Foodie in Barcelona

Curious about food, culture and what people put in their mouth

  • Home
  • Favourites
  • Best Of
  • Map

Tonkotsu Ramen, Asian Fusion, Eixample

21st July 2015 2 Comments

Tonkotsu

I had a delicious bowl of ramen at Tonkotsu a few weeks ago. Rich, unctuous with yellow noodles that resisted my bite to the right degree. Garnished with half an egg: yolk deep orange and soft-boiled and a slice of pork belly. My girlfriend had grilled salmon on a small bed of mango salsa, crispy on the outside and almost rare in the middle.

A bowl of Ramen at Tonkotsu

I’m back the following day. We order the vegetarian wok fried udon and the flat rice noodles. The rice noodles are salty to the point of inedible. My friend is happy to leave it but I think it’s always better to communicate and see if a solution is offered rather than endure a bad meal.

We tell our waiter who calls one of the owners over. A new dish is brought out and it’s infinitely better.

The interior of Tonkotsu is made up of benches that you can share and a few tables of two. Large paper lanterns hang low, contributing to the Asian feel. Next to the kitchen, there is the mural of beautiful woman in a high collared sleeveless áo dài. There is no mistaking this is an Asian restaurant which makes the inclusion of a bulgur salad and another of humus with nachos in the starters totally jarring to me.

Green salad and vegetarian rolls

I bring this up with one of the owners (Montse) as I am paying.
I start with something positive : “The rice noodle dish was so much nicer the second time round. And I love that the menu is so small.”
And then I bring up the two extraneous listings in the starters. “Why do you have bulgur and then humus with nachos on the menu in an Asian restaurant?”
“Oh. Well, it’s Asian, yes. But we are trying to introduce the idea of Asian food to a local population that is not familiar with it. So it’s European Asian.”
European still doesn’t explain the Middle Eastern ingredients.
She continues “We also like healthy food. We have the salmon dish and bulgur and chickpeas are so healthy.” (If you have a look in the comments, Montse who is one of the owners, has left a comment to clarify the inclusion of the above dishes.)

What it is, I think, is that this is a collaboration between three really enthusiastic locals (Montse, Nuria, Albert) and they are mostly into Asian food but like bulgur and humus so they’ve just gone ahead and stuck it in. As with writing, restaurants are about what you leave out as much as what you put in.

Editing is helpful to clarity (something I need to remind myself often, believe me).

Tonkotsu Barcelona

Tonkotsu is a welcome addition to the upper end of Passeo de Gracia. And under the vigilant eye of Montse or one of her colleagues, the kitchen is sending out some genuinely delicious dishes and in the case of the Tonkotsu authentic as well. I’m curious to see what makes the shortlist in the starters the next time the menu is updated.

See this and more addresses on my Foodie in Barcelona Map

Tonkotsu
Valencia 290
08007 Eixample
tonkotsu.es

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • More
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Asian, L'Eixample, noodles, Tonkotsu

« AIUENO Japanese Food, Eixample
Federal Cafe Barcelona / Bistro, El Barri Gotic »

Comments

  1. Montse Romero says

    21st July 2015 at 5:38pm

    Hola, soy una de las socias del restaurante Tonkotsu, primero de todo agradecer vuestro post, siempre nos gusta saber la opinión de nuestros clientes y amigos, para hacer del Tonkotsu, un lugar donde la experiencia con su comida sea única, simplemente quería aclarar algo, que posiblemente no supe explicarlo bien, cuando hicisteis referencia de porqué incluiamos en el menú, bulgur y hummus, no es que los clientes no estén familiarizados con la comida asiática, sino, que la intensidad de sabores de esa cocina es alta y para clientes que vienen con mucha asiduidad, intentamos equilibrar el menú con platos más frescos y con sabores menos intensos , sobre todo deciros que es muy posible que yo no supiese trasmitiros bien este concepto y al leer el post he querido aclararlo. Muchísimas gracias y espero veros pronto.

    Reply
    • Suzy says

      21st July 2015 at 10:40pm

      Gracias Montse. Voy referir a los lectores a tu comentario para más explicación. Me gustó mucho nuestras comidas en su restaurante .

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What Are You Looking For?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 767 other subscribers.

