The round-up: slurp your way through the Gold Coast’s best ramen spots
There are few things more satisfying than slurping your way through a bowl of authentic Japanese ramen. From bustling noodle bars to authentic hidden gems, we’ve put together a delicious round-up of where you can find the most slurp-worthy ramen on the Gold Coast.
ZuroZuro Ramen Bar, Burleigh Heads: If you love nothing more than tucking in to a bowl of steamy ramen, pull up a seat at ZuroZuro Ramen Bar. In what is believed to be a Gold Coast-first, ZuroZuro has brought a Michelin-awarded ramen recipe to the Sunshine State, with celebrated chef Jun Furukawa overseeing operations between here and Japan. There are five different ramen bowls to choose from including the Michelin-awarded ramen, which is based on a fish broth. For those with slightly less fishy tastes, the tonkotsu ramen is a must-try, loaded with homemade noodles and strips of pork loin. Each bowl is filled with noodles that are made fresh, every single morning. The soup, which is delightfully complex and creamy, is made the day before to ensure a richness of flavour that simply cannot be replicated in a hurry.
Ramen Danbo, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Pimpama: Here you’ll find authentic ramen prepared with intricate traditional methods. Let it be known that the team here take the ramen game very seriously. Specialising in tonkotsu pork-broth ramen, diners can choose and adjust elements, from the noodle firmness to the richness of the soup, to create your perfect bowl. Earlier this year, Ramen Danbo launched the country’s first ramen drive-thru, letting fans of the Fukuoka-born ramen house grab a bowl on the go. The abridged drive-thru menu features ten ramen, a number of sides, an array of toppings and plenty of drinks, ready to be ordered from the comfort of your car.
Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori, Robina: One might guess from the name that the specialty at Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori is not, in fact, ramen. But even though it’s known for its flame-licked fare, this quaint 50-seater also serves steaming bowls of ramen which have undoubtedly become a popular dish in the cooler months. Serving up a fusion of Asian and Western cuisines with a menu that spans from land to the sea, you can complement the seared dishes with a hearty serving of 10-hour slow-simmered ramen, topped with succulent slices of pork char siu, wagyu or free range chicken.
Zipang, Currumbin: This gem is incredibly popular with southern locals. It’s tucked along Currumbin Creek Road and you’ll find a wide variety of share-style dishes from gyoza to sesame-crusted salmon, sashimi, beef tataki, katsu curries and hot pots. But on Wednesdays and Thursdays in winter, Zipang has a Ramen special! With pork tonkotsu, chicken shoyu and vegetarian, there’s bound to be a bowl you’ll love that will warm you up from the inside. And we’ve just heard a whisper that Zipang’s much loved ramen might just become a staple on the menu!
Muso Ramen, various locations: Muso is a haven for authentic Japanese ramen, so it’s little wonder they’ve made the top of the list. The Muso team have three incredible venues under their belt including one at Robina Town Centre, Mermaid Beach and Chirn Park. Here you’ll find Muso favourites like the Tonkotsu Black (pork broth) topped with pork belly, the Tokyo Soy (chicken and pork clear broth) and The Buddha – a vibrant bowl of gluten-free noodles in a vegetable broth with roasted seasonal toppings like pumpkin, carrot and tomato.
JFX Noodle and Tapas Bar, Southport: This is where you’ll find one of the most extensive ramen menus in the city. You can treat your taste buds to black tonkotsu ramen, salt and butter tonkotsu ramen, or chilli coriander ramen, offered with various amounts of pork cha-su and nori. Make it your own with thick or thin noodles, alter the broth intensity and throw on a few extra toppings. These bowls are as big as your head and boy are they delicious.
Goukai Ramen, Burleigh Heads: At Goukai, it’s all about delivering a truly authentic Japanese ramen experience, offering a straight-forward menu of seven ramen varieties in a casual setting that allows diners to either ‘slurp and go’ or hang around. A traditional tonkotsu-style broth is used as the base for Goukai’s signature flavours, while a colourful vegetarian and vegan option round out the list.
Goto, Southport: Okay, so here’s a curveball for you. This Japanese dining den specialises in Champon noodles – the regional dish of Nagasaki that is regarded as ramen’s healthier cousin. These bowls of goodness have more vegetables than traditional ramen, and the broth is made from pork bone. If you’re firmly on the ramen train, take a step to the left and give this a whirl.
I Like Ramen, Gold Coast pop-ups: Whether you first came across I Like Ramen at its Brisbane outpost or discovered its delicious bowls of slurpy goodness when the much-loved purveyor of plant-based eats made its way down the coast to its Nobby Beach locale, it’s likely that you’ve fallen in love with I Like Ramen. Unfortunately the Gold Coast store closed its doors last year, but the I Like Ramen team are on the hunt for a new venue and keen to keep dishing up delicious broth with pop-up events. Follow I Like Ramen Instagram to see where the next pop-up will be.
Buen Modern Japanese, Mermaid Waters: This unassuming venue is nestled next door to a petrol station but boasts some serious culinary credentials behind the grills with Yusuke Ito. Sip a steamy bowl of soul-warming ramen, which is made in-house from scratch – no soup stocks here. There’s three different kinds to try (including a meat-free version) so go forth and slurp.
Izakaya Midori, Reedy Creek: This is the coast’s first plant-based Japanese eatery. The signature dish is a bright-green Midori Ramen, said to be just as rich and flavoursome as the traditional pork-based version – well worth putting on your hit list.
Hakataya Ramen, various locations: Shopping with a side of ramen? We’re in. Hakataya Ramen at Pacific Fair is generally a pretty busy little bar, so if you can find a spot, then get a Miso Spicy-Men in front of you and watch the passers by.
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