Ryo

We popped in for food one evening at about seven o'clock. I must say, we didn't have ramen. We had good cheap food here - o-nigiri (rice ball with plum paste inside), kara-age (deep-fried chicken) with rice and soup, and unatama-ju (eel & omelette) also with rice and soup. The portions were a good size, the chicken was cooked properly (always good to know!), rice was nicely cooked. A bit more tofu in the miso soup would be good, though... :-)

Service was decent and friendly, and the food came out of the kitchen quickly. I don't have a problem with canteen-style decor, either, it's like a Hong Kong diner; we went there for something Japanese to eat, not for atmosphere.

I must say, the price was really good. So, for what you pay, I think you get a good deal and decent Japanese food.
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Funky Phantom
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I have never left a review before, but felt I had to having read all the bad comments on this restaurant. My husband used to live in Japan, and we have been going to this restaurant for many years. It is very authentic, exactly what you would get in Japan both in terms of atmosphere and food. The food is very good, and in response to the reviewer who says they do not accept any variation, we have always had our ramen and chukadon without pork, which the restaurant has been very accomodating. Yes, the decor could do with some updating (and last time we went there we saw it was closed for refurbishment, and I only logged visited this site to see if it was open again), but that is what most noodle bars in Tokyo look like. It is our six year old daughter's favourite place, and a good place for her to get to know everyday Japanese food.
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6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 07, 2011

Food was so so but their service was absolutely poor.

If you are Japanese, you won't be against my opinion.

It's disappointing that they do their business by using "Japanese restaurant" brand.
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Teddy
2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Saturday, July 02, 2011

I never normally write food reviews but I am now to pre warn others about this food establishment.

Simply put, the food was poor, the service was poor and the food was overpriced.

Only went in as was hungry on a wet day.

Avoid at all costs.
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Steve Warnock
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Monday, June 20, 2011

Very very disappointing food as I had high expectations when I visited.The worst ramen have ever tasted as well as their curry and rice they were horrible!!

Couldn't even think if the service was good or not.

They MUST do something to improve the food quality... can't approve this is a Japanese restaurant.
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Whinger
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Have been looking for an authentic Japanese ramen restaurant in London and visited Ryo. We were not greeted properly if at all and eventually found a table near the back. The chair was broken, fixed with sellotape and the table was dirty.

The waitress didn't have a clue what was going on, she couldn't indentify the food properly.

I had the miso ramen, which contained cheap instant noodles and the soup had no flavour. The pork was minced pork and just tasted wrong. There was more flavour in my wooden chopsticks.

The gyoza were average. The tap water the best thing on the table.

My sister had the ramen too but with chicken as well as a side of rice with curried chicken. Nothing had flavour and everything left us feeling a little underwhelmed bordering on feeling nauseous.

We left 75% of our food and left. The staff didn't seem concerned.

Please don't go.
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N Thompson
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, March 02, 2011

I just wanted to question this review as I have a very different experience of Ryo and noticed this person only has review on the website.

The noodles they use are NOT chinese as far as I can tell. They are not handmade but they are not cheap instant pot noodles either. I can't believe they would ever use minced pork in a soup noodle dish. The idea is just silly. They have never run out of sliced pork in all the years I've been going there.

Also, whilst I don't know this for sure, I do not believe they use any MSG in their soup as it doesn't have that MSG aftertaste. The soup actually has a clean, clear flavour to it. If they do use MSG then it must surely be in very small amounts, as I don't detect it.

Ryo is a great place and the only one I know of that does that Japanese style ramen experience. Their katsu curries are a winner too. It's cheap, efficient, tasty, simple and also great for eating on your own. I wish they would fix the reception on their TVs though
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8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 15, 2010

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

Why? The food is delicious, I especially recommend either the kimuchi ramen or the tonkatsu set! Though I must say any other meal would be good, it's really that tasty. Also unlike a lot of other Japanese restaurants this place always has a good healthy amount of JAPANESE CUSTOMERS, meaning to even them the quality of the food is genuine and honest.

Price is very reasonable, you pay just about the average price for most meals, around £8, and drinks are reasonably priced.

Atmosphere wise it's fine, not the most modern decor but if you're looking for a good meal with friends in a casual environment this is it. They usually have a couple of TV's playing in the background and sometimes the waiters like to play modern Japanese music in the background. I wouldn't recommend taking anyone here on a date though if you're looking for a romantic vibe haha.

OK the interior isn't very modern (don't let this put you off) but the waiters are friendly and it's right next door to the Japanese foods shop Rice Wine, so you can just pop next door for a light Japanese snack to accompany a well cooked meal. Plus I've read a couple of reviews here complaining about having to order at the counter when you arrive - is it really that big a deal? (It just means you don't have to tip!).

Other recommended meals: Karage set; Buta kimuchi; Crochets; Curry ramen (ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS)
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Clare
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 13, 2010

You don't go to Ryo in order to eat sushi or other common, and popular japanese dishes that you find at other restaurants serving japanese food. In addition, I certainly wouldn't recommend ordering those kinds of dishes from this restaurant. RYO HOWEVER SERVES THE MOST AUTHENTIC JAPANESE RAMEN that you will ever find in London. I am a ramen fan and have too often been disappointed by the fake ramen out there claiming to be japanese but however turns out more like chinese noddle soups. The service isn't great, however it is truly worth going to if you love TRUE japanese RAMEN.
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6 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8
Saturday, June 05, 2010