New Ramen Joint: Ippudo Sydney (Westfield Sydney)

Sydney's already got a few good places to have ramen and things just got a bit more exciting when Ippudo opened it's first branch at Westfield Sydney.

A little history on Ippudo: 

On October 16, 1985, IPPUDO was opened with a counter seating capactiy of 10. Shigemi Kawahara the Ramen King really impacted the industry with his original interior designs and Tonkotsu (pork based) ramen. The classy shop interior with its heavy reliance on wood is almost like a wood sculptor’s studio and is kept sparkling clean with modern jazz playing in the background. The attention to detail and hospitable service translate to quality dining in a modest establishment with a decor and ambience that hits at sophistication and quality.

Ippudo’s tonkotsu ramen soup is free of the usual smell of pork with a light aftertaste. The selection of ingredients and the seasoning suited to the customer’s well-being has won over female customers tempting them to want to try it everyday. Ippudo was also the first to refer to broth by color, Shiro (white) and Aka (red), which soon became a standard industry practice. Till today, Shiromaru and Akamaru continue to helm as Ippudo’s signature ramen. (source)

Ippudo offers three ramen soups:

Akamaru Shinaji. A powerful Tonkotsu broth combined with Ippudo's secret miso, garlic oil with lean slices of pork, black mushrooms, soybean sprouts and scallions

Shiromaru Motoaji. Original Tonkotso broth with Hakata-style noodles topped with pork, soybean sprouts and shallots.

Karaka Men. Combination of the Ippudo signature Tonkotsu broth and Hakata-style noodles topped with pork belly and spicy Karaka miso.

We were incidentally at Westfield Sydney on Tuesday because of the heatwave. This was where we met up to have dinner until the sunset. After we got out of Yogurt World, we noticed that Ippudo has already opened. It was only 6pm and there were already a few people on queue. It seemed that this is the ramen joint of the moment. We waited for less than 10 minutes (I think we were 5th on queue) and was seated in a big communal  table in the middle of the restaurant. Although we were seated with other people, the table was big enough not to annoy anyone's private space and it felt festive as the music plays in the background and the staff kept on shouting Japanese greetings to patrons. The place was darkly-lit and cozy. We had a good view of the men working in the kitchen which always fascinate me. They worked fast and exuded cheer as they serve food-loving people like us. 

I love taking photos of serviettes. The Husband loved their chopsticks. 

We decided to order just two dishes. Yu-Rin-Chi, their deep-fried chicken was very crunchy. It came in a bed of salad and drizzled in tangy sweet sauce. The perfectly cooked chicken was very tasty that there was no need to add sauce anymore.

The Karaka Men Chashu came with the softest pork belly I've ever had. The Hakata-style noodles were ultra-thin and yet mouthful. The comforting broth was spicy and flavourful. 

Based on our visit, Ippudo is one ramen place to visit. But I must warn you to be prepared to wait especially if you arrive during peak hours. While we had dinner, the queue outside suddenly became one long line. So be early. 

No time to wait? They also accommodate take away requests. 

Ippudo Sydney
Level 5, Westfield Sydney
Pitt Street, Sydney NSW
Phone: 02 8078 7020

Happiness is Indulging in a Cup of Salted Caramel Yogurt!

Due to the heatwave last Tuesday, the Husband and I decided to meet up at Westfield Sydney after work. The temperatures went up to 42 degrees Celsius, it hurt the skin even if we're not directly under the sun. There's no way we're going to brave riding the train and sitting out the heat at home. I didn't want to cook anything at home too as it will add up to the heat. Our best solution would be to hang out at an airconditioned mall and wait out the sunset there and that's what we did.

As per usual, I had some time to myself. I window shopped and had a looked at sales to entertain myself. When I learned that the Husband's about to arrive, I walked up to Westfield's Level 5 Food Court where we're supposed to meet. I plan to reward myself a large cup of Brown Rice Milk Tea at Chatime but my attention diverted to a newly-opened restaurant nearby. It was a yogurt place called Yogurt World.  The place was nicely-lit as the dining area faced the windows. Love their concept of bar stools.  

