"There are a few things that come with being into anime. The first is being a night owl. The second is taking some sacred oath to convince anyone who isn’t a fan of it that they’re wasting their life by watching anything else. And the third is having an always nagging craving for ramen. Uzumaki on Holborn’s Great Russell Street—an anime-inspired spot serving big, steaming, and satisfying bowls of ramen—is the perfect place to scratch that itch. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Yes, there’s a huge colourful mural including characters from Luffy to Tanjiro covering every inch of the walls in the spacious dining room, references to Naruto on the menu, and a gift shop with figurines and merch from popular shows. But this bright and airy restaurant, flooded with natural light thanks to the skylight, with roomy tables and a techy seasoning station at the edge of each bench, means you’d be happy eating here even if you’ve never heard of the Kokoro Connect scandal. The first time we had a meal here, we sat at one of the big sharing tables with a small group and ordered a bowl of ramen that we definitely could have shared with one other person. The second time, we popped in for a speedy solo lunch to unashamedly slurp while watching a Netflix show. And each time this restaurant has hit the spot. It’s a cosy, slightly canteen-like dining room, where students can pop in for a sit-down lunch and leave with a bubble tea to sip on in their next lecture, while couples can have a lazy two-hour meal that starts with karaage and ends with a 20-minute visit to the gift shop out front. Basically, bar someone whose ex resembles Kakashi, this is a spot that caters to most. It’s a solid option for a group dinner when one of your friends only eats halal, and the other is a vegan. Plus, they’ve even got gluten-free noodles for all your free-from friends. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch We prefer to start with the tangy and salty sakura furikake vegan onigiri, or some crispy double-fried chicken thighs that we witnessed cause groups on nearby tables fight for the last piece of. But, ramen is the main reason you come. Big bowls of piping hot broth filled with handmade ramen noodles, and finished with slices of wagyu beef, delicate Japanese fish cakes, or nutty menmma bamboo. It’s a bowl that’ll warm you from the inside, and is the kind of dish you’ll keep in mind the next time you type “thermal leggings” into Amazon. Undoubtedly, this is an ideal place for anyone who’s a fan of anime. But it’s also just a good place to have in your back pocket. Whether you’re in need of a pick-me-up in the form of noodle soup, require a last-minute group dinner reservation, or when you’ve binge watched too many episodes of Naruto eating bowl after bowl, and physically can’t function until you too get some ramen in your system. Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Onigiri There are four different rice balls on the menu, but get the sakura furikake. Pickled sakura cherries and plums are mixed into Japanese rice balls and charred corn—it’s tangy, it’s salty, and it’s the perfect snack for when you’re on the go. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Halal Uzumaki Ramen This spot caters for vegetarians, vegans, and halal-eaters alike, and we’re very into their Uzumaki bowl. The shiitake miso broth is light and earthy, and the ramen noodles have the kind of slurpability you should reserve for people you’re really comfortable with. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Build Your Own Ramen You won’t be judged for mixing and matching anything here. Whether you choose udon instead of ramen noodles, or mix the beef short rib, tempura prawn, and some wood ear mushrooms for good measure, it’s all encouraged. Just make sure you get the gooey-centered marinated egg." - Rianne Shlebak
