Tonkotsu Birmingham Grand Central

The heart and soul of Tonkotsu is in the name: nourishing, comforting bowls of ramen.

Each bowl of steaming hot ramen is made with own fresh noodles crafted daily using mid-century noodle machines imported from Tokyo. The noodles are then cooked to order for precisely 32 seconds in boiling water for that perfect medium bite. All their bone broths are handmade over a two-day cooking process to get the maximum flavour into each bowl of ramen.

Their menu features the signature tonkotsu ramen: a rich and creamy pork bone-broth enriched with lardo, with thin-cut noodles and topped with roast pork belly, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, spring onions, burnt garlic oil and a beautiful (seasoned free-range) egg.

For those who like something light and spicy, you could try the chilli chicken ramen, a chicken and sea salt broth zazzed up with an addictive eat the bits chili oil. Or, try the mushroom miso ramen. All ramen can be customised with extra toppings from a Scotch bonnet shot to a braised pork belly. You can also enjoy a small version of their ramen as part of their lunch menu.

If you have little ones in tow, the kids okasama bento boxes are perfect, with all the ingredients for kids to make their own mini ramen or katsu curry meal.