Walter Ponce
Shoronpo is a small Japanese restaurant on Carrer del Doctor Rizal in Gràcia, Barcelona, serving ramen and shoronpo, the Japanese name for xiaolongbao soup dumplings (小籠包). It is a charming, intimate place: despite its small size, the space is cool and cozy, and the open kitchen lets you watch the chefs at work, especially the large pots of simmering broth that will make your mouth water.
This is my Shoronpo review: what is on the menu, what I ordered and what to know before you go.
A bit of history
Shoronpo grew out of Fan Shoronpo, the much-loved Gràcia restaurant of Japanese chef Keita Tanaka, which closed during the pandemic. A few years later the project came back to life in the same neighbourhood under the simpler name Shoronpo, run by two former regulars. A second Shoronpo opened near Sants station at the end of 2025, but this review is about the original in Gràcia.
Shoronpo menu: what to order
The menu centres on two things: ramen and shoronpo soup dumplings.
The steamed shoronpo come in several flavours and are perfect as starters. Alongside the classic version there are more unusual ones, like the luxurious truffle or the spicy gekikara, and I recommend trying a few different varieties. The menu also has several gyoza, Japanese comfort food like karaage (fried chicken), and starters such as menma (seasoned bamboo shoots) and abonegue, an avocado salad with leek, wasabi and nori seaweed.
For ramen, you can choose between chicken and vegetable broth, with classic shoyu and miso bowls on the list, plus tantanmen. Although the menu is concise, it offers more variety than the original restaurant, with options like fried rice and a small selection of desserts.
What I ordered
I tried the classic shoronpo, and it was an extraordinary experience. The attention to detail in every bite was evident, and it is the dish I would tell anyone to order.
For my main, I had the tantanmen: ramen noodles in broth with sautéed pork, bamboo shoots and an egg, with sesame sauce. The dish was flavourful, but I found that the sautéed pork tended to overpower the broth and the other ingredients.
How to eat a soup dumpling
Shoronpo are served very hot, so a little technique helps:
- Lift the dumpling carefully by the top knot and place it on a spoon.
- Bite a small hole in the side or poke it with your chopsticks.
- Sip the soup first, letting it cool slightly.
- Eat the rest of the dumpling, with a little vinegar and ginger if available.
Never put a whole dumpling straight into your mouth, as the soup inside can burn.
A short guide to ramen styles
- Shoyu: Seasoned with soy sauce, often clear and savoury.
- Miso: Seasoned with fermented soybean paste, richer and slightly sweet.
- Shio: Seasoned with salt, the lightest style.
- Tonkotsu: A creamy, cloudy broth from pork bones boiled for many hours.
- Tantanmen: The Japanese take on Chinese dan dan noodles, with sesame, chilli oil and minced pork.
Slurping is perfectly acceptable in Japanese food culture. It cools the noodles and brings out the aroma of the broth.
Shoronpo reviews: is it worth it?
I gave Shoronpo three stars overall, with service as the highest score at four. The classic shoronpo alone is a reason to go, while my ramen was good but not perfectly balanced. With so few seats, turnover is quick, but book in advance: even on a regular Tuesday I saw plenty of people turned away at the door because it was fully booked. Shoronpo is one of a kind, and if you love soup dumplings and ramen, it is a spot you should try. (If you are searching in Spanish for “opiniones de Shoronpo”, this is my verdict.)
For another bowl of noodles in town, read my review of Koku Ramen, and for Japanese food in the same neighbourhood, Kitsune in Gràcia.
Where is Shoronpo? Address and getting there
Address: Carrer del Doctor Rizal, 20, Gràcia, 08012 Barcelona
Reservations: Shoronpo booking page
Carrer del Doctor Rizal is in the lower part of Gràcia, close to the boundary with the Eixample. The nearest metro stations are Fontana (L3) and Diagonal (L3 and L5), and the FGC station at Gràcia is also within walking distance.
Before or after dinner, stroll to Plaça del Sol or Plaça de la Virreina, see Gaudí’s Casa Vicens, or walk down to Passeig de Gràcia for Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead. It is small and fills up, even on weekdays.
- Check current hours before you go. Opening days and times can change.
- Expect a quick meal rather than a long evening.
- Order dumplings to share and then a bowl of ramen each, so you can try more flavours.
- Ask about spice levels. Gekikara options can be very hot.
More photos
FAQ
What is shoronpo? The Japanese name for xiaolongbao (小籠包), steamed dumplings filled with meat and hot soup.
What is on the Shoronpo menu? Shoronpo soup dumplings in several flavours, ramen with chicken or vegetable broth, gyoza, karaage, small starters, fried rice and a few desserts.
Where is Shoronpo in Barcelona? At Carrer del Doctor Rizal 20 in Gràcia, a short walk from Fontana and Diagonal metro stations. A second location opened near Sants station in late 2025.
Do I need a reservation at Shoronpo? Yes, booking in advance is strongly recommended because the restaurant is small.
Does Shoronpo have vegetarian options? There is a vegetable broth for ramen and some vegetable-based starters, but check with the staff for current options.
Is it good for a quick dinner? Yes. Turnover is fast, so it is a good option for an easy, casual meal.
