the menu but the proof would ultimately be in the eating.
Being baffled by the choices, but knowing we would happily order any of them, we decided to take the advice of the waitress who was more than helpful and added a little to the night.
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We started with miso soup, edamame (courtesy of us ordering the “Chicken Kara Age Set”) and ‘bao’ – a steamed bun. Jesse and I plumped for char siu (BBQ pork) and a (deep fried) chicken kara. Both were extraordinary and we could have eaten four more. Ok, maybe I could have eaten four more but my wife would have been far more polite. The bun was slightly sticky and cloying; it stuck to the teeth in the most beautiful way.
A favourite of mine is gyoza and the chicken option here did not disappoint in any way. It was both crisp on the outside and soft on the inside before yielding to the well seasoned filling. A really good example of the classic.
The aforementioned ‘Chicken Kara Age Set’ came as deep fried chicken marinated in soy, sake and ginger alongside steamed rice, a salad, and coated in sweet chilli mayo. It was succulent, rich and satisfying. I wouldn’t order it if I was coming in for one dish as it was a little strong - though that’s just me - but as part of a meal it was wonderful.
Our other indulgence before the long-awaited ramen arrived was tempura prawns alongside soy sauce. Hugely simple so there was nowhere to hide for the chefs. Luckily for me they produced the absolute best prawn tempura I have had the pleasure of eating, and I’ve had a few. Lighter than a feather, no oil whatsoever and a great, clean taste retained by the prawn within. Faultless.
Now to the ramen...
My wife might be tiny but I can still fit a good amount into my 6’ 4” and borderline dad-gut frame so between us we ordered 2 bowls of ramen. We shared...let me quote directly:
SPICY SEAFOOD – Chicken, pork & vegetables broth, blended with spicy shrimp paste. (Vegetables Broth with spicy shrimp paste is available)
• Spicy Seafood Ramen £10.50 – Topping with prawn, squid and scallop (Vegetarian broth is available upon requested)
TONKOTSU – 10-hours pork broth rich with homemade miso paste.
• Tonkotsu Tan Tan Ramen £9.00 – Topping with roast pork and spicy minced pork
Both these dishes were packed with meat or seafood and really made an impact when delivered. Beautiful to the eye, they were equally impressive to devour, despite our rapidly filling bellies. My wife attacked with a fork while I ploughed in with chopsticks. The scallop could be easily prised in two with the swipe of a stick and the prawns were so packed with the flavour of the broth they could have made a great starter in their own right. The squid – notoriously tough to get right – was perfectly cooked despite the varying timings needed to get all the components right. That in itself got a tip of the cap from me, regardless of flavour.
The pork dish could have been two separate dishes, though I’m glad it wasn’t. The roast and spicy minced pork didn’t clash but it was very much a case of having two great things in one dish, rather than two items complementing each other. Like I say, it was wonderful to have two such great components together, though these options are available in other dishes too so check them out.
It’s my job to critique food but I’m not sure how I can say a bad word about this place. I wish I could have given a 4 here or there but I simply couldn't fault it. The food and the atmosphere was just about perfect. I can’t recommend Ramen Ya highly enough...
Food - 5
Value - 5
Atmosphere - 5
Service - 5
For more info please visit www.ramenya.co.uk or keep up to date via Facebook.Address: 61 Gloucester Rd, Bristol, BS7 8AD. Tel: 0117 944 6348.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
