Being in Brisbane on a business trip and knowing little about the food scene, I have Yelp to thank for this gem.
Taro’s Ramen and Cafe can be easily missed when walking past, no thanks to its location at the quiet end of Adelaide St or to the construction next door. Although it comes recommended to make a reservation, I was able walk straight in at 8pm on a Wednesday night. The lovely Brisbane weather may have played a factor in this but chances may vary.
Taro’s on first glance appears like a typical Asian takeaway food shop and does indeed feel that way, but it’s the quality of the food that is key – regarded by some as the country’s best ramen. The staff and friendly and welcoming, greeting in Japanese with a cheerful “sumimasen” (which I later learnt to be pretty much a universal anything word in Japanese). The restaurant operates on an order and pay at the counter and take a table number basis.
I ordered the pork gyoza to start and a main of the Fire Tonkotsu ramen. The popular Tonkotsu, meaning pork bone broth, ramen is available in 3 levels of spice with the Fire being extra spicy.
The pork gyoza were flavoursome and slightly juicy but the ramen was the real star. Flavours from its creamy but rich stock instantly opened up on the first slurp, along with the spice from the homemade chilli oil. Maybe ordering extra spicy wasn’t such a good idea but I finished the whole bowl and survived, albeit with my mouth on fire. The slices of charsiu pork, seaweed, hard boiled egg and handfuls of thin noodles completed this dish wonderfully. A bottle of unsweetened iced green tea which I accidentally ordered was an interesting touch.
Ramen is not a regular food of mine but I’m excited to compare Taro’s with that of my home city in Melbourne. For a total cost of $27, this was a quality meal for an exceptional price.