I've brought a little corner of Japan to Jacky White's Market in Sunderland city centre
“This is what I’ve always wanted - a little place where people can watch me cook and I can chat to them,” says the chef at the city’s new hidden gem noodle bar.
Oberon Wilson, known as Obi, grew up in Japan with his mam who was an English teacher at the time, where he discovered a love of cooking food from the far flung corner of the globe.
He moved back to the UK when he was 10, but it’s a passion that stuck with him and he went on to work in kitchens across the North East, including Sohe in Jesmond and Koji in Sunderland city centre.
Now, for the first time, he has his own venture and he’s been able to put his own stamp on the menu to create Shinob1.
A play on words of the Shinobi video game, the Japanese word ‘shin’, which can be translated as new, Obi-Wan Kenobi and of course Obi’s name, the new venture has seen him plough his life savings into creating a noodle bar at the back of Sunderland institution, Jacky White’s Market.
“I absolutely love Jacky White’s,” he said. “I looked at other sites but I knew I could really do something here. I’ve been open six weeks and everyone has been lovely, the other traders share my stuff on their pages and are really supportive.
“I’ve already got regulars and it’s become a bit of a chatting hub here. Some people just come for a chat, not to buy anything, and I don’t mind that at all - I love it.”
Shinob1 seats around 12 people, but is also for takeaway, with vegan-friendly and gluten-free options.
“I’ve kept the menu simple,” said Obi. “But I also mix it up every week with specials and I love having the freedom to do that.
“It was quiet when I first opened, but each week I’m getting about 10 extra customers. So it’s getting there.”
Shinob1 is open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 3.30pm, apart from Wednesdays when it’s open 11am to 2.30pm.
The menu
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It’s a simple menu where you choose your base, either ramen, udon or rice (gluten free), then your broth from either tonkotsu, miso or soy.
You then add your spice level and your protein from chicken, pork, beef or tofu.
All dishes are served with breansprouts, spring onion, mushroom, carrot and soy egg.
Prices are £7.90 for the chicken bowl, £7.90 for pork, £8.75 for beef, £7.90 for tofu and £8.75 for prawns.