Kikanbo

Food

• Karashibi Miso Ramen (No Spice)
• Coriander Lover Ramen (Medium Chill, Medium Spice)

The Good

We most enjoyed the Karashibi Miso Ramen ordered without spice, which allowed the rich miso character of the broth to come through clearly. The noodles had a pleasingly firm bite and complemented the soup beautifully, while the slow-cooked barbecue pork was wonderfully tender and juicy, with deep flavour that never became overpowering. A generous, comforting bowl that felt true to the Japanese ramen tradition.

The Mediocre

The Coriander Lover Ramen was a more unusual experience. A very generous helping of fresh coriander lived up to the name, and the broth had a pleasant aroma, yet its seasoning reminded us more of a Chinese-style noodle soup than traditional ramen. Despite ordering medium chilli and numbing spice, both sensations were surprisingly subdued, leaving us wanting considerably more impact.

The Bad

Nothing.

The Verdict

Kikanbo is a worthwhile stop for generously portioned noodles, though our two bowls produced quite different impressions. The unspiced miso ramen was beautifully balanced, with excellent pork and satisfying noodles. The coriander version offered freshness but lacked the chilli and numbing intensity promised by its setting. We would gladly revisit the more traditional bowl, while being less inclined to repeat the spiced one.

Would Penguin Eat Again?

Maybe

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