If you're looking for proper Japanese ramen in Camden, Umami Lab is worth putting on your list.

I took my son Tommy down there after a couple of mates recommended it.

I'd heard good things.

But I've heard good things about plenty of places that turned out to be absolute shite.

So we walked through the door without expecting too much.

The place was busy; people sat around with steaming bowls of ramen in front of them, heads down and getting stuck in.

Always a good sign.

If people are eating rather than photographing an empty plate for Instagram, you're probably onto something.

JAPANESE FOOD IN CAMDEN WITHOUT THE BOLLOCKS
The first thing I noticed was the atmosphere.

Busy, but relaxed.

The Japanese staff were friendly and welcoming, and the manager, Ren, I think his name was, was great with us.

Quick service.

Good attitude.

No fuss.

And no one hovering around the table every five minutes asking if everything was alright when you've barely had time to take a mouthful.

I like that.

Let people eat.

Let people talk.

Let people enjoy themselves.

We ordered a couple of ice-cold Sapporos while we waited for the food.

Camden was buzzing outside, but we were happy sitting there with a beer and catching up.

Sometimes that's all you need.

THE RAMEN WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW
Then the ramen arrived.

I'd gone for the soup version.

And fucking hell, that broth was good.

Deep, rich and full of flavour.

But what really stood out was that it didn't rely on being ridiculously salty to hit you.

It had proper depth.

That savoury umami flavour was there without overpowering everything else.

The noodles were cooked properly too.

Nothing worse than ordering ramen and getting noodles that have been cooked into submission.

These had the right texture and worked perfectly with the broth.

Every spoonful had something going on.

This was easily the best thing on the table.

I scraped the bowl clean.

Then looked at it, thinking I could quite happily have another one.

The cold Sapporo alongside it wasn't a bad combination either.

Japanese ramen and Japanese beer.

You can't go too far wrong.

MATCHA, WARABI MOCHI AND BLACK TREACLE
Then came dessert.

A sundae made with soft serve, cornflakes, warabi mochi and black treacle.

I'll be honest.

I wasn't expecting much.

Sometimes desserts sound more complicated than they actually are.

This one surprised me.

The bitter matcha worked brilliantly against the black treacle's sweetness.

The warabi mochi added chewiness, while the cornflakes added a bit of crunch.

It also worked well after the ramen.

Cold, sweet and slightly bitter after a rich bowl of soup.

It finished the meal nicely.

I walked out full.

But not stuffed.

There's a difference.

IS UMAMI LAB CAMDEN WORTH VISITING?
For me, definitely.

What I liked about Umami Lab is that it doesn't feel like somewhere that's stuck a Japanese name above the door because Japanese food happens to be fashionable.

There's proper thought behind the food.

The Sapporo influence comes through in the ramen, and the whole place has a relaxed, easygoing feel.

The staff were good.

The food was good.

The beer was cold.

And I was there with my lad.

That's a pretty decent combination.

I'm not one for pretending every meal has changed my life.

Sometimes you walk into somewhere, eat something good, have a couple of beers and enjoy the afternoon.

That's exactly what we did.

CAMDEN, RAMEN AND A GOOD AFTERNOON
I've spent plenty of time around Camden over the years, and it's always changing.

Loads of places come and go.

Some are all image and no substance.

Others get it right.

Umami Lab gets it right.

If you're wandering around Camden looking for Japanese food, and you're in the mood for ramen rather than another burger, kebab or whatever else is being shoved at tourists that day, I'd give it a go.

Get yourself a bowl of ramen.

Order a cold Sapporo.

Finish with the matcha sundae.

And enjoy yourself.

I went because a couple of mates recommended it.

I'll be going back because I enjoyed it.

Good food.

Cold beer.

Good company.

No unnecessary bollocks.

That's my kind of afternoon.

UMAMI LAB, CAMDEN.

I'll be back before long.