Tonkotsu Ramen Announces Two-Month Takeover of Its Own Sister Site in St. James’s

The progenitor of London’s ramen obsession, Tonkotsu, will takeover its sister fine-dining restaurant site, Anzu, in St James’s Market for two months in the new year, the brand has announced. Emma Reynolds and Ken Yamada’s chain of casual noodle restaurants has been a citywide success — a portfolio that’s grown to seven sites in the past four years.

The ‘elevated Japanese brasserie’ Anzu launched the newly-developed St. James’s Market at the start of this year, the same would-be destination that has apparently not worked for the Salt Yard Group’s Italian restaurant, Veneta, which will close after just one year of trading at the end of this year.

For the company to be installing the more casual dining restaurant brand in the space for the early part of the new year indicates that they may be considering a change of use. The group’s tried-and-tested ramen brand is one that London diners have warmly embraced, despite competition from other expanding chains such as Bone Daddies, Shoryu and Kanada-Ya.

In a Facebook post this morning, Tonkotsu said:

“Exciting news! “We wanted you to be the first to know that we'll be starting 2018 with an exciting 2 month ramen residency at our sibling restaurant — Anzu, located in St James's Market, London. Join us from 5pm on 4th January — 7th January and receive 50% off your food!”

Tonkotsu has six London locations and one site in Birmingham. The brand first launched on Dean Street in Soho in 2013, right when ramen hit the mainstream as a breakout London food trend.

Representatives from the company did not immediately respond to Eater London’s request for more information about the company’s plans for the site beyond the new year pop-up.