Forever & Ever, Matsudai Ramen
Since starting with a ‘pop up’ model in late 2019, Cardiff-based Matsudai Ramen has reached truly cult status - and yet, it is still the first and only standalone ‘ramen shop’ in Wales.
In 2020 Matsudai expanded operations, rolling out national deliveries for its brilliant ‘assemble at home’ ramen kits - a concept born out of sheer necessity at the beginning of the pandemic.
During those embryonic 12 months the kits proved so popular – often selling out within 48 hours - that James was able to invest in a permanent ‘dark kitchen’, take on extra staff, and even start delivering his fresh ramen kits to the whole of the UK.
James Chant in the kitchen (pic credit: Jamie Allen)
I have been working with James since the very early days of Matsudai Ramen. In that time, his delicious ramen kits have been covered by Wales Online, tried & tested by the Daily Mail and Indy Best, and even caught the eye of eminent restaurant critic Jay Rayner (see here).
James has been quoted in the guardian waxing lyrical about his favourite condiments, featured in Food & Travel Magazine and The Caterer, and been invited onto the breakfast show with BBC Radio Wales. Meanwhile, his London and Bristol pop-ups have attracted rave reviews from the regional press, too.
If you ever needed proof that PR really works, on the day of the Jay Rayner piece Matsudai’s ramen kit sales went through the roof (a 5 x same-day increase), website traffic has since more than doubled, and James’ email list grew by more than a thousand eager subscribers in the space of a week.
Opening the Restaurant
In Summer 2022, I helped Matsudai Ramen to launch their first, bricks and mortar restaurant, Matsudai at the Bank.
Following the five-month refurbishment of a former Natwest bank on the outskirts of Cardiff city centre, James threw open the doors to his 70-cover ramen shop on Saturday 6th August 2022. And whilst the DIY ramen kits will continue to be a core part of Matsudai’s offering, Matsudai Ramen at the Bank now gives guests a chance to enjoy an eclectic variety of ramen styles served straight from his custom-built, open-plan kitchen.
The news was well received, with excited announcements in both national trade and consumer press. After opening, James and his team scored rave reviews from the likes of Wales Online, Buzz Magazine and respected local food blogger Gourmet Gorro.
To find out more, book a table or order a DIY ramen kit, visit www.matsudai.co.uk.
“Matsudai has received national media coverage with cache far beyond what we ever expected, given our relatively slight stature. Jane is funny, lovely and incredibly easy to work with. She's super communicative and seems to have a creative solution to any problems I throw at her. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.”
- James Chant, Founder, Matsudai Ramen