Cult Cardiff noodle wizards Matsudai Ramen have confirmed an early August opening date for their first bricks and mortar ramen restaurant, Matsudai Ramen at the Bank.
Following a five-month refurbishment of the former Natwest bank site in Grangetown, Cardiff, Matsudai founder James Chant will throw open the doors to his 70-cover ramen shop at 6pm on Saturday 6th August 2022.
Since starting out in late 2019, Matsudai Ramen’s pop-up events have taken over kitchens in London, Manchester and Bristol, delighting die-hard ramen fans and ramen newbies alike.
And while in-person events were out of the question, thousands of DIY ramen kits were freshly prepared by James’ growing team and delivered to households all over the UK.
Whilst the DIY ramen kits will continue to be a core part of Matsudai’s offering, Matsudai Ramen at the Bank will give guests a chance to enjoy an eclectic variety of ramen styles served straight from their new, open-plan kitchen.
Available ramen styles will change with the seasons, and side dishes will include James’ signature karaage (a Japanese method of deep frying) chicken and mushrooms.
James said, “I’m so excited to have this opening date in the diary. It’s mind-boggling to me that we’re about to open a restaurant – Wales’ first ramen shop – and in my hometown of Cardiff no less.
The feedback from the local community in Grangetown has been overwhelmingly warm – we feel truly welcomed and can’t wait to fill The Bank with ramen lovers. I’m very proud of what we’ve done to the space over the last few months and can’t wait to get it open now.”
Matsudai Ramen at the Bank will open Saturday August 6th from 5-10pm, then Monday to Friday 5-10pm, and Saturdays 12-10pm. From September 28th, it will also open Sundays from 12-7pm.
