IPPUDO Newmarket 一風堂 — Restaurant in Waitematā

Is sad to say this, but I was utterly disappointed with IPPUDO (New Market) both ‘food & service’ level have gone down drastically.

Being a loyal customer to their brand, not only I had to express my negative feelings publicly, but I am also embarrassed to introduce ‘Japanese’ cuisine in this kind of negative manner to my close friend.

We came in last week for lunch (introduce my friend to his first ramen experience). The store itself was quiet and we couldn’t seem to spot a staff member (as he turn his back towards kitchen talking to another staff). After acknowledging us, he proceed picking up the menu and walk us to the table without any form of ‘greetings’ nor bother to ask us ‘how many people’.

We asked for the seating outside, he said to us ‘pay first then you can’, which I found that extremely rude and blunt (we are happy to do so, but least ask us politely as we were to him).

When we order our meals, i asked nicely whether the ‘Waygu salad’ can be sear/cook less as they were over done with my previous experience, and also, can we have our ‘Ramen’ to have hotter broth.

He responded, ‘It will come as is.. I will ask the chef but no guarantee’. After he left, my friend asked me ‘Are all Japanese cuisine like this?’ - at that moment, I felt extremely embarrassed.

We decided to sit outside (as they put the air-con to a level that are not pleasant), when I inform the staff and he simply say to us ‘pay now then go’.

We sat outside waited for our meals and these are the feedback: Eggs were all overcooked, ‘yolk not runny at all’ Noodle we asked ‘medium’, instead it was ‘very soft’ and breaks apart Ramen Broth were ‘cold’ Waygu cooked to ‘well done’

We waived at the staff but no acknowledgment, due to timing, we decide to finish off what we have in front of us and left.

Since, I did not return to them again with the ‘level of services’ and ‘food...

We visited ippudo for dinner. It was our first visit and will definitely be our last. We ordered ramen for the adults and chicken wing kids meals for the kids. All of the adults had finished our meals and the kids were taking a while to finish. All four of the kids had eaten about one strip each when I noticed a little bit of PINK on one of the strips the kids were eating. After looking at it closer the inside of the strip was completely RAW. It was not under cooked, it was completely RAW!!! All of the kids meal strips had a crispy outer shell and were uncooked inside. I have never seen anything like it before. I notified the waitress and she got the manager OR Owner who just hide in the counter and talked to waitress to refund $12. Without any apolosizing he should've say sorry first. I feel like the damage was already done. Two year olds and a four year old had already consumed raw chicken. I felt very bad the rest of the day and was anxiously awaiting one of the children getting sick. I will always check the kids food from now on. I will write an email to ippudo customer service if they have one. I thought this story should be shared because the outcome could have been much worse. If you decide to eat at this restaurant, please check your food. The waitress was very nice and felt very bad about the situation. The ramen was a bit salty. Also I recognize that they line up the customer, even though there are empty tables and seats in the hall. Not...

Service isn’t that great. Sign at the door says to wait to be seated but staff walk past or are very slow to come get you. There’s also no menu at the door so you have to go in to decide if you want to eat there (which btw - I don’t recommend coming here). Suggest you walk inside and wait in the restaurant at the counter to avoid standing outside for long.

Note to ladies - it’s cold inside the restaurant so wear long sleeves inside. Something about keeping it climate controlled which is why all the doors are closed and not open like the surrounding restaurants in the sunny summer.

Servers are slow to take your order. Had to wave someone down after 15 minutes. Menu had some items we wanted but were sold out.

Food wasn’t so bad - average at best. I had the Japanese curry which was so so, rice was ok, pork a little dry, $2.50 for an egg on the side - overpriced.

Lemon ice tea heavily watered down and glass was filled with ice - make sure to ask for no ice if ordering a drink. It’s so cold inside anyway so your beverage won’t go warm.

Decor was ok apart from the very ripped seating! Maybe they were going for the distressed look? Either way - it looked horrible and felt horrible to sit on.

Will give this place a miss. It really wasn’t that great and they really aren’t doing anything special for their overpriced and...