Last week, we headed over to the independent Far Eastern restaurant, Tampopo, to check out the latest offerings on their new and improved menu which features 70% all-new and evolved dishes.
Diners will be spoilt for choice when choosing from the menu, which is the culmination of 12 months of research and development including trips to Hong Kong - all of which is designed to bring modern flavours from around Asia to Manchester.
There's something for just about every occasion with Tampopo introducing exciting new ways to dine together - from breakfast and brunch smash-hits to leisurely grazing, feasting dinners with great wine or the classic solo bowl of steaming noodles.
Big-hitting new large plates on the menu include the Thai Fried Whole Sea Bream - a whole Sea Bream is lightly fried and combined with fresh mango, Thai basil, spring onion, shallots, red chilli & oyster sauce.
If you're more into your meat, you've got to try the Yamato Fillet Steak which takes the Japanese fillet steak experience to a whole new level. The fillet steak is seared medium rare and then served with slowly simmered fresh garlic, black pepper, butter, and sake, and fried onions on the side.
There are also a bunch of small plates if you don't fancy a big portion including the star player Szechuan Pork Belly dish. Cooked low and slow for maximum flavour, it’s a rich, warming dish infused with star anise, cinnamon, ginger, garlic & sticky oyster sauce.
The refreshed and extended range of small plates takes in a diverse range of Eastern flavours allowing for the perfect grazing experience. Tampopo classics like Pork Gyoza and Chicken Satay Skewers sit alongside new vibrant vegan dishes including Korean Kimchi & Cucumber Salad (featuring the more intense flavour of Tampopo’s new homemade kimchi).
Be sure to add Tampopo to your list of go-to brunch spots as they've just introduced three new dishes to the menu including a Thai Style Omelette which brings flavour and zest to a brunch favourite via spicy pork belly marinade, chilli and soy sauce, all served atop a mound of fluffy rice.
Additionally, the bubble waffle, a solid Hong Kong favourite, has finally arrived at Tampopo and is served with honey, chicken, bacon and a fried egg for a decadent sweet/savoury dish of dreams.
If you're wanting something on the healthier side, why not try out Tampopo’s Bali Brunch Bowl which brings a fresh, summer season option to the menu? Brimming with flavour, it combines smashed avo, poached egg, mango pomegranate and sweet potato.
And don't fret if you don't eat meat as, with over 30 vegetarian options on the menu, there are plenty of choices for plant-based dining.
Plus there are even more sides to please the whole table including seasoned fries, chilli cheese curry fries, flaky roti and of course jasmine rice, noodles, grilled greens and more.
David Fox, Tampopo Co-Founder said: "The new Tampopo menu has been over 12 months in the making. It allows guests to interact with the menu in a way that is new and unique for us.
"Our small and large plate options make it easier to graze, share, taste more, and stay longer. This is how many people like to eat in the East - food is at the heart of every interaction.
"We’ve taken inspiration from restaurants in some of the most exciting global cities in the world like Hong Kong and Bangkok.
"There’s an expression in Thailand 'same same but different' which is what this menu is - we’ve kept all the things everyone loves, it's the same Tampopo but you can also experience us in a completely different way with this menu.
"We’ve worked hard to keep the prices affordable and to listen to the feedback of guests - this menu reflects the tastes of people in Manchester. As an adopted Mancunian I feel that Manchester is a city that has its arms wide open - to new people and flavours and so we think this new menu will be welcomed."
Find out more here.