Cult pop-up Matsudai Ramen launches first UK 'headline tour'

Cardiff’s cult pop-up Matsudai Ramen has announced a new, headline UK ramen tour.

Taking in the cities of Manchester, Bristol, London and Cardiff, Matsudai (plus special guests) will be bringing Japanese-American-inspired ‘Proper Ramen‘ to the masses next month.

Formed in 2019 by James Chant – a self-confessed ramen geek and “home cook who took things too far” – Matsudai started out as a purely creative outlet; a reaction to Chant’s building disillusionment with the music industry he’d spent his life working in.

Photographed: James Chant
Credit: Jamie Allen

Keen to test the waters – and see if he could turn his passion into a new career – in 2019, Chant embarked on a six-month series of pop-up events in his hometown of Cardiff, with each event selling out more quickly than the last.

This whirlwind period culminated in a packed-out six-week kitchen residency at a popular night café in Cardiff. But then, just as the hype was reaching fever pitch, COVID-19 happened and further pop-ups were inevitably cancelled.

Nevertheless, Matsudai continued (and still continues) to win fans through lockdown and beyond, delivering thousands of handmade DIY ramen kits, and gathering attention and praise from critics including Jay Rayner, Tom Parker Bowles, Melissa Thompson, and even YouTube hero, Uncle Roger.

Matsudai has even inspired new ramen pop-ups and restaurant openings across the world – from the Philippines to the U.S., and closer to home in the U.K.

Now searching for a permanent venue in Cardiff, founder James is staying true to his music industry roots by taking Matsudai Ramen on tour. Throughout July, he will be bringing his brand of ‘Proper Ramen‘ to the good people of Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and London, and will be accompanied by special guests at each location.

James said, “After months of being locked away in our dark kitchen making thousands of DIY ramen kits, it’s amazing to be getting back out there to cook for people in person again, and to be joined by some of our friends, too.”

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday 29th June at 10am, with an 8am pre-sale, exclusively via the Matsudai mailing list. Matsudai will be popping up at:

June 30th: Manchester, New Wave Ramen

July 1st: Manchester, New Wave Ramen

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July 9th: Bristol, West Street Kitchen

July 10th: Bristol, West Street Kitchen

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July16th: Cardiff, Milkwood

July17th: Cardiff, Milkwood

July18th: Cardiff, Milkwood

July19th: Cardiff, Milkwood

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July 30th: London, BFI