Ramenhead Izakaya has officially opened its doors at 75 Kloof Street, Gardens, marking a major expansion for the FYN Group’s cult-favourite Japanese noodle concept. Led by celebrated chef-founder Peter Tempelhoff, culinary director Ashley Moss, and beverage maestro Jennifer Hugé, the popular eatery has relocated from its original Parliament Street home to bring a full-scale izakaya experience to the Kloof Street strip.
While original fans can breathe easy knowing that world-class noodle bowls remain the foundation, this move represents a massive evolution. By stepping onto the vibrant Kloof Street strip, the team has expanded the concept into a full-scale Japanese izakaya, introducing wood-fired small plates, authentic Osaka-style sushi, an omakase experience, and a dedicated courtyard sake bar.
From Precision Noodles to Oshizushi
Ramenhead’s obsession with quality hasn’t wavered. The kitchen, helmed by Executive Chef Julia du Toit, still relies on the continent’s first imported Yamato noodle machine. Mixing dough at precise hydrations, the machine crafts bespoke noodle styles matched to complex broths—like their signature tonkotsu, which simmers for 18 hours. Diners can enjoy four core bowls, including classic pork belly tonkotsu and a chilled hiyashi chuka.
However, the main draw of the new location is everything surrounding the broth:
Izakaya & Wood-Fired Plates: Designed for sharing, options include yellowtail tataki with apple and daikon salsa, yuzu-dill karaage, and Duroc pork belly coated in a red miso glaze hot off the wood fire.
Oshizushi (Pressed Sushi): Led by Group Sushi Chef Ryan Reyes, the sushi counter focuses on traditional Osaka-style pressed sushi. The rice—Koshihikari from Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture—is cooked in Cape mountain spring water and topped with sustainably sourced local catch.
Four-Stop Omakase: A curated tasting menu that guides guests through chilled fish, tempura, a small bowl of ramen, and dessert.
Playful Sweets: Save room for strawberry-and-cream konbini sandos (Japanese convenience store-style fruit sandwiches) or an indulgent Suntory whisky Don Pedro.
Courtyard Sakes and Manga Murals
The design—conceptualized with Christoph Karl of Guideline—creates an immersive journey. Guests pass a lit traditional Japanese entrance lantern, timber blackened by the ancient shou sugi ban charring method, and a pillar plastered in soy-stained Naruto manga pages. Glass alcoves display the noodle maturation process and house-made merchandise, while guests can watch the Yamato machine in full view at the back.
Out back, a heated, covered courtyard houses the dedicated sake and cocktail bar. Curated by Jennifer Hugé, the beverage list boasts 24 premium sakes—available by the bottle, glass, or tasting flight—alongside Japanese-inspired highballs, local craft beers, and boutique wines.
Whether dropping by for a casual late-night bowl, sipping high-end sake under the courtyard lanterns, or sharing a wood-fired feast with friends, Ramenhead Izakaya successfully bridges the gap between precision culinary craft and the relaxed, soulful energy of Japanese dining. By seamlessly blending world-class ramen with authentic izakaya culture, the FYN Group has delivered Kloof Street’s most compelling new dining destination.