Yogurt World has 16 flavours and about 101 toppings available in store. That's a lot!

By this time, I've forgotten about having milk tea. I had a quick look at their yogurt flavours and found SALTED CARAMEL! They have a salted caramel yogurt! That is sooooo brilliant!

With that, I quickly grabbed a cup and poured some yogurt and toppings. 

Based on my previous yogurt experiences, I'm not very much on toppings. I think I get overwhelmed with all the choices before me that I can't really think. But what I always choose are the marshmallows and blueberries. With chocolates, it varies. This time, I put two sticks of Kit Kat, one for me and one for the Hubby.

I love their coloured spoons! It had Yogurt World etched at the end. It's very personal. 

This is now my favourite yogurt! It's not as sour that even the Husband can tolerate it and it tastes so much like ice cream. It's so good I regretted not getting more.

I realized now how fixated I am with Salted Caramel. You can easily tempt me with almost anything that has Salted Caramel in it. To begin with, I really love Caramel-inspired food like the Philippines' Yema. And I love cakes and ice creams that has Caramel in it. 

Last year, Salted Caramel Macarons became one of my food favourites. Now I add Salted Caramel Yogurt to my list.

Yogurt World

Level 5, Westfield Sydney

Pitt Street, Sydney NSW

Senario (Blacktown, NSW)

The newest restaurant in Westpoint Blacktown reminds me of lady's budoir. An air of elegance is felt when one sees velvet-cushioned chairs in Senario but the place has a tinge of rustic and in truth, just casual. 

We had breakfast here during one of our Boxing Day adventures. I like the way they made my coffee. It was smooth and didn't have any funny aftertaste.

The Husband and I tried their Eggs Benedict and Spinach Omelette. Both dishes satisfied our love for eggs although presentation seemed simplistic.

Came back here again to have coffee with a girlfriend last week. On a hot Friday afternoon, an Iced Coffee seemed to be the only answer to the summer heat. We indulged in this sweet and refreshing drink that also provided a kick of caffeine.

Snacked on a Hot Chips and Strawberry Crepe which somehow felt like a perfect childhood memory. Lightly-seasoned chips that almost burned the tongue but oh so good and filling. It was the perfect partner to our Iced Coffees.

The Strawberry Crepe was divine! The sweetness of the thin crepe, maple syrup and vanilla ice cream, plus the sour but refreshing taste of strawberries equalled to a perfect harmony inside the mouth. 

I'm glad that a cafe/restaurant like Senario has opened in Westpoint Blacktown. It's a place where we can have good coffee and good food while having a quiet moment amidst a busy shopping mall.

Senario
Level 3, Westpoint Shopping Centre 
17 Patrick Street, Blacktown NSW
Phone: 02 9676 7737

Cicco Chocolaterie (Broadway Shopping Centre)

Started work on the 2nd day of January but since it was the first week of year and our office was still officially on shutdown (I just opted to come to work because I didn't want to use up my recreation leaves), we were allowed to come and go as we pleased. I was told to go home early on Thursday and since I had an errand at Broadway, I stopped by at Cicco Chocolaterie for some coffee "Me" time.

Situated in the middle of Level 3 of Broadway Shopping Centre, it gets its natural light from the roof, making you feel like you're dining alfresco. They offer homemade chocolates, Hot Belgian Chocolate, coffee and pastries. I found out that they serve cooked meals too when I smelled freshly-cooked eggs from the other table.

I just had a Cappuccino and two pieces of macarons: Salted Caramel and Mango. Their coffee was well-made, rich, creamy and not too bitter.

Their Salted Caramel is the creamiest I've ever tasted while the Mango macaron wasn't as sweet as I hoped it to be. Next time, I'll buy a few pieces of their chocolates and see if they're good too.

Not a bad place to have my first coffee "Me" time.

Cicco Chocolaterie
Level 3, Broadway Shopping Centre
1 Bay Street, Broadway, NSW
Phone: 02 9280 0014