This Friday marks National Katsu Curry Day and to celebrate the occasion, Tampopo is giving away a whopping 400 free curries to us Mancs.
We’ve suddenly just become bigger fans of Tampopo than we already were.
The Pan-Asian favourite franchise, which started here in our city nearly three decades ago, now boasts a total of four Greater Manchester sites and all of them will be participating in handing out free bowls of katsu curry at the end of the week.
We can’t think of many better ways to kick off the weekend than with a free curry, to be honest.
So what’s the deal? Well, it’s pretty simple: special popup ‘Katsu Curry Hubs’ will be stationed outside all of Tampopo’s locations in and around Manchester and free curries will be served up from 11am-1pm.
Just to warn you now, it’s strictly first come, first served and when they’re gone, they’re GONE, so you’re best making a beeline for your nearest Tampopo restaurant when in time to get in line.
100 curries will be given away at Albert Square, The Corn Exchange, The Trafford Centre Restaurant and The Trafford Centre Kiosk site too, meaning a total of 400 bowls of complimentary katsu curry are up for grabs, so you stand a very good chance of getting your hands on some free scran this Friday.
Better yet, the Tampopo has just had one their biggest menu updates ever; 70% of dishes are either brand new or refined to perfection – including the already much-loved katsu curry, so not only are getting it for free but it promises to taste better than ever.
The chain has always been committed to bringing the best of Far Eastern cuisine to Manchester even since it first opened up in 1997, and it remains just as diverse and dynamic as it is authentic.
The dish has evolved and tastes better than ever. (Credit: The Manc Eats/Supplied)
David Fox, co-founder of Tampopo, said: “Katsu Curry Day is the perfect occasion for us to give back to our amazing Tampopo community and to share one of most popular dishes – and a great way to welcome the Autumn.
“Our Katsu Curry has been honed to perfection over 27 years and we’re delighted to invite Manchester to come and celebrate with us.”
The katsu curry isn’t just a dish synonymous with Japanese cuisine but has quickly become a staple of comfort food here in the UK too. The crispy chicken, the steamed rice and that rich, savoury sauce – it’s just the best, and we have Tampopo to thank for being one of the first to bring it to Manchester.
It’s not the only freebie you can grab this week either…
Luxury Manchester steak restaurant launches bottomless brunch with endless rosé
Daisy Jackson
One of the newest luxury restaurants in Manchester is bringing back its suitably luxury bottomless brunch, with endless rosé and champagne.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch, where you can sip on never-ending Whispering Angel Rosé while tucking into a flat iron steak.
And if you’re not fussed about the food and just want to indulge in 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon Champagne in a beautiful setting, there are bar-only tables available too, which come with complimentary black truffle crisps.
The whole thing will be soundtracked by a live DJ, dancers, and more.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch
Its bottomless brunch launched over the previous bank holidays and will be back again this August for one day only.
You can choose from bottomless Whispering Angel, Moët & Chandon Champagne, or both.
And dishes from the Cut & Craft bottomless brunch set menu include flat iron steak and chips; halloumi, steak or prawn fajitas; and grilled peach salad.
Each booking gets you 90 minutes of bottomless, with extra nibbles available like freshly shucked Carlingford oysters, caviar, olives, salted almonds, and more.
Whispering Angel tickets are £55 for bar, or £75 for restaurant.
Champagne AND Whispering Angel tickets are £80 at the bar or £100 in the restaurant.
Prestwich wine bar Chin Chin now serves roast dinner sandwiches
Daisy Jackson
A new (ish) wine bar in Prestwich has launched one of the city’s coolest Sunday offerings – roast dinner sandwiches, with a side of jazz.
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1000 times – Elnecot is up there as one of Manchester’s best Sunday roasts, with Yorkshire puddings you could fit a jug of gravy inside, blushing slices of roast beef, and generous portions that put you in the sort of food coma you should be in on a Sunday afternoon.
So when Roast Master (okay fine, his official job title is chef/owner) Michael Clay said that his sister venue Chin Chin was launching a Sunday offering, I was there with my nose pressed up at the window. I’m ready, Michael.
Sunday Sessions at Chin Chin, right in the heart of Prestwich village, brings that incredible roast beef and roast potatoes into a more casual format.
You can tuck into roast meat butties, roast potatoes loaded with cheese and gravy, and ice cream sundaes, all while perusing a well-thought-out wine list that’s written up by hand every time new bottles come in.
Oh, and did we mention there are £4 pints all day on Sunday – and that includes Guinness?
On the side of just about everything on the menu, you’re presented with a little bowl of extra gravy (how delightfully Northern) for dipping and dunking.
Sunday Sessions at Chin Chin in PrestwichRoast beef sandwiches at Chin ChinLancashire cheese toastiesThe BifanaLoaded roastiesWine and vinyl recordsInside Chin Chin wine barThe wine list at Chin Chin
Our top pick would be the roast beef sandwich, served between ciabatta rolls and laced with mustard mayo and caramelised onions.
But the cheese toastie is worth a visit too – a hefty helping of Lancashire cheese and charred spring onions, with a ‘secret sauce’ on the side.
Coming soon will be a new menu item, a Bifana sandwich. If you’ve trudged the streets of Portugal you’ll have come across these – thin slices of pork marinated in white wine and garlic, piled into bread with a punchy mustard. Chin Chin’s are excellent.
And for afters, because there is always room for dessert, it’s a lovely ice cream sundae topped with miso caramel and a showering of pistachios.
The whole time you’ll be eating with a soundtrack of jazz, played through the wine bar’s vinyl record system and Michael’s own personal collection of vinyls.
Chin Chin is open now on Bury New Road, with food on Sundays served between 12pm and 6pm.
Danny Jones -
23rd September 2024 
