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A new ramen restaurant has just opened in Central – but finding it might require a bit more of a keen eye! Tucked behind the market stalls on Wellington Street, marked only by a small, unassuming doorway, Happy Samurai is here to bring the soulful flavours of Hokkaido to Hong Kong diners.
With chef Kouji at the helm, Happy Samurai’s story goes back more than 80 years just outside Sapporo, where a family-run factory has spent four generations perfecting its soup base using traditional techniques and ingredients sourced from the surrounding Hokkaido farmlands.
There are three signature ramen on the menu – including an umami-rich classic shoyu ($128), a creamy tonkotsu ($138), and the spicy tantan ($138) for those who like a bit of a kick – each bowl is crafted from plant-based broths that have been slowly simmered to ensure rich flavours and a creamy depth. Alongside the ramen, the kitchen also serves donburi, bao buns, and curry rice, offering a range of options for the lunch and dinner crowd.
Once you’ve managed to locate the restaurant, stepping inside will bring you to an intimate setting that perfectly leans into its low-key personality, with simple interiors such as exposed wood, soft lighting, and intimate counter seating that lets you watch the action up close.
In a neighbourhood full of established restaurants and international outposts, there’s something quite refreshing about a spot that simply lets its cooking do the talking. Happy Samurai is now open from Monday to Saturday, 11.30am to 11pm (closed on Sundays), at Shop A, G/F, 51 Wellington Street, Central. Go find it – if you can.
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