Back to life, back to reality. Howzit guys… been a minute! Otherwise, you well?

Yeah, no, I’m good thanks. But honestly, I’m a bit rusty. So let's try to be kind here. Emphasis on try. Okay, now that we have exchanged pleasantries, let’s begin!

Last week, I was invited to Ramenhead to try some of their upcoming additions to the menu. I know, exciting, right? I was overjoyed. I’d been craving ramen. Funnily enough, I’d planned to go on a ramen date a few days prior, but he very kindly ghosted me. That’s okay though, you know what they say, “when one door closes, another one opens”. It was probably a blessing in disguise. No need to entertain a stranger, just me. Slurping my noodles in peace.

“If you leave me alone with your drink, best believe it’s going to disappear.”

First Impressions: Low Lighting, High Energy

On Thursday evening, I made my way to the city. I was pretty chuffed with my choice of evening as it was overcast. The clouds were heavy, the air was still and warm, adding extra moodiness. I’d never been to Ramenhead before, and I loved that the interior aesthetic matched the weather perfectly. After stepping through the effortlessly cool entrance, I was met with low lighting and high energy. That perfect balance between intimate and alive. 

First Thursdays, DJ Sets & That Effortlessly Cool Entrance

It was First Thursdays, so there was a DJ in the background which really set the tone for the night. On the way to my table, I walked past the bar where cocktails were being shaken, and the open kitchen where the chefs were in their rhythm. Only a few steps in and I already knew this was going to be a night to remember.

Drinks That Think They’re the Main Character

After soaking up some of the sexy atmosphere and the groovy tunes, our drinks arrived. The cocktail looked like a statement piece. Full main character energy, I wasn’t even going to try to compete. Their lychee rose martini had soft blush tones and a perfectly set foam top. Garnished with rose petals and a plump lychee I couldn’t wait to make my little snack.

Lychee Rose Martini: Floral, Dangerous, and Gone Too Quickly

After taking some mental and physical snaps, I took my first sip. It was light, floral, and a little bit dangerous. Dangerously good. But seriously, be careful... If you leave me alone with your drink, best believe it's going to disappear. You could tell it wasn’t thrown together. It was made with intention, and naturally, a good amount of sake and vodka. No shortcuts, no weird aftertastes, leading to no regrets. I could’ve had another (yours). Easily.

Starters That Steal the Plot

With high spirits (see what I did there), our starters arrived. I know I can multitask, but that doesn’t mean I can do it well. So, I used my monogamous approach to this polyamorous world we’re living in. I started with the aubergine and sweet corn gyoza.

Aubergine & Sweet Corn Gyoza (Yes, They’re That Pretty)

They looked hella sexy with a golden pan-fried frill that almost mimicked a lace skirt. If they were my friends, best believe I’d raid their closets. It’s rare for something so beautiful to also be sweet on the inside. I was lucky enough to be in the presence of an anomaly. They burst with corn that still tasted alive. Not mushy, not shy, proper little pops of sweetness. It took me straight back to my childhood. My mom couldn’t really cook, but she mastered mielie koekies and pampoen koekies. You may be wondering why I wrote them in Afrikaans. Well, my very English mom had me with a very Afrikaans man, and the only thing he really brought to the table was her learning a few Afrikaans recipes. Anyhoo, back to the food! Underneath the gyoza was a smoky, sweet chilli crunch. It added depth, a little heat, but absolutely no chaos. Comfort food dressed up for a night out, as was I.

Sake Steamed Mussels & the Bread That Deserved a Standing Ovation

Our second starter was the sake steamed mussels which were borderline intimidating in size. These mussels had muscles... I know, I know, a terrible dad joke! These mussels were plump to a point of ridiculousness. I was a bit worried they would be watery, like how steroids just cause water retention. But unlike those gym boys, they were actually meaty. The tender mussels were swimming in a delicate broth with enough spice to keep it interesting. The real plot twist was the bread. It was buttery, crispy, and pure grilled sandwich nostalgia. The perfect vehicle for the broth. My best bite had to be the broth soaked toast with a phat mussel on top. A bit gluttonous, but yolo. 

The Main Event: Tori Paitan Ramen

Moments later, our plates were clean and the table cleared, and then our waiter asked if we were ready for our mains. I’m not going to lie, while I was yoloing it up with the starters, I forgot that that was only the beginning. But since it all starts in the mind, I figured if I was mentally prepared, my body would soon follow. We nervously grinned and nodded, and then had a little moment of silence as we tried to figure out how to make more room for the next course.

Just like in that biology exam that still haunts me ten years later, time was up, and we hadn’t figured out a game plan yet. Our tori paitan ramen arrived and I already knew this wasn’t going to be casual. It was all steam, depth, and drama; and that’s before the first bite. 

Noodles, Dumplings & That Iconic “Glasses Toss” Moment

After pausing for an appropriate amount of time, I went in with the noodles. They had the perfect chew, and they held onto the broth like they were designed for it, which I suppose they were. Every strand was glossy, full of flavour, and slurp-worthy in a way that feels slightly inappropriate in public. The “tenderism” of the chicken demanded the iconic “glasses toss” you’ve probably seen on social media by now. 

What stole the show for me was the dumpling. It was filled with a fragrant, juicy chicken mince situation. Maybe ginger? Or coriander? Could be a fun guessing game if your date is boring.

The last chopstick component was the jammy egg, my weakness. Well, maybe not chopstick friendly since it was a real struggle, but we got there. It was rich, umami, and slightly salty. Worth every second of the fight. 

The Broth: Liquid Comfort, No Shame Required

Lastly, the broth. I picked up the bowl with no shame, no hesitation. It was rich, silky, and almost velvety. Literal comfort in liquid form. I swear it would heal you, or at least enlighten you more than a “spiritual” quest to Bali. Taking that last sip was that kind of finish that just sits with you, and in you. This is easily my favourite ramen in Cape Town right now. Respectfully… I’ll be back.

Dessert: The Kombini Sando Fantasy

Before planning my return, I still had to leave. But not before dessert. The famous kombini sando. I cannot tell you how long I’ve wanted to try one of these. It’s been living on my Instagram feed for MONTHS. My Japanese dream… starting at 7-Eleven, obviously. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s “A fluffy, crustless Japanese milk bread sandwich filled with whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit—often strawberries—conveniently found in convenience store fridges”. Thank you Google. 

Japan Dreams, 7-Eleven Energy & Bread as a Love Language

My favourite food group is bread, so this was already a win for me. The sponge was basically edible air, minus being zero calories. The whipped cream was incredibly light, and the strawberry coulis was nice and tart with a very subtle sweetness. This was the perfect dessert after everything. Not overly rich and not heavy at all. Oh, and the freeze-dried strawberries were super fun. Gosh, I feel old… Freeze-dried = fun. Noted.

Final Thoughts: Come Hungry, Trust the Process

And just like that, we were done. It was just one of those nights that flowed from start to finish. The music, the energy, the food, the drinks. It all felt thoughtfully curated and very well executed. Everything I tried is part of their new menu. I’d highly recommend giving it a try, but go hungry. Trust me.

Thank you Ramenhead, until next time!