Tenmaru Is Not Your Ordinary Jananpese Ramen Shop in London

I was asked where to find soondoobu (순두부) in London few years ago. One of my Korean friend highly recommended in a Japanese restaurant called Tenmaru. And it was so good and I made a video about it. Although the quality is not the best, you can watch it below.

I didn't know back then, but I found the reason why they sell soondoobu at Tenmaru.

At first glance, Tenmaru looks like just another Japanese ramen shop. But if you read the menu closely, you’ll find more than ramen, there’s soondoobu (순두부) and kimchi fried rice.

These aren’t random additions. They connect to the story of Zainichi Koreans, descendants of Koreans forced to Japan during the colonial era, who built their own communities when excluded from Japanese schools and jobs.

Food was one of the ways they created space for themselves. Out of that struggle came dishes like yakiniku, now seen as Japanese. That’s why menus can tell us history. And at Tenmaru, every dish reflects it.

What to Order at Tenmaru

Tenmaru specializes in paitan ramen, a style made from chicken broth instead of pork. They simmer 170 liters of broth for eight hours until it turns into a smooth, light soup. It’s different from the tonkotsu ramen most shops in London serve, and it sets Tenmaru apart.

And one of thing I loved about Tenmaru is that their noodles were super thing which I prefer (but this is absolutely a personal thing).

If you’re visiting, here are a few dishes worth trying: