Hakata Gensuke QV - Chicken Ramen — Restaurant in Melbourne

I used to love Hakata Gensuke. I have lined up in the rain to get in. I loved it so much I have my favourite order saved in my notes app as I don’t get to Melbourne often and each time I would always overestimate my desired heat level.

Despite that, I was quite disappointed in my visit today and hope this doesn’t mean the slow decline of Hakata Gensuke. I ordered the God Fire tori ramen with extra egg, black fungus, and nori. Normally their ramen is beautifully presented, today it was just thrown together with most toppings submerged. That would actually be ok if it tasted great. But it did not. Before I elaborate I should note that I went in the middle of the afternoon so the restaurant was relatively quiet. Therefore I don’t believe rushing was a factor in the sloppy presentation. Additionally I was sitting at the end of the bar tables. The ramen was assembled and taken to me in approximately 3 steps, so things shifting in transit was not a factor either.

When my bowl was put down in front of me, not only was it missing its pleasing presentation but it had now gained a lurid red colour. Almost artificial looking like dye (not implying there is food colouring used). As mentioned, I order the same each time, and have done so for years. This broth was the consistency and colour of strawberry syrup. It also seemed far greasier like there was a layer of oil on the top. I do get that this is normally a rich broth and some oil being present is normal. I’m also not bothered by a bit of oil but this was excessive. You can actually see in the photo I took how thick the broth looks. This was not what I am used to nor was expecting. The broth also just didn’t taste nice. It also lacked its usual depth of flavour. This might be to do with the oil slick coating everything to the point no flavour could be detected.

The toppings and noodles seem unchanged in quality and would’ve been enjoyable if not for the broth they were drowning in.

The service was swift and courteous and was what I expect when going to Hakata Gensuke. However, I did notice on my way in that the restaurant prep area and sink was not clean and tidy. I wouldn’t normally really notice such things, but like the food, it’s not its usual standards. As a guest you actually walk past the sink so I would’ve thought keeping that area presentable would be a priority. I’ll reiterate, it was not busy, nor did they seem understaffed.

When I think about the untidiness and the disappointing meal I am starting to wonder if this will be the trend going forward. To ride on the back of their past reputation while they cut corners and present a lacklustre product. In my next trip in to Melbourne, I think I’ll try somewhere else or some other cuisines as it was just so disappointing to see such a decline in quality. I have attached photos, one from late February 2023 and my ramen today. I won’t need to label them as telling them apart is not an issue.

If you are planning your first visit I would give it a miss. There are too many great establishments in Melbourne to waste money on a bowl of greasy broth with toppings that have been lobbed in from the free throw line. If anyone from Hakata Gensuke reads this, please know I was a loyal and frequent customer. I have taken friends and family here over the years. I hope it was just a bad day and this standard isn’t typical. If things have been changed then I recommend you change them back immediately.

EDIT: I forgot to add my photos. When I was searching for my older photo I searched ‘food’ in my photo album to find it. Today’s ramen however is not even identified as food by iPhone AI. This...

I am a returned customer at this place because the fact this is an authentic Japanese ran ramen shop.

This time I brought a friend trying to recommend the place, but they had to ruin the dining experience out of a small matter.

We arrived the place with carrying bags, so we asked if they can offer one of a spare stool I saw in the corner, and a friendly staff kindly offered us one.

Somewhere down the track the table next to us was cleared, and for some reason whoever cleaned up that table left only one stool, but the next wave of customers arrived.

These weren't my concerns until an unfriendly staff came and disturbed me and my friend's meal demanding me to remove my bags from the stool the friendly staff offered me. I was confused what did she meant, and she pointed to the next table insisted I took the stool from the next table. She was so rude and got the customers around judging me over her mistake.

I explained I got the stool from one of the staffs, she kept harassing the situation and judged me for something I didn't do, and she got the customers around me to do the same. This is such a humiliation.

They finally had someone bringing over another stool for the next table and seated the new customers while they were giving me looks I didn't warrant.

I'm paying money for the food and customers service and they caused a scene out of a damn stool that I didn't take. So I went to the counter and demanded to speak to the manager while I found the rude staff was there bad mouthing me to another staff.

The manager came and I told him about the situation while the same staff was still arguing I took the stool. To an extend a friendly staff came and clarified the situation, and she couldn't defuse the situation because what happened was the rude staff was so stubbornly ignorant to the fact she was wrong but the manager only offered an apology on the surface, that served no purpose and withheld no meaning in whatsoever. But when I told him it's the rude staff whom should be apologizing. The manager ignored my input and simply followed me to the table where me and my friend was sitting, which made me felt like he's just keeping an eye on me more than he wanted to resolve the problem.

I was set up for a hilarity show over a simple meal and all because of a simple insignificant stool. I was traumatized and outraged by the experience. Some people could get PTSD from this and develope a phobia from being in public because of such an out spoken and irreversible accusation.

And the manager did not offer that rude staff to apologize and allowed her to feel that it's ok to wrongly accuse someone and caused a scene. No compensation was made. It is utterly disappointing and unprofessional. The rude staff was still giving me looks as I exited the shop.

It only takes encouraging one staff to do what is wrong for you to lose a returning customer who is now regretting ever recommending any friends to dine at your restaurant. Your restaurant from now on is a joke among me and my peers. We'll be spreading this experience among people we know. And because you failed to resolve this problem on the spot, you can expect me to turn to organizations that upholds...

It's very nice Ramen of my country food. It's one of Kyusyu area's style in Japan, but it's looks one of the best style Ramen in Melbourne.

In this restaurant, the communication language of staff is only Japanese, so it could become good efficient to serve and good atmosphere of traditional japanese style.

And also the back ground musics of restaurant are very popular in my country but not new one, so it's good for Japanese guests to remember of country.

Signature tori ramen's taste is ASSARI(plain, lightly) but KOTTERI(rich and greasy) involve with a bit of fish Dashi. Of course with Chicken flavour. It's really pretty nice combination. And I think it's also good and much with all foreign people. Because it's not too greasy or oily.

First taste is smooth and light but to be rich feeling of taste later. And more and more you want to eat and finally want to drink all of soup!! :)

I have ever eaten more than thousands of ramens in Japan and another countries, but I think it's the one of best Ramen in foreign county. Not the best one in Japan but... :)

You can put the extra toppings on the table for free. It's also Japanese traditional style. Beni-shoga, Karashi-takana, Suri-goma and Kizami-garlic. I recommend you to put them to the ramen not in the first, after you eat half of it. And it's also good combination of rice.

These toppings were very fresh and good quality. Especially Karashi-takana is good enough hot, and garlic was crispy and fresh.

Finally I recommend you to try the beer (Suntory Premium Malts) for $8. It's not Asahi and Kirin so you may not know about it. But it's also very popular beer in my country and also my favorite of Japanese beer. I think it is the best much with Gyoza(baked dumpling).

I found that it has worth of standing in long line in front of the...