TOUKA 東家 Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant & Bar - Parramatta, NSW

The Mrs and I have been to Touka once before and during that first dinner, we were so impressed with the decor, the food and the concept that I named it one of the top 10 Japanese restaurants in Parramatta. Today, the Mrs and I were lucky enough to have been invited back to try their new lunch menu and boy, were we even more impressed! 

Before we jump straight into it, the Mrs and I were discussing this earlier today and it occurred to us that westies might not have an idea about what Yakiniku is and what's differentiates it from other table-top barbecue experiences (i.e. the more commonly found Korean BBQ and Chinese style skewer barbecue). Since more yakiniku restaurants are now open in the west, it should be about time that we spread awareness about why people should know about yakiniku and why it's so amazing.

What is yakiniku?

Yakiniku (焼肉) quite literally translates into "grilled meat" and is the Japanese form of table top barbecue. If my facts are correct, this method of eating was introduced to Japan as "Korean cuisine" and became wide-spread in Japan after the second world war. This will be why a number of cuts found in yakiniku have Japanese translated names of cuts you would regularly find in KBBQ (i.e Karubi). In Sydney, the practice was popularised by the chain of restaurants opened by I's Group (Rengaya, Suminoya and Koh-ya) and is quite common place in the city's CBD and northern suburbs. It's only within the last few years that I've seen yakiniku restaurants open up west-way (with the most recent addition being Yakiniku Kosu in Castle Towers).

How is it different from Korean BBQ?

You might say "isn't it exactly the same as Korean BBQ? You still grill meat on a table don't you?"...well, if this is your response I urge you to try Yakiniku once and tell me it's the same. Though the roots of yakiniku might well be Korean, the methodology and execution behind it is so, SO different. Like with everything the Japanese take in, they really put the effort into honing it, perfecting it and elevating something simple into something spectacular. Whereas with Korean BBQ, you have some decently good quality meat that's grilled tabletop, no different from how you would grill a steak at home...yakiniku serves the various cuts of meat in thin, bite size slices and from the moment you bite into any piece of yakiniku meat, you can already tell that the quality is so much higher.

I'm not saying Korean BBQ is low quality or that it's in any way, not good enough but do give yakiniku a try. Literally, the moment you do give it a try, you'll immediately be able to see the difference in the quality of the meat.

So now that we've established what yakiniku is and why you should try it, the next question might be "why isn't it as common or as well known as the Korean counterpart?"...well, the most obvious answer to that would be population spread and the relative price-point to entry. See, to my understanding, Sydney's Japanese population is largely in the CBD and the North, whereas the west is where the Korean community chose to settle (Strathfield, Burwood, Blacktown). Obviously, restaurants will first pop up to serve the local community who has a demand for it and then, people of other cultures will eventually venture out and try stuff if they're told it's good (I imagine, that's how most people learnt to appreciate Korean BBQ). 

In terms of price-point, most yakiniku restaurants operate an All-You-Can-Eat/Order for 90 minutes model for anywhere ranging from $35 - $85 p.p (bit expensive to ask everyone in your party to pay that much when in KBBQ, you can order a number of plates and split) and if they don't operate in that model (like Rengaya which has that option but focuses more on providing higher quality meats on an ala-carte basis) the number of pieces of meat you get for each dish you order might turn people away (like I said earlier, it's generally thinner, smaller slices and based on first glance alone, KBBQ might seem like a better value proposition)

If either of the above points has ever stopped you from trying yakiniku, this will be why you should try their special lunch! The Mrs and I left lunch today singing Touka's praises because we had such a great time and we truly, truly believe that what we got today was FANTASTIC value-for-money! So, for myself, I ordered the 4 choice BBQ Set where I chose the Ox Tongue, Beef Rib, Beef Inside Skirt and the Pork Belly. On the menu, this is costs $22.50 whereby you also get a bowl of rice, miso soup and a salad. On arrival, the each portion of meat had five slices available totalling a variety of 20 slices of decadent, delicious meat for one person. To help you put that into perspective about just how good that is, my parents went to Musou Yakiniku in the CBD (on Pitt Street) where they also had a similar special lunch menu....except they charge $29.90 per person, you only get to choose 3 meats and according to my parents, you get 3 slices of meat per selection. That's a difference of $7.40 and 11 pieces of meat...you can't that value. Not saying don't visit Musou Yakiniku (we've also been there and we loved it) but maybe, splurge and treat yourself to their BBQ buffet.

