Here in Manchester, ramen places have always been a bit like buses. For years, there’s hardly been any, then all of a sudden a load appears all at once.
Thanks to the arrival of Toyko Ramen, CBRB, and Lucky Ramen these past few years, city folk are now well-catered to – but for those in the suburbs, good ramen can still be a hard thing to find.
Thankfully Chorlton has just welcomed a brand new addition in the form of Shogun Ramen and Bar, where noodle fiends can slurp down umami-rich broth, nori, and gooey eggs to their heart’s content.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Opened inside what was formerly Peck & Yard, Shogun might be a new concept but it all still comes from the same team.
On the menu, you’ll find six different styles of ramen served in either a rich and flavoursome pork bone tonkotsu complete with a secret base, a 6-hour chicken broth for non-pork eaters, or vegan-based miso and shitake mushroom broth.
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The eponymous Shogun tonkotsu is the signature dish here and made even more indulgent with the addition of truffles, whilst the ‘owner’s favourite’ ike no tonkotsu features shitake mushroom, double nitamago eggs, sweetcorn, and chilli flakes.
Traditional tonkotsu fans, meanwhile, will definitely want to try the ‘original’ which combines thick slices of barbecue pork belly with kikurage mushrooms and a dusting of spring onions.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
In a nod to the site’s past as a beloved chicken shop, there’s also a chicken teriyaki ramen served in a 6-hour broth with radish. nitamago egg, mushrooms, spring onions, sesame seeds and sweetcorn.
As for vegans, they’re well looked after too, with a plant-based bowl featuring wilted pak choi, kikurage mushrooms, spring onions and sesame seeds.
Elsewhere on the menu, you’ll find nibbles like edamame, fried vegetable gyoza, chicken yakitori and stuffed bao buns to get your appetite going, alongside a selection of cocktails and Japanese beers.
The new concept sees the team behind Peck & Yard breathe new life into their restaurant as they give things one more shot after announcing a heartbreaking closure earlier this year.
In the summer, the team said they ‘did [their] best but unfortunately it wasn’t enough’, sharing a farewell video last month that showed staff members hugging one another and ‘holding back tears’
Now they’re back, reopening under a new name and switching up their concept from fried chicken to steaming bowls of ramen.
Having previously considered opening a ramen shop prior to launching Peck & Yard, owners said that now seemed as good a time as any to give things ‘one last shot’ – and we’re so glad they did.
Open from 5pm – 10pm Thursday to Friday, 1-11pm Saturday and 1-9pm Sunday, head down to the restaurant on Manchester Road to get your traditional ramen fix.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
Eats
Brilliant Saddleworth restaurant shares statement after devastating fire that brought village to a standstill
Daisy Jackson
A brilliant restaurant in Saddleworth has been left ‘badly damaged’ after a huge blaze ripped through it yesterday afternoon.
Hot Duck in Uppermill, a modern Chinese establishment tucked above a takeaway, said that the fire on Sunday 6 September has been ‘devastating’.
Both Hot Duck and Hei Hei, which share a building on the village’s high street, will be closed for the foreseeable future.
But in a statement, Hot Duck said they will ‘do everything we can to come back stronger’.
They reassured customers that everyone is safe following the blaze.
Six fire engines from across Greater Manchester scrambled to the fire yesterday, with High Street closed while emergency services attended.
Locals were asked to avoid the area on Sunday evening.
Hot Duck said in a statement: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out over the last 24 hours. As many of you know, our restaurant has suffered a devastating fire affecting our whole building.
Inside Hot Duck in Uppermill before the fireHot Duck’s incredible dim sum
“Thankfully, everyone is safe, and for that, we’re incredibly grateful. We are still processing what comes next.
“It’s heartbreaking to see something we’ve worked so hard on over the years so badly damaged.
“The kindness, messages, calls, and offers of help mean more than we can put into words. To our customers, friends, neighbors, suppliers, and the wider community, thank you. Your support has given us hope at a time we really needed it.
“For now, the restaurant will remain closed while we begin the long process of rebuilding. It won’t be easy, but we will do everything we can to come back stronger. We’ll keep you updated. We will be back.”
The Greater Manchester book café serving literary afternoon teas and build-your-own bouquets
Daisy Jackson
If you like your afternoon tea with a side of good books, there’s a Greater Manchester café where you can quite literally have your cake and read it too.
Tucked inside this charming bookish spot, afternoon tea arrives with an unexpected twist. Rather than being presented with the usual three-tiered stand, you’re handed a stack of heavy hardback books.
But don’t start worrying that you’ve accidentally wandered into a very niche library club. The books are hiding something.
Lift the covers in Peony & Parchment – or, more accurately, open the book-shaped boxes – and you’ll discover a full afternoon tea concealed inside.
There are dainty sandwiches to get stuck into, including tiny egg mayo, herby chicken salad, ham and mustard, and cheese and tomato focaccia, alongside a little quiche.
Then comes the scone – classic, fluffy and ready for the obligatory dollop of clotted cream and jam. And, because no afternoon tea should leave you feeling like you’ve been short-changed in the cake department, there are five miniature slices to work through.
Afternoon tea concealed in a stack of booksSome of the other bakes on display
There’s a Victoria sponge with a dreamy vanilla cream, lemon drizzle, rich chocolate cake, a Bakewell slice and a pecan pie, all sourced from a local bakery just across the alleyway.
It’s all served with a pot of tea or coffee, with the option to add a glass of prosecco.
And the bookish theme doesn’t stop at the afternoon tea.
Downstairs you’ll find shelves packed with books, including the intriguing ‘blind books’. Instead of judging a book by its cover, you’ll be given clues and a short summary of what lies inside before taking a gamble on your mystery read.
Downstairs in Peony & Parchment‘Blind books’A role playing village for kids
There’s also plenty here to keep younger visitors entertained, thanks to a children’s area complete with a mini role-playing village.
And if books and cake weren’t enough, there’s another string to this café’s bow.
The Bloom Bar lets you build your own bouquet. Choose the size you want, then wander around selecting your own stems and foliage to create something that’s uniquely yours.
You can build your own bouquetThe Bloom Bar at Peony & Parchment
Of course, you don’t have to be visiting specifically for the afternoon tea. The wider menu includes tapas, full breakfasts and sandwiches, making it just as suitable for a leisurely brunch, lunch or coffee-and-cake stop.
So whether you’re there to discover your next favourite novel, assemble a bouquet, entertain the kids or simply eat your way through five different miniature cakes, this is one café where there are plenty of chapters to explore.
Georgina Pellant -
7th October 2022 
