Support your local noodle ninja 🍜

Had ramen today from Shinobi at Jacky White’s Market in Sunderland town centre and I need to tell the internet about it.

Proper ramen. Deep, comforting broth, noodles that actually know what their job is, generous toppings, and served in a proper ceramic bowl. None of this flimsy paper nonsense. The bowl had weight. Authority. It demanded respect.

Honestly, if I’d had this last week when I had man flu, I’d have been medically discharged by Wednesday.

It’s also made me double down on something I’ve been trying to do more of. When choosing where to eat, seek out small independent traders. Real people, real food, no corporate soullessness. If you can pay cash, even better. Straight into the till, no middlemen siphoning off a cut.

Places like this don’t survive on algorithms or loyalty apps. They survive because people turn up and tell other people.

If you’re in Sunderland and fancy being properly fed, Shinobi is well worth a visit.

Steam from ceramic bowls

Sinuses cleared, soul restored

Support local grub 🍜