It's all in the broth
Over a late-night sake session in a Queenstown bar nearly a decade ago, the Tanoshi concept was born.
The three founders – Matty Yates, Keita Yoshimura, and Scott Stevens – have a combined pot of global hospitality experience of over 30 years, managing multiple establishments, including Tanoshi on Cow Lane in Queenstown, Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi in Queenstown’s CBD, and a 100-seat restaurant in Frankton. They expanded into Christchurch in December 2023.
Matty says bringing their Japanese cuisine to Christchurch was a no-brainer.
“Christchurch has the most progressive hospitality scene in the country, and when visiting the city for potential locations for the next Tanoshi, we were blown away with the city’s growth and development and its exciting vibe,” he says.
Tanoshi joins some of Christchurch’s top restaurants at the central city’s The Terrace development.
“It’s a fantastic location and will be fun to be a part of, with plans to activate the piazza with festoons, a buskers stage, and plenty of outdoor seating,” Matty says.
“We also have some very good competition, but that’s a good thing and always keeps us on our toes.”
The restaurant presents guests with a Japanese tapas selection along with some Osaka classics. The menu also features a ‘build your own ramen’ concept, allowing diners to personalise their bowls by choosing a variety of bases, broths, proteins, noodles, and toppings.
A source of pride for Matty and award-winning executive chef Koji Kiminami is the tonkotsu broth. This is made from the highest quality pork bones soaked overnight, placed on a rolling boil for more than 12 hours, which is consistently topped up and stirred.
“It’s a labour of love,” says Matty. “In fact, so much so that very few restaurants bother. But it’s worth it – after 12 hours, the magic happens when the broth transforms into a rich, creamy texture and flavour. Only then can the broth be truly described as an authentic tonkotsu broth. We don’t cut any corners!”
Matty also mentions the environment itself as a drawcard, saying it’s “infectious and is passed on to our much-loved customers.”
Tanoshi is the latest addition to an ever-growing, vibrant hospitality scene in Christchurch; you’ll find it at 93 Cashel Street behind the new Nike store on the new Terrace Piazza.