Ichi-ban Boshi, Sydney

The chunky strips of chasu in this ramen is smoky and so delicate
it melts away in my mouth.

~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~

Along with the explosion of hamburger joints in Sydney in the last couple of years, Japanese ramen joints have also mushroomed all around the city.

World-famous ramen chain IPPUDO now has two outlets among the hundreds all over Sydney to satisfy ramen-loving folks.

With a kind invitation from Washoku Lovers, Mysaucepan and I are here to check out one of the ‘older’ ramen shops in the CBD. It’s seem like a convenient pit stop if you happen to be shopping at The Galeries opposite QVB near Town Hall train station.

Ichi-ban Boshi, Sydney

Dining room, Ichi-ban Boshi, Sydney

Located on the same level as Kinokuniya bookstore at The Galeries, I remember this place for its insane queues, especially during week day lunch hour.

We check in on a weeknight at 6pm by appointment with Washoku Lovers and a transient dinner crowd have already began filling up the restaurant.

The menu at Ichi-ban Boshi, Sydney

Apart from ramen, the menu has a selection of traditional Japanese entrees ~ edamame, gyoza, agedashi tofu, okonomiyaki and unagi being the usual suspects.

Sapporo draft (On tap) $6

An icy cold Sapporo draft beer has its signature dry finish like most Japanese brews.

Chapel Hill Unwooded chardonnay $5 / $26

Mysaucepan opts for an unwooded chardonnay though personally, this is my least favourite style in this varietal.

A chardonnay without its oaky nuances is like a beautiful woman without her seductive smile though that can also be seductive in itself.

Beef tataki 

Beef tataki $9

Slices of raw beef tataki is huddled by a garland of diced shallots with a dollop of minced ginger.

The beef is served too cold for this dish.

The gentle crush of ice can be felt as we bite into each slice so we flip and flop each slice of meat in the tangy ponzu sauce to make it more palatable.

Unagi taster

Unagi taster $15

A slab of honey golden eel glazed in sweet sticky teriyaki sauce is flanked by omelette and cucumber strips.

The meat is flaky soft, sweet and this unagi one of my all-time favourite Japanese starters.

Karaage ramen  

Karaage ramen $13

There are about 6 chunky pieces of fried chicken in Mysaucepan‘s karaage ramen.

The shoyu based stock is savoury though I fail to understand and doubt I will ever warm up to crisp and crunchy fried chicken slowly getting soggy in a bowl of soup.

Aburi Chashu-men 

Aburi Chashu-men $13

Aburi Chasu-men is generous with three thick strips of pork belly, diced nori, bamboo shoots, greens and topped with diced shallots.

The shoyu broth is light and I would have preferred a tonkotsu based broth but our waiter tells me it is already sold out at the start of this evening.

Though a little fatty without much lean meat, the chasu in this ramen is smoky and so delicate it melts away in my mouth.

Ichi-ban Boshi, Sydney

So dear readers, which is your favourite ramen in Sydney?

ChopinandMysaucepan dined courtesy of Washoku Lovers and Ichi-ban Boshi. All prices are included for readers’ information only. All views and opinions on this blog post are our own at the time of attendance.

Ichi-ban Boshi 
Level 2, The Galleries (same level as Kinokuniya bookstore)
500 George street
Sydney, New South Wales

Tel: +61 2 9262 7677

Opening hours: 11am to 9pm everday