Maneki Ramen to launch in Birmingham

A Japanese-inspired restaurant brand based in Worcester has announced plans to launch a second site in Birmingham next spring. 

Since 2020, Maneki Ramen, which is part of the ART Hospitality Group, has been serving authentic Japanese fare, leading to the brand winning the title of Japanese Restaurant of the Year 2023 at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards. 

Popular dishes include tebasaki wings with ginger and furikake, roast duck ramen with sesame bean sprouts and pak choi, katsu curry with sushi rice and a choice of protein and sesame miso shoyu with charred sweetcorn and nori. 

Maneki Ramen Birmingham

The Birmingham branch will be based in the Jewellery Quarter, with the 2,000-square-foot site accommodating 70 covers, with an additional 40 seats downstairs. Food collection and delivery options will also be available, with the new menu featuring most of the Worcester classics, with a few options exclusive to Birmingham. 

A carefully curated drinks menu will include Suntory Haku Vodka, natural wines and cocktails, such as the 'East & West' – containing gin, yuzu, hibiscus, lime and orange.

The restaurant will create 20 jobs for locals, with the team led by head chef Pete Dovaston. After spending time living in Tokyo, New York and China, Dovaston uses traditional techniques he learnt in his travel, particularly in Japan, to create Maneki Ramen's menus, using locally sourced ingredients to keep dishes seasonal and fresh. 

"Birmingham has a vibrant foodie scene, so opening a new restaurant in the city has been one of our business aspirations for some time," says the chef. "We can't wait to be part of the community and bring all the Maneki dishes people know and love, as well as introduce some extra new and exciting ones. We'll see you soon, Birmingham!"

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