One of the UK’s best known ramen specialists is officially heading to Cardiff. Tonkotsu has confirmed it will open a new restaurant in the heart of the city centre on High Street in March 2026, bringing its much loved bowls of homemade ramen, gyoza and crisp fried chicken to the Welsh capital.
Founded in Soho in 2012 by co-founders Ken Yamada and Emma Reynolds, Tonkotsu was one of the first brands to help spark the UK’s ramen boom. The pair still run the business together today, with Tonkotsu now firmly established as a go to for comforting, carefully made Japanese food.
Speaking about the Cardiff opening, Ken Yamada said the team has been keen to find the right spot for some time. He added that they are excited to become part of Cardiff’s dining scene and are looking forward to serving their ramen to the city.
As with all Tonkotsu restaurants, the focus will be firmly on the ramen. Each bowl is made using Tonkotsu’s own fresh noodles, crafted daily using mid century noodle machines imported from Tokyo. The noodles are cooked to order for exactly 32 seconds to achieve their signature medium bite. The broths are just as carefully prepared, with bone broths cooked over two days to draw out deep, rich flavour.
The Cardiff menu will feature Tonkotsu’s signature ramen, a creamy pork bone broth enriched with lardo, thin cut noodles, roast pork belly, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, spring onions, burnt garlic oil and a seasoned free range egg. Other favourites include the Chilli Chicken Ramen, made with chicken and sea salt broth and Tonkotsu’s Eat the Bits chilli oil, and the vegan Mushroom Miso ramen. All bowls can be customised with extra toppings such as kimchi or the fiery scotch bonnet hot shot.
Alongside the ramen, diners can expect Tonkotsu’s handmade gyoza, served freshly steamed and filled with classic pork, ginger and garlic, shiitake and bamboo shoot, or king prawn. Starters also include the brand’s much loved chicken kara-age, Eat the Bits chilli chicken wings and vegan friendly cauliflower wings.
Tonkotsu Cardiff will also offer smaller sized ramen bowls across the full menu, giving customers more choice on portion size and price. These options will be available all day, not just at lunchtime.
The drinks menu will feature original sake made exclusively for Tonkotsu by the Tsuji Brewery in Okayama, a collaboration beer with Thornbridge, Tonkotsu’s own small batch gin, plus Japanese whiskies, wines, cocktails and low alcohol options.
Adding a local touch, the team is working with Cardiff based illustrator Suzanne Carpenter to create a large scale mural inside the restaurant, designed to bring a bit of joy to diners as they slurp their ramen.
Alongside dine in space, Tonkotsu Cardiff will also offer takeaway and delivery, including Click and Collect via tonkotsu.co.uk. With its focus on comfort, craft and quality, this is one opening Cardiff ramen fans will want firmly on their radar for March 2026.
