Nanban

Japanese from a Masterchef

Ramen in pork broth with pork belly

Nanban in Brixton is a trendy, modern Japanese bar and restaurant. Founded by former Master Winner Tim Anderson. It serves a small selection of Izakaya dishes as well as a range of ramen. Unlikely many ramen bars in central London, you can book in advance, there are also plenty of bar counter seating for any walk in customers. The star of the dish had to be the twice-cooked pig tripe, blessed with rich, wonderful flavours from the spicy miso sauce, the texture of the crunchy cabbage along with the bean sprouts was just so comforting, it was the kind of the dish would go perfect with a bowl of plain rice. The smoked eel with sanshō pepper was another strong dish, the sourness of the prickly oil plus the clean and flesh taste of the green apple and cucumber really worked well with the meaty oily fish.

twice-cooked pig tripe

smoked eel with sanshō pepper

curry goat dipping ramen

The noodles served in a pork broth was bold and full of savoury flavours, the spicy taste of the burnt garlic oil packed a punch and the pork belly was well seasoned, too bad the tea-pickled egg was overcooked. The curry goat dipping ramen was less impressive, everything was kind of lost in the curry soup, all the other garnishes such as the Scotch bonnet-pickled bamboo shoots failed to add anything to the dish. Nanban does a pretty decent job in modern Japanese food, the Izakaya dishes were especially impressive. Some really interesting flavours that are not easy to find elsewhere in London. The ramens were pretty standard on the other hand and there are many other ramen joints in London are just as good, if not better. Overall a good addition to the Brixton dining scene as there aren't a great deal of Japanese restaurants down there right now.

Food 2.5/5

What I paid: 
£18 per head

Average cost without drinks and services:
£20

426 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8LF

http://www.nanban.co.uk/