Manchester’s original independent Pan Asian restaurant Tampopo turns 25 this year – and to celebrate, it’ll be giving away 100 katsu curries next week.
Next Monday, the restaurant will hand out one of its most popular dishes from a pop-up Katsu station outside its Corn Exchange site.
Katsu,a crispy fried cutlet of meat or seafood made flaky with Japanese panko breadcrumbs, is one of Japan’s most popular dishes – often served with a sweet and savory spiced fruit sauce called Tonkatsu.
Tampopo’s version comes as either crispy chicken or sweet potato served with the restaurant’s special house curry sauce, and has been a favourite at the restaurant for a quarter of a century.
Image: The Manc Eats
From 12pm on Monday 20 June, there will be a pop-up Katsu station offering the free Katsu curries out on a first-come-first-served basis.
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The free curry giveaway will kick off a summer of events, offers and rewards for loyal fans of Tampopo.
Diners can enjoy a special anniversary offer of 25% off click and collect at all of Tampopo’s restaurants across Manchester, The Trafford Centre and the East Street by Tampopo Kiosk.
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Tampopo will also be collaborating with Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) to launch a special foodie podcast series, chronicling the last 25 years of the Manchester food and drink scene with special guests from the wider hospitality community.
The podcast will launch with a big party at MFDF in September.
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Image: Tampopo
Tampopo first opened its doors in 1997 with its original restaurant in Albert Square. The first dining establishment of its kind back in the 90s, twenty-five years on it now has four Greater Manchester outlets and another site in Fitzrovia, London.
Tampopo has also welcomed some celebrity diners over the years, including Victoria and David Beckham, Ian Brown and Jason Donovan.
David Fox, founder of Tampopo, said: “I am proud to have been a part of the Manchester dining scene for 25 years – a time which has seen the city’s food and drink community develop almost beyond recognition.
“I’m happy to have played a small part in the lives of so many loyal customers and team members over the years too – those moments of happiness when family and friends can share food at our table is truly special.
“We even have five Tampopo team marriages, and six Tampopo babies including a set of twins! All in all it is the people that have made the last 25 years so special – so, here’s to the next quarter century with them too!”
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.
The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.
A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.
Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.
“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.
“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”
Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps
In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.
Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
16th June 2022 
