"Michelin-starred Japanese chef Takashi Miyazaki first introduced himself to Cork with his take on the traditional homestyle cooking of his homeland, offering mighty cooking from a minute location. A handful of stools and a shelf counter are the only seating from which to consume his superb handiwork, using fine local produce that inspires the occasional Hibernian inflection. A bowl of plain noodles in his sublime dashi is a must, while the hearty miso butter tonkotsu ramen is based on pork stock cooked over three days. Though he has gone on to open the Michelin-starred Ichigo Ichie, Miyazaki remains a crucial piece of the local dining scene. [$]" - Joe McNamee