A JAPANESE pop-up restaurant in Magdalen Road was criticised for the ‘foul smell’ coming from its fridge and a ‘filthy’ cooker.

Hyper Ramen has just completed a six-month stint in the East Oxford eatery hotspot but, despite glowing reviews, received a damning two-star hygiene rating.

When Oxford City Council health inspectors visited in March they gave the rating, which means ‘improvement necessary’, after noting issues with cleanliness, food labelling and a lack of proper food safety records.

A report stated: “A foul smell was evident from the refrigerator, which had an accumulation of liquid on the base.”

The cleanliness of the cooker top was also criticised and described as being in a ‘filthy condition’.

There was similar concern over dirty cloths left by the sink and inspectors also recommended the floor be cleaned.

The report added: "While Dettox was available, this should be replaced with a British Standard product suitable for use in a commercial kitchen."

The inspection also found some tubs of prepared food were being stored without labels, stating: "Food cooked, prepared in advance, must be labelled to allow stock rotation."

A lack of adequate records available at Hyper Ramen to demonstrate food safety was also criticised, with the report noting there was no evidence to verify food was being cooked at the required temperatures.

The restaurant, which occupied a space previously the premises of Oxfork and the short-lived Gaf, closed on May 5.

The venture had been the brainchild of music producer and ramen noodle enthusiast Guy Hatfield, who was inspired after a trip to Tokyo, where he performed under the moniker DJ Hyper.

He wanted to share his love of the city's ubiquitous ramen shops – with their unique broths prepared over many hours of cooking.

Mr Hatfield said: "I can say with certainty that all issues raised within the report which were within our control were immediately addressed and I was promised a return visit by eho before we closed to ensure we had got things in order and have our rating put right (as is the standard procedure).

"This visit never came however so i can only assume they weren’t sufficiently concerned to make it."

He added: "I am very proud of our time in Oxford. Our feedback ratings were high almost across the board and our reviews were almost always incredibly positive.

"I am also happy that the standard of food presented was up to a very high standard indeed."

Despite the low rating, the Oxford Mail’s Tim Hughes found much to enjoy when he visited earlier this month and noted the venue was full of diners enjoying the Japanese-English fusion menu.

Speaking about the restaurant’s signature dish, he wrote: “The main event was the ramen itself – and this really was something to put a smile on the most serious advocate of Japanese cuisine.”

The space at 36 Magdalen Road has now been taken over again by Mexican food lovers Oliver Lee and Ben Gibbons, aka Taco Bandits, as their first permanent home.

Hyper Ramen's hygiene rating will have no impact on Taco Bandits and a new inspection will take place in due course.