Ramen Lunch at Gaku, Darlinghurst

Chef Haru is back y’all!!! One of Sydney’s favourite chefs is back with a new joint. For those of us who’s a big fan of Ikkyu, this is a big deal. He’s teased us with pop-ups and appearances here and there throughout last year.

He has recently opened a new Japanese robata grill restaurant with Chef Shimon Hanakura in the heart of Darlinghurst called Gaku. It will be serving mouthwatering grilled meats and a solid range of Japanese sake for dinner. But every lunchtime, Gaku will be a ramenya. The interior is very contemporary Japanese with mostly counter-style seating. There are 4 ramen choices on offer. We opted for the chicken tonkotsu ramen and yuzu duck ramen.

Duck ramen is huge in Tokyo right now. But here in Sydney, it’s still considered novelty. The yuzu duck ramen ($17) is like no other in Sydney. The broth consists of hints of yuzu citrus flavour from the jus, which brings out this nice smoky duck flavour and some peppery notes in the duck consommé-style broth. The bouncy noodles are cooked somewhere between katame and medium. It’s topped with tasty sous vide duck, duck meatballs, sweet and crispy fried burdock sticks. It’s quite an innovative bowl in my opinion and a good example of Haru’s expertise in modern refined-style ramen.

The chicken tonkotsu ramen ($16) on the other hand is more of a classic. A bowl with broth that’s rich in umami and heavy on the chiyu (fat) but not too dense in consistency. The aburi chashu here is extremely good! Both fatty, smoky and flavoursome. This is probably my favourite between the two bowls. It’s also topped with negi, flavoursome half ajitama and fried burdock.

There are also side snacks available! Classic gyoza ($6 for 4 pieces) with those perfectly crisped caramelised bits and a tasty Shimon’s karaage chicken ($6). Do yourself a favour and order the karaage chicken! Some of the best I've had in Sydney.

I can’t wait until Haru-san starts serving grilled meats for dinner! But in the meantime, I’m more than happy to crush bowls at Gaku. Omedetou gozaimasu Haru-san and Shimon-san!

Gaku Robata Grill
2/132 Darlinghurst Road
Darlinghurst NSW
Open for ramen every day Lunch from 12:00 until all bowls are finished.
40 to 50 ramen bowls daily.