KOKORO Poole

You'll find KOKORO tucked into Unit V of the Dolphin Centre on Falkland Square—not exactly a destination you'd naturally wander towards, but that's what makes it worth seeking out. This is proper Japanese cooking: rich broths simmered for hours, perfectly soft-boiled eggs, and noodles that have actual bite to them. The vibe is stripped back and no-nonsense, which feels right for a place serving honest ramen and donburi bowls. Poole's not exactly saturated with this stuff done well, so when you find yourself spooning through a bowl of tonkotsu with crispy pork belly, you'll understand why locals keep coming back.