Ramen Omakase | Senpai Ramen

It has been quite a while since I've had the time to sit down and write and I'm back with another food review post to kick start the 2022 adventures. This time I'll be sharing with you my experience at the first ramen omakase restaurant in Sydney, called Senpai Ramen, curated by Chase Kojima. Located just outside Chatwood Chase, Senpai Ramen has been one of the most hyped new restaurants, where it has been known that the custom-made ramen bowls cost around $100 each. 

Gotta Go Gogyo ─=≡Σ((( つ•̀ω•́)つ // "Burnt" Miso Ramen

Good evening my hungry readers, I'm finally back with my first food review of the year! I made a visit to Gogyo the week it opened as I knew this was going to be a new hot spot for foodies to feast at, plus I would be flying off to LA in a few weeks time. 

While most people don't associate the word "burnt" with edible tasty food, Sydney's latest ramen joint is most famous for its Kogashi burnt miso ramen which may change your opinion. Gogyo is also a sister restaurant of Ippudo's and has stores in both Japan and Hong Kong. 

Gogyo

56 Bay St, Ultimo

Opening Hours: 

[Lunch] Mon-Sun: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
[Dinner] Mon-Sun: 5:30 PM - 9PM

Ph: (02) 9212 0003

INSTAGRAM

 

Shin Yasaka Ramen, Neutral Bay // Food blogger soft launch ⌒ﾟ(❀>◞౪◟<)ﾟ⌒

On the 29th June, I was invited by Washoku Lovers to attend another foodie event. This time is was a more special occasion, as we would be trying the dishes for the pre-launch of Yasaka's second store in Netural Bay. 

I decided to take my mum along with me to enjoy a warm meal. She was super excited about it and the food too! 

Yasaka Ramen is known for their house made noodles and tonkotsu soup. Their Neutral Bay store is called Shin-Yasaka, which has the same menu as their city store, but will be using a new and different cooking method for their ramen. 

One of the Washoku Lovers staff, Kayla, gave us a short introduction of the store and its concept. On a side note, I actually know Kayla from uni as we were classmates in our Japanese classes. 

We got to meet the head chef, Takeshi Sekigawa, who delivered a speech introducing himself, his concept and what he wanted to achieve for the future. 

Additionally, his motto "No Ramen, No Life" is definitely something I hold dear, especially when winter is here! Best comfort food ever! I took a photo with Takeshi Sekigawa himself after we had finished our meal! 

Our night began with drinks then our entrees arrived shortly after which were edamame beans and karaage chicken. The chicken was served piping hot and once I bit into it I could taste how juicy and tender it was.

We also had a a plate of condiments, from left to right, there was white sesame seeds, pickled ginger and chilli sauce. The chilli sauce was great, as it gave the dishes that extra punch of spice! 

The main dish of the night, which was their signature ramen called the Shin Yasaka ramen, was really delicious and perfect for a cold winters' day! The broth was thick with a very deep and intense flavour. The thick noodles were chewy yet firm in taste and they are made fresh everyday.   

The last dish served that night was their Kakuni bao, which is very similar to a pork belly bun! The pork was super juicy and full of flavour. Plus, it easily falls apart as you bite into it and the sauce was the perfect touch of dressing needed to bring out the heavenliness of this bao. 

Also, can you see the fine red stringy stuff in the previous photo? At first glance I thought it was saffron, but knowing the price of it I decided to try a strand on its own. It turned out to be dried chilli strands, which was so YUM!!

On their opening days, Saturday (2nd July) and Sunday (3rd July), they were handing out 50 free "No Ramen, No Life" jumpers and shirts. Seeing all the amazing instagram posts, their grand opening ceremony was a huge success, plus you can still purchase their "No Ramen, No Life" apparel or iphone case too!  

Shin Yasaka Ramen, Neutral Bay

Shop 1, 161-163 Military Rd, Neutral Bay, 2089

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun

Lunch: 11:30am - 3:30pm

Dinner: 5:30pm- 9/10pm

Ph: (02) 8317 4805

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

You can also read my first blog post on WASHOKU LOVERS blog!

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[050716]

Already July, meaning we are hitting the middle of winter now and the days are definitely getting colder and wetter too. I have been busy trying to organise my life in general as I try to fit in meetings with the Washoku Lovers team (as I have joined them as an intern), catching up with friends and my blog entries. I am definitely feeling more and more busy but I am slowly getting use to how things are working out now. However things will once again change when I start my full time job next week! Little nervous too!! ><"

Remember to like my facebook page, subscribe to my youtube channel, follow my instagram:"lazypandah" & LOOKBOOK:lazypandah for daily updates! 

Comments are love ♥

-LAZYPANDAH

 

Winter weather calls for RAMEN! // Manpuku Kingsford (灬♥ω♥灬)

Winter is officially here in Sydney and we literally had a crazy weekend with the torrential rain and wind. As the days get colder, it makes it the perfect weather to have ramen for lunch and lucky for me, last week I was invited by Washouku Lovers to eat at the Japanese restaurant called Manpuku, at Kingsford. They have a few locations around Sydney, making it accessible to a wider community. 

Ramen Manpuku Kingsford

482 Anzac Parade, Kingsford, Sydney, 2032

Opening Hours:

Lunch: Mon-Sun: 11:30am - 9:30pm

Ph: (02) 9662 1236

INSTAGRAM

The restaurant name means "Millions of Happiness or Luck" which reflects their values for their store, staff, customers and food. They specialise in ramen dishes but do offer some other dishes too! The chef of Manpuku had recommended the following ramen's as they were either super popular or delicious; #2 Sho Gara, #6 Gyokai Tonkotsu & #7 Shiawase Ramen. 

