Soho isn’t short on places for a late-night drink – but somewhere to sit down and eat after 10pm? Historically, options have been few and far between.
Introducing: Maki & Ramen, fresh from Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Armed with a 1am licence, the Japanese restaurant brand has made its London debut in what was the La Bodega Negra basement on Old Compton Street.
Founder Teddy Lee’s dream diners? 24-hour party people. “We’ve always believed great food shouldn’t be limited by the clock,” chief operating officer Michael Salvador tells Broadsheet. “When we spent time walking through Soho, it became very clear that there’s an incredible energy here late into the night, but a noticeable gap when it comes to high-quality, comforting food options after hours.”
The brand, which first launched in Edinburgh in 2015, has built its reputation on bowls of quick-serve ramen that don’t, apparently, compromise on flavour. “Our noodles are handcrafted, and our broth is simmered for eight hours to achieve that deep, rich flavour that defines authentic ramen,” says Salvador. Longtime favourites include a rich black garlic tonkotsu, a fiery “hell ramen”, and steak tataki variations.
The Soho menu also features a bumper offering of sushi, gyoza and katsu curries to soak up one’s sins.
What’s more, 80 of the 85 dishes on the menu are halal and there is a generous number of vegan options – a combination that Salvador argues is still relatively rare in central London. “We’ve created a space where traditional Japanese cuisine is accessible to everyone … without compromising on authenticity,” he says.
An open-plan space with warm lighting, neon accents and nods to classic ramen-yas, the basement space also serves Japanese beers, funky, fruit-forward cocktails and tea-based drinks including the theatrical Geisha’s Kiss finished with a noughties flourish of smoke.
“People want somewhere they can sit, relax, and enjoy a proper meal after a show, a shift, or a night out,” says Salvador. “That’s exactly what we’re here to offer.”
Maki & Ramen
9 Old Compton St, W1D 5JF
Hours
Daily 11.30am–1am
