A One-Year Anniversary Move

Kokkaku Ramen 

Kokkaku Ramen, Sutton’s very own Japanese restaurant, has big plans ahead. The establishment’s chef Brandon Jackson shed some light on his restaurant’s upcoming highlights, of which there are many.

For starters, the restaurant is moving to where the local pizzeria Tartinizza used to be. “We’re excited to be introducing a new winter menu,” said Jackson, who manages and oversees the kitchen while his wife Clare Thompson operates the logistical side of things, welcoming diners into their restaurant, answering the phone, and keeping tabs on take-out orders. “We’ll be swapping the poke bowls for what is known as donburi bowls,” Brandon specified, referring to the quintessential Japanese comfort food composed of fluffy rice, vegetables, and meat or seafood. Additionally, the chef plans on offering individual curries and specialty dishes such as barbequed eel. 

The Kokkaku Ramen owners are also applying for an alcohol license. They will be offering beer, saké and Japanese whiskey, a liquor that has been perfected by the Japanese and modeled after the scotch tradition. 

One year in Sutton

The restaurant will soon be celebrating its one-year anniversary, and its owners have numerous projects to oversee. During November, Brandon and Clare will be busy giving their new establishment a facelift, painting walls and fixing things. “At Mocador, our previous locale, we were lucky because there were small rooms which allowed us to socially distance our diners,” explained Brandon. “We will have to work out how to do that in our new space. We might be opting for a modern twist on Japanese screens.” The couple will open their doors in December.

Surviving the pandemic

Fate has been kind to the family-owned business during these particularly harsh times. During the summer, roughly 60% of diners chose to enjoy their meal at the restaurant itself, while 40% ordered takeout. Today, Brandon estimates that 70% of diners call for takeout. “That’s why we are going to have a landline in order to encourage our clientele to call ahead so we can prepare their order,” Brandon remarked.

The restaurant will be open Wednesdays to Thursdays from 11:30 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm, on Fridays from 11:30 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm, and on Saturdays from noon to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm. 

Kokkaku Ramen will be located at 19, rue Principale Nord. For more information, visit facebook.com/SlurpRamenBar.