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Sydney's revamp on Asian food is not exception to Ramen. The "Y" its a trail designed to explore the City bounds with a chance of coming across high-density spots with a more relaxed view of common areas that make you feel like a proper Sydneysider hanging around.
I started my trail by just simply typing Ramen places in Sydney on maps. I believe is not hard to come across many of these as the City is full of Asian places. I started from the University of Sydney as this is normally a nice place I like to come around to get some work done before.
It took me around 20-25 minutes to get to Ramen Shogun at Ultimo, it gets quite hilly once you get close to the place. I managed to hit 8,000 steps at least so that's good for some occasional cardio on the-go.
I was quite impressed about the Ramen set up. Not your fancy Japanese expected welcome, but a very modest shop itself next to a karate class.
Ramen Shogun Ultimo:
It was very good! Was cool to eat with a proper ramen wooden spoons (like the proper ones I'm talking). The soup itself - the broth - was very nice. It was quite delicate. I believe that you normally want to have everything but they offer. But they remain quite simple. I believe they were the most authentic Japanese place in terms of ambience. But in terms of food I believe these guys are the most authentic ones because the flavour was top notch. I believe it's one of the best dishes I've ever (without saying that there are other ramen places that would have nice dishes). Here's my argument: Here can taste Japan in a single dish. Take the sushi and then what you have left? This place.
Dish: Karai Tonkotsu. Added 2 eggs and extra portion of pork
Drink: Tap water is fine
Time: 4 minutes to finish the dish wholeheartedly
Bill: $25.6
I just wanted to head to Redfern because I like to earn the next dish. I don't mind walking while making space for the next dish. Also, the UTS area is a very nice place in Sydney. I mean look at that building! (insert UTS building picture)
I was always wondering why RaRa so highly rated. He's the trick. They are not cheap but they are always located near universities. Catering high paying international students is the trick :)
Once you arrive you realise this is just under a student accomodation building.
RaRa:
Yes. The outlook looks more Japanese night-life style. It is very nice, not gonna lie. RaRa Tonkutsu looked like the choice to go. I feel this is the right spot if you just sit next to the window on the corner looking towards the main street outside. A date here is a good thing to do. Is just a way of saying: "I'm having a casual time with you. It's Ramen. But is still quite formal, so I'm you to a very very nice casual setting". That's my definition for RaRa. The broth is very thick and heavy, but I personally like it less heavy.
Dish: Tonkotsu with house made black garlic & chilli
Drink: Plum Yuzu (very sweet)
Time: 20 minutes to finish the dish. I left the rest of the broth and finished all solids.
Bill: $33.7
I like the look and feel of just passing through Regent St. Makes you feel you are really in the City. Is just cars and city buildings. The normal side of Sydney without any of the Opera or Sydney Harbour wonderers. Just. Plain. City. You can get a gist of it. The flavour of the most populous city of Australia.
I came across Central station and I can tell you how much it has changed since I came to Sydney back in 2019. The best part about following the rest of my trail through George St is that you get to see the more touristic side of Sydney. With pubs open left and right especially a bit further north from Chinatown. Town Hall itself marks the end of this trail.
Dopa Donburi:
Sorry. No Ramen here. I had a friend of mine which recommended this place to me and he said they had very good ramen. But for the sake of exploring and tasting Japanese, I'd say give it a go. I though Curry was reserved for Indian cuisine until I came across Japanese the curry dishes. Pork Katsu Curry Don was my personal favourite as you get a generous portion of eggs on top of it. Top it with chilli flakes and sesame seeds and that's a banger. The place is at a very nice Regents Place local shop and there's just the normal order and pick from the kitchen. So for the experience, I'd say go for the food, not for the place. Here's the thing. I ordered 2 dishes because the Japanese katsu its an experience on its own. Take your big appetite friends here as I felt they were very very generous.
Dish: Pork Katsu Curry Don
Drink: Tap water is fine
Time: 30 minutes to finish the 2 dishes. I ordered 2 of these and so you can guess it took me longer than expected
Bill: $41
Final Thoughts
Ultimo is hilly. I hate hills but is for a good cause I did walked them through :) Heading down to Redfern takes a while so I'd say start this trail early. 1 hour and 15 minutes walking is a good way to make some space for your next dish. Sydney City can be quite modest itself when you are not at Town Hall or near the Opera. That does not mean its boring...quite the contrary! You get a blend of everything across this "Y" trip. Central Station, Chinatown, Capitol Square and you get to walk and run along the patient rail drivers as you hear them beeping almost to every pedestrian.
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