Ippudo

Dreary Sydney Sundays results in a longing for something warm and comforting to replace the missing sun. Today this meant we were paying a visit to Ippudo. 

I've actually had the Ippudo experience a while ago but my first visit was at the one located in Pitt Street Westfields. I don't remember much except hearing my friend raving on about these Pork Buns.

After a few years I'm here again reunited by the success of their buns. The bun itself is soft and fluffy and majority of the time you will get a tender and well-seasoned piece of pork to compliment. Since the success of the pork bun, it has increased my sightings of replication in the food trend... though not to the level of frozen yoghurt or Korean Fried Chicken...

My brother-in-laws wife (unlike the rest of us) chose the Shiromaru Tomago - Ippudo original Tonkatsu broth served with thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, black mushroom, shallots and an egg. 

The rest of us opted for a variation of the Akumaru Shinaji - Ippudo original Tonkatsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil, served with thin noodles, pork belly,  black mushrooms and shallots... plus with or without an egg ($2 extra). 

I was actually surprised that the ramen experience was on the higher end of what I've had in Sydney. A beautiful broth, melt in your mouth meat and noodles cooked to your selected perfection (soft, medium or hard). I love that you get the choice...

The place is beautifully decorated with spoons and bowls. The service was top notch from getting you a seat, taking your orders to cleaning up our mess...

My biggest gripe with this place is what makes it able to justify charging so much more for their dishes. On average this place will set you back around $40 per couple for lunch... that's if you chose the free tap water with your meal... The serving size is probably just enough to leave you craving a bit more... Though in saying all that I'm still happy to come back and try something else on their menu... (I guess that in itself answered my question... the old age battle of quality over quantity wins again)