Hai Hai — Restaurant in Brisbane City

I use to always leave Hai Hai with a smile on my face and often went there for staple dinner with friends. However, the last 2 times I have been there I have been very disappointed. The first time we arrived and had a 30/40 minute wait for a table, we were happy to wait and waited next to the shop for 30 minutes never to be contacted for a table. After the 30 minutes we went to the counter to ask on the status of our table only to be told that we should go elsewhere cause they have too many take away orders in. I’m unsure how long the girl at the counter was going to watch us sitting waiting for a table before telling us we couldn’t get a seat, seemed like she was never going to let us know! We then went across to road to the Mexican road and watched other people (given they were smaller groups) get let in. The most recent time I went was for dinner with 2 people and was again told 30/40 minute wait on a week night. So we went to Remys for a beer, about 10 minutes later just having the first sip of our drink we get the call that a table is ready. Very excited for dinner I ordered the tonkotsu, it was ok but not the best I’ve had in a while from there. Hai Hai used to have a great little help yourself pickled goods station as well as sesame seeds, soy sauce and chill oil and when COVID hit you could still ask for some on the side. When I asked whether I could have some I was informed they now charge for this!! Like come on Hai Hai that's where a heap of your flavour comes from... its like charging for tomato sauce with a pie, it should be illegal! The tofu bao was also luke warm and over sauced when it arrived. Hai hai has dropped the ball! Hesitant to go back at this stage might try a different ramen place...

Presentation: 8.5/10 Taste: 8/10 Price: 7.5/10 Volume: 9/10 Service: 8/10 Total: 8.2/10 (4.1 stars)

This ramen shop was recommended on Urbanlists' "Brisbane's Best Ramen", so I decided to take a "punt". The shop is conveniently located in Paddington, just outside a bus stop with frequent services. As others have stated, the restaurant is very Western in terms of shop decor and possibly the ramen itself as well. The menu is very small unlike other shops, but you do get the option of thick noodles here.

As with most ramen shops, you order at the counter first and then take a seat. The ramen comes out very quickly. For the record, I had the chicken ramen: shoyu soup, and changed the thin noodles for thick ones. The presentation is pretty good, pretty standard stuff. The first thing I taste is the soup and you get a general idea of how great the rest of the bowl will be. A tad on the salty side, but very rich in flavour and a great shoyu base. I'm not sure if changing to thick noodles had any effects or not, but I think they went well with the strong flavour of the soup.

Price is a tad higher at $15 a bowl, which seems fit if it was miso, but tonkotsu or shoyu should be a little less. In saying that, you can't blame them since they only do a limited menu. The amount of food (volume) is very good and will make you full.

Customer service is good.

The only downsides I felt were that the shop is extremely hot because they only have fans operating. They did have an air-conditioner but they weren't using it the time. The seating to the side of the restaurant has uneven flooring so it's a tad of a nuisance with the seat rocking, but...

If you're in Brisbane and looking for a great ramen spot, look no further than Hai Hai. This cozy little spot is truly one of the best places in the city for ramen, with a fantastic selection of both Tonkotsu and veggie ramen that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

One of the standout features of Hai Hai is the friendly and welcoming staff, who always go out of their way to make sure you have an enjoyable experience. From the moment you step inside, you'll feel right at home, thanks to the warm and inviting atmosphere.

In terms of the food, the Tonkotsu ramen is a standout, with a rich and flavorful broth that's sure to warm you up on even the coldest of days. If you're looking for something a bit lighter, the veggie ramen is also a great choice, with a variety of fresh vegetables and a tasty broth that's sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

One of the other great things about Hai Hai is the pricing - you'll find that the dishes are very reasonably priced, making it a great choice for anyone on a budget. And with such high-quality food and service, you really can't go wrong.

But it's not just the food and service that make Hai Hai so great - the music background and interior also add to the overall experience. The decor is modern and stylish, with plenty of cozy seating options, and the music adds a nice touch of ambiance to the space.

All in all, if you're looking for some of the best ramen in Brisbane, along with friendly service, great prices, and a cozy atmosphere, Hai Hai is definitely the spot for you. Highly...