It was about time that famed Ramen specialist Hakata Gensuke opened another location. Realistically the Russell St restaurant was always going to be too small, although it has been perfect for spreading word of mouth amongst the Chinatown Crowd.
Just like Russell St, they serve their classic yummylicious Ramen noodles with their own amazing broth soups. If you are particularly hungry, don't waste the soup - just get an extra serve of noodles. The Hawthorn branch also has a few extras too like the mildly spicy Aka Tonkotsu Ramen.
Just a note to the uninitiated, this is a Ramen restaurant. If you don't want Ramen but all your friends do, your options are pretty limited. The Gyoza are pretty good, and the Chicken Karaage is perhaps a little over-salted but crisp on the outside and tender on the inside (why doesn't KFC seem to understand that dry stringy chicken meat is just plain wrong?). Apart from that you can fill yourself on rice, perhaps flavoured with their leftover soup.
When this place first opened it was fairly empty with no queues, but now that word is spreading it is getting busier. When we last came on a Saturday lunchtime the wait was quoted at 30 min but ended up being 15 min. If you are coming alone then you will slot in pretty quickly, just be prepared to sit next to strangers.
Most importantly, if you must queue there is a small indoor waiting area, and the outdoor area is covered. No more hiding under umbrellas in the rain!
As for the famed Soup Ramen, it is most certainly up to scratch. The Signature Pork Tonkotsu is heavy with body and flavour, assisted by the layer of bubbly fat that coats the top of the soup. If you want something lighter then have the Shio Tonkotsu. Or if you are feeling adventurous then challenge your taste buds with the spicy God Fire.
Whatever you try, don't skimp on the egg. I don't know how they get their soft boiled egg so perfect every time. Maybe they have a 65deg water bath for the eggs amongst all those massive vats of pork bone broth, but there is nothing like watching all that golden runny yolk spreading through your ramen noodles. Mmm... read more