Ichi-ban Boshi – TGV, Sydney
Tantanmen - 12.00
“A table for one,” I said.
(You heard me right) The day that A Table For Two dine alone is finally happening sooner than I anticipated. Disaster! However, the opportunity of getting hold of a table at Ichi-ban Boshi makes eating by myself perhaps is not such a bad thing after all.
Clockwise L to R: A little sign on the table which is not necessary to follow (just bring the bill to counter); friendly waitress taking orders; ichi-ban boshi chopsticks; a long queue waiting outside as I walked out
This ramen noodle place is always so busy and packed. I have been here numerous times but no luck, always turned away after seeing the big crowd waiting outside. The trick is to show up before 11.30am to beat the rush hour hungry eaters.
I have had some of the best ramen while I was in Japan especially the one in the Ramen Museum. Since then I’ve been always on the hunt for another good bowl of sweet broth, fatty pork slices and slippery slurpey noodle as good as those in Japan (Ryo’s in Crows Nest comes pretty close). Since I have heard nothing but highest praise for their delicious ramen here at Ichi-ban Boshi; so I am ready to find out what the fuss is about.
Ice green tea cappuccino - 4.80
Apart from the ramen, another thing I want to try here is the iced green tea cappuccino which doesn’t really make sense since there is no coffee involved. The “cappuccino” consists of equal portion of warm milk and matcha, topped with ice cubes, a perfect cloud of froth, and a jug of sugar syrup for extra sweetness. It is a milky creamy green tea drink which is refreshing and love the strong flavour of matcha. It is definitely “Japanese” written all over it.
Gyoza (5pcs) - 6.50
Gyoza is Ramen’s best friend. These home made potstickers are one of the best I’ve had in town. Five piping hot gyoza are pan-fried until crisp on one side and softly steamed on the other. I am impressed with the dumpling skin is thin and non stodgy; and the pork mince inside is surprisingly light and tender. Well, I do have a soft spot for good dumplings.
All going so well except the ramen which is rather a disappointment. I opt for the Tantanmen, ramen topped with a generous portion of minced pork, boiled egg and choy sum vegetables in hot and spicy soup. I found the ramen is rather overcooked, and the soup is not as spicy as I would have hoped for. But the worse thing is it has this weird after taste that lingers in the mouth which is rather unpleasant. (On their website, you can ask the waitress for extra spicy) This is the first time I couldn’t finish my bowl of ramen and I left a few mouthful behind. Shame…
A recent conversation with the hungry digital elf and he told me that his friend has confirmed the Ichi-ban Boshi in Bondi is actually taste better than the one in the city. They are Japanese, I trust their words; which means there is only one way to find out…
Ichi-Ban Boshi Level 2 (Next to Kinokuniya Bookstore) Galeries Victoria Building, 500 George Street, Sydney. p: 02 9262 7677 w: www.ichibanboshi.com.au Opening Hours: Everyday 11am - 9pm
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
Pity things didn’t work out this time around with the ramen. Never had gyoza there before so might need to give that a try if they’re as good as you say they are.
I’ve had a number of dishes from the Bondi Junction store and I’ve been happy with them most of the time, though their chicken katsu side dish was a bit so-so. Not bad, just not particularly good.
Hope you have better luck at the Bondi Junction store when/if you go there.
Shame about the ramen. I’ve had the tantanmen there and the ramen weren’t overcooked on that occasion and the soup was okay….not tried the gyoza there, nor have I tried the Bondi Junction one, though I know that I should!
I have to confess that I prefer Chinese dumplings to Japanese gyoza though
they should call it a matchaccino? lol. and mmm…. pot stickers…..
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*gasp* you didn’t finish your bowl… that’s insane of you! ;p
Yup yup, I myself think that one in Bondi Junction tastes much better too.
I usually get Aburi Chashum or Miso ramen with optional butter. (plus Yakisoba and Hirekatsu set (pork) for… uh.. dessert.) They used to serve Aburi Chashu much thicker. I literally GASPED to find out now they are one slice less & thinner! Maybe because their rent went up after relocation? I’d rather be happy to pay extra dollar or two to have the extra thick slice though.
I don’t know for the one in CBD, but you can also get a Japanese style iced coffee that I’ve blogged about before too.
Let’s hit Bondi Junction next time you are in the city!
