08 December 2010

On Ramen ~ Japanese - Haymarket \ Chinatown

We loved this joint on our first visit in 2010 but our on last two visits we thought it was a bit "meh".

[Updated May 2013]
We've been to Japan a couple of times and eaten a heck of a lot of ramen since we first blogged this On Ramen. Either our ramen tastesbuds have become better educated, or On Ramen has slipped a bit, possibly a bit of both.

We're not particularly fussy about our ramen, not by ramen-nerd standards anyway. All we ask is that our ramen taste "Japanese". At On Ramen the broth and fixings has a distinctly non-Japanese flavour to it, it tasted Chinese to us. We could dissect it and nitpick it to death, but let's just say we walked out feeling flat, not with that "woohoo" feeling that a good ramen gives us. It was edible and had it's good points but Ramen Zundo and Gumshara are only a block away by foot, and miles ahead in Japanese-ness.

It's a real shame because this is a great little spot with such potential, with those stools and the counter wrapping around the open kitchen you could really make this place just like a ramen bar in Japan. We would go so far as importing a vending machine to put out the front (at Japanese ramen bars you often order via a vending machine which gives you a ticket to give to the ramen chef, saving the venue a lot of time and hassle).



On Ramen is in a beautiful building in Haymarket.



On Ramen is a casual little place with a few tables and some counter seats. Our eyes light up when we see two huge stockpots of ramen broth, this is gonna be good...



Pokka Oolong Tea - unsweetened - refreshing!



The Tonkotsu Ramen is just how I like it: the broth is made from proper pork bone stock, not to heavy, not too light, an almost milky texture. And there's a soft boiled googie egg and melt-in-the-mouth pork. Excellent noodles. This is my new favourite tonkotsu ramen in town. And it's only $8.80, very, very happy.



Alison goes for the Tenderous Pork Rib Ramen. It has a tonkotsu pork bone broth and gorgeous hunks of slow cooked pork ribs. The pork ribs add some extra flavour to the broth, this was even tastier than my tonkotsu ramen. A bargain at $10.80. Even better value as set for $16.80 which includes the goodies below...



Side salad, has a delicious dressing and, of course, some mayonnaise.



Salmon sashimi. I love the knob of wasabi perched precariously on the lip of the plate, like green play doh.



This is what Alison really ordered the set for: Japanese Cheese Sausage (she has a fixation with Asian sausages) with mustard and two takoyaki (octopus balls) topped with dancing bonito flakes and mayonnaise.



On Ramen is at Shop 4, 187 Hay Street, Haymarket - (02) 9211 6663. Open 7 Days 11am - 10pm.



On Ramen Menu - Click to Enlarge



On Ramen Menu - Click to Enlarge

On Ramen on Urbanspoon

11 comments:

  1. I must have walked by this place 100 times but never took any notice of it...silly me. I think this is underneath where Bodhi's used to be (back in the day). Looks yummy!

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  2. zomg the pork rib ramen! i want i want! hey dude are you coming to the sydney food bloggers picnic on sat?

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  3. hey your royal chocolateness - sadly we can't make it on Saturday :-(

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  4. thank you ! we are trying this next.. we tried the one in gold coast (hakataya) from your review and it was awesome!.
    Keep up the good work!

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  5. Thanks for letting us know Julius - we're just about to head up to the Gold Coast and was hoping (praying) that Hakata would still be there, that old arcade's days are numbered - ramen here we come - woohoo!

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  6. it is still there! we went there last november :D .. the takana pickles is awesome too !

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  7. Love your blog! I am so trying these place real soon :)

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  8. If you want good ramen, I suggest Ramen-Kan or Ichiban-Boshi :)
    I ate at On Ramen today...and ended up with a stomach ache so I've banlisted it now :(

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  9. Yes, we've been to both ramen places and they are good, although we did find Ramen-Kan too salty the first time and need to go back. Shame about your experience anon - sometimes places just have an off day.

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  10. I agree with Ramen-Kan being slightly too salty...but too tasty to resist nonetheless!
    Keep up with the great blog! :)

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  11. Ramen shop is serving Sashimi? Unbelievable!

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Thanks for your comment joy - please keep your musings happy - if you want to complain about a restaurant please do it on a restaurant review site (or your own blog) - we're all about celebrating cultural diversity and the great eats that come along with it :-)

Our ethics: We pay for all our own meals and travel (though sometimes Mum shouts us).