And it's not just value, the meat was genuinely, supremely delicious! I ate it in the order of Ox Tongue first (cause it cooks the quickest), Inside Skirt second (my favourite cut at Suminoya), Pork Belly Third (so fatty and savoury) and I saved the best for last and cooked the Beef Rib to finish. My GOD that Beef Rib was delicious...barely any chew at all and so much marbling that it coated the back of my throat in delicious sweet beef fat. Honestly, I whole-heartedly intend to eat at Touka a lot more now that I know that kind of deal is available and next time, I'm going to just treat myself and quadruple down on the beef rib. It's actually amazing that they've set up the menu where they don't explicitly restrict it to one order per meat type...at Suminoya, you can only order as many plates of Ox Tongue as you want IF you order the higher-end buffet...the standard buffer limits it to one order per diner!

*EDIT*: I've recently been informed that the menu didn't state it but there is a limit of one order of each type of meat for the special menu. Mental note: always get the Beef Rib.

Unfortunately, this is not that Beef Rib (just harami)...the Beef Rib was so delicious I ate it before I realised I hadn't taken a photo....

The Mrs opted to try their other lunch menu items and ordered a Karaage bento. This is another point where Touka shines in that for groups containing people who don't want to eat barbecue, you have a variety of other items (Bento Sets, Lunch Bowls etc) people can choose from. The Mrs and I have this one friend who is a notoriously picky eater (she refuses to eat anything with sauce and is very hard to convince to try anything new) and even then, we'd still take her there and be confident she'd find something to eat. The karaage was crispy and juicy with ample pieces to fill your belly as well as four slices of salmon and tuna sashimi to satiate any cravings for sashimi lovers. The Mrs was very, very satisfied after finishing that bento.

Just for kicks, the Mrs and I also ordered the Yukke which is a raw beef tartare that I always get at any yakiniku restaurant if it's on offer. For $13.90, it was a pretty decently sized portion with a very nice sweet soy tare (marinade) that made the dish heavenly. Even amongst all the Yukke I've had previously (I've been to a LOT of yakiniku), this actually stood out to me as one of the better ones as the flavour was very pronounced.

Overall, the Mrs and I can confidently say that we had an amazing time dining at Touka. I whole-heartednly wish that everyone goes to try out Touka's special lunch to make their own assessments but in my heart, they take the cake for best value. The restaurant is only a short walk from Parramatta station and did I mention it's situated in a historic house? Literally, the fit-out is beautiful, clean and elegant which makes the entire experience so much more enjoyable! The Mrs said she's gonna hit them up more during her school holidays but I intend to be back (by myself) much, much sooner. Thank you again to Lila and TOUKA 東家 Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant & Bar for inviting us to lunch!

The 10 Best Japanese Restaurants in Parramatta

My last post was September of last year and since then, nothing, zilch, nada...can I really call myself a blogger anymore? I mean, truth be told, there were underlying reasons as to why I went radio silence for months. Amongst all the stuff the Mrs and I had on, I just had no motivation to physically write anything, not when Instagram posts got me almost instant gratification and validation in much less time and effort. So what happened and what prompted me to come back? Well, for starters, I spent the last 6 or so months fully focused on completing another one of my aspirations: becoming a home-owner and happy to say that after much effort in house-hunting, mortgage shopping, liaising with lawyers, signing contracts and general difficult adult-ing...the Mrs and I have finally completed a big step in our lives and purchased a home for us and our eventual children.

So that's what's been happening and I hope it's understandable why I hadn't blogged at all (I just didn't have the energy) but what made me come back? Well, last week, @parramattafoodie posted a picture of her udon from Umaya Parramatta and feeling excitement for a fellow foodie liking one of our most loved local Japanese joints, I felt an excitement I hadn't felt in a while and commented on a list of all the local Japanese restaurants that I've had the pleasure of dining at. That then spurred an idea in my head....I've eaten at (daresay) all Japanese restaurants in Parramatta...which one is the best? No, that's not the right question. Which restaurants would I personally recommend and why?

