Cheesecake Boy and I were in Chatswood on Saturday to pick up a few things. We were feeling peckish so we decided to head down to Crows Nest for lunch. We always said that we would try Ryo's Noodles every time we drove past but we always got deterred by the queues or never got around to it. On this Saturday, we had decided that the time had come and ramen was definitely on the agenda.
We drove past and there was a queue and I felt like pulling out like all the other times, as I just hate waiting and would prefer to get there early to avoid the wait, but Cheesecake Boy insisted. Lucky, that he did insist at that moment because not long after we got there, we were given a piece of paper with the word 'last' on it. This meant that we got the lucky last spot in their lunch session, but then we were also entrusted with the duty of turning away the three hungry and disappointed couples that tried to queue up after us.
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| The shop front |
As we are queuing we looked at restaurant's signage, we chose our ramen and then we noticed that they are opening a shop in Hong Kong this April. So, if you don't have any luck down here, and if you happen to be in Hong Kong in April, they just might squeeze you in.
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| The lunch queue around 1.30pm |
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| The lucky 'last' pass |
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| Shop front signage |
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| Coming soon to Hong Kong |
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| The menu |
The couple before us get a table and as the last couple we are ushered in to wait inside, so that they can start winding up for the day and it's only about 1.45pm, but they close for lunch at 2pm. When we are inside I realise why there are queues all the time, the place is small and table sharing is not uncommon. We are given a menu and are asked to order whilst still waiting for a table.
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| Inside the restaurant |
Once seated our orders come out quickly. First to arrive was the roast pork rice ball. It had flakes of roast pork throughout the rice ball. It was simple and comforting, I could have kept on going but the noodles came, so Cheesecake Boy and I left this for later.
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| Roast pork rice ball, $4 |
Our noodles came and we decided on the pork soup noodles as opposed to the chicken soup noodles, as they are well known for their tonkotsu stock here. I chose the soy flavoured soup and Cheesecake Boy went for the spicy flavoured soup.
I took a sip of my soy flavoured pork soup and the stock was very rich and thick. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and as you bit into them there was still a little give. The pork was very tender and soft. This would the perfect meal on a cold winter night.
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| Tonkotsu: soy sauce flavour with roast pork, nori, egg and shallot, $11.50 |
Cheesecake Boy loved his noodles but struggled to finish as he ate too many sides but he got there eventually. I had a taste of the soup and it wasn't spicy at all. I preferred my soy flavoured stock.
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| Tonkotsu: spicy hot flavour with roast pork, egg and shallot, $11.50 |
I had to order the gyoza. The dumplings were light and succulent, you could really taste the cabbage coming through the pork. Cheesecake Boy insisted that he only ate two but when I was concentrating on my noodles, I looked up and there was only one dumpling left, hehe.
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| Gyoza (pan fried dumplings), $6 |
Cheesecake Boy loves fried chicken, so there was no way that we weren't going to order the chicken. It's only fair, since I got my dumplings. Cheesecake Boy swears that this is the best chicken ever after one piece and attacked another four pieces, lol. I am still surprised that he managed to finish his noodles, as I am normally the big eater between the two of us.
The chicken was pretty good, juicy and perfectly crispy. The chicken had a distinct hint of vinegar that helped them go down nicely, as the hint of vinegar contrasted well against the deep fried goodness of the chicken pieces.
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| Fried chicken, $5.50 |
We left the restaurant completely stuffed and satisfied, we didn't even eat dinner that night. We will definitely come again, as I am intrigued by the ramen noodles with miso bolognese sauce and Cheesecake Boy will now need to get his fried chicken fix from here. This place really does epitomise what a cheap and cheerful eat is all about. Now, I just wished that I hadn't been deterred by the queues all this time and decided to join them earlier. Better late than never, I guess.
Happy eating, Dumpling Girl.
Ryo's Noodles
125 Falcon Street North Sydney NSW 2060Ph: (02) 9955 0225
14 comments:
all lies - I didnt even have a single dumpling! I swear the other diners took them sneakily whilst we were revelling in the delicious soup
Lol, likely story my Cheesecake Boy.
That's one busy place! Like the look of the fried chicken. Mmmm. I like the international advertising too. LOL
Hi Joey - The place is almost too busy, after we were seated another 3 lots of people were turned away. The fried chicken was lovely, can't complain.
yum i heart ryos! the queues always drives me nuts but the ramen is so worth it!
Hi Chocolatesuze - you must have the patience of a saint then, I'm going to get there early next time :)
The sides look really good! I've only tried the noodles here but I'll have to try the fried chicken and dumplings next time.
Hey Jen - it's hard enough to get past the noodles as they are so filling, but I think the sides are a definite must :)
Fried chicken and the dumplings look nice. I don't mind waiting in queues as long as they dissolve in ten minutes or so lol : )
Hi Victor - I think this queue may take a little longer but the dumplings get my vote but Cheesecake Boy goes for the chicken :)
OMG a last pass. that's too funny and cool at the same time :-)
Hello Simon - the last pass was the only thing keeping me in the line. I didn't know whether to gloat or feel bad for the people we had to turn away, so we took turns showing the pass to the latecomers. They are really strict about last intake there.
Hi Dumpling Girl !
I have been frequenting this place for well over 3 years. Coincidentally, i also went to high school (very) nearby so i'll leave you to guess which school i attended.
If you wish to skip the queues, either get there at opening time (12pm for lunch - though i THINK they MIGHT open 11:30am too) and 6pm-630pm for dinner. And it's best to go on a weekday(night).
By the way, there is a ramen i want to suggest you to try yet it should only be passed on by word of mouth...to have a record on the internet of it would tarnish its existence.
Hello spiderman,
Lol you either went to the school full smarties or you attended the school my brother is currently at. Good school that one, he is finally growing up :)
Funny thing is when I use to live around there, I never made the time to go, and the day we went, we didn't even plan it. It was only because Cheesecake Boy wanted ramen so badly that I patiently waited :) I will definitely remember your tips next time, as I had no idea what the opening times are.
Lol, our blog email address is dumplinggirlandcheesecakeboy@gmail.com, I'd love to hear your suggestion and I am discreet, really I am.
Sorry for the late reply, I have been super busy the last few days. Hence, the lack of posts this week.
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