Cape Town’s ramen favourite returns with a bigger menu, a new izakaya concept and plenty of sake.
Ramenhead has grown up. The FYN Group’s much-loved ramen spot has moved from its original Parliament Street home into a bigger space at 75 Kloof Street, opening as Ramenhead Izakaya with a menu that goes well beyond the bowl.
Chef and co-owner Peter Tempelhoff is joined by chef Ashley Moss and service and beverage director Jennifer Hugé, with Executive Chef Julia du Toit leading the kitchen and Group Sushi Chef Ryan Reyes heading up the sushi counter.
Ramen is still very much the star, with four options including the signature tonkotsu, tori paitan, vegetable Sapporo and chilled hiyashi chuka. The team even imported the first Yamato noodle-making machine on the continent, with noodles made in-house, portioned by hand and matured for at least 48 hours.
But the new space is all about sharing. Expect wood-fired izakaya plates such as yellowtail tataki with apple and daikon salsa, karaage with yuzu and dill ranch, whole prawn tempura, miso-glazed Duroc pork belly and whole chokka with white miso butter.
There’s also sushi, with the focus on Osaka-style oshizushi, plus a four-stop omakase experience that moves from chilled fish and sushi through tempura and karaage, ramen and dessert.
And then there’s the drinks. Jennifer has curated a list of 24 premium sakes, served at the courtyard sake bar by the bottle, glass or tasting flight, alongside Japanese-inspired cocktails, highballs, sours and local beers and wines.
The space itself is just as considered, blending dark timber, shou sugi ban, shoji-inspired panels and playful Ramenhead touches, including the original ramen bowls from Parliament Street and a pillar covered in Naruto manga pages.
In other words, go for the ramen, stay for the sake.
Ramenhead Izakaya
75 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Tuesday to Sunday
+27 67 312 8061
www.ramenhead.co.za