Shop Ramen — Restaurant in Melbourne

Nestled in the vibrant and eclectic neighborhood of Fitzroy, where culinary gems are as abundant as the street art, Shop Ramen stands as a testament to the sometimes harsh reality of dining out: not every place hits the mark. With high hopes and an empty stomach, I ventured into this ramen shop, lured by the promise of a hearty, soul-warming bowl of noodles. What I encountered, however, was a lesson in how important it is for a restaurant to deliver on its core offering.

Let’s start with the centerpiece of any ramen experience—the broth. The first sip of the tan tan men broth left me perplexed. It was weak, almost as if the essence of the dish had been diluted beyond recognition. This broth should be a symphony of flavors, a delicate balance of richness and spice that warms you from the inside out. Instead, it was a thin, uninspired liquid that lacked depth, body, and any semblance of character. I held out hope for the shoyo, expecting perhaps a more robust, umami-rich experience. Alas, it was equally disappointing, a forgettable broth that did nothing to elevate the noodles or toppings. It felt lazy, like a painter who had run out of inspiration and decided to call it a day.

Moving beyond the broth, the other elements of the dining experience were not without merit. The service was genuinely lovely. The staff were attentive and friendly, striking that perfect balance of being there when you needed them but never hovering. They knew their menu well and made recommendations with a smile. The interior of Shop Ramen is another highlight—modern, clean, and inviting, with a communal dining setup that encourages conversation and a sense of community. It’s the kind of place where you could linger over a meal, enjoying the company of friends or striking up a chat with a stranger. The ambiance is spot-on, fitting seamlessly into Fitzroy’s eclectic and creative atmosphere.

But let’s be honest—ambiance and service, as crucial as they are, cannot compensate for a fundamental flaw in the food. When you’re paying $23 for a bowl of ramen, you expect more than just pleasant surroundings and friendly staff. You expect a dish that speaks to your soul, that offers comfort and satisfaction with every bite. Unfortunately, Shop Ramen misses the mark here. The noodles and toppings, while adequate, do not make up for the lackluster broths. They are mere passengers in a journey that’s supposed to be led by a robust, flavorful broth.

In a neighborhood like Fitzroy, where culinary excellence is the norm rather than the exception, it’s hard to justify spending your money on a mediocre meal. Especially when there are fantastic alternatives just around the corner. Parco Ramen and Hakata Gensuke come to mind, both offering ramen that is bursting with flavor, authenticity, and care. At these establishments, each bowl feels crafted with passion, a stark contrast to the insipid offerings at Shop Ramen.

In conclusion, unless Shop Ramen undergoes a significant overhaul in its approach to ramen, particularly in the flavor department, it’s not a place I would recommend. The lovely service and charming interior are simply not enough to save it from the mediocrity of its food. Save your time, your palate, and your money for the places that truly understand what makes a bowl of ramen unforgettable. In Fitzroy, you don’t have to look far to find a...

ORDERED: 🍜 Shoyu (seasoned with soy sauce) with pork belly: Pork belly, nori, spring onion, marinated egg, king oyster mushrooms, Chinese broccoli, housemade ramen noodles with free range chicken bone broth ($22.50) 🍋 yuzu oil ($1.50)

It was $24.91pp!

REVIEW: Walk in only, Shop Ramen is bigger than it seems! There's a large communal table, and a couple of smaller tables dotted around the side and some outside space as well. 📦 With a little merch shop by the doorway, bottles and cardboard boxes lining the wall, naked light bulbs dangling by the wire - it feels like a very casual fit out.

✅ The ramen delivered. Shoyu is quite a plain broth compared to its creamier cousin, but it's easy and comforting to consume. The pork belly was glutinous, marinated egg yolky with chinese broccoli that was snappy. 🥚 If you need more flavour like I did, there's some condiments like sesame seeds or chilli powder on the table that you add to make the broth more nutty/spicy! 🍶 The yuzu oil was an interesting addition. You definitely get the citrusy taste, and it's just a fun and unique concept that I haven't seen anywhere else. The flavour does become less noticeable as you head down to the depths of the bowl though.

However, this experience has confirmed my belief that I personally prefer creamier broths over soy based ones. 👍

Service was friendly and quite attentive. They offer to take your bowl away once they see you've finished the dish or are quick to refill water carafes! The staff are efficient and I always...

Had a pretty decent ramen - Shoyu pork belly. Overall, food was good but service seemed a little rushed and disorganized, though very polite. Would dine here again if it was out of convenience.

Came around 1830 on a Wednesday, it was a 25m wait for a party of two. Pretty popular at dinner time! There's a large harvest table for communal seating and a few small side tables. Great for parties of 1-2 people.

We were seated promptly and in less than a minute, we were asked what to order. It felt a little rushed and the server didn't realize we had just sat down. We ordered right away since we already knew what we wanted and I do feel like if we asked for more time, it wouldn't have been a problem.

We waited almost an hour before we noticed that folks who sat after us were getting their meals. We had just thought maybe they were busy.

I made eye contact with a server who came over to ask how were our meals (assuming finished) and we said we were still waiting. She went to check on our order ASAP. Came back to apologize and say our order was forgotten and they'd bring it out ASAP. It came out in about 10 minutes.

As soon as I finished my ramen, my bowl was scooped up really promptly, mere seconds after I put down my utensils. I do feel like if I said I wasn't finished yet (if I wanted to drink the broth), it would have been given back. My dining partner was not done yet and I had seen other folks sit with their empty bowls and chat for...