I decided to get #2. Sho Gara with pork belly, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots (mema), shallots, seaweed sheet and homemade Manpuku original noodles in salt base chicken soup (AUD$13.50). The broth is so clear and aromatic. It has a flavourful yet light taste whereas the ramen were cooked to perfection, bouncy and not too mushy, and the pork was well seasoned. 

When having this ramen it is best eaten with the pepper that they offer with it. It is white pepper blended with powdered dried Ramen topping menma (bamboo), dried garlic and onion. 

Stephy ordered #7. Kono deaini kanshashite aijou jonetsu komete isshoukenmei tsukata uchirano icchan sukina manpuku shiawase ramen (AUD$14.50). The name of the ramen is quite the mouthful! The broth of this ramen is much thicker and intense compared to the previous one. It is a soy based chicken and pork soup with pork belly, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, shallots, seaweed sheet, egg and homemade Manpuku ramen. 

We also ordered a side of Kaarage chicken (AUD$5.50) and their Wing Gyoza (AUD$6.90). The Kaarage chicken, as seen, was a bit overcooked (I'm assuming the oil was a bit too hot!), so the chicken was a tad dry. 

However, the Wing gyoza was a juicy surprise. The flavours were so unique due to the combination of two different meats yet it tasted so right! It could do with a little less terriyaki sauce on the top, but it was delicious!! 

Next up was dessert time!! We ordered 3 different dessert; 2 x chilled cream green tea mochi, green tea mousse and a porunga. 

The skin of the green tea mochi (AUD$2.50/each) had reminded me of the one I had in Nara, but less elasticity. It was quite lovely and a great way to end the meal! 

The green tea mousse(AUD$5.90) is more heavier compared to the mochi. I could taste the thick cream and matcha in the smooth and soft texture of the mousse. 

The porunga(AUD$3), which looks like the fish-shaped taiyaki, has a deep fried layer which covers the warm red bean paste in the middle. It is a popular snack at the store, however I do prefer the texture of the traditional taiyaki. 

If you are a member with Washoku Lovers, you can redeem 50% off egg toppings or kaedama noodle refills. But if you're a student, flash your student ID card and get the noodle refills for FREE! 

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[070616]

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't been blogging over the last week, as it was my last week of uni and I did have a few assessments to get done! I am finally done with uni!! I cannot believe how fast this semester went by and I am now on the hunt for full time jobs! It's going to be a tough half year but I'm sure that I will find something that I will enjoy! 

Remember to like my facebook page, subscribe to my youtube channel, follow my instagram:"lazypandah" & LOOKBOOK:lazypandah for daily updates! 

Comments are love ♥

-LAZYPANDAH

 

Ippudo Ramen craving's once again ヽ(°◇° )ノ

If you follow me long enough you guys should know that i enjoy eating ramen! Since Sydney CBD Westfield's has a new Japanese restaurant called Ippudo which their signature dishes are their ramen's.  

Ippudo is a refreshing modern taste with a few Japanese interior. 

Ippudo Sydney Ratings:

Location:★★★★★

Located in the heart of the city, Sydney's Westfield, on level 5 which is their food court level. 

Westfield Sydney, 

Level 5, Shop 5021, 

188 Pitt Street, 

Sydney, Australia, 2000

Menu: ★★★★☆

They offer quite a lot of different ramen dishes. There are also a few rice dishes as well as dessert too.

Cost: ★★☆☆☆

The prices can be a bit expensive but definitely worth to try out the ramens.

Service: ★★★★★

Wonderful service, like always Japanese restaurants will always have their staff greet the customers when they enter!

Overall: ★★★★☆

Highly recommend this place for all ramen lovers!! You will definitely find a ramen that you'll enjoy!

So here i ordered their ippudo gyoza, a bowl of ramen and their eel rice. 

Karaka Ratings:

Taste: ★★★★★

The soup was really clear and crisp. There was also a chilli paste inside to melt into the soup it was absolute wonderful as it gave the soup a little impact. The pork was super tender so it melted into my mouth. The ramen noodles was also very refreshing.

Price: ★★★☆☆

I can't remember the exact price but the ramen was about AUD$17 or so.

Overall: ★★★★☆
Highly recommend if you are able to eat a bit/ a lot of chilli!!

 

Ippudo Gyoza Ratings:

Taste: ★★★☆☆

The gyozaa skin was really crispy and thin whereas the meat was super juicy and tender. It  was quite delicious but i prefer Ichiban Boshi's gyoza's more.

Price: ★★★☆☆

The price was about $9

Overall: ★★★☆☆

I would recommend their gyoza if you are a fan of them! They also have another gyoza too. 

Hot Stone Unagi Rice Ratings:

Taste: ★★★☆☆

The eel was really nice as it was super soft but the rice was very average in general as there wasn't enough eel to eat with the amount of rice given, so i was slightly disappointed. 

Price: ★★★☆☆

This cost about AUD$10.

Overall: ★★☆☆☆

I do not recommend this dish at all, not really worth the price.

Blue Mountain Ratings:

Taste: ★★★★☆

The green tea ice-cream is made from the green tea powder mixed with milk so it becomes more crystalized. Other than that the anko (red bean paste) and fruits went really nice with the ice-cream.

Price: ★★★☆☆

This was also about AUD$10.

Overall: ★★★★☆

I love green tea so i bought this as my crave for green tea but i won't say this is the best parfait that i have eaten. 

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Have you guys entered my INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY yet??

Remember to like my facebook page, subscribe to my youtube channels (old/new) & follow my instagram:"lazypandah" for the updates on my daily lifestyle! 

From my instagram: lazypandah

Comments are love ♥

  

-Sennnaa/Rinnnaa