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OOh haven’t been Ichiban in agggess but it was pretty reliable imo but I have not tried the Bondi so mayb it is heaps better :S I miss my karaage cheese curry…
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oh no! u should have tried the one at bondi junction. i always hear that their noodles are heaps more delicious than the one at TGV. and i love their hiyashi chuka there. but not sure if they still serve it once summer’s gone
I’d visit here for the green tea “cappuccino” alone…and the gyoza! It all looks delicious!
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I’ve had both, and I think most people are right about Bondi tasting ‘better’!. The capp looks interesting though, I love Japs and their quirky drinks.
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Ooo shame about the ramen, we came here the other night and the tantanmen, which was quite ok (compared to yours) but mine was so salty I couldn’ t touch any of the broth:S
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that’s a shame that your ramen wasn’t that great – maybe your expectations were too high?!… better give bondi junction a try for the sake of ‘research’
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I just discovered your fabulous food blog and wanted to commend you on your awesome photos! Every photo is perfect! Your reviews and recipes are great too.
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@Simon: The gyoza is actually surprisingly good, the ramen not so good. But I will go back to the TGV one for sure and try other flavour ramen to give a fair judgement.
@aptronym: Yeah I am with you, usually I prefer the chinese version dumplings, but this is one of the best gyoza I’ve had.
@Helen (GrabYourFork): I don’t know, the “cino” bit is still not quite right! I wondering I can ask for some tapioca peals with it
@Yas: I know, the soup was not right and I just couldn’t bring myself to eat and drink it all! I think the problem is the Tantanmen itself but perhaps not the restaurant. I definitely will give the Aburi Chasu a try next time when I am there. And Bondi is sure on the must try!
@FFichiban: Yeah I can’t say since is my first and only time there. And I didn’t go for the normal version ramen but instead tried the Chinese fusion Tantanmen which is a mistake. Will go back and give other version a try for sure.
@ange: Oh never heard of HIyashi Chuka, I will see whether it is still on the menu. Thanks for the recommendations!
@Peter G: It is not bad. Unless you like green tea, I know some people don’t and will find it strange to drink.
@Howard: Cool, definitely will give the bondi branch a try. Yeah love Jap drinks, especially the soft drink, so many choices!
@Miss Honey: Yeah mine tantanmen was bit salty too… my mouth was bit numb afterwards. Just feel so gritty, and greasy, and weird…
@Betty: I am more than happy to eat any bowl of ramen with no trouble, just the aftertaste that really bugs me. I would go back and give other versions a try for sure.
@Rilsta: Thanks Rilsta for dropping by.
Ah. A shame about your experience. I took a friend there recently and they were disappointed and preferred the Menya ramen instead. But it’s so convenient and good for Thursday night shopping fuel!
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I tried the Ichiban-boshi in Bondi. There are 2 of them actually (said my friend, I’m not sure if she was lost or there actually 2 of these in Bondi). I tried the one closer to station, sadly it doesn’t live up to the TGV one. I like the roast prok better in TGV as it’s hot and melt-in-mouth. The one in Bondi were served cold and doesn’t even melt-in-mouth kind. Also there is no green tea capuccino.
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I have had good food experiences at ichi-ban in the TVG, and it is good to get there before 11:30 am. just don’t tell anyone, right?
I thought tantanmen is taiwanese?
ohhh i love the green tea cappucino! (tip 1/3 of the syrup in, let SuperDanny drink the rest…) And sad about the tantanmen. i tend to get the very spicy ramen when i go there – sour and hot!
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@Forager: It is my first time there, so yeah will have to go back and try something else. The tantanmen probably not the wise option to judge IchiBan Boshi at early stage.
@Lilia: The bondi has moved location, so I think is the same one. Cold roast pork doesnt sound good at all, will give the TGV version a try, thank you!
@yewenyi: Or even earlier than 11.30 would be better.
@steven: well according to this website, http://www.worldramen.net/Varietion/chinesenoodles.html , it is actually a dish derived from Sze Chuan. I think the taiwanese is Zha Jiang Mian u talking about… same thing using pork mince i guess.. but not in broth.
@shez: Yeah the cappuccino is interesting to say the least. I want to get a bag of matcha now so i can make it at home!
YES! The gyoza at Ichiban Boshi is wonderful. It is the best gyoza that I have tasted in Sydney yet.. or maybe I haven’t been to the better places. But I must say I do love their gyozas. Perfect every time. And yes, I do think the bondi chain does make their food better.
Hey people,
I had the Tantanmen soup while I was working in Sydney 2005. I haven’t been to many Ramen places but that Tantanmen Soup was spectacular. I couldn’t find another place for Tantanmen like that.
maybe things have changed, then i was luky