Latest news with #Kombu
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Nicola Coughlan spotted in Galway at the opening of acclaimed Michelin-starred chef's new restaurant
The Galway native visited Kombu Ramen & Bao Bar over the weekend as she sampled the new eatery which offers Japanese cuisine on Druid Lane in Galway city. Nicola, who is best known for her roles as Clare Devlin in Derry Girls and Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, posed alongside Kombu staff who welcomed her to the restaurant. The star spent the sunny weekend in her native Galway and looked delighted to be at home as she smiled with staff. Sharing a photo on social media, Kombu staff captioned the photo, 'A special guest on our opening weekend. 'Thanks @nicolacoughlan for joining us to celebrate our first few days @komburamenbaogalway.' The 38-year-old has a storied history in Galway, having grown up in Oranmore and attending Calasanctius College before graduating from University of Galway (then National University of Ireland Galway) with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation. Since her breakthrough role in Channel 4's hit comedy Derry Girls, Nicola has starred in popular Netflix drama Bridgerton, blockbuster film Barbie and comedy-drama, Big Mood. The Irish star splits her time between her hometown and London and made her red-carpet debut with her boyfriend, British actor Jake Dunn, at the Bafta TV and Craft awards nominees party in April. Kombu Ramen & Bao Bar officially opened on Druid Lane on July 11 and is the latest work by award-winning chef JP McMahon. Kombu's kitchen will be led by Gabriel Hoefling Ossani, who has worked with McMahon at the Michelin-starred Aniar restaurant in Galway city. The restaurant offers a casual-style experience featuring steaming bowls of ramen, teriyaki, tempura, innovative rice dishes, and a creative selection of bao buns, as well as some playfully creative desserts. Adding to the local feel, colourful graffiti walls have been detailed by Galway artist Tracey O'Callaghan, which are paired with subdued lighting and a curated playlist to create a contemporary space in the heart of Galway's Latin Quarter. Kombu is open from Tuesday to Saturday and will aim to keep the positive momentum going during one of Galway's busiest spells.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Galway set for new Japanese restaurant from acclaimed city restauranteur
Kombu - which is named after the Japanese seaweed – is a new ramen and bao bar and will be operated by award-winning chef and restaurateur JP McMahon. The new location will operate from Druid Lane in Galway city and has been described by McMahon as a 'love letter to Japan', with a menu featuring ramen bowls, rice dishes, bao buns and other Japanese cuisine. The menu has been inspired by traditional Japanese street food, according to McMahon, who says that Kombu is a 'realisation' of his love for Japanese cuisine. A social media post by the restaurant has teased one of the potential dishes on offer at the restaurant, with further updates expected closer to the opening date. Kombu will further bolster McMahon's restaurant portfolio in Galway. The Dublin-born chef also runs Michelin star restaurant Aniar on Dominick St in Galway city and is the co-owner and chef patron of Cava Bodega on Middle St. 'I've taught Japanese cooking classes at Aniar for years,' said Mr McMahon. 'Our Ramen and Bao Bar pop-ups have been a big hit at at Aniar as part of Blas na Gaillimhe Festivals of Food, and of course, I'm passionate about cooking with seaweed, utilising it broadly in Aniar - so this felt like a natural evolution.' A head chef has been put in place, with Aniar chef Gabriel Ossani taking the reins. Further hires are expected with the restaurant taking applications for managerial positions, as well as floor staff, additional chefs and kitchen porters.
Irish Post
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Irish culinary entrepreneur reveals inspiration behind new restaurant offering
RESTAURATEUR JP McMahon has revealed a love of Japanese food inspired a new offering set to open in Galway next month. The chef, who owns the Michelin-starred Aniar restaurant and Cava Bodega, both in the city, will launch his new ramen and bao bar Kombu in June. Chef JP McMahon will open his new restaurant on Druid's Lane in Galway (Pic: Andrew Downes) 'Kombu is a realisation of my love of Japanese food, which I've long admired,' McMahon said this week. 'I've taught Japanese cooking classes at Aniar for years, our Ramen and Bao Bar pop-ups have been a big hit at at Aniar as part of Blas na Gaillimhe Festivals of Food, and of course, I'm passionate about cooking with seaweed, utilising it broadly in Aniar - so this felt like a natural evolution," he added. Kombu, named after the Japanese seaweed, will open on Druid's Lane in Galway in late June. Described by McMahon as 'a love letter to Japan,' the menu will feature steaming bowls of ramen, teriyaki, tempura, rice dishes, and a creative selection of bao buns—including a playful dessert like a chocolate ganache bao bun topped with wasabi sea salt. See More: Aniar, Galway, JP McMahon, Japanese Food, Kombu, Restaurant