Foodie In Barcelona on Instagram

Lovely lunch @mikanbcn like always #MikanBarcelo Lovely lunch @mikanbcn like always 

#MikanBarcelona #BarcelonaEats #NaturalWine #SakeAndWine #LunchSpotsBCN #JapaneseTapas #BarcelonaFoodie #HiddenGemsBarcelona #BCNDining #WineBarBarcelona #FoodieFinds #BcnEats
Returned to Restaurant Margarit in Poble-sec for a Returned to Restaurant Margarit in Poble-sec for a second visit — and it was just as good, if not better.
Greek-rooted, Barcelona-based cooking that’s thoughtful, balanced, and quietly confident.

I wrote about my first visit on the blog, and this follow-up felt like a confirmation rather than a comparison.
The orzo with prawns is as rich and flavourful as I remembered.
The berenjena with yogurt and pistachio still stands out for its contrast and texture.
The flor de calabacín is delicate and well-judged.
And the tulumba — light syrup, pistachio, and saffron cream — ends things beautifully. As a non-dessert dessert person Margarit is turning out to know exactly how to balance a sweet ending. 

Reliable, elegant cooking in a calm and inviting space.

#foodieinbarcelona #poblesec #barcelonarestaurants #greekinspired #tulumba #orzo #barcelonafoodie #seasonaleating #openkitchen
Some places feel like they’ve been frozen in tim Some places feel like they’ve been frozen in time—in the best way possible. 🪑🍽️

At Cal Pau Xich, it’s marble tabletops, bentwood chairs, Estrella bottles next to vintage motorbikes, and mirrors that whisper stories of another era.

The food? Honest and generous. Creamy mushroom lasagna. Chargrilled lamb chops with padron peppers. A silky flan with a dollop of cream that tastes like someone’s abuela still works the kitchen.

A proper Catalan gem that doesn’t fuss, just feeds you well.

📍Avinguda de Catalunya, BV-2127
🕰️ Come for lunch, stay for nostalgia
🍮 Don’t skip dessert

#CalPauXich #CatalunyaFood #HiddenGemsCatalonia #FoodieInBarcelona #FoodThatFeelsLikeHome #FlanForever #RetroBarLove #WhereLocalsEat
Hola Coffee, Madrid ☕️ 📍Calle del Dr. Fourq Hola Coffee, Madrid ☕️
📍Calle del Dr. Fourquet, 33
Minimalist, confident, and just the right kind of cool. The kind of place where the coffee’s excellent, the croissants are glossy, and yes — they serve an iced coffee with olive oil.
@holacoffee 

Design-led, barista-driven, and packed to the rafters with oat milk. A must if you like your coffee with a bit of bite and a lot of style.

#HolaCoffee #MadridCoffeeScene #FoodieInBarcelona #IcedCoffeeWithOliveOil #BaristaMood #SpecialtyCoffeeMadrid #MinimalistCafeVibes
When the meze arrives at Ali Ocakbaşı, it’s no When the meze arrives at Ali Ocakbaşı, it’s not a starter—it’s a ceremony. Smoky aubergine, creamy yogurt, grilled meats kissed by fire, and the crispiest künefe in Barcelona.

This isn’t just dinner. It’s a full-on Anatolian experience 🇹🇷✨

📍Ali Ocakbaşı, Enric Granados 69
🍴Full review on foodieinbarcelona.com

#AliOcakbasi #BarcelonaFoodie #TurkishFoodBarcelona #MezeMoments #BarcelonaRestaurants #AnatolianCuisine #FoodieInBarcelona #GrilledPerfection #KünefeDreams #WhereToEatInBarcelona #MediterraneanFlavours #EnricGranadosEats #VisitBarcelona #MiddleEasternEats
✨ A magical evening in celebration of Elysian Ta ✨ A magical evening in celebration of Elysian Tales by the ever-inspiring Marwa.
From gilded bites to golden hour laughs, every detail felt like a page from a dream.
Here’s to stories told through flavor, elegance, and friendship. #ElysianTales
#MarwaLaunch
#GastronomicElegance
#ChicBites
#PlatedPoetry
#CulinaryStorytelling
#NotYourAverageParty
#FoodieEscapes
#DecadentDetails
#HostessGoals
#BitesAndBubbles
#EpicureanEvening
@casajuliomadrid : a crimson-clad portal to proper @casajuliomadrid : a crimson-clad portal to proper old-school Madrid.
Tomato salad dripping in oil, oversized croquetas, garlicky chistorra with golden potatoes, a cold caña, and just enough chaos behind the bar to feel alive.
No fusion. No foam. Just flavor.
💃🏼🍅🍻 #MadridSinFiltros #FoodieInMadrid #casajulio
✨ Own Your Pleasure ✨ A feast for the senses c ✨ Own Your Pleasure ✨
A feast for the senses curated by Erika Lust at @la_culturehouse – where art, desire, and food meet in bold, provocative beauty. From the strawberry and elderflower bites to the unapologetically decadent “Vagina Cake” by @dontpanikitsveganik, every detail was a celebration of taste, form, and freedom.

