FAQs
Maki & Ramen’s Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Maki & Ramen! We understand you may have some questions regarding our restaurants and menus. To provide you with a seamless dining experience, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and their answers. If you have further enquiries, our friendly staff is always ready to assist you. Read on to learn more about our private dining options, payment methods, and more.
Food
Sushi is made with vinegared rice often combined with raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, and sometimes even tropical fruits. Sushi is typically wrapped in seaweed or served in bite-sized pieces. Nigiri is a specific type of sushi where a small mound of vinegared rice is shaped by hand and topped with a slice of raw or cooked fish, shellfish, or other ingredients. Sashimi is thinly sliced raw seafood or fish served without rice, highlighting the fish’s natural flavours and textures.
Ramen is a beloved Japanese dish consisting of noodles in a flavourful broth. The most popular styles include:
- Miso – Miso ramen features a broth made from fermented soybean paste, resulting in a rich and hearty flavour. This ramen often incorporates thick, curly noodles with toppings such as roasted pork, corn, bean sprouts, and butter.
- Tonkotsu – Tonkotsu ramen features rich, creamy pork bone broth with thin, straight noodles. Toppings may include tender slices of pork, soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and seaweed.
- Shoyu – Shoyu ramen has a soy-sauced broth for a savoury, slightly salty umami flavour. The noodles are typically curly and chewy, and toppings may include roasted pork, bamboo shoots, nori, and green onions.
- Shio – Shio ramen has a clear, delicate salt-based broth and thin, straight noodles. Toppings may include sliced chicken, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and green onions.
Yes, we offer a wide range of mouth-watering vegan and vegetarian options. Our selections include ramen, katsu curry, and yakisoba. We also feature a variety of sushi and sides suitable for vegans and vegetarians. For a full list of our plant-based offerings, please visit the vegan section of our menu.
Hold one chopstick between your thumb and index finger, resting it on the base of your thumb. Hold the second chopstick with your thumb, index, and middle fingers like a pen. Gently pick up sushi from the plate, holding each piece lightly to avoid squeezing or damaging its delicate ingredients. If possible, place the sushi in your mouth in one bite to ensure you experience its full flavour profile. Remember, practice makes perfect when using chopsticks to eat sushi.
Umami is often called the “fifth taste” alongside sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. It’s the savoury taste in soy sauce, miso, bonito flakes, and seaweed. In Japanese cuisine, umami is crucial in enhancing the overall taste experience and leaving a lasting impression on the taste buds.
Absolutely! We understand that everyone has unique preferences when enjoying a bowl of ramen. Whether you prefer extra meat or additional spice, we can usually accommodate your requests.
No, we don’t use MSG in any of our dishes. We use fresh, high-quality ingredients and flavours that are derived naturally to ensure your satisfaction and well-being.
We proudly source the freshest ingredients for our meals, working closely with trusted suppliers. We strive to deliver an exceptional dining experience showcasing the natural goodness of our ingredients.
Some of the most popular Japanese condiments include:
- Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is often used as a salty or savoury dipping sauce for sushi, sashimi, and tempura, as well as a seasoning in various dishes, marinades, and dressings.
- Wasabi – Wasabi is a strong, spicy green paste typically served with sushi and sashimi. It adds a fiery kick and complements the flavours of raw fish.
- Pickled Ginger – Pickled ginger is served alongside sushi to cleanse the palate between bites.
- Miso – Miso is a fermented soybean paste commonly used in soups, marinades, dressings, and glazes.
- Ponzu – Ponzu is a citrus-based sauce often used as a dipping sauce for sushi, sashimi, and grilled meats.
- Sesame Dressing – Creamy sesame dressing is commonly used as a salad dressing, drizzled over vegetables, or as a dipping sauce for grilled meats.
Sake comes in various styles and grades, so we recommend exploring different types to discover your preferences and appreciate the range of aromas and tastes. Sake can be served at various temperatures, enhancing diverse aspects of its flavour profile. Take your time to savour the sake, allowing the flavours to unfold on your palate. We also suggest experimenting with various food pairings to find the best combinations to elevate your dining experience.
We provide detailed allergen information for all our dishes, covering the common 14 allergens. You can view this information here.
Yes, we provide gluten-free rice noodles as an alternative to our regular noodles. To ensure your meal is prepared with these noodles, it is crucial that you inform our staff about your gluten-free dietary request when ordering. As a traditional Japanese restaurant, our kitchen and many menu items typically contain gluten. Consequently, guests with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies should be aware of the potential for cross-contamination and carefully consider this before choosing to dine with us.
Locations
Maki & Ramen has restaurants in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester & Leeds. With plans to expand to Aberdeen, Birmingham and more in 2025.
Yes, you can order our dishes for delivery through Deliveroo, or you can opt for takeaway directly from any of our locations.
Our hours of operation vary by restaurant:
Leeds – Bond St. Location
Monday-Friday: 11:30am – 10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Manchester – York St. Location
Sunday-Thursday: 11:30am – 10:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Edinburgh – Nicolson St. Location
Monday-Thursday: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm; Friday-Sunday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Edinburgh – Fountainbridge Location
Monday-Thursday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm; Friday-Sunday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Edinburgh – Leith Location
Monday-Friday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Edinburgh – St. James Location
Monday-Friday: 11:00am – 10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Glasgow – Bath St. Location
Monday-Friday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Glasgow – Renfield St. Location
Sunday-Thursday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm (closed 3:00pm – 5:00pm Monday-Thursday); Friday & Saturday: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Aberdeen Location – Coming soon!
