16-02-2025
The man behind Cardiff's hit noodle place Matusdai Ramen was on C4 Sunday Brunch and they loved his food
The chef behind a cult ramen restaurant in Cardiff has been on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and everyone raved about his food. Matsudai Ramen, which is based in Grangetown, has grown a huge following since being founded as a pop-up in 2019 and has drawn praise from the likes of Tom Parker Bowles and Jay Rayner, who gave it a glowing review.
Matsudai founder James Chant brought three dishes along for hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer to try and they shared with guests including Strictly professional dancers Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez, and comedian Dave Gorman.
One of the noodle dishes he brought along was Chippy Lane Mazesoba, which he based on Cardiff's infamous Caroline Street with its flavours of chicken, ginger and curry. It led Tim Lovejoy to say how much he enjoyed nights out in Cardiff - and Swansea.
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He also brought lamb and leek wontons, a Welshified take on an oriental dumpling which are on the menu in the restaurant, and he also brought the classic ramen dish pork tonkotsu, which he said was one of their most popular home kits. More about the home kits here.
Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez both raved about how nice the food was and Tim Lovejoy shared a picture of diners queuing around the block to get a table at the popular Grangetown restaurant.
Located at Clare Road, the restaurant, which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary, enjoyed a surge in its popularity after top food critic Jay Rayner called its food a 'revelation' and full of 'deep care and thoughtfulness.'
Matsudai started just before the Covid lockdown and thrived even during it due to its delivery of ramen kits. It has hosted pop-ups across the UK and now calls the old NatWest Bank building its home.
