Ramen Takara (Browns Bay, Auckland, New Zealand)

Some restaurants fade with time, others simply remind you why you loved them in the first place. Ten years later, the ramen still tastes like coming home. A personal review of Ramen Takara Browns Bay featuring tonkotsu ramen, smoky garlic miso ramen, sashimi starters, and consistent quality.

It is funny how quickly time passes. One minute you are visiting a restaurant regularly, then suddenly you realise more than a decade has gone by without stepping through its doors. That was exactly what happened with Ramen Takara.

The last time we dined here was well over ten years ago. Since then, Auckland’s ramen scene has exploded. New shops have opened almost every year, each bringing its own interpretation of Japanese ramen. Some specialise in tonkotsu, others focus on chicken broth, while a few experiment with modern fusion ideas. With so many new places to explore, Ramen Takara quietly slipped off our regular dining rotation.

Recently, my wife and I decided it was finally time to return. Walking back into the Browns Bay restaurant felt surprisingly familiar. Some restaurants survive simply because of nostalgia, while others continue to thrive because they never stop delivering quality. After this visit, it became very clear that Ramen Takara belongs firmly in the second category.

A Familiar Name That Has Stood the Test of Time

Browns Bay has changed significantly over the past decade, but Ramen Takara remains one of the suburb’s long-standing dining institutions. The restaurant still attracts a steady flow of diners throughout the day, proving that consistency often beats novelty.

The dining room has retained its casual Japanese atmosphere. It feels comfortable rather than trendy, allowing the food to remain the main attraction. Sometimes that is exactly what you want from a ramen restaurant.

Smokey Garlic Miso Ramen

I decided to try something I had never ordered before, the Smokey Garlic Miso Ramen (NZ$24.00).

The broth immediately stood out. Rich miso already provides plenty of depth, but the addition of burnt garlic oil introduced another layer of smoky aroma that lingered with every spoonful. It was bold without becoming overpowering, allowing the natural umami of the broth to remain the star.

The toppings were equally satisfying. Torched pork belly added smokiness and richness, while the nikumiso pork mince contributed a savoury sweetness that blended beautifully with the broth. Sweet corn provided little bursts of sweetness that balanced the stronger flavours, while the ajitama egg remained perfectly cooked with its creamy centre intact. Fresh spring onions added brightness and completed a very well-balanced bowl.

It is the kind of ramen that becomes more enjoyable the longer you eat it.

A Tonkotsu That Hasn’t Changed

My wife chose the Tonkotsu Ramen (NZ$19.00), and this was the bowl that brought back memories.

The cloudy pork bone broth was exactly how I remembered it from more than ten years ago. Creamy, rich, and deeply savoury without feeling overly heavy. It remains one of the better examples of classic tonkotsu ramen in Auckland.

The chashu pork was tender, while the bok choy, bamboo shoots, kikurage mushrooms, spring onions, and egg all complemented the broth without distracting from it.

Sometimes consistency is the highest compliment you can give a restaurant, and Ramen Takara has managed to preserve the quality that first made it popular all those years ago.

Fresh Starters

Alongside the ramen, we shared two starters.

The Salmon Yukke (NZ$22.00) was beautifully presented. Fresh salmon tartare dressed in Korean-Japanese style seasoning paired nicely with crisp wonton crackers that added texture to every bite. The flavours were fresh, clean, and well balanced.

We also ordered the Tuna Avo (NZ$17.00), combining fresh tuna sashimi with avocado, wasabi soy dressing, and chilli mayonnaise. The creamy avocado softened the gentle heat from the dressing, making it an enjoyable lighter dish to accompany the richer ramen.

Both starters were delicious.

The Only Small Disappointment

If there was one thing that stood out compared to my memories, it was the portion size of the fish in both starter dishes.

The quality was excellent, but there simply wasn’t enough of it. Inflation has affected every restaurant, and seafood prices have certainly not become any cheaper over the years. While I understand the economics behind it, I could not help noticing that these dishes felt a little less generous than I would have liked.

Fortunately, the freshness and flavour still remained excellent, even if the quantity left me wanting just a little more.

Service and Value

Service throughout lunch remained friendly and efficient. Staff were welcoming without being overly formal, orders arrived promptly, and the pacing between dishes was comfortable.

Pricing also feels surprisingly reasonable considering today’s restaurant market. The Tonkotsu Ramen at NZ$19.00 continues to represent excellent value, while even the premium Smokey Garlic Miso Ramen feels justified given the generous toppings and complex broth.

Although the starters have become more modest in portion size, the overall dining experience still offers good value for money.

Final Thoughts

Returning after more than ten years always carries a little risk. Memories have a habit of making old favourites seem better than they really were. Fortunately, Ramen Takara passed the test with ease.

The ramen remains every bit as satisfying as I remembered. Rich broths, quality ingredients, and careful preparation continue to define the experience. While the seafood starters could benefit from slightly more generous portions, they were still fresh, well presented, and enjoyable.

With so many excellent ramen restaurants now operating across Auckland, staying relevant for more than a decade is no easy achievement. Ramen Takara has managed to do exactly that by focusing on consistency rather than trends.

Sometimes revisiting an old favourite reminds you why it became a favourite in the first place. After this lunch, I do not think I will be waiting another ten years before coming back.

Ramen Takara Browns Bay
Address: 4 Anzac Road, Browns Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 476 6041
Website: https://www.ramentakara.co.nz/brownsbay.html