#OwnYourPleasure #ErikaLust #FoodArt #BarcelonaEvents #SensualDining #FoodieInBarcelona 
#CulinaryArt
📍Batea Barcelona — Gran Via, 605 Michelin 202 📍Batea Barcelona — Gran Via, 605
Michelin 2025 recommended and absolutely deserved.

Between the Betanzos tortilla drowning in prawn head jus and the delicately plated ceviche, Batea balances tradition with a polished, confident creativity. It’s seafood-forward but far from predictable.

Highlights:
🦐 Tortilla with prawns
🥒 Flawless ceviche
🥖 Bread + algae butter = don’t skip it
🌿 Falafel of algae & bluefin tuna (!)

Their design nods to the nostalgic brasseries of old, but this is very much Barcelona now. Grab a table. Order generously.

#foodieinbarcelona #batea #barcelonafood #michelinbarcelona #barcelonaeats #bcnfoodie #tortillabetanzos #barcelonarestaurants #seafoodlover #plateselector
@unikobarcelona is one I have on rotation. If I am @unikobarcelona is one I have on rotation. If I am not here, I’m at one of the @101_dim_sum locations.

#chinesefoodlover #foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants
Contracorrent Bistró has a new (ish) spot in Grà Contracorrent Bistró has a new (ish) spot in Gràcia. A melding of Catalan and Italian flavours and a focus on ingredients. As highlighted by the row of vines from the family estate that are suspended from the ceiling. 
The choice is between two tasting menus. Of course my friend and I selected the largest one!
A flurry of small plates and bowls ensued. Just the way I like it, lots of variety but I didn’t have to waddle out of there. 
The warm and knowledgeable service was the cherry on top.
@contracorrentbar 
📍 Carrer de Sant Domènec, 14
08012 Barcelona

#foodieinbarcelona #foodinbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcndelicatessen #bcnfoodieguide #gracia #gràcia
I smell summer. A gritty cup of cold horchata with I smell summer. A gritty cup of cold horchata with retro fittings is it these days. Bonus points for the sugar free option. 

#foodieinbarcelona #horchata #sirvent #sirventbarcelona #bcn #bcninspira
Follow on Instagram

Foodie In Barcelona on Substack

On Substack? Get Foodie In Barcelona on your favourite newsletter platform by scanning the QR code below.

Substack QR Code

Recent Posts

  • Elysian Tales: Hospitality Re-Enchanted
  • Can Lecomte, Cheese Shop, Sant Antoni
  • Ali Ocakbaşı Turkish Food Barcelona
  • Jiribilla, Mexican, Sant Antoni
  • 3 Barcelona Wineries to Visit by Nika Shevela

VoiceMap: A Culinary Tour of El Born

VoiceMap logoVoiceMap QR CodeFor the best experience, install the VoiceMap app for Android or iPhone. Then just scan the QR code to be taken to my tour. A 2-hour tour for only $6.99!

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • X
  • Email

Posts by Area

  • Barceloneta
  • Gòtic
  • Born
  • Eixample
  • Gràcia
  • Poble Sec
  • Poblenou
  • Raval
  • Sant Antoni

Popular Posts

  • The Best Spots to Enjoy Catalan Cuisine
  • Ten Best Tapas Restaurants in BCN by FoodJungle
  • Best Italian Restaurants in Barcelona
  • Best Bakeries Barcelona
  • Barcelona's Best Mexican Restaurants
  • Margarit, Greek Inspired, Poble Sec
  • Bar del Pla Tapas, El Born
  • Mantequerías Pirenaicas, Tortilla de Patatas, Eixample
  • Espai Joliu Coffee & Plants, El Poblenou

Posts by Category

  • Cafés & Delis
  • Days Out
  • Miscellaneous
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • Shops & Markets
  • Tours
  • Travel

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie in Barcelona · info@foodieinbarcelona.com

Site by Web Harmonics

%d