Ippudo QV ★★★

- May 11, 2018

QV Shopping Centre

18/300 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Ippudo has been my favourite ramen chain all around the world - I've had it in Sydney, Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, United States and have always found it delicious. But the home team at the Melbourne branch was very disappointing. Apart from being overpriced, the food was mediocre. The ramen didn't have the richness that I was used to, and the meat wasn't as tender.

I also had some service miscommunication with the in-training staff, but that was understandable as it's a newly opened store.

Left disappointed and a little sad, so may come back down the track to give it another shot.

Shiromaru Motoaji with Special Combination $24

came with the Gyoza Set for extra $4

Perfect bit sized dumplings! Lightly crispy outside with a juicy filling

★★★★

Side salad that came with Gyoza Set

Sad salad. Not satisfying or filling

★★

Pork Bun $5

Pricy for a single bun but delicious! Super soft bao with a flavourful piece of pork

★★★★

Akamaru Shinaji $16
IPPUDO's original Tonkotsu Broth enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil, adding depth and richness when mixed in Served with Thin Noodles, Pork Belly, Black Fungus and Spring Onions

Shiromaru Motoaji $15
Ippudo's original creamy Tonkotsu broth, signature secret dashi, Thin Straight Noodles, Pork Loin Chashu, Bean Sprouts, Flavoured Black Fungus and Spring onions
(added Special Combination $9 of Pork Lojn, Belly Chashu, Flavoured Egg, Flavoured Bamboo Shoots and Roasted Seaweed sheets)

The bowls look big but actually contain only a small amount of broth and noodles. Not ideal for those with bigger appetites. Soup was fatty but without the iconic tonkotsu flavour. Meat was decent but not very tender. Pretty disappointing.

★★★