World (Square) welcomes Ramen Zundo

World Square has seen a fair amount of rejuvenation in its relatively short life. Go now and I think there's still a fake snow (read: bubbles) machine in a wintry set up in the centre courtyard, while the London summer Olympics show on a big screen.

Front of Ramen Zundo, World Square, Sydney

In one of the laneway-like arcades leading out onto Liverpool Street, Ramen Zundo has quietly opened its paper lantern-adorned doors.

With indoor and outdoor seating, Ramen Zundo serves authentic Japanese quick and easy eats including ramen, of course, but also Japanese curry rice and an array of small dishes.

Gyoza

The pan fried gyoza come in a choice of three or six dumplings, and are served with a citrusy yuzu soy dipping sauce. Even on looks, these are close to the freshest gyoza I've come across - outside of those from my own kitchen.

The skins have a chew about them and their bottoms are just crisp enough while the minced pork fillings are simple and fresh. It's hard to go wrong with pan fried dumpling but these are close to perfection.

Karage chicken

The fried karage chicken also comes in a three or six piece option, and is served with lemon and a spiced salt sprinkle. The chunky thigh pieces are juicy and well seasoned, though the golden batter softens a little too quickly.

Double soy ramen

There are a number of ramen options on the menu, with tsukemen dipping ramen to join the menu at some point. For my first bowl of ramen since Japan, I elected the double soy which I think was a combination of pork and chicken stock flavoured with soy sauce.

The huge bowl arrived with rich with toppings: nori seaweed squares, bean sprouts, shallots, bamboo shoots, half a half-cooked egg and the hands-down best chashu roast pork belly ever. The pork was soft, meltingly fatty and so perfect it was worth the probably stupendous kilojoule count.

Less impressive were the bamboo shoots, which I have problems with when the overriding flavour is that of its preservatives, tinned or whatever it may be. There was ground black pepper already on the ramen, but what I would have given for shichimi chilli seasoning and toasted sesame seeds.

Zundo red ramen

One of the signature special ramen options is the Zundo Red, which isn't really red at all other than a sprinkling of chilli flakes. The soup seemed to have more depth than the Double Soy, so it might well be a tonkotsu pork bone broth.

The Zundo Red has fewer toppings but still features the killer chashu in its slightly spicy soup. Ramen Zundo's ramen noodles are pretty decent; they could perhaps be a tad chewier but the generosity of the serves somewhat makes up for that.

In proper Japanese style, there are a few individual diners in Ramen Zundo for dinner but while they may not be shaking up the world too much, another decent ramen place is more than welcome in this part of the world.