I've been the person counting coins outside a chippy, working out if I can afford it. So when I say a bowl of ramen matters, I don't mean as a trend. A hot bowl, a seat and somewhere you're allowed to stay for a bit can turn a bad week around.
We're bringing Jefes Ramen down from Stockport for a night, so I've been looking at where people actually eat ramen in Bristol and where the city does food events properly. Here are five places. One of them is ours. The other four are just good.
1. Tomo No Ramen, Old Market
Tomo No Ramen is on West Street, round the corner from where we'll be cooking, and it's what people from Bristol send you to when you ask for ramen. The broths are made properly and the menu changes with the seasons. They say they keep the bar free for walk-ins, and I respect that. It's evenings Tuesday to Saturday, so check before you go.
2. Ramen Ya, Gloucester Road
A small, packed place on Gloucester Road with lanterns hanging from the ceiling. It's the kind of shop you only find because somebody who lives nearby takes you. It's been on the strip for years and people keep coming back, which tells you more than a review does. It's closed on Mondays, which works out well for us (see number 3).
3. Jefes Ramen at The Punchbowl, Old Market (Mon 9 Nov)
This is our one, and it's a bit different. On Monday 9 November, 6–10pm, we're cooking at The Punchbowl Ale House & Kitchen, 23 Old Market St, BS2 0HB. It's Buy 1 Give 1: every bowl you buy funds a matching meal with Caring in Bristol, who put meals in front of people experiencing homelessness in this city all year. The pub keeps the bar. You get a big bowl and somebody else gets a meal too.
The advance tickets have gone. If there's space on the night, walk in and we'll serve you a bowl. All the details are on our Bristol page. If you want to know why we chose this pub, read Old Market's pubs and The Punchbowl. If you want to know how Buy 1 Give 1 works, start there.
4. Cargo, Wapping Wharf
Cargo is a group of shipping containers by the harbour, with independent kitchens trading most days, lunch through to dinner. It's not a ramen place. It's where you go when half of you want tacos and the other half want something else, and nobody has to give in. It's open seven days, so it's the safe bet when nothing else is on. Hours vary by unit.
5. St Nicholas Market Street Food, Wine Street
St Nicks has been trading since 1743. On the first Friday of the month, Bristol's street food traders set up on Wine Street at lunchtime. The line-up changes every time, so check the market's socials before you go. It's food events done the Bristol way: independent traders, quick, and cheap enough that you can try two things. This is the scene we came out of.
Before you go
- Ramen shops are often shut on Mondays. If you want ramen in Bristol on Monday 9 November, come to us at The Punchbowl.
- Always check opening times on the day. Small places change their hours.
- If you can't make it but want to help: our 382k Reasons Crowdfunder runs until Tuesday 24 November, 6:50pm. Every bit turns into bowls for people who need them.
- Run a pub that would host a night? Have a look at this. Want to help us serve? Join the crew.
Eat well, Bristol. See you on Monday.
Jerelle, Jefes Ramen