So, with that thought brewing in my head for a week or so, I took the time to think about my responses and finally managed to find the motivation to sit back down and type up a post about something I am passionate about.

The following is my personal list of the top 10 Japanese restaurants in Parramatta. Note: personal meaning this is entirely of my own opinion and where I have an opinion, I will generally try to back it up with fact but you're also entitled to your own opinion so if you feel strongly about the ordering or if I missed out on your favourite, please leave a comment!

Disclaimer: the following list is in no particular order and isn't ranked at all. Each restaurant has a place in my heart as one of the top 10 and each has it's own speciality.

1. Umaya Parramatta (Shop 5/134-140 Marsden St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 9/10
Authenticity: 9/10
Value: 6/10
Ambience: 8/10

Arguably, one of the most authentic Japanese experiences available in Parramatta. They started off in the Teishoku (bento and set meal) area before deviating from that path and expanding their menu to include more Izakaya-like items whilst maintaining the availability of their Teishoku. I definitely reckon that they did the right move in doing so as their sushi is top-notch with meaty neta (sliced fish) and a balanced shari (sushi rice). Can be on the pricier side but make no mistake that you're buying quality when you dine at Umaya. Only downside is that parking can be a hassle in that it's on Marsden Street meaning your only parking options are Hunter Street or Macquarie Street and they fill up fast. Better to park at Westfield and walk over to be honest.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Sep 9, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

2. Mikazuki (169 Macquarie St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 8/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Ambience: 7/10

I was immensely excited when I first learned that this place had opened because it is the first restaurant to offer authentic Japanese ramen (which, many of you know, is my obsession). Which makes it funny because you'd think if that were the case, I'd be here every second day but I'm not because I work in the CBD and if I were to provide you with an honest ramen-head's opinion: it's great for those who want a taste of what real ramen is like and don't want to travel or can't travel out of the west but if you really care for a good bowl of ramen, make the effort and go out to the CBD. They're other selection is also pretty good and their sushi is also fresh, delicious and authentic but is pricier and daintier than the other places on this list.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on May 4, 2017 at 7:00pm PDT

3. Kanzo (6/55 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150 *original store*, new store closer to 111 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 8/10
Authenticity: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10

I really don't need to introduce this place because if you live anywhere near Parramatta and want sushi, you would have at least heard of or gone to this place once. Kanzo has a real cult following in that they're unmatched, unrivalled value-for-money. Where else can you get a MASSIVE Avocado and Fresh Salmon Sushi Roll that's more salmon than rice for $10? Ten dollars! That's insane! To give you an idea of how popular they are, 2 years ago when I moved in and first learned of Kanzo, they had a small shop on George St at the almost derelict Parra-mall and they'd be the only reason there'd be people lining up till the late night. Within my 2 years here, they've now expanded to a much larger shop down the road and have kept they're smaller shop for "take-away only". Trust me: 1 x Large Salmon Avocado Roll and their Grilled Salmon Roll (Aburi Salmon on top of a roll made of Avocado and Tempura Prawn with heaps of sauce) will set you back $26 and make you unbelievably full.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Jan 3, 2018 at 12:12am PST

4. Alpha Sushi (Shop 6/27 Phillip St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 8/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10

One of the newer kids on the block but have quickly established themselves as a local favourite for fresh sushi. The menu is quite similar to Kanzo but where you'll receive a massive roll, you might get a thinner, daintier roll for the same price. But this is not where Alpha Sushi shines....if you compare the nigiri between Kanzo and Alpha, Kanzo's will be a thin, finger sized piece of nigiri...you won't be satisfied having the large nigiri. This is not true for Alpha Sushi in that their nigiri is way more substantial with meatier fish and more rice. If I wanted nigiri, I'd most definitely go to Alpha Sushi instead of Kanzo.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Jul 4, 2017 at 4:28am PDT

