Genkotsu Ramen

GENKOTSU RAMEN! I have heard rumours of this place. VGirl told me that this place had just opened in Runcorn Plaza. Then JGirl and Shishi told me that as Japanese people, they felt this place was super authentic and as good as Australian/Japanese food would ever be. So I had to go, it was just a matter of time!

I tried to go here once before with A*., but it was the only day of the week they were closed! So we went to Bungle Bungle instead.

So little space >_<

I liked this tissue box. It was super cute, I don't think I'd ever have a tissue box cover because I run through so many tissues with my constant hay fever year round.

Swirly

That odd wheel condiment is a white sesame grinder! Then some shichimi togarashi powder and then other bits and bobs.

So neat

This is the kitchen area where they maniacally send out ramen!

I grabbed a loyalty card too, although I wasn't sure if I'd ever come back when I got it!

So many ramen

They sold crushed chashu here as well as this being the area where you could keep your loyalty card. Incidentally I have no idea what crushed chashu is, it just looked like jerkied charshu to me. It was only a dollar but I didn't grab it for some reason.

Interesting

I was number 1. Thought it seems many other food bloggers were as well haha.

Noice

I saw the mentaiko rice bowl and had to get it, mentaiko is honestly one of my favourite Japanese ingredients. Its a must if you like fishy tastes, like say with taramasalata or anchovies, things like that! It has strong fishy/spicy flavour and it goes wonderfully with rice. The creamy soy cooked egg was a nice counterpoint but I have to say the liberal usage of green onion was a bit off putting to say the least.

Less onion, more mentaiko!

I got the black garlic shio ramen. I thought the soup was initially tasty with the deep, savoury almost burnt flavour of the black garlic oil and the richness of the stock, but it became quite cloying towards the end and I couldn't finish it. The charshu was tender with a good flavour. The bamboo sprouts were good but nothing particularly amazing. The egg was my favourite part of the dish, with a creamy yolk and firm white.

Not bad

Jubi got the shoyu ramen which came with corn for some reason. Otherwise it was the same as my dish. Her soup was a lot sweeter especially with the little pops from the corn kernels. I much preferred her soup for its balance but she was unable to finish her soup either.

Solid

Genkotsu Ramen
Atmosphere: 6, super tiny, cramped Japanese hole in the wall ramen shop, its just like being in Japan!
Service: 8, impeccable, friendly and prompt Japanese service. What more could you ask for?
Food: 6, not bad but the soup, the veritable heart of the dish is not so good that I can finish it all. I'd go back here but only because Taro's is so far away being on the south side.