Ippudo

Since I’m from New York City, I’m fully aware of IPPUDO and their reputation for delicious ramen and super long lines. Located in Langham Mall, this branch called out to me. I came around lunch time and there was no line and many free tables.
I ordered the Special IPPUDO Karaka ramen with medium spice, their BBQ Pork Buns, and their Deep-​fried Squid with Seaweed Flavor. The first thing I noticed was that the food came out really quickly. My ramen came out less than 10 minutes after I ordered it. The odd thing was that the appetizers came out around 5 minutes after the ramen. This was my first experience with the appetizers arriving after the main course.
So now back to the food. The ramen was absolutely delicious. The noodles had the perfect consistency. It wasn’t too soft with just the right amount of chewiness. The broth was rich and had the perfect level of spiciness. It came with simmered pork and pork belly, a beautiful soft boiled egg, and cabbage. The pork was melt-​in-​your mouth tender. The egg was delightful with its semi-​runny yolk. The deep fried squid appetizer was very good as well. It was tender and had the perfect crunch. And now to the reason this place didn’t get a perfect rating from me. The BBQ pork buns, which aside from the ramen, they are also known for weren’t what I expected. I was expecting «BBQ» pork, so I was hoping there would be a char of some sort. What I received was a flabby, unappealing slice of pork sandwiched between a steamed bun smeared with mayo. The already bad texture of the pork mixed with the mayo made for a bad combination.
Ignoring the bad BBQ pork buns, this establishment serves up delicious, hearty ramen. Now that I’ve had a taste, I will most definitely go to the NYC location. If you’re in the area, make this a stop!

Ippudo has opened up all over Hong Kong. Somehow, I’ve been to many other famous ramen places but not this one. I was wandering around the mall, and decided to grab a quick lunch; there was an Ippudo in the mall, and I hopped in.
It is not located in the food court, but is rather one of those «open-​air food stalls» in an area of the mall, making it more casual than a normal restaurant, but more intimate than a food court meal. You sit down, order your food, eat and then pay at the counter.
I order the standard tonkotsu ramen as that is my favourite flavour. The broth is flavourful, if a bit salty, which is fine for authentic ramen. The noodles were chewy and delicious, and the toppings were ok. It was a decent bowl of ramen.
The service, however, was pretty lacking. The staff had no morale, it seemed, and everything is pretty slow in Hong Kong standards.
I should probably make my way to a more proper Ippudo…

Last time I was in HK I had a memorable wasabi tonkatsu ramen at the Causeway Bay location, so I vowed to have it again… only to find that it is no longer on the menu (boo). However they are currently featuring the Houten Black Shoyu and since I’m a sucker for limited edition things, I decided to give it a try. Since it was past the lunch rush, I didn’t have to wait too long to be seated (also helps if you’re a lone diner — you automatically get a spot at the communal table). Service was kind of meh, but the food came out pretty fast and I got a pretty decent bowl of ramen, although I still wish it would’ve been the wasabi tonkotsu soup base… The Houten Shoyu taste like a more concentrated shoyu being more on the salty side, but it had great flavors. Noodles were cooked nicely with the right amount of «bounce».
Overall I wouldn’t mind coming here if I am craving for a bowl of ramen.

Saturday night dinner~ the line isn’t too long, I waited approximately 15 minutes. The service is acceptable and above average in my opinion. Prompt and friendly.
Everything you expect in a bowl of ramen will be found here. Is it the best on planet earth? perhaps not but there won’t be any complaining from me! I ordered the Ippudo Special Spicy Ramen and it wasn’t too spicy but just enough to give it some kick and excitement. The soup base is flavorful and the ramen cooked nicely.
Location in the open area of Langham Mall — I wouldn’t classify it as a intimate restaurant but it is alright, sometimes you need to remind yourself where you are!

