We place our order at the counter and receive our magic number so the friendly waitstaff can deliver our bowls of heaven directly to our table. If 42 is the "meaning of life" does then mean that ramen is actually the meaning of life?
I order a hard-boiled soft-yolk egg ($2.00) on the side to add to my ramen...plus a fork. After three decades of trying to use chopsticks I finally give up! The only way not to make a fool of myself is to just bite the bullet and ask for a fork.
I think I've finally decided on my "go to" bowl of ramen - tonkatsu broth (pork) with black garlic oil. I fell in love with this at Ippudo and I'm pleased to say that the Black Zundo ($11.90) version here is just as good. The broth here is not too thick so there is no overly oily, collagen rich mouth feel. I like the pungent, slightly burnt flavour the garlic oil adds and it's just a little bit salty too. The pork slices were so tender and melt-in-the-mouth and the noodles were soft, but not too soft. Perfection in a bowl.
Mr Shawn orders the Sea Salt Ramen ($11.00). Despite its name the saltiness in this soup is quite mild and the broth is quite clear and thin -- more like a Chinese wonton soup broth than a thick, rich ramen. I think this would be a great warming bowl of soup for when you're feeling a bit under the weather.
The Assari Tonkotsu Niboshi is Miss Chicken's ramen of choice and it's another really great soup. This ramen is a lighter pork broth that is flavoured with one of my all time favourite foods - anchovies! It's slightly salty, but the anchovy taste is not overpowering.
Ramen Zundo is at Shop 1030 World Square - 644 George Street, Sydney.
