Shigemi Kawahara aka ‘the Ramen King' and founder of Ippudo, Japan's highly acclaimed Ramen emporium, has set up shop in Westfield in the Sydney CBD. Following in the footsteps of culinary hotspots Japan, Hong Kong and New York, Sydney has embraced the Ramen noodle trend with open arms and mouths. Enjoy a bowl at the bar for a mid-week power lunch, or perch at low wooden tables for some sustenance during your retail therapy. Shigemi Kawahara started Ippudo way back before many Ippudo fans were even born (i.e. 1985), in Japan's ramen capital, Hakata. It was here that Kawahara developed his master recipe which includes a Tonkotsu broth and Hakata-style noodles.
From New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and now little old Sydney – Ippudo is a Japanese ramen chain that's taken the noodle-world by storm. So, as SMH food-critic Terry Durack has asked, what's the hype about? It's hard to deny, ramen isn't an elegant dish nor does it push the culinary boundaries in the same way as Heston Blumenthal but (and I'm sure many would agree) there's something so utterly satisfying about a big, sloppy bowl of piping hot broth, tender pork and silky smooth noodles. On the menu at Sydney's gleaming Westfield outlet are three ramen options that feature either pork loin, pork belly or ground pork. Of course, you can select various toppings such as flavoured egg, shallots, black mushrooms etc. Not in the mood for oodles of noodles? Entrée and a la carte options pay tribute to deep-fried goodness with dumplings, tempura camembert and fried chicken wings. On the lighter side, the avocado and tofu tartar arrives in an inedible leaf (?) cone, wedged into a bucket of ice and served with a sweet and creamy sesame sauce. What this dish lacks in aesthetics it certainly makes up for in flavour. The grilled Tasmanian salmon is a good option for those still acquiring a taste for Japanese while the Saikyo miso barramundi fillet is both fishy and smoky but served with a kick-starter wasabi sauce that brings the dish together.
If you're meeting friends, you have to wait until all your party has arrived before getting a table but perch at the bar, enjoy a sake cocktail and avoid going at ramen peak-hour (7-9pm). Oh and if you prefer an inconspicuous entrance, then be prepared to be pushed outside of your comfort zone when you walk in Ippudo's doors. "Irasshaimase!"
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