Can’t get to Japan? THIS is the next closest thing…

Japan. The East Asian Kingdom which has been out of reach for almost all foreigners since March 2020 and doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon unfortunately. It’s one of the places on my list, alongside The Philippines, that I can’t wait to get to when they reopen - for now though, we’ll have to settle for Japanese culture a little closer to home.

Panton Yokocho - Ramen Downtown

Having opened in the past month this is likely one of the first reviews you will have seen of Panton Yokocho. Let me just say that if you come here for anything, come here for the retro Japanese vibes that Yokocho are pushing - it is stunningly good.

There are few words that can describe the decor but you will probably agree it’s pretty eye catching and unique. Sometimes there is the risk with places like this that it may fall into stereotyping a culture of a country - perhaps this is getting close to that but I feel that they’ve doubled down on showing 1980s style Japanese design to really make visitors feel they’re somewhere special.

Now onto the food and you’re coming here for one thing only, ramen - and there’s plenty of it to choose from that you won’t be disappointed.

Additionally, there are other items on the menu available for sides which can provide a nice change to the soupiness of the ramen.

Drinks and desserts are also taken care of here, again with a decidedly Japanese flavour to all of them.

How was the food though? Between us we opted for the:

• Sapporo Miso Ramen

• Tokyo Shoyu Ramen

• BBQ Pork Bun

• Chicken Karaage Bun

Both ramens had a very rich flavour which surprised me on the miso ramen. Any time before that I’ve had Miso it has been…bland and not particularly exciting but here, it was the complete opposite. This was absolutely the perfect time of year to sit down and enjoy ramen, having been freezing cold outside, letting you warm up a little. Just thinking about the flavour of the ramen is making me salivate now!

The buns were also pretty good, offering a decent amount of umami, but they are a side show to the ramen on offer.

Once, you’re finished eating your ramen, then you can head next door to Japan Centre - the owner of Yokocho - to purchase more Japanese and Asian foods for at home. I was really impressed with the restaurant that Japan Centre have developed here. It nicely balances great food with a funky interior that is going to make you go wow every time you visit - truly it is somewhere that will impress almost everybody that steps foot here. Oh and who can forget the classic 1980s Japanese ballads playing constantly…

The only improvement? It would make it even more Japanese if they had the toilets that are only ever found in Japan…alas, that wasn’t the case.