Ramen Kan
Level 1, 90 Hay St
Haymarket, NSW 2000
$$$–

I’ve been to Ramen Kan umpteen times, and I’m still not sick of the place. Located in both Chatswood and in Chinatown, I have to say I prefer the Chinatown branch as it feels more Japanese on the inside and because it’s tucked away – you enter a tiny doorway and in a squashy old elevator to go up to the cosy restaurant. It feels exclusive 😉 Don’t think that since it’s so hidden, it’ll be empty. It’s PACKED! I’ve never seen the place half-empty, ever.. it’s always filled to the brim with Japanese and Asians chowing down on big portions of rice or noodle dishes.

I went with a friend in the evening on Easter Monday and it was also packed, to my surprise. But since we chose to sit at the walls on bar stools, we could be seated immediately. If not, expect to wait just outside the lift, squished in with 10 other people also waiting for a table. We ordered and the food came quickly, which was a relief since I was starving! I got the Half-Sashimi, Half-Grilled Salmon on Rice with Salad and Miso Soup (I forgot the actual name) which was half-sashimi, half-grilled salmon. How clever!! The delicate salmon slices were very quickly and lightly grilled so they were ever-so-slightly charred on the outside yet still raw and smooth on the inside. The salmon was creamy and had the most delicious flavour. I wish more Japanese restaurants would do them in this half-and-half style, it’s absolutely fantastic. The salad it came with was small, but was refreshing and light. And the miso soup wasn’t too salty, to my relief (as most are). Also had a Calpis with it – a popular Japanese soda. It’s not as fizzy as coke and is like a milky-coloured 7-UP. One of my fave fizzy drinks :)~

Ramen Kan

Half-Sashimi, Half-Grilled Salmon on Rice with Salad and Miso Soup

Yakisoba with Chicken and Egg

More reviews here and here and here and here.

After our meal, we adjourned downstairs to Cold Rock for dessert. It’s my favourite ice cream place as you can “make your own”. You have what seems like an infinite number of choices to select from, but since I’m boring I went with my usual: Cheesecake ice cream with Brownies. Sounds a bit odd but the sweet brownie contrasts beautifully with the slightly tangy cheesecake ice cream. Delicious :)~

The selection of ‘mix-ins’

Mixing up my Cheesecake ice cream with Brownies