Kinoya London Halal Japanese Ramen

The word ‘ramen’ is not new to London’s halal dining scene. However, authentic Japanese ramen is definitely lacking. The opening of Kinoya London is a store I’ve been craving for years after many disappointments, and one the market desperately needs to show Londoners what real Japanese ramen is. Japanese ramen is a true culinary art that takes days to make, with many intricate details to master. The closest one might be Ramolaman It’s a fusion of Filipino and Japanese, but it’s still not quite the same, is it? With Dubai’s impressive accolades and hype, I have high expectations for Kinoya and truly hope it will be that Finally a true representation of the art of Japanese ramen.

Kinoya: Authentic Japanese Ramen and Izakaya Taste from Dubai to London

Founded by chef Neha Mishra, Kinoya started as a very popular supper club and later became one of Dubai’s hottest restaurants. Not only that, the restaurant has also been awarded the 2023 Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation and ranked seventh among the 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East and Africa in 2023.

London is Kinoya’s first outlet outside the UAE and features an open kitchen counter dining experience in the luxurious atmosphere of Harrods Dining Hall. London’s menu is a little smaller than Dubai’s, focusing on ramen and some izakaya-style yakitori snacks, with plans to slowly expand its menu later. As seats are limited, reservations are recommended.

Food at Kinoya (what we ordered)

Meal date: January 2024

Wagyu Beef Root (£22)

We started with an order of wagyu moonballs, which are traditional Japanese meatballs served with mayonnaise and are one of Kinoya’s robata specialties. The dish has a lovely sweet teriyaki-like undertone that complements the yolk-rich sweet soy sauce. While delicious, we might have expected a stronger beefy flavor from the wagyu and felt it left more to be desired. We did find it a bit pricey especially when it only comes in two pieces per serving.

Salt Pork Ramen (£30)

When it came to ramen, after a long and thoughtful internal debate, I decided on the Shio Paitan Ramen, Chef Neha’s special slow-cooked chicken broth with dashi, grilled chicken and drizzled with horse oil (i.e. charred garlic oil) . When I took my first sip of the broth, I immediately nodded in approval as the subtle depth of flavor appeared on my taste buds. It’s light and clean, yet rich in flavor and embodies the art of traditional Japanese ramen. The noodles are freshly made and the texture is al dente and the broth is very good. We wish the grilled chicken was a little more seasoned, but overall it was definitely a worthwhile dish and I’d happily come back for more.

Hojicha (£8.50)

For drinks, we ended up with a small pot of hojicha, which was served charmingly in a cast iron teapot. It has a lovely toasty and nutty flavour, which is very warming on a cold winter day. There is no doubt that the quality of the roasted tea is very good, but we still think the price is a bit high. But, after all, this is Harrods.