Hakatamon Ramen — Restaurant in Sydney

Don't often race to get reviews in.... but this place needs a serious wake up call and return to it's once, 5/5 status.

Having spent over a decade split between Hakata (Fukuoka), the home to real Tonkotsu Ramen (and the namesake of this restaurant), and Sydney I feel obliged to tell it how it is.

I have a very experienced palate for Ramen given it's such an important dish back in my wife's home town. But these experiences make me a little harder on foreign attempts at Ramen.

The truth is that the first time I went to Hakatamon (when it first opened), it was a revelation. I would say at the time the food and service were a bright example of what could be done to elevate this humble dish.

In Japan, it is humble but there is an extreme amount of dedication to the dish, and it's very hard to find poor examples.

But this is Australia, and poor examples exist, but good ones do too. And Hakatamon was a good example.

It's important to get two things right - the noodles and the broth. To get the first right, you need to source from the right location and have the right type for the right dish. Typically in Hakata/Fukuoka in Japan that is straight with a bit of texture.

Six months ago Hakatamon had really let the service game down. Waiters couldn't get the basics of noodle hardness understood and they committed the crime of not getting kaedama (extra noodles) to the table quickly, and even when they did arrive they were incorrectly cooked. At a minimum they were the right noodles.

But yesterday I visited and the restaurant has fallen from a high point to potentially the worst ramen in Sydney.

Not only was the service still bad, but the noodles were incorrect. They have changed suppliers and I could not recommend them.

The restaurant needs to go back to its roots or continue as a severely poor imitation.

In its current state, it really doesn't deserve to use the word "Hakata"...

Our experience at Hakatamon Ramen over the weekend was truly exceptional. From the moment we walked in, the warmth and hospitality of the staff made us feel incredibly welcome. Their kindness shone through as they graciously accommodated our kids’ request to have McDonald’s due to an elder child’s sesame allergy, understanding the limitations with dishes free from sesame seeds or oil. This level of consideration and understanding towards dietary needs was remarkable and made our visit stress-free.

Now, onto the culinary delights – the White Tonkotsu Ramen and the Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen were absolute highlights of our meal. The White Tonkotsu Ramen boasted a velvety smooth broth that was incredibly flavorful and comforting, while the Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen was a perfect balance of heat and rich, savory notes. Each spoonful was a testament to the chef’s expertise and dedication to authenticity.

In addition to the delectable food, the ambiance was cozy and inviting, complementing the overall dining experience. Coupled with the staff’s exceptional service and their willingness to go above and beyond for their patrons, Hakatamon Ramen sets a standard for both remarkable cuisine and unparalleled hospitality. This restaurant undoubtedly earns our highest recommendation for those seeking not only delicious Japanese fare but also a caring and accommodating dining...

Possibly the WORST place I've been to in Sydney and I will never go back there again. There is a SEVERE lack of good customer service. It's absolutely atrocious especially for Japanese restaurant standards who are known for their welcoming atmosphere. The staff are incredibly rude and pressure you to order quickly. Not only that, they have no respect for their customers whatsoever. We had an incorrect order where they had given us more than the quantity we ordered. When checking with one of the staff, they asked us who served us and checked with that staff member on what quantity they heard. That staff member said that's the amount that they heard which ended up with the initial staff member completely siding with the staff member that served us instead of listening to their customers?? Really? They then rudely stated that was the amount we had ordered, without even asking us again and doubted their own customers. They said they can't take it back and didn't even so much as say sorry for giving the incorrect order. The manager/boss of the restaurant had the exact same terrible attitude after talking to him, he didn't even apologise for the inconvenience caused either. Clearly it's a mentality that's driven from the top down. Honestly I'd rate this 0 stars if I could. Highly recommend avoiding this place like the plague. That is absolutely...