Tampopo-a-gogo! (Tampopo Restaurants)

Member Name: sugarcultsweetie

Product:	Tampopo Restaurants
Date:	09/07/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well priced, healthy, wide range, interesting theme, nice restaurant

Disadvantages: None

*This review is based on the Manchester restaurant, by the printworks - 1 of only 6 existing Tampopo restaurants*

A big fan of Wagamamas, a friend and I decided to try Tampopo for comparison, confisent that we would find a similar menu, and in fact we found a very similar restaurant - the bench-style seating, long tables, and staff's practice of writing your order on the paper placemats make it aesthetically almost identical. However, I found the range of food and theme interestingly different.

Whereas Wagamama restaurants are modelled on Japanese ramen bars, Tampopo offer traditional meals from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan and Korea - a map of East Asia on the placemat pointing out where each recipe originates from. A similar healthy choice of noodles, curries, soups and sharing starters to Wagamama's are on offer, but flavour dimensions of coconut milk, seafood, and nuts provide a more warming and exotic menu representing a wider spread of Asian cuisine. Desserts include exotic flavoured ice creams (e.g. mango, cinnamon) and Malaysian sticky black rice pudding, and the drinks available include a selection of Asian beers, jasmine tea and Tzu (sparkling fruit health drinks)

An Eastern Express menu offers a choice of 6 main courses and a side portion from £6.95, from 12-7pm, while meals range from £3-5 for starters and £7-12 for main courses - the menu should be studied carefully as the stirfried and sauce based specials do not include rice or noodles in the price.
The restaurant itself was clean, welcoming and had a calm atmosphere, and the staff were polite and efficient. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys Eastern Asian, healthy food for modest prices served quickly.

Summary: Perfect for lunch in town