Tampopo Albert Square

You'll spot the queue before you see the sign — always a good indicator when you're dealing with Albert Square's prime real estate. Inside, it's all shared wooden tables and vibrant photo murals that somehow manage to feel authentic rather than try-hard, probably because the food backs up the aesthetic completely. The menu reads like a greatest hits of East Asian street food, but executed with the kind of consistency that's kept this place packed for years. Their katsu curry has developed something of a cult following among city centre workers, and the ramen actually has proper depth rather than the watery disappointment you get elsewhere. The communal seating means you might end up chatting to strangers, but that's half the charm when you're slurping noodles this good.