Tampopo Trafford Centre — Restaurant in Trafford

After a day of shopping at the Trafford Centre last weekend, arms heavy with bags and feet aching, we knew we needed a special kind of place to recharge and indulge. Tampopo, with its inviting warmth and promise of East Asian flavours, was exactly what we craved for date night, we wanted something beyond the usual. Tampopo was the perfect choice, offering a culinary journey inspired by the vibrant street foods of Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan. Each dish on the menu was a nod to these diverse cultures, reimagined with authenticity and flair.

We began Thai Prawn Crackers with sweet chilli sauce, with the Bang Bang Prawns. Lightly fried to a perfect crisp, the prawns were drizzled with a luscious combination of mayo, sweet chilli, and sriracha. Each bite captured a blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours, balanced by a fresh, dressed salad that made the dish feel light yet satisfying.

Next up were the Satay Chicken skewers, a classic Malaysian-inspired favourite. The tender, grilled chicken was complemented by a rich peanut sauce, with a touch of kecap manis that added just the right amount of sweetness. Paired with diced cucumber, each bite had a refreshing crunch that cut through the richness, giving the dish an authentic street food feel.

For our main course, we shared the Japanese Katsu. The panko-crusted chicken breast was golden and crispy, served with a sweet and spicy curry sauce that brought warmth and depth. With hints of pink ginger and a touch of Bull-Dog sauce, this dish was a perfect mix of textures, complemented by fragrant jasmine rice that soaked up all the rich flavors.

We sipped on homemade lemonade throughout, a drink that was refreshing with a delightful sour kick, perfectly balancing the bold flavours of our meal and keeping each bite as vibrant as the first.

Our server, Kez, was friendly and attentive, pointing out the halal menu, providing helpful recommendations and ensuring we felt taken care of without being overly present. Tampopo’s expertly crafted dishes and atmosphere made this date night feel like an unforgettable journey across East Asia, with each bite revealing the rich culinary traditions...

First, we started off badly. The little one had a burger as he could not eat the food in Tampopo due to seafood allergies. He was talked down to in front of us by the server then the manager to the point of tears. They then explained to us that due to allergies in the restaurant and company policy, a 10 year old cannot finish the last two bites of a burger on their premises and the server ordered him to stand in the main area and finish it, but due to safety concerns, obviously we could not leave a 10 year old ok his own. I would advise this branch to RETRAIN THEIR STAFF ON RESPECTING CUSTOMERS. My little one is finishing some food from a different place, only on our table, whilst we are ordering. Horrific service. Was happy to give a 0% tip and was forced to pay service charge by staff.

Now for the food. Even worse.

I ordered a Thai green curry and it CAME WITHOUT rice. What kind of restaurant is this? Every Thai culinary specialist is rolling over in their grave that this £13 dish doesn't come with rice. Rice costs almost nothing to give but yet you guys skimp out on it? I was left with a bowl of thin curry sauce with nothing to eat it with.

Fine, I'll order rice separate.

£4.80 for egg fried rice smaller than a dessert bowl? Are you KIDDING me? This is daylight robbery. There was about 3/4 table spoons of rice in there. Honestly very disappointing.

Fine establishments in London cost the same but they NEVER skimp out on the rice with this, not do they dare to serve green curry without rice.

Not to mention the size and poor quality of the drinks. Mango of the rocks has barely any mango juice and tastes mostly of lime. Makes sense when 90% of the small glass is ice cubes and lime slices.

HUGE AVOID from me. You guys need to take a step back and pull your heads out of your arses if you even think you are doing a service to Southeast Asian cuisine like this.

Do better.

I will not be coming here again and will never recommend...

July 2024 update. Arrived for tea at 5 pm. Staff were very friendly and approachable. And they quickly took our drinks order. But after looking at the 'new menu', it went downhill. The chilli sauce with the prawn crackers is just a tasteless sticky red sauce now. The wife's beef black pepper stir fry is now a chicken stir fry and no longer includes rice, even though it's still the same price. The rice is extra! I got a beef randang. It's still quite tasty but no longer includes rice, nuts, or spicy sauces. All for the same price. Our mains came out on two small side plates, with the rice in a small bowl, the fries in another, and the one roti, instead of the old two. Our drinks were only soft drinks, but £70 for two people just seemed quite steep given the meals seemed to a budget, rather than a premium dining experience. If you choose to pay via scanning the qr code on your table, they add an admin fee, which you're not told about, it's just added on just before you pay. We last visited in late June, and we really enjoyed that. Normally, we visit a few times a month, but the new menu has left a bitter taste. Think it will be a while until our next visit. If ever. Shame, really, the staff used to make it a fabulous dining experience. Pictures show what it used to look like.

2022 original: Very good, especially if you like spice. The black pepper stir fry is especially good. Just wish some dishes offered beef...