Tanpopo Ramen (Auckland CBD, New Zealand)
Making a good ramen soup takes a lot of time, I know this fact as I tried making it at home and it literally takes hours just to get the broth right specially the Tonkotsu style, there are no shortcuts. I have been let down before by some Japanese restaurants here in Auckland but this time it’s time for redemption because the ones they serve here at Tanpopo was really good if not great.
Located at Anzac Avenue in the Central city this small Japanese ramen shop is well reviewed, it even earned a place on Metro Eats Best Cheap Eats. We ordered two totally different ramen the time we visited the place first was the Tonkotsu style ramen topped with extra Chashu Pork and Bamboo Shoots ($14.00), its full of flavour and it’s so good I want to suck the bowl dry, if you love meat then I suggest getting an extra chashu pork as the ones on the normal serving is not a lot and they are thinly sliced.
The second order was Seafood Ramen ($14.00) where it is filled with lots of vegetables, mixed seafood and 3 large New Zealand mussels, it was also good but it does not have the same impact the Tonkotsu style ramen gave me, I was expecting a bit more stronger flavour similar to the ones you get in clams.
Overall the experience was great, food was amazing and the price is just right, not cheap but not really expensive. I will definitely come back here and order the Tonkotsu style ramen again and again, definitely one of the best Tonkotsu ramen I ever tried.
Tanpopo Ramen
Address: 13 Anzac Ave, Auckland 1010
Phone: +649-308 9705
Website: http://www.tanpoporamen.co.nz/
Tanpopo is on my wishlist. I would probably have got the seafood one but reading your review, I would try the Tonkotsu instead now.
I tried another city ramen place last weekend but their broth wasn’t as complex as I was hoping for. I love that ramen testing doesn’t break the bank. It’s so warming and filling you don’t even need sides (though it can be hard to ignore the sides when ordering on an empty stomach).
I love Tanpopo, they serve really good ramen. Not sure if you’ve tried RamenDo at Symonds St., their ramen is also worth the visit.