It was a cold, dark night when I first arrived in London. Hunched in the corner of the LCC library, shivering and craving something hot and creamy, I knew I needed proper comfort food. Chinese mixian was an option, but no — I needed something authentic. So, I took a 10-minute walk through the charming community of Elephant and Castle, soundtracked by Miki Matsubara’s Stay With Me, and stumbled upon this hidden ramen gem near our school.
Bright yellow against the gloomy London night, Tokoton stood out. Inside, the restaurant was a nostalgic slice of Showa-era Japan – wooden tables, a few counter seats where you could watch the chef at work, and a warm, enthusiastic いらっしゃいませ (Welcome!) greeting me at the door.
It’s not a big restaurant, but it’s packed with meaningful details — anime figures, framed pictures, little shrines and charms, and countless bottles of Japanese sake — all evoking memories of the wonderful times spent in Japan. Their menu is simple yet precise — classic, black, and miso ramen, creamy or not, plus a few sides like karaage (fried chicken), gyoza, and edamame. No hesitation needed. I knew exactly what I wanted: creamy miso ramen, fried chicken, and, of course, an Asahi — because no ramen meal is complete without a crisp Japanese beer.
The creamy miso broth was unlike anything I’d had in Japan. Rich, thick, and velvety, it coated the noodles beautifully. The addition of tofu skin elevated the experience, blending the broth’s deep umami with the delicate freshness of soy milk. Every sip was pure satisfaction. Paired with the beer, the meal came full circle — warming me from the inside out, fueling me to face the long, cold London night ahead. My karaage, ramen, and Asahi cane to £25.50.
When I went to pay, I tried speaking Japanese with the waiter, and they encouraged me with full passion to be braver and speak more. I must admit, I’m not the social pub-going type like many Londoners. This restaurant is my comfort zone — friendly, homy, the place I come to recharge. It’s where I retreat for a little me time — because, really, what’s better than a bowl of ramen and a beer to remind yourself how hard you’ve worked?
Since that night, Tokoton has become my go-to spot for ramen, me time, and pure enjoyment.
ごちそうさまでした！(Thank you for the delicious meal!)
Thomas Ng
Address: 25 Bartholomew St, London SE1 4AL