New Zealand Japanese Restaurants Guide » Ramen

Ramen TAKARA

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:05:35 +0000

As luck would have it – another Japanese eatery on the North Shore ! This time in Anzac Road, Browns Bay.
Takara Ramen cooks nine different styles of ramen, but this is only 50% of their menu.
The other nine dishes are a variety of set meals. All ingredients used are of the utmost freshness. Takara make their own noodles every day with fl our, mineral water and free range eggs. There are two different kinds of noodle, either straight and thin, or thick and curly.
Ramen to check out : Jah-Jah ramen (a pork mince sauce with pickled ginger and cucumber), Moyashi ramen (with bean sprouts and lots of vegetables), and Wonton ramen. Char-Shu style (pork slices with boiled egg) features both as a ramen, and also as a dish served with rice. The odd man out is a yakisoba (soba noodles fried crisp), Kaisen Age, served with a rich seafood and vegetable sauce. On the other half of the menu, check out the karaage set (fried chicken), the teriyaki chicken set, and the gyoza set (dumplings). There is also a Japanese old time favourite (originally a famed dish from Sichuan province in China), Ma-Bo-Dofu : tofu cooked in a spicy pork mince sauce.

Mentatz

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:01:59 +0000

Mentatz is located on Lorne Street, in the city. The proprietor, Mr Kudo, had racked up considerable kitchen “chops”, through years of working in restaurants such as Karin (in Parnell) – and others – prior to opening this establishment.

Mentatz specializes in tonkotsu ramen, but also provides a range of other dishes, such as donburi, salads and seafood, on the bill of fare. It is no exaggeration to say that all Japanese congregating locally would’ve visited this watering hole more than once or twice; Mentatz has served up many bowls of ramen.

Those who fancy themselves “ramen masters” can – as with steak – order their noodles done to their own liking : medium, well-cooked, etc. Note: Chef Kudo advises budding ramen aficionados not to linger over their food; the noodles have a tendency to go soggy if left too long. Lest you think this merely a way of clearing space for fresh customers, Mentatz thoughtfully provides patrons with the very Japanese custom of kaedama: if you’ve brought appetite to spare with you, finish your first lot of noodles and – leaving the broth still in your bowl – utter the magic words, “Kaedama kudasai”, and you will be provided with another serving of noodles for the reasonable price of $1.50. Mentatz make their own noodles, so you will be doing them proud.

TANPOPO Ramen

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:01:19 +0000

A noodle shop, & a very good one at that. Tanpopo (meaning “dandelion” in our vernacular)serves one style, and one style only, of noodles known as “ramen”. Located on the corner of Anzac Avenue and Customs Street. The place is as neat as a pin, and the service is spot-on and friendly. Tanpopo make their own noodles fresh, and you can always see them in the kitchen, at the back, cooking up a storm. Having said that the restaurant serves one style of noodles only, we should add that the ramen comes in at least tenor more different combinations. Beer – Japanese and local – is available, and you should bookend your ramen experience with a plate of gyoza dumplings, at the beginning, and at the end of the meal. There’s a water cooler in the restaurant too, at which you can quench your thirst.TIP : we have a feeling that this restaurant chose their name, Tanpopo, from a very funny Japanese movie of the same title. Should you wish to enhance the experience, we recommend that you check out this film (by one of Japan’sbetter directors, Itami Juzo) before going. The ramen master in the movie instructs one of his acolytes in the correct manner of consuming a bowl of the noodles. Worth taking note of if you are planning a trip to this ramen-yasan.

Ramen ICHIBAN

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:00:45 +0000

Ichiban means Number One in Japanese. Given the name, this eatery’s main focus is serving ramen. Ramen noodles come served in a tasty broth, with a sliver of pork and spring onions on top. Ichiban Ramen serves at least nine different kinds of ramen, amongst which are the colourfully named sutamina (stamina) ramen, for those whose mojo is lacking in the necessary get-up-and-go, and jigoku Hell) ramen, the noodles resting in a chilli-laced soup; for those who like it hot.
Ramen isn’t the only foodstuff served on the premises, but it is the only one that Ichiban doesn’t also supply as a takeout item. All the other items you can either eat there, or takeaway.

Try the fried noodles, of which there are three kinds : yakisoba, katayakisoba deep fried noodles) and hiyashi-chuka (cold noodles − but only available in summertime). There’s also gyoza, donburi, salad and meat combos, side menu items (including fresh tofu, and a delicious chive omelette), and Japanese-style kareraisu (curry and rice). Believe it or not, but this latter dish is one of the most popular foods in Japan. Ichiban serves four kinds.

Ramen Daikoku Britomart

Editor — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:14:45 +0000

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Ramen Daikoku Victoria St

Editor — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:14:45 +0000

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Genzui Ramen Bar

go — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:25:17 +0000

Located in the Atrium on Elliott shopping centre, next to the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel – in the city. You may note this place in passing; sleek & modern, it is still vaguely reminiscent of the typical workaday ramen stand located at most train stations throughout Japan.
The owner was trained at Mentatz (Lorne St); he does not advertise, but relies upon word-of-mouth. Round lunch time people queue shoulder-to-shoulder to partake of the fare. The ramen here has got the thumbs up from regulars. Especially popular are dishes such as the (clay pot) Nabeyaki ramen, the Miso ramen & the eatery’s donburi dishes. If you’re unfamiliar with ramen, it’s a substantial noodle dish, and the raison d’etre here.

Originally from a Chinese noodle, la mian, it was first championed way back in the 17th century by the daimyo, Tokugawa Mitsukuni, noted gourmet and aesthete of the Edo era. Since the end of WWII, ramen has skyrocketed in popularity to become one of the most talked-about dishes throughout Japan. Genzui is open till 10pm every night, so it’s a great place for a quick supper and a glass (or two) of your favourite liquor.
Being part of the Atrium on Elliott shopping centre, parking is free – if you purchase more than $5.00. What are you waiting for ?