ippudo, chippendale

You have all probably heard about Ippudo, right? That ramen place you always hear about on Level 5 (food court level) at Westfields? The place with the famed silky smooth tonkotsu broth and super addictive pork buns that just keeps popping up on your Instagram feed? That place, which could quite potentially be one of Sydney's best ramen joints?

No?

None of that rings a bell? Well, I think it's about time you go check the place out and there's no better time than now because a second branch has just conveniently opened at Central Plaza (opposite UTS)!



Ippudo 2.0 has managed to retained the same vibe as the one in Westfields while adding its own modern touches of elegance and charm.

The same can be said about the menu, featuring items exclusive to the Central Park branch such as the chashu croquette and Japanese styled fish and chips!

We started off with a homemade lemon lime bitter each, which was refreshing and addictively sweet.

Seared Salmon Sushi ($13.00):
Bite-sized temari salmon sushi served with mentai mayo sauce and avocado. 

We were initially quite disappointed over the fact that they were out of pork buns due to high demand but after trying this, we were disappointed no more. Needless to say, creamy avocado and silky salmon wrapped around fluffy, well balanced sushi rice is just great but top that with some addictive sauce, mayo and roe and you're in heaven. The worst part (maybe best) about this was how they were bite sized! You just wouldn't be able to stop eating them and before you know it, there wouldn't any left.

Akamaru Shinaji Special ($24.00):
Akamaru with flavoured egg, simmered pork belly, roasted seaweed, flavoured black mushroom, bamboo shoots and spring onions.

The Akamaru Shinaji ramen is a more refined and modern styled ramen, containing Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth served with special thin noodles, extra toasted seaweed, pork belly, black mushrooms and spring onions. The flavour of the both is enhanced with a special blend of miso paste, which is infused with fragrant garlic oil - it's just perfect accompanying  each bite of firm noodles, egg and faultless, melt in your mouth pork belly.

Miso Tonkotsu Tamago ($19.00):
Miso tonkotsu with flavoured egg.

The Miso Tonkotsu Ramen features Ippudo's signature pork broth infused with red miso, topped with pork belly chashu, cabbage, spring onions, bamboo shoots, corn and bean sprouts. Like the Akamaru Shinaji Ramen, there was nothing to fault. The noodles were springly, the toppings were great, the soft boiled egg was perfectly cooked with a lovely runny centre - what more could we ask for?

Yes, so Ippudo has just opened on the 2nd of October and it is the place to be! If you haven't already, you should definitely make you way there. I know I will be - the fish and chips are just calling for me. I can't abandon them.

Ippudo Central Park
RB07 (Lower Ground), Cnetral Park
28 Broadway
Chippendale, NSW 2008
f: https://www.facebook.com/ippudo.syd
t: (02) 8078 7020
w: http://www.ippudo.com.au/

Disclaimer: polyphagia ♣ dined as a guest of Ippudo Central Park, courtesy of Sana from SD Marketing. Opinions are however my own.