Kanji Ramen Cape Town Review | Ramen, Small Plates & Cocktails

A Front-Row Seat To The Gossip

This intersection carries a lot of history for me. First dates, questionable decisions, emotional plot twists, messy breakups, and enough people watching material to deserve its own Netflix series. There’s something about this pocket of Cape Town that feels both familiar and everchanging. I love that all the restaurants face one another. I’m totally not nosy or anything, but… you basically get a front row seat to the gossip without actually being involved in it (anymore). #Growth.

That’s exactly why Kanji feels so fitting here. It’s moody, sleek and quietly buzzing. Somehow it manages to feel fast paced and calming at the same time. It mirrors the energy outside while still giving you full permission to slow down and take a deep breath in or, rather, a large slurp of noodles in, and a satisfied breath out. Eat, pray, ramen.

Enter Chef Seelan & My Groupie Era

Before the rumours begin, yes, I know what you’re thinking. I was at Sundoo last week and now I'm here. No, I’m not stalking Chef Seelan Sundoo. I’ve simply entered my groupie era and I'm choosing acceptance. That’s always the first step, right?

Kanji was founded by restaurateur Gavin Hagger and Chef Seelan Sundoo, and it has become one of Cape Town’s go to spots for Japanese cuisine. This spot brings traditional ramen, Japanese street food inspired small plates, and carefully curated cocktails to, dare I say it, the sexiest eatery on the block.

Chef Knows Best (Apparently)

Whether you’re catching up with a colleague or recovering from one, Kanji works. It carries a little of Japan’s hustle and a little of its calm and, the best part? You get to pick your lane depending on the kind of evening you’re having.

I settled in, took a breath and got ready for my tantalising taste journey to begin. And as we’ve already established, Chef Knows Best. So, once again, I let Chef Seelan take the wheel.

Now before we make this sound like I blindly agree with everything, I absolutely do not. I’m actually pretty stubborn. But when it comes to knowing my place and admitting that maybe, just maybe, someone else might be slightly more qualified in this department, I’ll abide.

Small Plates That Understood The Dress Code

Of course we had to start with a few small plates because the best way to get to know a restaurant is through many, many different bites. And just like that, the table filled up quickly. What I loved was how the food matched the room. The moody lighting, dark ceramics and glossy sauces… You know when you arrive somewhere overdressed or underdressed and realise you completely missed the memo? These plates understood the assignment. In fact, I think they probably handed out the dress code themselves.

The Carpaccio Situation

I started with the Asian fillet carpaccio. This wasn’t your basic carpaccio situation. Instead of paper thin slices, this one had substance. I almost want to say meaty, and I mean that in the best way. It was rolled into little cylinders rather, and topped (and maybe filled) with miso mayo that brought about some serious umami energy. This was definitely a richer bite, but somehow that worked in its favour. Maybe because the beef had more body to it, or maybe it was the mirin vinaigrette that cut through the richness beautifully…. Whatever the reason, I kept going back for another piece.

A Gyoza Statement

Now look, I’ve always said you can’t really go wrong with a dumpling. I mean, imagine a bad one? Gosh, how tragic would that be. But what I appreciated here was the thought behind them. Because yes, gyozas can sometimes be the “safe choice.” These ones, however, had personality. Let me elaborate, the prawn and ginger gyoza were instantly recognisable thanks to their shape and the little prawn tail on the end. Super practical and adorable all at once. They were fragrant, juicy, and lightly sweet from the prawn meat. And yes, I committed to the full experience. Tail included.

Vegetables Deserve Better PR

The next dish was genuinely and surprisingly one of my favourites of the evening. The bok choy acted as a little reminder that vegetables don’t have to just be decorative moral support. This plate had it all, okay, maybe not macros, but flavour… Yes! It was savoury, salty, super garlicky, and somehow managed to stay fresh while soaking up every bit of flavour around them. I don’t think I stopped eating them once I started. There’s something deeply satisfying about eating your greens while also enjoying them. Win win.

My Unexpected Wing Era

And finally (for the small plates), the spicy sesame gochujang wings which once again had me questioning myself. If you read my Sundoo writeup, you would have seen me mention I wasn't a wing girl, but apparently I’m becoming one. Or at least a drumstick girl. Listen, if we ever order wings together, just know this now, you’re getting the flats and I’m claiming the drumsticks. No negotiation. I rolled up my sleeves and got fully involved. They were sticky, glossy, and complete finger staining goodness. That beautiful gochujang coating added a little heat, a touch of sweetness and plenty of savoury depth. No notes. No regrets. Very messy, as they should be.

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Hydration, But Make It A Yuzu Margarita

After five delicious small plates, I was reminded of one very important thing. I am, unfortunately, only human. Which meant hydration was necessary. But where, exactly, is the fun in water when cocktails exist? To wash down my little (not so little) tour around Japan in five plates, I went for the Yuzu Margarita. I love yuzu. Essentially, lemon but with a little more personality. Maybe my love for citrus comes from my mom who drank a copious amount of Lemos while I was in her belly, or maybe I simply enjoy the sour things in life. Interpret that as you will.

No Backing Down: Enter The Ramen

Speaking of nothing left, this brings us to ramen. I don’t know about you, but I was raised with the household rule of “finish what’s on your plate”. No wasting food. Finish your dinner before dessert. If I’m honest, I don’t think my mom expected what my career would one day entail. That being… eating copious amounts of food for a living. I know, right? Tough! Perhaps we could have introduced a healthier appreciation for leftovers.

Before I knew it, an enormous bowl of seafood ramen was placed in front of me. And when I say enormous, I mean enormous. The kind of bowl that humbles you. Naturally, I looked up at Chef with equal parts excitement and fear, only for him to disappear and return with the coolest branded bib imaginable. Yes, a Kanji bib.

The Seafood Gamble

No backing down now! When it comes to seafood, we all know the gamble. You order something promising prawns and spend half the meal politely searching for them. That was not the case here. This bowl had large, meaty prawns and one very impressive tempura prawn sitting on top. The broth itself was deliciously savoury and nicely salty. The prawns were tender and far from overcooked, which was rather confusing to me since they were sitting inside a steaming bowl of ramen. There has to be science involved.

Matcha Clouds & Questionable Portion Control

Now, in my defence, I genuinely did not think dessert was on its way. Which is why I seriously threw it back for the ramen. But life, much like dinner, can be unpredictable.

I took a brief lap around the aesthetically pleasing space to “admire the details” also known as an excuse to breathe. And while making my short but challenging walk back to my seat, I caught Chef laying a brick of matcha tiramisu down onto the table. And I say brick with love. I won’t lie, I felt mildly intimidated. But when the challenge is food, you rise accordingly.

One Bite Became Half

I told myself I would have one bite. That one bite somehow turned into roughly half the brick. At least it wasn’t the full thing. Sharing is caring, after all. This dessert surprised me. It was light, airy and incredibly moreish. Not overly sweet or rich, and dusted with matcha that gave it that gentle earthiness we know and love. What really caught my attention was the texture. The lady fingers almost mimicked the softness of chiffon cake. It felt like eating a little matcha cloud.

Far Fewer Messy Plot Twists

Overall, I felt incredibly looked after. And perhaps that’s what made this visit hit a little differently. Kanji sits on a corner filled with memories for me. Some chaotic, some nostalgic, some better left exactly where they belong. It was strangely comforting returning to a place that once held so many chapters and realising that perhaps growth is simply being able to enjoy the same streets from a calmer lens. Maybe the grass really is greener on the other side. Especially when the other side involves ramen, cocktails, small plates and far fewer messy plot twists. #Growth.

Thank you Kanji, until next time!

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