I P P U D O at Rooftop, Westfield, Newmarket. Uncle Charles (Home Alone) took the train from his Gabela enclave in Glendene to Newmarket, to meet Uncle at Ippudo. There is a queue but it didn’t take long to clear. The welcome and service is still perfunctory but hey, we’re here to try their famous ramen. We have Karaage Chicken to start - it lived up to crunchy expectations, with the shichimi pepper mayonnaise. The ramen’s tonkotsu pork stock was up there in flavour and richness. Uncle Charles’ Karaka-Men has wavy ramen served with simmered pork belly, beansprout, spring onions topped with ground pork miso and roasted cashew garnish. The ramen firmness was dailed to soft. Uncle had the Akamaru Shinaji - the tonkotsu broth is enhanced with miso paste, fragrant garlic oil (which adds depth & richness). The thin noodles (done futsu/medium) is served with pork belly, beansprouts, black fungus & spring onions. Akamaru Shinaji is a truly refined modern Hakata-style ramen. Uncle Charles & his dining companion can’t really fault the ramen at Ippudo. When they get the teething problems with service & delivery right, it will be a much more welcoming place. #karakamen #akamaru #shinajiramen #karaagechicken #ippudonewmarket #westfieldrooftop (at Ippudo New Zealand 一風堂ニュージーランド) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4JgpmGpMgm/?igshid=1r7syjo4198kq