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Kitchen - Matsudai Ramen, Cardiff,

Matsudai Ramen

4.7
4.7
31 Reviews
£25 and under
Ramen
83 Pontcanna St, Cardiff, CF11 9HS

About this restaurant

  • Innovative
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Romantic
Matsudai Ramen is Wales' first and only proper, standalone ramen shop. It was launched in September 2019 by self-confessed ‘ramen geek’ James Chant as a means to scratch a creative itch and recapture his mojo after becoming disillusioned with the music industry work he had been doing all his life.

With no background in cooking, Matsudai is a true labour of love for the now-chef - an exercise in taking things as far as you can and not compromising. Matsudai's creations are just as heavily influenced by US chefs as Japanese ones, with James getting started by emulating the bowls of people like Mike Satinover, Ivan Orkin and Keizo Shimamoto.

Regardless, this is PROPER ramen, and it's attracted a devoted following amongst the UK's food-loving community. The care and attention which goes into every bowl is obvious to anyone who tastes it, with Matsudai picking up plaudits from Jay Rayner, Tom Parker-Bowles, Uncle Roger, Pippa Middlehurst, Melissa Thompson and many more.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Ramen, Japanese
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Thu–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Cardiff
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 31 people are saying

Matsudai Ramen reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7
4.7 based on all time ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseEnergetic

31 Reviews
  1. BellaEmburg

    Norfolk/Suffolk2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 16, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Simply the best Ramen I've had in the UK or Japan. Made with great care and attention. The freezer packs are just as good and great value.

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  2. Matthew

    South Wales1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 14, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Hands down the best ramen in Wales (some might say the only proper ramen). Can't wait to visit the permanent location!

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    South Wales2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 14, 2021

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    When we arrived one very rude member of staff completely ruined it and became the main take away from the experience for our friends who had never been before. Her attitude was completely unnecessary from the moment we arrived. We appreciate there is a 15 minute window but we were 4 minutes past that when we ran in, having just queued in over 25 minutes of traffic on Western Avenue because of an event that must have been taking place. I tried calling several times just to explain but was told that the phones weren’t on, so there was absolutely no way of communicating the situation. Despite having several empty tables, including our own, she told us (very rudely) that we can no longer eat as she had already given our table away. As I say, there were several empty tables however she insisted that it was too late and nothing she would do. She all but ushered us out of the restaurant. Our friends were in shock as we had said nothing but great things having brought our friends from London to the restaurant weeks earlier. She clearly didn’t want to be there and made it very clear. Her customer service was appalling and made us feel very uncomfortable. Another woman who was working with her intervened and said she would see what she could do. Within a minute she said we could have our table after all for the remainder of the time, which was now a further 5 minutes later than when we arrived. She was brilliant and went over and above to make up for the way we had been treated. Had she not we were ready to leave and in fact, had it not been from our first experience we wouldn’t have even considered staying. As the end of our time came to a close she advised that we could stay at the table for longer - she was lovely. The food was excellent, as I say, and the reason why we stayed having recommended it to our friends but the ordeal ruined the evening in spite of this. Thank you to the waitress who tried to salvage the evening.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 9, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    We really enjoyed our meal especially the sunset Yokohama ramen and both mushroom & chicken karaage. This is by far the best ramen I’ve had in a long time and I honestly hope you’re thinking of setting up a permanent restaurant. You’ve got a regular customer ready to sign up. Really good job to the matsudai team!!

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  5. Neighbour

    South Wales1 review

    1.0

    Dined on October 8, 2021

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    No explanation what practically every second term means on the menu. Clearly for enthusiasts only. Should be explained before booking. Did not like the food, but that is a personal taste matter.

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  6. DanniM

    Bristol2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 8, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the setting, child friendly, lovely ramen!!!!

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  7. KayleighR

    South Wales1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 1, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a lovely evening. This is the best Raman I have ever had!

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  8. EBEB

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 30, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely incredible food and wonderful place to go Could have used any interaction with staff at all to talk about food etc

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  9. AbbiM

    South Wales1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 24, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fresh ans full of flavour. You could taste every component and appreciate how they satisfy ome another. Absolutely delicious.

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  10. HaydnT

    Gloucestershire1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 24, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Better than I could have imagined. incredible food, lovely staff, what else could you want

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FAQs

Matsudai Ramen is rated 4.7 stars by 31 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Matsudai Ramen

83 Pontcanna St, Cardiff, CF11 9HS

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Cardiff
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Thu–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Ramen, Japanese
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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