Gumshara Ramen, Haymarket.

120kg of fresh pork bones simmered in water with the addition of soy, produces a rich soup that comes from the marrow of the bone and the soft bone to produce TONKOTSU SOUP! This stock is filled with collagen, quoted as 'essential in maintaining smooth skin'.

Gumshara Ramen, located in the food court of Eating World Chinatown, has become a popular place amongst ramen lovers. There are many varieties of Ramen to choose from such as pork spare rib ramen, tonkotsu ramen, tomato noodle soup and rich dishes.

Today, I have chosen to order the Garlic Tonkotsu Noodle but with less thick stock. After reading numerous reviews on Gumshara, the traditional soup has been deemed very thick and 'chronic'. I decided to choose the safe direction and opted for the less thick soup. Surprisingly my soup was still thick. I can't imagine slurping the normal tonkotsu soup which may be thick like gravy.

My Garlic Tonkotsu Noodle is very generous in serving. Topped with shallots, crunchy bamboo shoots, seaweed sheet and delicious pork slices. The ramen is soft and firm, one of the best tasting ones that I have had. The only downside with my dish was it was warm not hot.

Gumshara Ramen
Shop 209, Eating World Food Court
25 - 29 Dixon Street, Haymarket

Miso (World Square, Sydney)

'Miso' Japanese Resturant is part of the Masuya Group, who are renowned for their fresh ingredients and fine food. We arrived during peak hour lunch on a Friday afternoon where we expected there to be a queue of customers but there was only a few people waiting for tables in front of us, with the wait being approximately 10 minutes.

The interior is plain but stylish and modern, being a relatively new place. The menu offers a wide assortment of foods from set menu's, bento boxes, donburi set's and udon's. The portions look rather large in the pictures and the real food looks like the pictures.

I ordered the Tonkatsu Pork Loin Set ($15.00) while my friend ordered the Pork Miso Katsu Set ($15.00).

The Tonkatsu Pork Loin Set/Pork Miso Katsu Set came with an accompaniment of sides including:

• Konyaku- yam potato starch cooked with sake and soy
• Dashimaki Tamago- traditional style of omelette flavoured with dashi stock
• Pasta- white sauce and diced vegetables
• Tofu- fried
• Miso sauce (Sauce on the side for Tonkatsu Set)
• Salad- shredded cabbage with house dressing
• Miso soup

The tonkatsu was crispy, crunchy and tender. However, the piece of pork had a high portion of fat to one side while the other side had a perfect meat balance. The accompanying sauce tasted like BBQ sauce but I found the miso sauce a tad bit strong. The sides tasted great with my favourite being Konyaku which had a hint of sesame oil.

We also ordered a serving of Soft Shell Crab ($6.80) but was disappointed at the portion size. The crab was crispy but lacked the seasoning as there was no sauce but a wedge of lemon. Overall, a great Japanese Restaurant that serves fresh food at a reasonable price.

Shop 20, World Square ( 3 minute walk from Town Hall Station)

Monday to Friday Lunch - 11:45am to 2:30pm

Monday to Saturday Dinner- 5:30pm to 9:30pm

Bondi Junction (Ghermez Cupcakes & Ramen Kan)

Spent the day shopping at Bondi Westfields. After reading all the rave reviews about Ghermez Cupcakes, I really wanted to try them. Went up to level 5 and bought 4 cupcakes to take home before they sold out as I heard they run out quickly. I was rather disappointed with how they tasted. The butter cream was a bit too sweet which left an after taste of butter in the mouth and the base was not as moist but rather dry. At $3.80 per cupcake, I don't think it is worth the price. I prefer the cupcakes at Cupcakes on Pitt St.

1. Chocolate Marshmallow

2. Pistachio and Rose

3. White Chocolate

4. Espresso- Was in a hurry to eat it and forgot to take a picture.

We all felt like eating Japanese for lunch at Ramen Kan. I enjoyed my meal while my friends didn't really like their meals.