5. Asadal (Shop 1/76 Phillip St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 5/10
Ambience: 7/10

Another one of the O.G places in Parramatta...they've been around since before I moved into the suburb but I rarely if ever travel in that direction. I had a friend come over and visit and he brough a platter from Asadal. He really vouched for Asadal as the master there actually ages the maguro to give it a deeper and more robust taste. Last year, I finally managed to have a sit down meal there and whilst I did most definitely enjoy my meal, where I feel they dropped was their value in that it's not cheap...and it shouldn't be, but where I can get a massive roll for $10 down the road, it's harder to justify spending an equal amount for sushi that won't get you as full. If they had kept their $60 all-you-can-eat option, I would have most definitely eaten there more...the prospect of endlessly plugging my mouth with sushi is well worth the $60 I would have paid.

☹️ *Soz, no photo...forgot to take one*

6. Touka Yakiniku (Shop 2 Horwood Pl, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 9/10
Authenticity: 8/10
Value: 6/10
Ambience: 9/10

Definitely the newest kid on the block and currently, the most unique in that they offer something that no other restaurant in Parramatta offers...yakiniku. Yakiniku would be the Japanese variant of table-top barbecue where everything is more delicate and refined. For every bit of meat that you purchase, you can taste all the care and dedication that's gone into cutting the meat, marinading it and plating it before bringing it to your table. They also have a very wide selection of Japanese food items however, everything is priced on the higher-end side. Once you sit down at the table though, the cost sorta makes sense in that the restaurant is elegantly outfitted in a historic building and the entrance feels almost like you're going to a small Japanese cottage somewhere in the Japanese suburbs of Tokyo or Osaka.

I really, really enjoyed my recent meal there thoroughly and I definitely hope that they gain more popularity as it is a very unique offering in Parra but I am fearful that their normal (they're currently holding a grand-opening promotion) price-point will drive a lot of potential diners away, especially when you can get all-you-can-eat yakiniku a little further out west in Canley Heights. I personally think that their road to success would be to limit their menu a little more and focus more on their unique point which is their high quality meat and barbecue offering. Potentially, if they manage to source cheaper ingredients, they may even think about following the 'Suminoya' path and offering a 90 minute all-you-can-eat with touchpad ordering. I would most definitely justify returning for a full-priced meal for that.

7. Sushi Ichi Bar (5e/8 Cowper St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Ambience: 6/10

Technically a part of Harris Park but they're so close to Parramatta station that I'mma include them anyway. I visited them within our first year of living in Parra and that was mostly because I saw this massive $40 boat of sushi when @sweetandyummie ate there and their sushi was surprisingly good. I still haven't had the opportunity to have that $40 boat (it might not even be on offer anymore) but I did recently have their sushi via Ubereats when we were packing to move and it was still as impressive as ever. The only down point (I thought) was that it was in a street hidden away from the bustle of Parramatta prime and the shop was pretty bare (how I remembered it, it might look different now)

8. Ginza Izakaya (330 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 7.5/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 5/10
Ambience: 6/10

This is a bit of a lesser known option as it's tucked away in the back of the new Meriton tower's dining district. A bit of a smaller store with some generic Japanese offerings which is done well, but nothing extraordinary stands out (though, their Miso Eggplant was delectable). Prime position with an overview of the beautiful Parramatta riverside but the ambience of the restaurant can be a bit dark. Hopefully though, with the opening of their neighbours (Meat & Wine Co, Holy Basil and Alex & Co), it's introduced a higher foot traffic and made them bustle.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Aug 19, 2017 at 2:22am PDT

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Aug 19, 2017 at 2:46am PDT

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Aug 19, 2017 at 3:57am PDT

9. Sushi Bay (Westfield Parramatta, 2183 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 5/10
Authenticity: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Ambience: 5/10

Fives all around not to mean that they're bad or anything but they're currently (Sushi Hotaru of The Galeries Victoria fame is *rumoured* to be opening soon on Macquarie Street) the only conveyor belt sushi option available and they do have a cult following with their Cheeto roll (6 piece small inside-out roll with avocado(?), chicken katsu and three different coloured sauces drizzled on top). Easy option if you don't want food-court sushi but also don't want to walk away from Westfield Parramatta.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Dec 11, 2016 at 11:40pm PST

