Let's set the scene. It’s a cold dark October night in Manchester. The night wanderers and characters are out in Piccadilly Gardens (including myself) and I dig my hands into my pockets so stay warm, I walk fast, hungrily, direction Chinatown.
Manchester's Chinatown
Manchester Chinatown lies in the very heart of the city, found around Faulkner Street just behind the Town Hall and across the road from the Gay Village.
It's a playground for pan-Asian foodies – and a safe bet for an authentic meal. Indeed, it is a special place with plenty of delicious as well as affordable places to eat.
Photo by Moujib Aghrout on Unsplash
And fun fact, did you know Chinatown in Manchester, is the second largest Chinatown in the UK; and the third largest in Europe? There's more to explore besides the restaurants such as art murals, supermarkets, shops, and a park.
I’ve been to a few great spots food here in the past, like the popular Vietnamese Pho Cue. Which serves, well great Pho. As well as spring rolls, banh mi and BBQ meats to name a few dishes on their extensive menu.
WAZUZHI
After a quick Google of noodle spots in Chinatown, I found WAZUZHI, scored highly and with a steady stream of very positive comments. I find out it was formerly known as Wasabi.
So off I went to check it out. I expected it to be a restaurant but as I walked through the doors there was just one long table in the middle of a small room with a backdrop of colourful decor and the latest J-pop. It surprised me. It feels intimate.
On the only table in the room, there’s a conveyor belt. Is that what it’s called? With sushi and other interesting bits or different colour plates circulating the table.
I tried to spot a free chair among the crowded chairs. I considered maybe leaving, "is it weird to be here alone ?", I thought. But then a kind waiter smiled and pointed to a small gap between dates, “Perfect yes thank you!” I say sitting down somewhat suspiciously.
I’m excited but confused and somewhat overwhelmed. What am I doing here, what do I do? It’s hot, loud, and one of those places where everyone seems to know how it works here, except you.
But there’s a clear menu pointing out the deals, fairly lights and J-pop dancers on the large Tv on the wall. It’s steamy and full of interesting smells.
I start to scan the menu and see there’s an evening deal for 3 grey or orange plated conveyor belt bits + a main noodle ramen dish for £14.50 - very very decent! I would say nowadays it’s even difficult to just find a ramen for under that price.
I go for the evening deal and order a Tiger and chicken gyoza Tonkotsu ramen. While that arrives I start to prey on the plates zooming by me. I try to carefully analyse what’s coming before quickly hawking my arm out and snapping up a grey plate of sushi.
I eat some big sushi pieces of some sort (please don’t ask me names), some sea weedy sushi which I enjoyed, very fresh, and then spicy tuna sushi. All fine. Tasty. Filling.
When the bubbling bowl of ramen arrives I’m nearly already full. But it smells as impressive as it looks. I try it impatiently, it’s creamy and spicy, a bit nutty. The chicken gyozas are large and float on top of the thick broth. When I bite into them they melt in my mouth. 
The noodles are abundant and bouncy and I’m enjoying the chopped chewy shitaki mushrooms too. It’s all very very flavourful.
Half way through I must start to undress, I take off my jumper. I’m having the happy ramen sweats. I keep taking sips of my cold beer, it really goes so well with the spicy ramen.
I eventually call defeat, and leave WAZUZHI, very full and content.
Off I go back into the dark Manchester night. I’m surprised at how busy the city seems to be on a Monday night. I walk back past Picadilly Gardens and to the Northern Quarter, to where I’m staying for the night. Already planning my next visit back to Chinatown.
