Hakkapo

It’s not every day you stumble across a restaurant that mixes Japanese cooking with Polish wine — but that’s exactly the unlikely yet inspired fusion behind Hakkapo. Tucked onto Jack Rosenthal Street near HOME, this casual izakaya-style spot is the work of Krzysztof Borowiak, Kit Lee and Simon Lee — industry veterans with roots in both Eastern Europe and East Asia. Between them, they’ve created something that feels effortlessly original: a laid-back, design-led dining room that serves up outstanding ramen, playful small plates, and a drinks list with a few surprises.

As the name hints, Hakkapo blends ideas from multiple cultures. ‘Hakka’ refers to the migrant peoples of south-eastern China, while ‘po’ nods to Poland, where co-owner Krzysztof hails from. That dual heritage plays out most clearly on the drinks menu — a genuinely exciting list packed with award-winning central European wines (many Polish), alongside Japanese sake, craft beers, and even a standout merlot from Japan itself. It’s a list that turns even sceptics into converts, with flavours that match up beautifully to the bold, brothy, umami-rich food being served.

The kitchen, meanwhile, leans confidently into Japanese comfort cooking done with real care. Tonkotsu ramen is rich and deeply savoury, cooked for hours the proper way, while the garlic version adds a smoky depth thanks to black garlic oil and slow-cooked pork belly. Elsewhere, salt-aged sirloin donburi is all sticky rice, soy glaze and beefy satisfaction; delicate scallops are charred and miso-roasted; and there’s enough flair on show to lift this far beyond your standard noodle bar.

Even the desserts pack a punch, from fried bao buns with miso vanilla ice cream to a matcha affogato that’s as striking as it is tasty. With its monochrome cartoon characters dotted across merch and menus, Hakkapo has personality in spades — but the real charm lies in how it balances polish and fun, flavour and finesse. Izakaya-inspired, Manchester-made, and confidently doing its own thing.