There I was, dashing out at 2pm in the week before Christmas for a quick bowl of ramen at Ichi-ban Boshi. Lucky for me the queue was only 10 minutes long and when I was led to the round kiddies table with one spare seat, I was on the cusp saying “no thanks” and walking back out. The restaurant was packed so waiting for my own table could have taken forever. Being on my break from work, this was not an option. I had limited time to spare and facing those shopping hoards on Pitt Street would have been as joyful as rubbing wasabi paste into my own eyes.
Looks like I’m sharing a table with the kids.
Listening to two 21 year olds yapping Gen-Y bullshit to one another while I ate my ramen was a true test to my patience and in the space of 15 minutes I reckon they used the word “like” more than the number of noodles I had in my massive bowl.
Can someone please tell me what it is that’s appealing about communal tables?
The city outlet of Ichi-ban Boshi is perpetually busy, unless of course you get there at 11am when they open, as I did on most of my other visits. You virtually have the entire place to yourself so if you’re a table for one, I’d suggest you take mental note.
One visit had me munching on the salmon don. You know the drill – it’s raw salmon on rice, a side of miso and a thimble-sized dish of iceberg lettuce, cucumber & capsicum beneath a glorious slick of cocktail sauce (1000-island dressing to some). I love the stuff.
The beef tataki seems to come with high praises at Ichi-ban Boshi and I was amazed at how speedy its delivery was. Within 5 minutes of ordering I’m met with a frosty splay of meat slices sitting on a mound of onions with soy sauce and chopped spring onion. Granted it’s taken from the freezer to be sliced as thinly as it is, but the one I got was still frozen. If I were to tap on it with chopsticks I’d hear an echo bouncing around the glass-roofed atrium, I’m sure. Biting into a rare beef icy-pole wasn’t the most enjoyable sensation but at least it cooled me down a tad. Mr Ichi-ban – me no likey.
The chikuwa isobe-age is right up my alley. I don’t mind a bit of fishcake action now and then so this bamboo shaped fried snack with nori had me smiling. Something tells me it’s just pieces of seafood extender, but that’s ok with me.
The first noodle soup I tried here was the miso ramen, a typically generous bowl of noodles, sprouts, roast pork and miso soup. It’s just beautiful. As is the tempura salmon roll, filled with leek and salmon before being doused in tempura batter and snap-fried, then squrted with mayo and hot chilli mayo. This was one of my favourites.
The karaage-don was a soppy affair of fried chicken on rice. Someone in the kitchen decided to plunge the gorgeously crispy pieces of chicken into a sweet dressing before sending it out to my table. The flavours were great but the crunch I was expecting came undelivered.
My first ever green tea latté didn’t thrill me too much but the heart-warmer that did was the tonkotsu ramen, something that is only available after 2pm. The slow-cooked pork broth almost fused my lips together with its collagen-richness and was worth enduring the Gen-Y banter at that communal kiddies table. “It was, like, so delicious, like …
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Even with the frozen beef and not crunchy chicken, it seems a pretty decent Japanese place in that side of the city, thanks for sharing. Agree 100% with your comment about communal tables.
Gaby recently posted..Review- Long Black Cafe
Oh John… You’re like… totally awesome… Ya know… lol
You know what I’m thinking? That’s a huge lunch that you were having! I remember having that tonkotsu ramen so thick but so delicious! It’s been a while since I’ve been back, I need to make a visit soon..
I don’t mind the communal tables as much because sometimes you great some interesting conversations but it can be not enjoyable if you’re seated next to annoying people.
Because, you know, like, to speak like this is just, like, so, like… bloody irritating!
Bad habit of mine at Ichiban Boshi: adding butter and corn to almost every ramen they have on the menu.
mademoiselle délicieuse recently posted..Baumkuchen- a tree cake
I am not sure if I should take offence to your Gen-Y bashing (appropriate insertion of the term lol here).
It took me 4 tries to get their tonkotsu ramen. I think it is only served between 2:00 and 2:01. It was good though.
Mark @ Cafe Campana recently posted..Yay New Camera – Tangy Honey & Mustard Chicken
Unfulfilled from the eloquent witticisms of our promising Gen-Y youth? The beef icy pole looks rather ominous but deep-fried fish cake? Come to mama!
Helen (grabyourfork) recently posted..Mamak Village- Glebe
But, like, the tonkotsu was like just soooo delicious and like i just couldn’t stop drinking the soup and yeah i’m gonna be like soooo fat… eep don’t hurt me
chocolatesuze recently posted..Kaizen BBQ- North Ryde
Heheh John, you’re funny! I’ll have to take you for a matcha latte somewhere else and convince you how good it can be! I’m not into sharing tables either, us Finns like our space!
Maria @ Scandifoodie recently posted..Chocolate & Yuzu Brownies
It sounds like you are pretty mixed on this place, but still going back for more! Lunch can be such a difficult option sometimes when the time pressure is on…..
Richard Elliot recently posted..Agra- India
I picked up the habit of saying “like” about 20 years ago when I lived in Canada for a year. So sad that I’m still trying to flick the habit as a nearly 40 year old!
I love Ichi-Ban-Boshi for their ramens…haven’t tried anything else there. The beef tataiki even looks totally frozen from your photo…like, yuk!
MelbaToast recently posted..Hole-in-the-Wall Tour- Hawaii
Ichi-ban Boshi? I wonder if it’s the same one we have here.
And goodness, i’m so with you with Gen Y kiddos these days. Listening to most of their conversation makes me wanna vomit blood. Shite, i’m old. Haha!
maameemoomoo recently posted..Happy Birthday to Beep!
Frozen tataki is wrong. Would hate to be someone who was introduced to that dish for the very first time, as it would colour your outlook for what can be a great dish.
Yet to try the tonkotsu ramen here. Curious to see how it compares to Gumshara.
You keep going everywhere I wanna go but can’t be bothered/forget to go! Thanks so much for reviewing this. I’ll be checking it out for sure.
Yum I love a bit of seafood extender! Fried as well!
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