I'm a peace maker, not a fighter. I'll avoid confrontation if possible and even let others get their way if it's something not so consequential to me. If someone picks my choice on the menu, I'll change my order with the full intention of sampling both dishes.
I'm a little confused because 'Kungfu' is Chinese yet 'ramen' is Japanese. Maybe 'ramen' just rolls off the tongue easier than '
lai mein' which would be the Chinese for pulled or stretched noodles. But what's in a name when you're hungry? I'm not going to argue.
 |
| Kungfu ramen (without the beef) from Kungfu Ramen, Thomas Street, Haymarket |
There are two outlets of Kungfu Ramen within rather close proximity to each other in Chinatown, both promising fresh pulled noodles. The namesake dish of Kungfu Ramen is the easy menu choice, and it doesn't take long to appear steaming before me.
The thin white noodles are quite unlike Japanese ramen, but with a level of
al dente mamma would be pleased with. The broth is topped with a slick of chilli oil and chopped coriander for a pretty tri-colour bowl.
 |
| Beef for the Kungfu ramen |
The beef comes separate to the noodle and soup, looking a little worse for wear as a consequence. It's sliced nice and thin, and the visible tendons give some indication that it should be a tender, tasty part of the cow.
 |
| Kungfu ramen |
Submerged in the hot soup, the beef takes on flavour and moisture to be the highlight of the dish. Note that one should eat these noodles without hesitation and as quickly as respectably possible as they readily take in the soup. In my slow eating case, they were unfortunately soggy before I got to the end.
 |
| Barbeque chicken wings |
I've got a thing for chicken wings and I'm pretty glad to have ordered these, which are spiced with cumin and grilled over direct heat for great colour and a bit of char.
The smokey flavour goes well with the spice heat, and it's a shame that there are only two a serve. Ten would be more like it. Ten would stop the fighting over the last piece. I might put up a fight for a chicken wing.
