Emma Reynolds and Ken Yamada, operators of the Tonkotsu and Tsuru concepts are set to join the list of operators opening at the St James’s Market development, MCA understands.
The company, which currently operates six sites under the Tonkotsu format and a further two Tsuru units in London, is set to take one of the remaining two restaurant spaces in the development for a new concept called Sazanka By Tonkotsu.
The new site will join openings by Salt Yard, the two-Michelin starred, New York-based restaurant Aquavit and Duck & Waffle at the scheme, which is due to open later this summer.
Tonkotsu opened its latest site earlier this year in Blenheim Cresent, Notting Hill. The company has also applied to open a site in Guildford Place, Camden.
Reynolds told MCA that the group were continuing to look for more Zone 1 sites and planned to open two more restaurants by the end of this year. She said Londoners had been very receptive to the ramen concept and there was scope to expand the concept beyond Zone 1 into residential areas in Zone 2 and 3.
“There’s a market for ramen out there for sure.”
Despite converting its Tsuru Sushi restaurant in Bankside to a Tonrekotsu format last year, Reynolds said the remaining two Tsuru sites were performing well and there were no more conversions planned.