10. Fresh Run (67/55 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 5/10
Value: 6.5/10
Ambience: 6/10

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Nov 3, 2017 at 6:38pm PDT

If we're talking about their Japanese offerings, they're about as good as Kanzo is but if I go, I really wouldn't be ordering Japanese food because they're a Japanese AND Korean restaurant. They also suffer a bit because a. Kanzo is literally just outside b. diners have to walk into above-mentioned almost derelict Parra-Mall before they see Fresh Run which doesn't help their cause.

So, there you have it. These will be MY personal rankings and recommendations on where to find Japanese food in Parramatta. No doubt, more and more places will continue to open and I look forward to one day seeing Parramatta (hopefully) rival Neutral Bay in it's authentic Japanese offerings and population of Japanese people living here.

Slurpfest 2017 - Newtown, NSW

So, it's been another whole month since my last blog post but this time...I've had a good reason for that. The end of August and most of September has been all about my all-consuming obsession: Ramen. I think I've had more ramen in this month than I've had 2016 combined (and I eat a ramen pretty often). The reason for that is because 2017 marks the inaugural launch of Sydney's only ramen dedicated event: Slurpfest 2017 hosted by RamenRaff and Rising Sun Workshop. In Sydney, we've had item specific events before (i.e. Bacon Fest, Burgerpalooza, Meatstock etc) but I think this is the first event of its kind...not only for ramen but I think for Asian food in general (like, I don't think there's been a Pho-fest or some kind of Bao festival before) so the significance was huge.

I follow RamenRaff quite heavily and even I had no idea that this kind of thing could happen. At first, the teasers sort of suggested to me that Raff might be opening his own shop (the guy makes some pretty mean looking noodles) but alas, I was totally off. I don't think anyone else would have been able to pull off an event like this...I doubt anyone else has so much pull with Sydney's tight-nit Ramen-ya community so, kudos to you Raff, it was lovely getting to know you better over the course of five nights and to share Ramen ideology with you.

As soon as the tickets became available, I immediately went online and purchased all five nights one after another. The mildly inconveniencing thing about Eventbrite was that you couldn't buy all five nights in one go but that was a very, very slight thing that the organisers had no control over so that did not at all dampen my excitement about the event at all. And to be honest, good thing I bought all five nights in one go because the tickets almost immediately became sold out a day or two after. This was honestly both the most surprising and gratifying thing to me...that I wasn't along. That ramen fanatics in this city were as keen as I was. For those who didn't get to attend or read any collateral about the event, the way it works is each night the event was hosted, there was a different guest chef making something limited and unique for the event.

On the first night, I was keen as a bean and so I arrived 6pm on the dot so as not to be late (in Japanese culture, it's very impolite to be late)...and, I had no idea that I could rock up at anytime 6pm - 9pm. Not a bad thing though as it meant I was one of the first people through the door. At that point, I hadn't had the courage to strike up a conversation with RamenRaff so I stuck to myself and was seated at one of the single bar seats on the upstairs seating. Unfortunately, this also meant I had terrible lighting for the photos I took for the first night (Sorry, Higashida san).The first night was Gumshara's Higashida Mori san with the Meaty Tonkotsu ramen. For all who follow Sydney ramen culture, there is no way you won't know about Gumshara and their signature gravy like thick soup reminiscent of their mother shop, Mutteppuo in Japan. This night, the ramen was his usual standard of fantastic but I could taste a little bit more depth in the soup...it had a ever-so slight more of an umami based oomph to it. The highlight would have been the gigantic pieces of meaty-ass chashu that was fashioned into a little meat-lotus on top of the noodles. Comparitive to the usual fatty rolls of chashu, the meatiness and deep, porcine flavour of the chashu was most definitely outstanding. For each bowl, I think I'll proceed to give each a personal ranking and a title (at the end). For the first night, the title I give it will be the True O.G (Original Gangsta) because out of all the bowls...this deviates the least from the source material (not a bad thing for Gumshara die-hards).

