Tonkotsu Bristol: We indulge in a heart-warming and filling meal for £20 in Bristol's new ramen bar

Tonkotsu is the latest addition to the vibrant city centre and their first venue in Bristol.

The restaurant, founded by Emma and Ken, makes noodles and nourishing broths for their Japanese noodle soups fresh daily, as well as katsu curries, gyoza, and sides.

The brand started as a pop-up in 2011 in London before the first Tonkotsu restaurant opened in Soho in 2012. They now have venues in London, Birmingham and Brighton.

Their menu includes a wide selection of ramens like Chilli Tiger Prawn (chicken broth and sea salt base, with classic noodles, Eat the Bits chilli tiger prawns, bamboo shoot and wakame) for £14.95 for regular and Japanese Mushroom Miso (Miso base, shiitake, enoki and shimeji mushrooms, mangetout and bamboo shoots) for £11.95 for regular, as well as Katsu Curries and homemade gyoza to name a few.

The restaurant was very busy with some pop music playing from speakers not too loudly.

Large paper lantern-style lamps decorated the sealings whilst Japanese sake and other drink bottles adorned the shelf on the bar as well as the edge of the pillar of the open-kitchen restaurant.

I managed to secure one of their last single-seat tables left during lunchtime and decided to order a set lunch which seemed to be a good deal available Monday to Friday until 5pm.

The deal includes a lunch-sized side and a small ramen (which can be made regular for an extra £3.20) for £9.95 and a soft drink for an extra £2.

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I chose the small Tokyo Ramen (chicken broth and soy sauce base, with classic noodles, marinated braised pork belly and bamboo shoots), the pork, ginger and garlic gyoza and a ginger sansho, as well as an extra small side of Chicken Kara-Age with Tonkotsu Mayo for £5.25.

The Ginger Sansho was brought to the table within a couple of minutes and was garnished with a lime wedge on the side. The refreshing drink was not overly sweet or too fizzy and had a citrusy aftertaste with a not-overpowering ginger taste.

The sides arrive about 10 minutes later. The gyoza was warm and very soft with an ever-so-crispy side. The meat was tender with a slight earthy taste.

As for the chicken, it came with a lemon wedge and had a crispy exterior and very tender and slightly chewy chicken. The lemon complimented the creamy and flavourful mayo.

As for the ramen, which arrived 10 minutes later, came with soft, thin noodles which were slightly chewy, but which worked very well.

The soft-boiled egg was full of flavour, the bamboo shoots were slightly crunchy and the pork belly was slightly chewy and soft. The chicken broth was not too salty. It was a heart-warming dish.

Overall, the staff were very friendly and fast considering how busy the restaurant was. The meal was filling and had just the right amount of portions.

Tonkotsu - Bristol, 4 Baldwin Street, Bristol, BS1 1SA. Open Sunday to Thursday from 11.30am to 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 11.30am to 10.30pm.