A chef that ‘poured a lot of love’ in to his new Birmingham restaurant is preparing to open the doors to diners this week after supporters fronted him £96,000 to launch.
Maneki Ramen will open on Ludgate Hill on Friday, May 2, the second branch of the beloved Japanese-inspired restaurant.
Head chef Pete Dovaston has shared his feelings ahead of the official opening.
Read more: New Birmingham restaurant announces long-awaited opening with half price food
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He said: “We’re thrilled to finally be opening the doors to our first Birmingham site.
“We’ve poured a lot of love into the space, it’s got a real warmth to it, with details that reflect both traditional Japanese design and modern city energy.
“I’ve always been passionate about crafting dishes that are bold, balanced and full of heart, and I can’t wait for guests in Birmingham to experience that for themselves. See you soon!”
READ MORE: First look inside Birmingham restaurant the city fronted over £96k to open
The first branch, in Worcester, was named the Japanese Restaurant of the Year in 2023 at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards.
The restaurant has such a good reputation that a fundraiser to assist in the opening of the Birmingham location raised £96,784 in just 31 days.
Some 563 people pitched in to see Maneki Ramen open back in December 2024, with a number of rewards on offer by way of thanks.
They included the chance to have your name on the wall, cook-at-home ramen packages, cook books, T-shirts and more.
Maneki Ramen opened in 2020 as part of the ART Hospitality group and it’s known for dishes including 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.
The Birmingham branch is a 2,000sq ft restaurant with room for 70 diners upstairs. There’s a garden for 30 and Maneki Ramen will be offering collection and delivery too.
The business has announced plans to expand into the downstairs area too, with the potential for private dining and tasting menus.
The space has subtle nods to Japanese culture, with dark wood panelling, cast iron detailing and modern lighting. There are booths and larger tables for friends and a chef’s table that overlooks the kitchen.
On the drinks menu, visitors can expect Suntory Haku Vodka, natural wines, and cocktails.
Twenty new jobs have been created with the opening of the new space.