Ramen is one of those deceptively complex dishes. On the surface, it’s a bowl filled with soup (or broth), noodles and usually some kind of meat. For those in the know, however, it’s much, much more. It’s a delicate balance of bold, punchy flavours and subtleties, textures and sensory elements. Someone who understands that balance a little bit more than most is Scott Gault, who has travelled back and forth from Japan learning the art of ramen under the tutelage of bonafide ramen masters. Upon returning to Sydney, Scott and Katie found themselves searching for the kind of ramen that excited them – something a notch above the food-court style venues that were common at the time. Scott decided to leave his job in the television industry and open a dedicated ramen restaurant in Redfern. Fast-forward a few years and the pair’s portfolio has grown to encompass five venues, including the newest member RaRa Ramen Burleigh Heads. The striking restaurant fit-out was created by aphora, who opted for a bold aesthetic that reflected the laid-back beachside location instead of something traditional. The venue features a matte-black facade and vibrant neon green lights illuminating a stunning blue-tiled bar, with curved lines framing each of the tables representing the ocean and the rolling waves. There’s also seating outside for those seeking a casual bite.
Aesthetics aside, RaRa Ramen’s menu is a fusion of each of the pair’s Sydney venues with a little bit of each one represented. RaRa Ramen’s signature house-made noodles feature heavily alongside flavoursome broths that are all made from scratch. A nose-to-tail ethos is key to RaRa’s approach, something which Scott and Katie have continued to explore with the venue’s chefs by utilising lesser-used cuts of meat as well as the bones in the broths. One of its specialities is the tonkotsu broth, which is silkier and creamier in taste than some of the heavier gravy-style soups we’re familiar with here in Australia. Another stand-out is the venue’s vegan miso. Whilst traditional Japanese fare is predominantly meat-heavy, the RaRa team has invested a considerable amount of time into perfecting an authentic-tasting meat- and animal-product-free alternative. As for the drinks, RaRa Ramen offers a range of Japanese beer on tap including a signature collab with Yullis, aptly named the Yullis x RaRa Eugene larger in honour of Eugene – RaRa’s first-ever customer at Redfern. The guy on the tin is a sketch of their first-ever chef, who is still with them today. The signature drinks list is still being finalised and is expected to drop in the coming weeks but we’re told it will feature highballs and sours alongside punchy pet-nats. We’re excited!
Ready to slurp? Slide over to our Stumble Guide for all of the delicious details.
