08 Feb 2023
It’s an international sensation for a reason…
…ramen is possibly the world’s favourite noodle dish, representing comfort food at its finest. If you’re craving some, you’re in for a treat because there’s plenty of choice across Sydney and the CBD and we’ve rounded up four of our top picks for ramen that’ll whisk you straight off to the streets of bustling Tokyo – happy slurping!!
While Butter may be better known for being a hybrid sneaker, fried chicken, and champagne bar, their ‘Butter Fried Chicken Ramen’ is a certified foodie sensation that rose quickly to cult status over the past couple of years.
Melding two *essential* food groups – fried chicken and ramen – into one spectacular Tonkotsu-style bowl of deliciousness, this dish features fresh-cut noodles, two fried chicken tenders, enoki mushrooms, and a marinated soft-boiled half egg.
Fried chicken fans will be pleased to find that Butter does fried chicken to crisp perfection, with a choice of heat levels from mild to fire hot, and this combination makes for a must-try dish.
A Darlinghurst favourite, you’re almost sure to see a queue of avid fans spilling through the storefront of this little nook on any given day. Helmed by Fukoake-born owner Keita Abe, the ramen here is unlike any other in the city. This spot serves six signature recipes: fat soy, fish salt, chili coriander, yuzu scallop, and vegetable.
Each of the broths promise a flavour-fest with generous toppings and some of the springiest noodles in NSW. The sides here give the ramen a run for their money and will leave you wishing you wore your stretchiest pants so you could try both the karaage and the gyoza too.
Will this be the most unique ramen experience you’ve ever had? We’re willing to bet the answer is ‘yes’… Set in an airy warehouse that’s part motorcycle workshop and part restaurant, Rising Sun Workshop breaks pretty much all the stereotypes.
In their beautiful communal space, you can enjoy ramen for breakfast with the Breakfast Ramen featuring their legendary buttered toast broth with bacon, tomato, and a runny onsen egg. If you’re hankering for something more traditional, take a whirl at The Darkness with pork bones, shiitake, and smoked hock broth topped with kurobuta pork belly, and an onsen egg, this shoyu-based ramen packs a heavy punch, with a flavour profile so richly sweet and smoky you’ll want a second bowl right away.
A household name in Japan, Ippudo is a Japanese ramen franchise that grew vastly popular across the world – and Sydney. You can find an Ippudo outlet in many shopping centers across the city which might strike some as a turn-off of sorts, citing reduced quality and inconsistency; and while this might be the case for some restaurant chains, Ippudo appears to be the exception to the rule.
Serving up bowls of classic tonkotsu broth simmered for hours on end, the noodles here are customisable to your level of preferred softness, and come garnished with miso, garlic oil, pork, black mushroom, and soybean sprouts. Also offering a smattering of tasty sides, if you’re looking for a place with a longstanding reputation and history- Ippudo will hit the spot.
Also, look out for the $10 ramen special, available on the first day of every month.