Ippudo, iconic ramen group opens first Australian store.

Ippudo was first started in Fukuoka, Japan in 1985. At the time, the ramen industry faced many challenges prompting founder, Shigemi Kawahara’s effort to breathe new life into the industry – “Ippudo” means “one wind hall”.

From the first restaurant in the Daimyo District of Chuo Ward in Fukuoka City, Ippudo spread across Japan.  It’s now in seven countries, with the first overseas branch in New York City’s East Village, other overseas locations include, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and in December last year, Sydney, Australia.  Ippudo will expand to Malaysia in 2013.

Noodlies, Sydney food blog was invited to the grand opening of Ippudo, Sydney, the company’s first store in Australia. Check out the fun and festive atmosphere of launch night in the noodlies, Sydney food blog video below.

Fukuoka is best known for Tonkotsu ramen, made from pork bones simmered for several hours to yield a rich and creamy broth.  The noodles are thin to cater for quick service demanded from the Fukuoka crowd, Ippudo says in Sydney it uses Australian flour which gives their noodles an extra springy texture and fuller flavour.

While there a other dishes on the menu, Ippudo Sydney specialises in Tonkotsu ramen:

• Akamaru shinaji (above): the recipe is 25 years old and includes miso, garlic oil, lean pork, black mushroom, bean sprouts and scallions – the Tonkotsu requires slow cooking of pork bone to for extra depth of flavour.
• Shiromaru motoaji: Tonkotsu broth served with Hakata ultra thin noodles.
• Karaka men: Tonkotsu broth with Hakata wavy noodles.

This noodlies, Sydney food blog was courtesy of Ippudo, Sydney.

Ippudo Sydney
Westfield Level 5 (Shop 5021)
188 Pitt Street Sydney
02 8078 7020