Kyoto Ramen Koji

G’day Foodsaurus readers! Sorry for the lack of posts over the past few months, I’ve been busy with other areas of life. I know it’s mid-March but Happy 2015! I realise that I still have a couple of posts from Japan that I’d love to share with you… so here’s one from Kyoto!

As a Japanese ramen lover, I was super excited when we arrived in Kyoto and discovered that JR Kyoto Station had an entire floor dedicated to ramen noodles!

I wanted to eat my way through all eight shops, but I only managed to visit three times. Each shop has its own specialties from different parts of the country so it can take a while to decide especially if it’s all in Japanese.

The Instant Ramen Museum – Osaka

While we were in Osaka, we visited The Instant Ramen Museum in Ikeda. This is where the humble packet of instant noodles started. This museum is every 2 minute-noodle fan’s dream, there’s no admission fee and there’s lots to see, do and eat (the eating part costs ¥).

Ichiran Ramen – Shinjuku

Ichiran is a popular ramen noodle chain in Japan and we went based on the recommendation of our friends, Jason and Gloria. The one we visited was in Shinjuku Tokyo and although we couldn’t work out how to read the address, we were able to find it by walking towards the shops once getting out of JR Shinjuku Station’s Higashi exit.

This store is open 24/7 and they specialise in one product – the classic tonkotsu ramen.

Lil Cilantro – Cherrybrook

Lil Cilantro is located at Cherrybrook Village, they describe themselves as authentic Vietnamese with a bit of French flair. Unlike most Vietnamese diners you walk into in Sydney, Lil Cilantro has a classy feel to it with mood-lighting and stylish décor.

Ichi-Ban Boshi – Sydney CBD

Ichi-Ban Boshi at The Galeries has been my favourite ramen spot in Sydney since they first opened when I was still studying. I have memories of having lunch with my Aunt here – we would arrive early to get a table and would always order ramen, udon and gyoza. This is also where Peter & I go to when we are in the city and want a cheap but good meal.

Mamak – Chatswood

We were catching up with John (our pastor) & his lovely wife Jean after church when Jean asked us whether we wanted to go to Mamak for lunch. Whilst I was excited, I was also apprehensive about the queue. John & Jean assured us that the queue would be gone by late lunchtime- and they were right, although Mamak was still packed, we were immediately seated.

Ryo’s – Crows Nest

Ryo’s is a place that has been a place I’ve wanted to visit for a while to try their Japanese ramen noodles, which some say is the best in Sydney…