New Birmingham restaurant issues plea before opening as owner says 'we're asking for help'

An award-winning Worcester restaurant has launched a crowdfunding campaign to open a second branch in Birmingham. Owners of Maneki Ramen announced earlier this month that they were delaying their Jewellery Quarter opening, which had initially been scheduled for this autumn.

The Japanese kitchen is now set to open in spring 2025, but bosses are asking for the public's help to 'make our Birmingham location a reality'. On their Crowdfunder page, owners say they need £350,000 to launch their second branch and while they've already secured part of the money, they're asking for donations to help raise the remaining £95,000.

They said: "This campaign isn’t just about opening a restaurant - it's about sharing Maneki’s exceptional experience with a new city. We’ve already secured part of the £350,000 needed to make our Birmingham location a reality, and we're asking for your help to reach the final £95,000.

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"Your pledges will directly support bringing this vision to life, helping us create a unique open-kitchen ramen bar complete with chef's tables, custom lighting, and a bar that channels Tokyo's backstreets right in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter."

People who donate to the appeal will unlock exclusive and unique rewards, such as a feast at one of Guy Ritchie's Wild Kitchens alongside Maneki Ramen's head chef Pete Dovaston and MasterChef Australia judges Shannon Bennett and George Calombaris. The menu will be cooked over open fire at Guy Ritchie's stunning Wiltshire estate.

Lower-cost rewards are available from £30, including at-home cooking kits, advanced copies of the restaurant's first recipe book, aprons and t-shirts. Additional experiences include a place at the table for intimate dinners in collaboration with guest chefs.

There's also a pledge for a wedding feast for 100 guests, featuring all of the Maneki Ramen classic dishes, plus private dining experiences at the new restaurant and a Japanese cooking masterclass.

Maneki Ramen has been serving up authentic Japanese fare in Worcester since 2020. The new 2,000 square foot restaurant in Ludgate Hill will offer most of the brand's best-sellers, such as Tebasaki Wings with Ginger and Katsu Curry, plus a few dishes exclusive to Birmingham.