Birmingham Location – Coming soon!
All of our locations are near car parks and other convenient neighbourhood parking. Public transportation is also easily accessible.
Yes, we can offer exclusive private dining options for special occasions and gatherings at many of our larger venues. Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration or a corporate event, contact our team for more details.
We strive to make our restaurants accessible for all guests, including those with disabilities.
Yes, you can book a table at some of our branches via our website. We have partnered with Dojo for bookings. Please note that our smaller branches (Nicolson Street, Leith Street, Bath Street and St. James Quarter) are walk-in only. All of our branches are walk-in friendly, so you are welcome to visit us without an advance booking. However, we accept reservations at our Fountainbridge, Bath Street, Renfield Street, Manchester, and Leeds locations. Book through these links:
Fountainbridge, for bookings over 7 people, please email Makiramen3@gmail.com and follow this link for smaller booking sizes: https://app.walkup.co/create_booking/vendor/jM-MofzvQorXTo3ilZ_TnagR5WEbUvYfb9HCkhXqyF0_restaurant
Renfield Street, book through this link: https://app.walkup.co/create_booking/vendor/-SDkB2eg_UDfTqLLtPYJRSdVGqfjNpixUnSsiUaE0MI_restaurant
(Please note that we reserve 40% of our restaurant for bookings, so if there is not a table available, you can walk in.)
Manchester, book through this link: https://app.walkup.co/create_booking/vendor/EipRJIkjVSAAeCWXv1rOaIsXpYTVq3Vk0LY9rSpv8pk_restaurant
(Please note that we reserve 40% of our restaurant for bookings, so if there is not a table available, you can walk in.)
Leeds, book through this link: https://web.dojo.app/create_booking/vendor/TGcX3zsWWjZhrMnu3YTXE3s_oCyvjSvAT3GhPDS_ZmI_restaurant
(Please note that we reserve 40% of our restaurant for bookings, so if there is not a table available, you can walk in.)
By joining our mailing list, you will get great discounts as well as alerts about our big promotions sent directly. You can unsubscribe at any time. We don’t spam! Join the Makifam today!
Maki & Ramen has a casual dress code, so feel free to come as you are and enjoy delicious ramen without any formal attire. We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed while dining with us.
With venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, and more opening soon, there’s sure to be a Maki & Ramen location near you in the UK! Find all our locations on our website!
Only the galleria space at our St. James Quarter site is dog-friendly. Other branches do not allow pets.
Ordering & Experience
Yes, you can order our dishes for delivery through Deliveroo, or opt for takeaway directly from our locations.
Many of our larger venues can accommodate large group/party reservations. Please make a reservation.
We accept various payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and mobile payments.
Yes, we often offer set menus and multi-course dining experiences at many of our restaurants. Ask about our delicious festive set menu during the holidays at participating locations!
Yes, gift vouchers are available for purchase at every Maki & Ramen location. Please visit your nearest restaurant to buy one.
Yes, our new Loyalty Rewards Scheme awards dedicated customers every time they dine as a thank-you for being part of the Makifam. We appreciate you!
Our menu caters to all dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal. Please inform our staff about any special dietary needs when making a reservation or notify your server upon arrival.
We greatly value your feedback in person and online. Don’t hesitate to let us know how we can improve our exemplary service. Be sure to leave us a review on Google. Your feedback helps us understand your dining experience and assists other diners in making informed choices.
While we do not have a specific kids menu, we offer extra portions of noodles and sides that are suitable for children.
Company & Culture
Teddy Lee founded Maki & Ramen in 2015. Our objective is simple: to provide delicious, accessible, and high-quality Asian cuisine to every guest. Learn more about our story.
Our founder, Teddy Lee, studied at a sushi academy in Tokyo. Many of our chefs and culinary team members have received similar training.
Ensuring consistent quality and service is of the utmost importance to us. We adhere to the strictest food preparation standards at all locations, sourcing the finest ingredients and ensuring our team undergoes regular training on customer service, hospitality, presentation, and attention to detail. We carefully analyse all guest feedback to identify areas of improvement and make necessary changes.
At Maki & Ramen, we believe in sourcing sustainably produced ingredients, whether locally grown organic produce or ethically sourced seafood. By working with suppliers who share our commitment, we contribute to preserving natural resources and supporting responsible farming and fishing practices. We also actively work to minimise food waste throughout our operations. We strive to create a dining experience that delights your taste buds and aligns with your values because we want to positively impact the environment and communities we serve.
Yes, Maki & Ramen firmly believes in the power of community engagement. We proudly partner with many charitable organisations, including The Proud Trust, The Glasgow Care Foundation, The Thistle Foundation, and Homeless Street Angels.
Maki & Ramen is always hiring locally for interns, kitchen assistants, servers, and more. If you want to work at one of the UK’s best Japanese restaurants, browse our current career opportunities to apply!
Yes, we’re expanding our operations to include locations in Aberdeen and Birmingham, with further exciting plans for the coming year. We’re always looking for Franchisees to join the Makifam too, so a new location could pop up in your area!
did we miss something?
We hope our frequently asked questions have helped you with your enquiry today, however if there is anything we have missed then please do not hesitate to reach out to our friendly team with your query!