309 Victoria Street
Making a claim to be ‘the most
authentic bowl of ramen in Melbourne’ is a big call, but regardless of whether
it’s true or just pure folly, Shizuku
Ramen had me intrigued, and I was keen to find out for myself.
In a section of Melbourne very much
known for a plethora of dingy Vietnamese restaurants and a small selection of
more hip but still grungy hangouts, Shizuku stands out like a newly-shined shoe
buckle. It is a peaceful oasis after the end of a long week, and I could feel
myself relaxing into the serene atmosphere the moment I sat down. I loved the pachinko
machine they had sitting by the door; even if it was small and non-functioning,
the bright lights and colourful background still managed to whisk me back to
Japan for a brief spell.
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| Soy Sauce Popcorn |
It’s the small touches, such as a
complimentary bowl of Soy Sauce
Popcorn that really makes a restaurant stand out. And it really doesn’t
hurt that these were unbelievably addictive; like plain salted popcorn but with
an added hit of umami that can only be described as hypnotic.
 |
| Tan Tan Ramen ($15) |
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| Tan Tan Ramen ($15) |
I was disappointed to see that
there was no tonkotsu ramen on the menu, but it was a cold day, and my Tan Tan Ramen ($15) went down a
treat. The soup was rich and spicy, and the curly noodles perfectly toothsome.
The garnishes of vegetables and minced pork may have been sparing, but the soup
was so flavour-packed that it wasn’t an issue. The only thing I wanted more of
was the beautifully creamy soft-boiled egg.
 |
| Shoyu Ramen ($15) |
The Shoyu Ramen ($15) was a hit as well. Instead of the
oft-bland soy-based broth, this one was delicately porky with a lovely depth of
flavour. The noodles were just as immaculate as those found in the Tan Tan
Ramen, but the toppings were more generous this time around, with thin slices
of fatty roast pork and bamboo shoots blanketing the noodles. MORE EGG PLEASE!
I’m not sure about most authentic
bowl of ramen in Melbourne, but it’s definitely now one of my favourites. The thing
I liked the most about Shizuku, besides the charming atmosphere, was the
variation found on the menu. It has something for every situation, from a quick
meal for one, to an extended evening of nibbles and banter. And it has a ramen
burger. That’s right, a ramen burger.
Rating: 13.5/20 – spicy slurpy goodness.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.
Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Shizuku Ramen.
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