A Quest for Ramen - Ebisu / Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

With the abundance of ramen on offer in Tokyo, I gotta tell you its hard to find one that satisfies my taste buds.

First stop, Kiraku ramen.

I have read quite a few reviews about this place so I'm on a mission to try it out.

One of Tokyo's oldest ramen joints, Taiwanese owned Kiraku located in Dogenzaka, situated in a pretty run down part of Shibuya (5 min walk from women's109).

Chashumen ramen - ¥850

Not your usual japanese ramen, the broth here was a little more on the salty side, I could defininetly taste more of a taiwanese flavour with extra fried onions maybe too much fried onions.

Accompanied by a thicker flat egg noodle, some shallots to freshen it up would have tied it all together. 

My verdict - average.

Don't expect any customer service here, the waitress will hand you the picture menu and stare you in the face waiting for your order (I felt like I was in a stare off). 

Check them out 

Kiraku Ramen - 2-17-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Some days after my last ramen bowl left me dissatisfied I ventured out to Ebisu and found Ippudo! We have this back home but I was curious to see how it compared to the Sydney branch so don't judge me!

Shiromaru ramen - ¥780

This was their standard tonkotsu ramen, the broth was on point, the noodles...  a tad thinner than what I like, but I decided to brush that a side cause they also allow you to choose the firmness of your ramen and this was the bowl of ramen I've been looking for. 

Akamaru ramen - ¥830

Tonkotsu both enhanced with miso paste, black sesame/ garlic oil and black mushrooms. Both hit the spot and I'm sure if you end up at Ippudo you will leave with a smile on your tummy :).

Check out these ramen spots and share yours with me!

[Ippudo]

Betty Jane x

Bánh Xèo Saigon - Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

I haven't been in Japan for that long but I've already got major cravings for south east asian flavours, boy do I miss the easy access to vietnamese food.

I hope to satisfy my cravings at Bánh Xèo Saigon in Shinjuku. Let me give you a heads up, I'm gonna be super critical because this is one of my all time favourite dishes.

Pork & shrimp bánh xèo - ¥800

This is supposed to be their specialty dish here and it fell flat! The pancake batter was bland and was only crispy on the outer edges, the filling was a majority of bean sprouts (I hate anywhere that does this), I probably got like 3 pieces of pork and 2 pieces of shrimp had I actually counted, the nuoc cham was unbalanced and bland it was also missing mung beans which I think could have made such a difference.

Vietnamese chicken curry

I was suprised when I tried this dish, it definitely hit the spot for me, a big bowl of chicken curry with potatoes, though it was served with rice noodles instead of vermicelli noodles I actually didn't mind. 

All I know is it tasted how vietnamese chicken curry should taste. I mean it's not as good as mum's but I got my satisfaction. I would definitely return just to eat this.

On a good note, the staff are vietnamese which to me means it is an authentic vietnamese restaurant and the prices are reasonable for Tokyo.

So I say ditch the bánh xèo and go for the chicken curry.

Check them out [here]

Betty Jane x

My Escape to Gourmet Escape 2012!

As soon as I stepped foot on Leeuwin Estate Winery (with my fat pants on) this place was buzzing with celebrity chefs, food and wine. What an amazing location and the best wines I have tasted in Australia, I don't drink much white wine but the Riesling definitely won me over. Before I set out to put myself into a 'food coma' there are two local chefs I'll be chasing down.

Pork & Pistachio Terrine 

By Nigel Harvey at Voyager Estate 

It was a huge one.. a beast, a perfect beast to be exact.

I cannot explain how amazing this terrine tasted, the colours and textures were simply delicious and clean.

Here Nigel has shown me how to plate up the terrine considering colour and texture, make sure there is always at least three elements that work in perfect harmony.

Flowers make everything perfect!

Hay stacks and wine barrels, barnyard party? I think not.

Waiting for my one on one with Jake Drachenberg from Hayshed Hill

Yabbies with Vine Smoked Potatoes, Horseradish cream and Squid Ink Vinigarette.

Here Jake has thrown together his exquisite earthy dish. Simply beautiful.

Here's how many were made up later for the busy crowds.

Fresh oysters that tasted like they have just been plucked out of the ocean.

Its not a food and wine festival without the CHOCOLATE..

& of course cheese.

This was the first food and wine festival held in Margaret River and from what I experienced it will not be the last, I will be back next year!! So calm and chilled not like any food and wine festival in Sydney (meaning I didn't get pushed and shoved out of the way).

Visiting Margaret River? Check out these places out

http://www.voyagerestate.com.au/

http://www.hayshedhill.com.au/

Hope to see y'all there next year.

Betty Jane x