World Renowned Ramen Joint Ippudo Has Finally Opened in Auckland
After launching across the ditch in 2012, the Japanese chain is now dishing up its lauded noodle soup in Newmarket.
You might have heard of Ippudo — perhaps on your travels to Japan, or just when you've been across the ditch. The legendary ramen chain can be found around the world, but it's finally expanded to Auckland, having just opened up some new soupy digs in Newmarket's new $790 million shopping mall. So start planning some long slurpy lunch breaks, because there's a lot to get your stomach around.
But first, a little background. Ippudo has long been a reigning global gold standard of the Japanese dish (and a winter go-to the world-over). Since Shigemi Kawahara opened his first humble ramen store in Hakata, Japan in 1985, he's splashed out and launched scores of stores across Japan, the US, and Europe. It arrived in Australia in 2012 with one Sydney restaurant, before adding three more outlets in the same city and further outlets in Perth and Melbourne.
So what's happening in the shiny new Auckland restaurant? The emphasis is on the tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen that has garnered Ippudo legions of fans — but there's also a variety of equally as tasty options for those who want something else. You've got the signature Shiromaru Motoaji, creamy tonkotsu ramen ($17), but you can also opt for Tori Shoyu, Ippudo's clear chicken blend with Japanese fish cake, or Karaka-Men, mixing things up with spicy miso paste topping and pork belly ($19).
The hardness of noodles can also be requested from soft to very hard.
If you're not up for ramen there are plenty of options to choose from. You can go for the waygu tataki with Japanese mayo and fried garlic chips ($8.5), beef sagari yaki served with fried enoki mushrooms ($17.50) or the grilled eel don for $13.50. Also, don't leave without giving the global best-selling pork buns a red hot go ($7 each, or three for $19).
The interior is all clean wooden lines, red and white accents and warm, lantern-esque lighting, making your heart feel as warm as your soup-filled belly. The ramen king Kawahara has said that Ippudo just wants to "spread smiles" with his fare — and if this ramen can't do that, nothing can.
To celebrate the grand opening of Ippudo Auckland, the first 100 customers on 10 and 11 October will receive a free bowl of Shiromaru Motoaji, Akamaru Shinaji or Karaka-Men ramen.
Ippudo is now open at Rooftop on Broadway, Westfield Newmarket. For more info, visit westfield.co.nz.
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