The high-traffic corner site left vacant by former two-level surf shop Local Knowledge has been transformed into a collaborative food and retail hub, with i like ramen occupying the ground level, while up the staircase you’ll find a massive Surfboard Empire store. The venue marks a triumphant return to the city for i like ramen – this is the biggest venue and most extensive menu that coast folk have seen from the plant-based wizards. Starting out as a market stall at Miami Marketta, i like ramen went on to have a pop-up kitchen at Bine in Nobby Beach, followed by a small outfit within The LC before venturing to Brisbane – now, just a few short years on, it’s occupying one of the most prominent sites in Nobby Beach with a fully-fledged 70-seat restaurant and bar.
So, gone are the days of i like ramen’s menu having just a couple of bowls and panko mushrooms to choose from – you can now slurp seven-plus different varieties of plant-based ramen, alongside an extensive offering of share plates. The ramen list features all of the favourites, from the creamy tonkotsu-style base to its earthy mushroom broth, with the piping-hot bowls of goodness to soon be joined by a series of cold noodle soups and salads to get you through the scorching summer months. There’s also a selection of bao buns to choose from, jammed with fillings like panko mushrooms with kimchi and sriracha aioli, plus steaming plates of Asian greens with ginger dressing, fried eggplant in a sticky sweet-and-sour sauce, and tempura jackfruit atop a crunchy chilli-lime slaw. As for the sips, i like ramen’s bar is equipped with ice-cold tap beers and tinnies, umeshu, wine, a small cocktail list and a fine selection of hard-to-get Japanese whiskies.
i like ramen Nobby Beach is now open from Wednesday to Sunday. For all of the details, head over to our Stumble Guide.