Launched in 2012 by Ken Yamada and Emma Reynolds, the new opening will mark the brand’s 20th site, joining 15 venues across London as well as additional restaurants in Brighton, Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff.
As with all Tonkotsu restaurants, the Bath site will centre on the brand’s house-made ramen.
Fresh noodles will be produced daily using mid-century noodle machines imported from Tokyo and cooked to order for 32 seconds, and bone broths cooked in-house over a two-day process.
The menu will feature Tonkotsu’s signature pork bone-broth ramen, topped with roast pork belly, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, spring onions, burnt garlic oil and a seasoned free-range egg.
Other options include chilli chicken ramen with chicken and sea salt broth and Tonkotsu’s Eat the Bits chilli oil, alongside a vegan mushroom miso ramen.
All ramen is customisable with extra toppings such as kimchi and a Scotch bonnet ‘hot shot’.
Starters will feature freshly steamed homemade gyoza with pork, ginger, and garlic, as well as shiitake and bamboo shoot and king prawn versions. alongside chicken kara-age, Eat the Bits chilli chicken wings, and vegan cauliflower ‘wings’.
Like its sister restaurants, Tonkotsu Bath will also serve the brand’s smaller ramen portions.
Previously offered in a limited form as part of the lunch deal, these have now been extended across the full ramen menu and will be available all day and evening.
The drinks list will include Tonkotsu’s sake made with Tsuji Brewery in Okayama, an exclusive Mikan Shimoda Pale Ale brewed with Thornbridge, and the brand’s small-batch gin, alongside Japanese whiskies, wines, cocktails, soft drinks and teas.
The Bath branch, located on Stall Street opposite the Roman Bath, is also set to feature a mural inside created with local artist Tanith Gould.
“I first visited Bath on a family holiday with my parents and have incredibly fond memories of exploring landmarks like the Roman Baths and John Wood’s iconic Royal Crescent,” says Yamada.
“To be on the brink of opening a restaurant in such a beautiful and historic city feels really special.
“As with all our openings, we’re excited to take our time to create something unique, fun and full of character, and we can’t wait to bring our ramen – and more – to the people of Bath later this year.”
The opening follows Tonkotsu’s most recent opening in Cardiff earlier this year.