Noboru - Japanese & Korean Diner — Restaurant in Gujarat

Where the Bento B experience ends, Noboru's begins. Noboru is a brain-child of the same owners as Bento B. The key difference being - Noboru serves non-vegetarian fare too. So, while Bento B Ramen bowls end at the topping of an egg, Noboru gives you a piece of Pork at the top just like the authentic bowl of hearty Ramen. I couldn't be happier writing this review.

Our party of 4 had 2 each batting for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Consider it as a blessing in disguise cause we tried both the fares quite equally.

Coming to the nomenclature and the ambiance, Noboru transports you to quaint corners of Japan. Noboru gets its name from a cat appearing in the famous Murakami novel - The Wind Up Bird Chronicle. The café has cute paintings of cats on the wall and the menu as well adorns cute kitties. The place is warm and the low seating gives you a ful vibe of a Japanese café. Ambiance game is strong with Noboru.

We were quick to order the following. I will describe these dishes in the order of my preference where the first dish described tasted the best.

Buta Shoga Yaki: Stir-fried Pork w Ginger was hands down the best. Not just at Noboru but in the whole of Ahmedabad. Juicy pork stir fried w Ginger in sweet-sour sauce was mind-blowing. I could and will go back just for this. If you are into oink-oink, this should definitely be on your list.

Chicken Katsu Bento: Bento box consisting of Chicken Katsu (Fried chicken w Katsu curry) was decent. Sticky rice with Katsu curry, Avocado, Potato Salad, Tofu, Pickled Ginger and Cut Fruits completed the bento. While the curry left a lot to be desired as it tasted like ready-to-make Katsu curry made from the packet, fried chicken made up for it a bit.

Avocado Cream Cheese Roll: Avocado, cream cheese in a sushi is seldom not liked. Since it was done well, I liked it. Given that the dish is not as complicated to make for a Japanese diner, I am not going to go ga-ga over it. If you like Avocado Cream Cheese Roll, you can definitely give it a try.

Kakiage: Vegetable Tempura (fritters) is not an unknown dish in Japanese cuisine and there was no way in hell I was not gonna try it in an authentic setup. Tempura at Noboru were more like fried batter and less of veggies. I would have loved it more if it actually had more veggies.

Vegetable Gyoza: Since 4 of us were sharing this dish, we ordered Vegetable version of this pan-fried dumplings. Crispy at the edges with flavourful veg filling was a tad bit higher on ginger and garlic but I am not complaining. I quite enjoyed it.

Yakitori: This grilled chicken skewer was below par. The chicken was grilled for longer than expected and had become chewy. Sauce was good but sadly, I cannot say the same for the chicken.

Miso Ramen: I am not a fan of Miso in general and this veg version of Miso Ramen here too did not evoke any other emotion. My dislike for Miso stays intact. Not for me. But people on the table agreed that it was better than other places in Ahmedabad serving the Miso Ramen.

We were not brave enough to try any of the desserts as we were already drowsy with this much food.

But just as Bento B, Noboru too is caffeinated by Subko Coffee. We ordered regular cold coffee, Iced Latte, Ice Cappuccino. Balance of sugar and coffee was off and our feedback was taken seriously from the looks on the manager's face. The balance was just about right at Bento B outlet. At Noboru, Regular Cold Coffee was sweeter than expected, whereas Iced Latte was a tad too bitter. We were told that they will work on the balance in the near future.

Overall, I am more than happy to have a Japanese and Korean diner serving authentic dishes. A few tweaks here and there, would make it a place perfect for dishing out really good Japanese and Korean dishes. And I wish a lot of people would try and appreciate something different in the city. An extra star rating is just to applaud the risk that the owners are taking to do something unique...

The short version, for people in a hurry:

Japanese–Korean fusion in Ahmedabad with anime-style interiors and unforgettable desserts. We loved the Japanese cheesecake with strawberry sauce — a must-try! Not for pure vegetarians, but perfect for adventurous eaters looking for unique flavours and a fun, themed ambience. A bit pricey, but totally worth the experience.

Now, the longer version, for guys who are a bot more curious:

Me and my wife are small-time food explorers — if it’s edible (and sometimes even if we’re not sure), we’ll try it. Noburu was one such adventure, and it turned out to be a memorable one.

It’s a Japanese–Korean fusion restaurant, and the absolute star of the show for us was the Japanese cheesecake with strawberry sauce. If you ever visit here, please, please try it — you won’t forget it. I can still taste that cake even today… and no, I’m not exaggerating.

A heads-up: this place is not for pure vegetarians. Let’s get that clear right away.

We went here to try “authentic” Japanese and Korean cuisine. Now, full disclosure — we’ve never actually been to Japan or Korea, so we don’t have the original reference point. But compared to anything we’ve eaten in Ahmedabad so far, this felt completely new and different.

The atmosphere is straight out of an anime scene. The interiors, lighting, and décor make you feel like you’ve been teleported to a Japanese street café. Even the gents’ washroom, (no idea about the ladies’, for obvious reasons) has amazing artwork of popular anime characters and Japanese animations, photo attached. Yes, this is probably the only restaurant review where I’m praising the washroom.

If you like exploring food and ambience that’s a little out of the ordinary, Noburu is worth the visit. It’s a bit heavy on the pocket, but the experience makes up for it — and that Japanese cheesecake… the attached photo doesn't do the justice, but it tasted like a piece of heaven, whatever that tastes like, I’m still thinking about it as...

Ahmedabad has a new gem, and it's called Noboru!

This newly opened Japanese restaurant is truly one of a kind in the city, offering an exceptional dining experience that exceeded all our expectations.

From the moment we stepped in, we were captivated by the ambiance – a beautifully dim-lit space, perfect for a romantic date night or an intimate dinner with friends. The vibe is sophisticated yet welcoming, creating a truly special atmosphere.

Now, let's talk about the food! Every dish we tried was a star in its own right, showcasing the culinary artistry of Noboru. We ordered a variety of items, and each one delivered on flavor and quality.

We were particularly impressed with the Grilled Sea Bass in Taro sauce. Honestly, we didn't have high expectations for fish in a new Japanese restaurant, but it absolutely blew our minds! It was perfectly cooked, tender, and incredibly flavorful.

Other highlights included the Chicken Kimchi Ramen (the small bowl was perfect for sharing), the Chicken in Piri Kara Sauce (a delightful fusion of flavors), the comforting Chicken Dumpling Soup, and the perfectly executed Green Beans Tempura Roll. The Vegetable Gyoza were also delicious and a great vegetarian option.

And then there's the Japanese Cheesecake… oh my goodness! It's truly the star of the show. Light, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, it's a must-try for any dessert lover.

Beyond the incredible food, the service was impeccable. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu, providing excellent recommendations and answering all our questions. They clearly take pride in their dishes and are passionate about creating a memorable dining experience.

Noboru is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic and exceptional Japanese dining experience in Ahmedabad. The combination of the stunning ambiance, the delicious food, and the attentive service makes it a standout restaurant. We can't...