Taro’s Ramen brings its brothy goodness to Stones Corner
The past few months have seen plenty of activity from the Taro’s Ramen crew. After transforming Taro’s Express on Edward Street into a wholly vegan outlet, the team was given the sad news that the beloved-yet-temporary location would be reclaimed and renovated sooner than expected. The closure spurred owner Taro Akimoto into action, seeking a new spot to implement his brand and keep his Edward Street family employed. The City’s loss is Stones Corner’s gain – Taro’s Ramen opened a brand-new store on Old Cleveland Road, bringing with it Taro’s exceptionally nourishing noodles and bone-warming broth.
All good things must come to an end, but even still, we wish Taro’s vegan ramen enjoyed a longer stint in The City. After making the plant-based transition in early April, Taro’s Express was instructed to vacate the premises by May. Although not entirely unexpected, the news meant that Taro Akimoto had to seek out a replacement location ahead of schedule. Fortuitously, Taro’s search yielded results after only a few short weeks as the perfect spot was discovered in the heart of Stones Corner – the former home of craft-beer boozer The Bent Elbow. The area fit Taro’s personal requirements – a precinct that wasn’t too close to his other locations, where there was a want for his product. Taro was attracted to Stones Corner’s Logan Road strip – a rugged promenade currently flourishing with a multicultural array of retailers including Vietnamese char-grilled cuisine, authentic Burmese eateries, traditional Greek eats and more. Less than a month after vacating Edward Street, Taro was given the keys to the new spot – a spacious haunt with exposed brick walls and internal seating for roughly 70 patrons – and after a slight sprucing Taro’s Ramen Stones Corner officially opened to the public last Friday June 14.
Fans of the Taro’s Express vegan menu will be stoked to know that the classic, tsukemen, red and fire bowls made the journey to Stones Corner (the sides, however, haven’t made the trip). The classic range of Taro’s tonkotsu ramen is also available, specialising in a lighter-style broth compared to the stickier, thicker broth doled out at Taro’s 480 Queen location. Taro’s Ramen in Stones Corner currently accepts BYO beer and wine, but when the liquor license is acquired the bar will serve the quintessential creamy Suntory Premium Malts, Orion and a Suntory stout off tap. In a few weeks, Taro will renovate the space to include booth seating and iPads on the table for express ordering.
Taro’s Ramen Stones Corner is open to the public. For more details, seek out Taro’s Ramen in the Stumble Guide.
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