The second night, I had something on so I could come a little later than I did the first night. That "something" I had on also meant I came on a half-full stomach which impeded on my ability to crush the bowl with absolute satisfaction. That said, Chaco Bar's turn was an absolute eye-opener. The title I give this particular bowl would be The Innovator. Out of all five nights, Chaco Bar's interpretation of Ramen was the most stylish and outlandish (at least, the one I picked was). You had a choice of two bowls....you could either stick with their signature Fat Soy OR, you could push the envelope and try their Occy Shabu Shabu ramen. I'm so, so glad I went ahead and picked the shabu shabu ramen because BOY WAS IT TASTY. I don't usually enjoy spicy ramen but this bowl had a really gratifying Sichuanese punch to it (you know, the one that builds and builds to a numbing orgasmic pain). That elevated the complex and rich, viscous soup to next levels of tastiness. Along with the fantastically chewy noodles, you also got their signature John Dory dumpling, sprigs of coriander, kikurage and, AND thinly sliced curls of Octopus meat. As if that wasn't enough carb, you also got a side of Octopus Tentacle Shime Gohan with it. Apparently, you were meant to mix it into the soup at the end to soak it up but....I just ate it plain which has it's own merits. The rice helped calm the spice and give your palette a good cleanse.



The third night was interesting....it was held on the same night that there was a SSM rally at Town Hall so Newtown was PACKED. Fortunately, those who know me know I have this almost magical luck with parking and I got parking a few doors down from Rising Sun. Now, it was time for the Artisans to show us what they got (eh? EH? You like what I got?). Cool Mac Cafe has fast become one of my favourite ramen-yas in the city. Somewhat to do with how close they are to where I currently work but mostly because their ramen is F%#^ing Delicious. They remind me of the first time I stepped into Batch Brewery in Marrickville. Before then, I had no idea Beer could taste that damn good and that there could be such variations from putting this artisan care into the product. Cool Mac's ramen is small batch based with heavy emphasis on this layered yet impactful stock. The ramen (named the O.G Kumamoto) was epic...UNBELIEVABLY good aburi chashu (fatty, tender and MELTS straight away), intense yet deep and satisfying broth, egg, menma, shiraga negi and toasted garlic. The highlight though was this....smoked schmaltz that they had on top. Like, game over man, game over.

Before the fourth night, I thought it'd be a fantastic idea to make my entire week about ramen so on the Thursday, I had the Super Volcano Ramen from Makanai @ Chatswood, the Miso Ramen from Ryo-Tei (for all who wonder, my all-time favourite...reminds me of my spiritual home, Sapporo) AND to top it off, one last bowl of Butter's Fried Chicken Ramen before it left for good. That was the same day/night I would go for Slurpfest again so yes, I can have ramen several times over a couple of days and not get sick of it.

The fourth night really brought back memories for me....Chef Haru Inukai's Truffle and Potato Potage ramen....the very last bowl I had from Ramen Ikkyu before they closed up shop for good. To me, Chef Haru (and his bowl) deserve the title of Iron Chef because he reminds me of one of my childhood heroes, Chef Hiroyuki Sakai from the SBS re-runs of the Japanese version of Iron Chef. The first time I had his food was at Blancharu celebrating the very first year of the Mrs and I dating. This was the degustation that blew my mind for the first time and made me fall in love with fine dining. So, since Chef Haru decided to take the Salaryman route and close up Blancharu to open a ramen shop, I've been a fan. I was absolutely heartbroken when I heard Ikkyu closed so night #4 was sorta this, long awaiting reunion with an old friend.The flavour was as good as I remember it to be....delicate, complex and clean with this distinct yet not overpowering taste of truffle lingering at the bottom of the soup. The chicken breast was perfectly tender and juicy and the pepperiness of the roquette really, really did wonders for the overall flavour profile.

