A Guardian food critic has given a glowing review of Wales' first dedicated ramen restaurant which opened just six months ago. Jay Rayner described Matsudai Ramen, located in Clare Road in Grangetown, Cardiff, as "inventive, geeky, and superb".
In the article Mr Rayner said his visit was not his first encounter with the ramen spot. During the pandemic the restaurant's owner, James Chant, sold kits to make ramen at home. "I ordered one during one of the longer lockdowns and it was a joyous burst of sunshine at our table amid the darkness," wrote Mr Rayner.
Taking the reader through each course the critic first praised the drinks, recommending a shiroguroni, which he described as "a witty, refreshing bitter lemon twist on the negroni, made with gin, sake and the fragrant citrus of yuzu". He then expresses warm approval of the small plates commending how a Japanese cucumber salad (sunomono) had a "sweet-savoury sesame dressing with just the right hit of chilli" while "bouncy slabs of shiitake mushroom are sweetly, deeply pickled".
