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!”
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Two more people arrested as investigation into Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire continues
Emily Sergeant
Two more people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the devastating moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.
Yesterday (16 July 2026), a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been bailed pending further police enquiries, before a man in his 20s has today (17 July) been arrested on suspicion of arson, and remains in custody for questioning.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this past Tuesday (14 July).
After the blaze broke out this past Saturday evening (11 July) at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
With three major arrests having already now been made, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“This investigation has been progressing at pace, we are nearly a week on and the fire at Dovestones is still ongoing, and it has had devastating effects it has had on the Reservoir,” commented Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of GMP’s Oldham division said.
“As this incident continues, officers would like to thank all emergency service partners for their support and dedication.
“In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, whose firefighters have spent countless hours tackling the fire in demanding conditions.”
Georgina Pellant -
16th June 2022 
