Review: Shoryu, Westgate Centre

Tucked away on the lower ground floor of Westgate, Shoryu Oxford City brings a slice of Tokyo to central Oxford. Part of a small but growing chain with around ten branches across London, Oxford, and Manchester, Shoryu has built a reputation for hearty bowls of ramen and comforting Japanese classics.

We were invited to try their new special, Jiro Ramen (£23.00), a dish that’s less of a meal and more of a cult experience. Jiro Ramen isn’t subtle. It’s huge, unapologetically garlicky, and almost theatrical in its excess. Think: eight-hour kakuni pork belly, thick futomen noodles, a mountain of bean sprouts, extra seabura back fat, and heaps of minced garlic.

It’s bold, indulgent, and certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Inside, the vibe is calm and unhurried, with quiet music and an open kitchen that adds to the relaxed atmosphere.

Customers are greeted with a cheerful drumbeat of “Irasshaimase!” on arrival, but the mood settles quickly into something quite tranquil, with a mix of solo diners and quiet couples.

We started with a few small plates. The Hakata Tetsunabe Gyoza (£8.95) were a highlight, crisp-edged, juicy, and packed with flavour. The Chicken Karaage (£10.50) was another favourite, golden and crunchy but not greasy, especially when paired with the Yamitsuki Cabbage (£3.90), which added a refreshing balance. The Spicy Takoyaki (£8.50) offered great textures, though we’d have liked a stronger hit of octopus and spice.

The Char Siu Pork Bun (£6.95) looked promising but turned out to be our least favourite of the bunch, large, saucy, and the meat was quite chewy.

Holly tried the Genki Don (£13.00), a bowl of chargrilled pork with rice and pickles. It was a good portion and would make a satisfying lunch, though it could have done with a drizzle of soy sauce, as it was a little on the dry side.

The Jiro Ramen (£23.00), lived up to its legendary reputation, though more in size than in flavour. It arrived as an enormous bowl piled high with bean sprouts, cabbage, and tender chunks of pork belly in a rich broth. Despite the portion size and sheer indulgence, the flavour was surprisingly light and balanced, though in our opinion, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

To drink, the Shoryu Melon Soda (£4.80) looked almost radioactive but proved strangely addictive. The Raspberry Tansansui (£6.50) cocktail was tart and refreshing.

We finished with the Yuzu Chocolate Cheesecake (£8.50) and a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream (£2.00). The cheesecake was particularly good, with a thick, creamy layer and a thin biscuit base, lifted beautifully by the citrusy yuzu that cut through the richness.

Throughout the evening, the staff were friendly, personable, and attentive without rushing us.

The hospitality is noticeably a cut above other similar chains.

Shoryu Oxford delivers exactly what you’d expect from a polished ramen chain: comforting bowls, friendly service, and a relaxed space to unwind. The Jiro Ramen is a must-try for those who like their food bold and hearty, while the small plates shine as the stars of the table.