Simon Food Favourites: Ippudo

04 December 2012

Ippudo: Japanese Ramen, Westfield Sydney (3 Dec 2012)

Westfield Sydney, Level 5, Shop 5021, 188 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.facebook.com/ippudo.syd

http://www.ippudo.com

Ramen empire comes to Sydney

As I enter Ippudo's latest franchise that opened this week in Sydney my presence is announced with an enthusiastic chorus of 'Irrashaimase' (welcome) from all the service staff like being presented like royalty arriving at a ball. There's no inconspicuous entrances in this place. Quite fun although hearing it over and over again throughout your dining experience leaves little moments of quiet and calm. Ippudo gyoza ($6, 5 pieces) were flavoursome little parcels. Little being the operative word. Thin skins are nicely cooked with a slight outer crisp while retaining some juiciness inside. Pity they're nearly half the size you'd hope them to be but I'd happily have them again. The Ippudo pork bun ($4) could possibly be a contender to the famed Momofuku steamed pork bun. A tasty morsel of tender braised pork, crunchy iceberg lettuce and japanese mayo on a pillow soft steamed bun. An enjoyable snack you won't want to share while you wait for your ramen soup.

A bowl of ramen starts at $15 but I upgrade to the Shiromaru Motoaji Tamago ($17) which includes a flavoured egg. I like its depth of flavour, tender slices of pork and crunchy texture of black mushroom. I have my thin noodles cooked 'normal' retaining a pleasant bite. Other options were soft, hard and extra hard. It's a premium price compared to other ramen around town but perhaps the quality, decor and service will justify the price for some. I do prefer the broth over the really thick Gumshara ramen which I find way too heavy for my personal liking. The Akamaru Shinaji ($16) also comes with the original tonkotsu broth but enhanced with a special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil providing an extra hit of flavour. This might be Japan's answer to the Malaysian laksa. Staff were very friendly, helpful and efficient although asking four different waiters for the bill highlighted a hiccup in the system which hopefully will be ironed out in time. We also received someone else's paid bill and their tip by accident. The perils of sitting at a large communal dining table I guess. Leaving to a chorus of 'Arigatou gozaimasu' (thank you very much) reminds me of my brief Japanese getaway and starts me thinking of what I might order on my next visit.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Nice decor, Friendly and helpful staff, Quality ingredients, Buzzing atmosphere, Efficient kitchen turnaround, Different options for seating available, Comfortable place to dine by yourself

CONS: Premium price for ramen compared to others around town, Gyoza are very small, Teething problem with asking for the bill four times from four different waiters but hopefully this will be ironed out

WORTH TRYING: Pork bun and Akamaru Shinaji

VERDICT: A nice looking restaurant serving decent ramen at a premium price served by a small army of friendly staff that greet and farewell you in Japanese

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Table condiments lined up like a kitchenware display

Ippudo pork bun - steamed bun with braised pork and Ippudo original sauce ($4)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Ippudo gyoza: Hakata-style pan-fried dumplings ($6, 5 pieces)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Hey there my little friend

Shiromaru Motoaji Tamago: Ippudo original tonkotsu broth served with thin noodles, pork loin, cabbage, black mushroom & shallots with flavoured egg ($17)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Akamaru Shinaji: Ippudo original tonkotsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil. Served with thin noodles, pork belly, black mushroom & shallots ($16)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Flavoured egg — firm white and slightly soft yolk

Thin noodles cooked 'normal' just right for me

Bowls are quite tall and funnel shaped which can make it a little awkward to eat out of compared to a lower more rounded bowl

Spooning the soup from the bottom of a funnel shaped bowl has its challenges, especially when you get to the end

Pickled radish goes very well with the ramen for extra flavour pop although ours arrived 5 minutes after we received our soups which might have been an oversight