For most people in London, the word ‘ramen’ conjures up two basic visions. There’s the simple packet ramen from a nearby convenience store or Asian supermarket or the sit-down ramen experience with chewy noods and broth that has been slaved over for hours. But there’s an in-between world, popular in South Korea, that SABA is bringing to the streets of London.
Dropping down in Kensington, SABA is bringing the world of DIY self-serve ramen to Londoners – and we couldn’t be more excited. Sure, part of going out to a restaurant is the experience of being cooked for and not doing it yourself. But goddamnit, we still love the allure of self-serve! And at SABA it’s all about the convenience of taking simple ramen packets and turning them into hearty meals within minutes.
Now, SABA isn’t quite the first place to give Londoners the chance to cook up their own ramen bowls. A self-serving ramen bar popped up temporarily in the capital last year. But SABA is the first permanent location for ramen slurpers to choose their ramen and customise it to their heart’s content.
The experience at SABA
So what exactly goes down at a self-serve ramen bar? Customers can choose from a wall of ramen options (with over 25 types of ramen on offer). These then get dropped into bowls, topped up with boiling water, and finished with your choice of toppings. Then just park your seat at the bar and get to slurping!
With a plethora of ramen to choose from and plenty of topping options, the possibilities are virtually endless!
More than just ramen…
SABA could easily stop at just being a convenient place for a quick and tasty meal. But that’s clearly not enough for them. In their store, you’ll also find a robot chef cooking up delicious K.F.C. (that’s Korean Fried Chicken). There’s also a supermarket of cooking essentials, and ready-to-eat kimbap (a Korean take on sushi), soft cream- and fruit-filled roll-cakes, and plenty of drinks to wash it all down.
It’s a one-stop shop for the hungry, soon-to-be-hungry, and late-night food cravings. It’s open until 11pm, so it’s perfect for a post-pub pick-me-up or for filling the stomach ahead of a night on the town.