First Meal in Oxford: Saba Sushi and Chashu Ramen at KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar (October 4th, 2024)

For my first lunch in Oxford, I visited KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar. I ordered Saba Sushi and Chashu Ramen. The saba sushi arrived first, and I was pleased that while there was no overpowering fishiness, the pleasant aroma of the mackerel was still there. It was fresh and delicious, melting perfectly in the mouth.

Next came the Chashu Ramen, and it exceeded my expectations. 'Chashu' refers to Japanese Braised Pork Belly, and the pork in this ramen was tender and full of flavor. The broth was rich and creamy, made with a tonkotsu base that provided a deep, satisfying taste. The combination of ingredients in the bowl was fantastic.

The ramen included bamboo shoots (menma), Naruto fish cake (and no, not the anime character, but the traditional fish cake!), boiled egg, spring onion, ginger, nori, sesame, and crispy onions. The balance of flavors from all these elements made for a hearty and memorable bowl of ramen.

Location: Oxford, UK

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