Ippudo New York has always evaded me and I don’t see it coming here anytime soon. However, this location was so close to where I was staying that I couldn’t resist trying. While I’m not a big fan of Hakata ramen…
Although they had the more preferred Hokkaido ramen options, I went for the Shiromaru motoaji, which was solid overall. The pork-​based broth was adequately flavorful, rich, creamy, and warm. The pork was passable, with enough tenderness. The soft-​boiled egg was perfect. The thin Hakata ramen is not quite my style but it was fine. The other elements of bamboo shoots and green onion were fresh.
Service was rather attentive and efficient. You get greeted loudly by staff as you enter and exit.
3.5 stars

Ever since my first tasting of ramen from Ippudo New York, I’ve been on a mission: eat at all the Ippudo restaurants in the world! New York was my first experience, Sydney my second, and now Hong Kong my third.
Generally I prefer tonkotsu-​based broths because I savor the deep, rich pork bone flavor soup that’s been simmered for hours. So, I opted for the Special Akamaru Shinaji, which was a huge bowl filled with thin ramen, tonkotsu broth, fragrant garlic oil, miso paste, seaweed, a soft-​boiled egg, simmered pork belly, BBQ pork slices, bamboo shoots, kikurage mushroom, and green onion. Overall the bowl was very substantial and delicious. The broth was rich and creamy, the fatty pork belly very tender, and pork slices were smokey.
Service was prompt and the wait at this Ippudo was minimal (compared to the 30+ minute wait typical to NY). Although Ippudo in HK was a decent experience, it can’t top NY’s.

All these ippudo chain locations have brought down my impression of ippudo. This ippudo is in a food court, but that’s fine. The food was so bad. Their ramen was so much worse than ippudo from NY, or Japan obviously. The broth is not as flavorful and the ramen was overcooked. The appetizers that they let this chain come up with is despicable.
I guess if you are craving ramen and need a fast food experience, come here. But this is pretty expensive for HK fast food.

This Ippudo location was really disappointing. I recall that Ippudo in NYC was really good, especially the pork belly buns. The same experience did not occur in Ippudo in Hong Kong. Sure the ramen broth was good, and the noodles were okay, as were the chasu, but there was nothing amazing. Nothing stood out. It was just like another bowl of ramen.
The pork belly buns were REALLY underwhelming. The buns weren’t even fresh or good for Hong Kong standards, and it sandwiched two thin measly pork belly pieces. They were so thin, they had no bite. Then there was this mayo-​like sauce and lettuce. The hubby and friends commented that it tasted like a McChicken from McDonalds. I didn’t even finish my half of the bun.
If you’re in Hong Kong and you want ramen, go to Butao instead. Soooo much better!

This location feels like a food-​court-​y quick version of what Ippudo should be. It is right by the food court of the mall, so that might explain it. The wait wasn’t too long for 3 people during the rush of dinner time. Just about 15 – 20 minutes and we were seated. I thought I should try what started it all; the whole Ippudo chain empire so I ordered the Special Shiromaru Motoaji, which has the original recipe of Ippudo along with the basic necessities of a good bowl of ramen.
Just before the server walked away, she asked if I wanted my ramen soft, medium or hard. I thought medium should be the standard al dente. but boy was I wrong. My ramen came soft. Ugh! Don’t we all hate soggy ramen? It completely ruined the entire bowl. The broth was delicious but I honestly couldn’t enjoy it with the ramen it came with. What a shame.
However I should mention, my friend’s Kuro ramen (black garlic oil in tonkotsu broth) was suuuper fragrant and tastier than mine! So that’s what I’ll be getting next time if I do happen to eat here again.

I was so excited when I found out Ippudo opened in Langham Place! Unlike the Ippudo chains in NYC, this one is so easy to get seated and hardly any wait. And to top it off, Ippudo in HK serves gyoza unlike NY chains which is why I’m giving 5 stars. NY Ippudo chains need to step up!

This is another of the Ippudo Ramen outlets which now located across the globe. There are 5 outlets just in HK which is a pretty good effort. Ippudo can be classed as upmarket Ramen and the prices are high accordingly. The thing with Ippudo, is that their dining areas are very nice so it’s also about the experience not just the fabulous food.
The Ramen broth is great without being too glutenous and salty as some vendors produce. I had the Shiromaru Motoaji which is the trademark Ippudo Ramen. Another favourite at Ippudo is the BBQ Pork Bun but on this occasion I didn’t think it was all that ?
Like most Ippudo outlets, if you come during meal times you’ll have to wait quite a long time in the queue. We had to wait about 15 minutes and it was mid afternoon! This outlet is located at the top of the Langham Place mall (just before the food court) in Mongkok.