1. Teriyaki Yakisoba $11.50
(Friend said this dish was way too salty)

2. Tan Tan Ramen $11.50
(I enjoyed this dish but the meat was lacking with only a few bits of pork mince)

3. Crab Crispy Yakisoba $14.50
(Friend said it tasted good at first but the overload of sauce got overpowering)

4. Gyoza $5.90
(Found these Gyoza's quite small and overcooked)

Ghermez Cupcakes
Westfield Bondi Junction
Level 5, 500 Oxford St
Ramen Kan
Shop 3, Oxford St
Bondi Junction

Sunny Saturday in the City! (Eveleigh Market and Ramen Kan)

With the sun up and barely any clouds in sight, I drove up to the City to make the most of the sunny and warm yet cold weather.

First up was Eveleigh Farmers Markets. Took the free shuttle from Australian Technology Park as I didn't know the exact location. Ended up waiting more than 20 minutes for the shuttle. Quick ride that took about 5 minutes.

The place was smaller than anticipated but filled with people and many different breeds of dogs! A true food market with things like jam, honey, yoghurt and nuts to cater for all taste buds.

I was determined to try Pat and Stick's Homemade Icecream after reading all the rave reviews about it. I chose to try the Vanilla Lace (The 'Original' classic vanilla bean ice cream with a crunchy oat and almond lace cookie, $4.50). Being a Winter's morning and having icecream was a rather weird thing but that meant my icecream was extra frozen. The outer layer tasted crunchy and the icecream inside was creamy. I definitely want to try the other flavours on offer.

After walking around for a fair bit, our stomach was in need of food. So then it was off to Haymarket to have our lunch. Since I haven't been to Ramen Kan in Haymarket for quite a while, we decided to go and try it out. If you blinked an eye while walking past this place, you probably wouldn't be able to find it. Located on level 1 next to Oporto, a lift needs to be taken up in a squashy elevator to this hidden location.

I had the Katsu Curry Pork ($11.50). It was a satisfying meal with the pork fried to perfection but my pork piece was filled with majority fat over meat which was a let down. The salad had a vinegar dressing which I don't mind but still prefer the sesame dressing at Menya.

Mum had the Tempura Udon (11.90). A generous portion of udon noodles and tempura with a side of salad. Overall, a decent meal with an average price tag. A place I would go to from time to time.

Eveleigh Farmers' Market Every Saturday 8am-1pm 243 Wilson St, Eveleigh.

Ramen Kan Level 1, 90 Hay St Haymarket.

Menya Japanese Noodle Bar (Townhall, Sydney)

I will start off my first post with my favourite Japanese Restaurant. Menya has always been a favourite of mine. With my uni situated right near Chinatown, there were many places to eat and choose from. Yet Menya was one of the first Japanese Restaurants I ate at and fell in love with immediately. Great quality of good, quick service and excellent prices are the factors that have attracted me to this place. It has recently opened its second store at Townhall to cater for all the business women and men.

I was set to try the new Menya Restaurant to see how it compared against the one in Haymarket. Situated across from the Allianz building, is the new Menya, which may be a bit hard to find as it is not in street view. We arrive right at 6pm opening and it is fairly quiet for a Tuesday night dinner.

As you arrive, staff chorus a greeting before you sit down. Your order is taken at the counter first (cash only) before a table number is given and you find yourself a seat sit at one of the tables. Stylish, modern and sleek are the words that describe the interior. Within minutes, giant bowls of noodles and box sets are delivered.

I order the Tori kara-age ramen (deep fried chicken, $9.90) dish with a Shoyu (soy sauce) soup base as the one I normally order at Chinatown with the Tonkotsu (pork bone) soup isn't available. I actually like the taste of the shoyu soup. It tastes light and corresponds well with the excellently chewy and al dente noodles. The kara-age chicken is freshly fried to a crispy, golden batter with the chicken pieces juicy and plump.


My two friends both opt for the Tori-katsu curry (chicken cutlet, $9.90) with the curry sauce on the side. Having tasted it before, its a great dish for winter with the warm curry sauce and crispy chicken. They both find it a satisfying meal but don't finish the overload of curry sauce given. A side dish of Takoyaki balls fills our stomach to the max, hot and filled with octopus bits.

Delicious meal and a bargain considering the minimal price tag. There are many other dishes on offer from various kinds of noodles to rice dishes.

Level Ground, Shop 2, 1 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.menya.com.au/city/index.html
Monday to Saturday Lunch:12:00am - 3:00pm / Dinner:6:00pm - 10:00pm