A new Japanese matcha dessert house has opened in Manchester city centre at the new Circle Square development.
Called Tsujiri, it has moved into Manchester’s newest neighbourhood on Oxford Road. It is the second opening in the city for the brand, which is already established in London and abroad.
When Tsjuri opened its first location here in Chinatown mid-pandemic, it saw foodies flock to its basement shop for a taste of its bright-green matcha basque cheesecakes, ice cream and lattes.
Now, it is expanding with a second underground cafe ten minutes’ walk down the road. Situated under Vita Living North, here you’ll find an array of different Japanese desserts alongside its various bright and colourful teas.
Soft serve matcha ice cream is just one of the tea-based desserts on offer. / Image: Tsujiri
A chef whiskes matcha. / Image: Tsujiri
Focusing on a traditional Japanese dessert menu, including sundaes built using matcha-flavoured ice creams, all matcha used in Tsujiri’s desserts is sourced directly from Japan.
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The company, first born in Kyoto in 1860, is over 150 years old, and still uses the same matcha from its Japanese hometown across its restaurants today.
This vibrant green matcha can be found within most of the new cafe’s menu such as its soft serves, teas and cakes. It is also selling bags of matcha that can be enjoyed at home.
The health benefits of matcha are widely celebrated, from its antioxidants called catechins, which are said to be the key to anti-ageing, to a high amount of substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Consuming matcha daily is also thought to be good for your mental health, with researchers saying that the natural compounds in matcha act on natural serotonin and dopamine systems in the brain. Like we needed another reason to go and get that bright green cheesecake.
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Speaking on the new opening, Nicholas Moo, Co-Owner of Tsujiri said: “We are excited to open our second site in Manchester, we love the Japanese dessert culture and it is becoming an increasingly popular offering across the city, so can’t wait to welcome people in to try it out.
“The location at Circle Square is perfect, because not only does it have a thriving community with its residents and office workers but it is situated very close to the University, meaning the site has a naturally high footfall and we cant wait for people to come in and try it.”
The new Tsujiri site is open now at Circle Square from 12-9.30pm seven days a week.
Food & Drink
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.