APRIL 1 is not just for fools. It’s also the start of Shoryu Ramen’s three week homage to beloved xJapanese character Gudetama – in essence a ‘non-gender egg yolk with a butt crack’ according to one aficionado. Hence the noodle and broth destinaton on Piccadilly Gardens is celebrating this Sanrio stablemate of the cuter Hello KItty with an egg-themed pop-up built around their classic ramen.
How could ToM resist popping along for a sneak preview of what’s on offer in the special £24 three course menu available until April 21? That package also includes a drink, and a limited edition Shoryu x Creighton’s Gudetama chocolate bar, handmade in the UK by a mother-daughter duo.
Sporting a Gudetama flag, our starter buns were an appropriately bright Gudetama yellow. We went for Char Siu BBQ pork belly, chicken karaage (pumpkin croquette was the veggie alternative).
Move through to the mains and you realise that, beyond Gudetama, an egg is an essential accoutrement in the assembly of a ramen. Shining like a soft orange sun among the tangle of noodles and chicken or pork in the rich bone broth your eye is drawn to the nitimago (otherwise known as a hanjuku ramen egg, ajitsuku tamago, molten egg or lava egg).
This egg is hard-boiled, cooled, plunged into a sauce of tsuyu, cooking sake, soy sauce, mirin, pepper and ginger, then left in the fridge for a couple of days before serving.
So there it was winking at me from my ramen choice, the Miso Wafu Chicken with unique tonyu soy milk, white miso, shiitake mushroom and konbu soy broth and chicken karaage.
Across the table the choice was a White Natural ramen featuring miso, konbu & shiitake broth, garnished with a Gudetama egg on the side.
In truth it was on the bland side, compared say with the wonderful vegan miso ramen up at Tokyo Ramen up in the NQ.
Puddings in the offer are minimalist Mochi Ice Cream numbers. We shared mini yuzu and salted caramel chocolate flavours.There’s a choice of three drinks – mango iced oolong tea, Calpico, a milk-based soft drink or Mojito Loves Calpico, mixed with mint and lime – all served in a reusable Gudetama plastic cup. We each paid £5.80 extra for a woody Hitachi Nest Classic Ale.
We passed on the special compeition. anyone trying the Gudetama menu is invited to take a selfie with Gudetama and post on social with the hashtag #shoryugudetama, with four winners bagging a huge Gudetama plush toy and Creighton’s chocolate bundle.
Shoryu Ramen, 1 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1RG.
