Finds out what has made a new ramen noodle bar in Cape Town an instant hit
here might not be any sign of a gentle bossa nova, but things are definitely great at Downtown Ramen, the hotspot in Harrington Street where all the cool kids (and most of the rest of Cape Town) are filling their bellies with flavourful bowls of noodley broth.
Ramen eateries have been quite a trend this year — particularly in New York City — so co-owners Ryan McDonagh and Jan Davids were suitably quick off the mark in opening their noodle bar in July. (The duo also own Lefty’s downstairs, the popular dive bar that serves sliders, excellent ribs, and chicken and waffles.)
The menu offers bao (steamed buns) with a choice of pork belly and citrus pickle, or soy-and-beer-braised beef short rib, or an aubergine vegetarian option.
The toasted rye flour noodles come in a shoyu ramen broth of kombu, dashi and stock with menma bamboo shoots, spring onions and soy dressing. There are two variations: a delicious char siu pork belly or tofu. A marinated, soft-boiled egg and chilli are optional additions, but recommended.
The kitchen team make the noodles themselves every day — no curly, crunchy instant stuff here — and the soup is better for it. McDonagh says their philosophy is “simplicity and full-on flavour” and they definitely deliver, on both counts.
Appropriately there are a few Japanese beers and sake, in addition to a well-stocked bar. Their new menu ideas for summer include gyoza, chicken katsu curry, chicken karaage, hiyashi chuka and other cold noodle dishes.
The setting has an inner-city grunge about it (in an edgy way — it’s often teeming with hipsters). The soundtrack varies, but the resounding oomph from the bass of old-school R&B is often prevalent. It’s usually packed (they don’t take reservations), but turnover is quick so it’s worth a short wait in the queue. As McDonagh says: “Slurping noodles is tons of fun!” ...................................................... Downtown Ramen, 103 Harrington Street, Cape Town, 021 461 0407 The bill: R75 for a bowl of ramen, R35 for bao and R15 for pickles. Wines are about R90 a bottle, and beers between R20 and R30