Shoryu Soho

Work in progress

Operated by Japan Centre, a Japanese food specialist in London, Shoryu Soho is the second branch after Shoryu Regent Street, just a few minutes walk from the ever busy Piccadilly Circus. On my visit Shoryu was freshly opened and as a soft launch promo, all ramen were at a special offer for only £5 per bowl to the usual average £10, which is very good value for Japanese food in London. 

I headed to Shoryu Soho on a very busy hot evening, and with its no booking policy, I had to wait about 15 minutes before I managed to get two counter seats with a friend. Took a while before the waiter came to us to take our orders and they totally forgot to provide tap water as I requested, which I needed to remind them after 10 minutes.... not a good start at all. And it just got worst, first to arrive was a cold ramen: Hakata Chilled Reimen, the chilled sweet-sour soy soup tasted just like sweet soy sauces mixing with wine vinegar, it was such an ordinary dish that at its normal £9.90 price tag I found it rather outrageous.

Hakata Chilled Reimen

The hot ramen on the other hand saved the day, I had the signature Shoryu Ganso Tonkotsu, the tonkotsu pork and miso broth was rich and flavoursome, the layers of spinach worked wonderful with the ginger and garlic in the hot broth. Bbq pork wasn't as tender as it could but the nitamago egg along with the spring onion and sesame added another layer of texture, a hint of nuttiness and spices, all the elements synced well together and it was just a bowl of flavour sensations.

Shoryu Ganso Tonkotsu

Dracula Tonkotsu

Overall I found Shoryu Soho just too inconsistent, while the signature ramen was brilliantly executed, the cold ramen was just awful and uninspiring. Also the service was just total chaotic, yes they were all friendly but they just kept making mistakes, getting orders wrong and just all over the show. (giving me only 1 chicken skewer to the opposite 2 as I ordered, put the bill on my table while I was still eating...) I totally understand it is still early days but Shoryu seriously need to address its front of house staff. Also once the special promo is finished, will we still see long queues gathering outside or are the diners just taking advantage for the cheap eat? Time will tell.  

Food 3.5
Service 1
Ambience 3
Value 3

£9 per head

3 Denman Street London, UK W1D 7HB

http://www.shoryuramen.com/