Next month, the restaurant group founded by Tak Tokumine – the visionary behind Japan Centre – will introduce Jiro Ramen to the UK for the very first time, bringing this legendary Japanese dish to six of its London locations: Carnaby St, Covent Garden, Regent Street, Soho, Shoreditch and Westfield Stratford City World Food Court (as well as Oxford and Manchester).

This launch marks a bold new chapter for Shoryu, which has been at the forefront of authentic ramen dining since its inception in 2012. First created in Tokyo in the 1960s, Jiro Ramen is more than just a noodle dish – it’s a cultural phenomenon.

While traditional ramen is celebrated for precision and refinement, Jiro Ramen is unapologetically bold and chaotic. In Japan, it has inspired fierce devotion and playful rivalry, with superfans – known as Jirorians ジロリアン – calling it “the ultimate ramen bowl”. Others have described it as “too much of everything” or “like a punch in the face.”

Founder & Executive Chef Kanji Furukawa says, “Jiro ramen is a guilty pleasure for me, a cult classic for Japanese. It’s so big, very messy and makes your head sweat. We use 4-hour kakuni pork belly, thick futomen noodles, a mountain of bean sprouts, extra seabura back fat, and minced garlic (my number one favourite). I hope the UK will love it as much as I do, and I’m sure our Japanese customers will be excited to see Jiro on the menu.”

Managing Director Hannah Tokumine adds, “At Shoryu, we’re always trying to keep our dishes as authentic as possible, and we aim to tell stories with our food that transport people to Japan. Jiro Ramen is one of those. It’s got so much personality, and there’s nothing else like it. I encourage everyone to research it online, read up about its history, and learn how it has gained its controversial reputation – then come and try it for yourself. Bringing it to the UK feels really special, and we’re proud of how we’ve captured the energy of this cult-favourite dish.”