This Izakaya (an informal Japanese pub, neither restaurant nor tavern) is serving up traditional Japanese snacky food with inventive twists. Styled on these globally trending casual Tokyo eateries, this place serves beautiful Japanese food with a great love for detail and taste.
There are a total of 5 ramen to choose from that you can also pair with a flight of 3 sake. The crowd favourite here we are told is the Tonkotsu Ramen (an intense pork broth with stewed pork). But we go for the AKA Ramen, with braised and then glazed pork, and a black bean paste added to the broth.
On top of the curly noodles rests half an egg that has been marinating in soy sauce for over 4 hours. The broth is spiced with a Japanese seasoning called taro and is finished off with soy sauce and the natural glaze from the pork. It is a family recipe, Woflgang explains, that he’s learned from his mother-in-law. Upon the first slurp, we want to ask Wolfgang where his mother-in-law is so we can hug her. So. Much. Flavour.
A good ramen is as comforting as it is tasty and the ramen at Okra Izakaya delivered, nay…surpassed, these expectations.
Good to know… reserving is highly recommended. You might even be assigned a 2-hour time slot on the weekend.
We also recommend… you take a look at their desserts. While they are not typical Japanese, they are made with the same elegance and flavour as the rest of the menu.