So, in between the fourth night and the fifth night, Coolmac announced that they would do Friday Ramen Nights....KEEN! That Friday, I finished work at my usual 4:30pm, trained it to Milsons Point and happily waltzed over like an idiot at like....4:45pm. (Way too early, service starts at 5:30pm). So, I walked off, took a seat by the station and read manga until just before 5:30pm (actually walked a bit more to add a few minutes and not to appear too keen) but I'm happy to say I'm one of the first people to make it. Two bowls were on offer that night: their O.G Kumamoto from night #3 or a Torigara Shoyu. I'd been craving a really good Shoyu (like the one I had at Kamakura Honten Dotonbori) so i opted for that. F#$% me that was good....best. shoyu. thus. far! The stock had a depth and richness to it that I had not experienced in any other shoyu ramen to date. And the whole package just tasted of the best and most delicious roast chook you've ever had. On top of that, I also pigged out and got the Aburi Chashu and Miso Mayo Donburi which supplemented my meal rather well by giving me pork fat glazed grains of delicious rice to consume.

SO, final night....both dejected that it's over and excited to see how good the last bowl was. Last shop to present their work was O-san Ramen which I quite like as well. Haven't had their bowl since the massive fire at Dixon that made them relocate. Again, diners had two choices: the Ozzy Tonkotsu which was pork, chicken and clam based or the Modern Classic which was an entirely fish based stock. Sticking to the theme, I chose the Ozzy Tonkotsu for the thickness and my love for clams. O-san's offering was the only bowl to use thin, straight noodles which I think really helped carry the soup's flavour through and through. As soon as I took the first sip and bite, it reminded me of the days I used to go to Fook Yuen and have Chinese Banquets on the regular....in particular, the steamed oysters. That sweet, salty and umami packed Chinese soy sauce, the abundance of shallots/spring onions and ginger and the brininess from the giant oysters....all prevalent in this bowl. Furthermore, the chunky pieces of grilled chashu they had on the bowl had a really nice black-pepper punch to it....very enjoyable indeed. The title? Definitely The Dragon...it's almost feels like O-san has soaked up a lot of influence from where it's based (Chinatown) and infused it into his style. Most definitely has some Bruce Lee impact in there!

Overall, I have to say that this September has proven to be one of the most memorable of my life. Not only did I get to absolutely indulge in my one passion (I got a few people notice my ramen tattoo and shirts) but I also got to experience a fanatical community that I never believed, even existed. I got to meet two of my long-time follows (Thank you RamenRaff for allowing me to sit and chat with you and thank you to RamenWithFriends, you guys are amazing!) and see so many people who loved ramen almost as much as I do. When I ate upstairs, there were two nights where I got seated at the communal tables where you get to make conversation with other diners....two fond memories I had was when I got to show my ramen chops in-front of a couple who lived (literally) on top of Yasaka Neutral Bay and Japanese mother-and-daughter pair. Another night where I got to sit with a group of friends where one of them even asked me about my blog after.

The other thing I found amazing was the quality of the ramen. Like, watching videos on Youtube from Brian @ RamenAdventures, I had this pre-conception in my mind (however, false that assumption was) that ramen festivals would mirror the ones in Japan: heaps of shops setting up temporary stalls to show us some special items. And, in a way, this was just like that only I felt that there was a mild hesitation to push the envelope. Each shop (with the exception of Chaco Bar) showed of in spectacular fashion, what they do best. There is no denying that each of the guest chefs are masters of their own right but what I would have liked to see was more experimental types (i.e. Tsukemen or Mazemen). That said, in discussing this with Raff and Rising Sun, that wasn't the point of this session. This was more of an exercise in proving the sustainability of an event like this....in validating the fact that Sydney loves ramen. I think next year (hopefully), the theme will reach into individual expression. Allowing each chef to use us as willing guinea pigs to try out any and every idea they have brewing in their brilliant minds. I most definitely look forward to next year (that said, I won't be let out on Sundays for a while now....)

Oh, and if you're STILL reading this, my ranking is as follows and AGAIN, this is entirely personal preference....don't hate on me:

1. The Artisan (Cool Mac Cafe/Junichi Okamatsu)
2. The Iron Chef (Haru Inukai)
3. The Innovator (Chaco Bar/Keita Abe)
4. The O.G (Gumshara/Higashida Mori)
5. The Dragon (O-San/Kazuteru Oh)