It was 15 minutes before 5pm, time for Ippudo to begin dinner operations. But the enthusiastic crowd in front of the restaurant was so large that I thought there must be something extraordinary going on.
All-time bestselling classic shiromaru ramen.
As soon as the doors opened and customers began to fill in the boisterous 96-seater, I came to realise that what was extraordinary was the ramen joint itself.
Ippudo was founded in 1985 in Hakata, Japan, by Shigemi Kawahara, internationally renowned as the "ramen king" after winning the TV Champion Ramen Chef competition for three consecutive years, from 1997-2000.
Seared salmon rolls with mentaiko.
The brand has quickly expanded to to nearly 100 outlets worldwide, in metropolises such as Tokyo, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, London and, most lately, Bangkok.
The Bangkok branch, which opened a couple of months ago, boasts a contemporary dining ambience graced with a glass facade around its kitchen and live kneading station. A stylish and relaxing bar area allows guests to unwind.
Just like its outlets in other cities, Ippudo Bangkok offers signature ramen dishes, prepared with freshly kneaded wheat dough according to original recipes, as well as a small selection of light snacks, rice bowls and sushi rolls, all the latter of which were created exclusively for Bangkok.
We kicked off with the bestselling item from the bun menu. The bataniku, or steamed pork bun (80 baht), presented a clingy soft, cotton-white bun stuffed with a rectangular slice of salty sweet braised pork belly.
Ippudo Bangkok boasts a contemporary dining ambience graced with a glass facade around the kitchen and noodle-making station.
Another starter we had was seared salmon rolls with mentaiko (240 baht). It's a roll of sushi rice topped with a flash-torched salmon fillet and creamy dapples of spicy, cured cod roe.
Other side dishes on offer included bakuretsu tofu (deep-fried bean curd with fish flakes), Hakata-style gyoza dumplings and chicken karaage (deep-fried battered chicken) with spicy dipping sauce.
Noodles at Ippudo are regarded as the quintessential work of a craftsman. The ramen showcases springy texture and deep flavour, and can be cooked to your liking, whether it be al dente or soft.
The classic shiromaru ramen (200 baht) presented ultra-thin, Hakata-style noodles in tonkotsu (pork bone) broth with sliced pork loin, bean sprouts, kikurage and spring onions. For those who enjoy a spicier option, I recommend the modern akamaru ramen (220 baht), of which the original tonkotsu broth is enhanced with a blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil.
From a selection of rice dishes, most popular is the teppan tonkotsu rice with beef (190 baht). Served sizzling hot on a metal plate, the steamy Japanese rice seasoned with pork broth and black pepper together with the succulent griddle-grilled beef were enhanced by cheese and an egg garnish.
The restaurant has only two dessert options: home-made soy bean panna cotta with honey and palm sugar (130 baht) and a selection of ice cream (85 baht). Both were gratifying.
Ippudo
Central Embassy, 3rd floor
Call 02-160-5672
Open daily, for lunch and dinner Park at Central Embassy’s car park
Most credit cards accepted
