Open every day for Lunch 12–2:30pm, Dinner 5:30–9:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/shopramen
A recent trip to Melbourne with the fiancée for a bit of a break and to visit some friends had us visit three little Ramen Ya's in a few days. One of which I have eaten at before and two others that were new to me. The first for the trip was this place, Shop Ramen in Fitzroy. I had never heard of it before the trip, and it wasn't originally in the intinarary to visit at all. The day we landed, a close friend collected us from the airport, dropped off the better half at the hotel in the city, and then he and I drove out to this place for a quick lunch.
First and lasting impressions of this shop was the level of gentrification. Being that we were in Fitzroy of all places, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised at all, but it was certainly the first time I've ever been in any Ramen shop comprised entirely of trendy young Australians, customers and staff included. To go with this vibe is a very on point looking dining room comprised entirely of light coloured wood and polished concrete. A large, central communal style dining table runs the length of the room, with smaller individual tables dotted around the perimeter. Nice little features here and there including an old style wooden noodle box with the days freshly made noodle bundles inside, various Japan-centric posters decorating the walls and bright neon lights in the front window. This is coupled with a strong online presence with pro-level and purposeful food photography etc. The owners have obviously created an intentional vibe here from a very clear vision.
Typical of any restaurant when you've got Aussies having a go at a foreign cuisine, the menu here is FULL of unique options not typically seen in more traditional Ramen Ya's in this country. Their pork option is a Shoyu base with pork belly as opposed to shoulder, there's a Cape Grim beef brisket bowl with a heavy Korean lean, a BBQ chicken and corn option with a white miso base, and a vegetarian tofu option based on a miso broth with cashew milk (to imitate cloudy tonkotsu, something I haven't seen before) that becomes full vegan if you opt to order it without the egg. There's also some options for cool little sides, some South East Asian styled steamed buns, dessert pie of the day, and a concise drinks menu that mixes popular Australian craft bottled beers, some proper imported Japanese tinnies, imported Japanese tap options, sake and wine.
I ordered the pork belly shoyu bowl while my friend opted for the full vegan. I will say that my experience with simple shoyu broth is limited in comparison with tonkatsu, and most of my experiences trying this style have never been overly note worthy. I can confidently say though, that this was easily the best shoyu style Ramen broth that I have ever tasted. The dish arrived looking very appetising, with everything in plain view. The flavour was dense and thick with a heavy sesame oil lean. Seasoning was on point and layered. The house made noodles were chewy and springy. While the egg was cooked perfectly, it wasn't a very good quality specimen. It was small and the yolk was not plentiful. Other inclusions were meaty king oyster mushrooms, nori square, sliced spring onions, perhaps a little too much snow pea tendrils as garnish and the pork belly itself. The belly was too chewy and dry. Such is the nature of reheating pork belly quickly (as obviously required in a fast food environment like this), most of the moisture had left the re-heated piece before it was plonked into the broth and no amount of added moisture (via broth or otherwise) would be enough to fix it. A little unfortunate I guess, but it's a risk you take I suppose when you choose to use such a cut in such an environment.
I'm not a massive eater and so I don't normally opt for extra noodles and the like, but as my dining partner had decided that he was extra peckish, we both opted for an extra serving each. The side was very generous and well seasoned with mixed sesame seeds, some togarashi pepper and sliced spring onions. Needless to say, I was very full when I finished. I didn't try the vegan dish (nor get a photo, though I should have), but it looked seriously good, and I actually thought that it was tonkatsu at first. My friend assured me that it was very, very tasty.
Prices on each dish are quite steep in relevant terms, but are nearly matched by the quality. This is Fitzroy and I bet they've got heavy overheads. Serving-ware is proper, with a simple white, traditional, coiled ramen bowl (ideal for sipping), metal spoon and grippy wooden chop sticks. View of the kitchen was obscured but what I could see looked clean enough. All the payment options that you would hope for are available, cash, card, pay tap etc. Parking on Smith Street isn't always ideal so you may have to walk, though we lucked out with a spot directly in front of the shop.
Overall I must say that apart from the few negatives within elements of the meal itself, I was pleasantly surprised by my experience here. I have a feeling that a lot of that impression has something to do with the fact that I had never heard of this place before this meal, but my lasting opinion remains strong. Since my visit, most of the feedback that I have read from the general public shines this idea in a positive light also, but there certainly seems to be a bit of an underlining opinion among a small group that the Western appropriation is a little much. I can see the point, but I guess it depends on how hard you think about it?
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