Sound the drums, because there’s a new ramen restaurant for your Melbourne bucket list. No, I mean that literally, for at new ramen joint Kikanbo, you’ll hear the sound of taiko drums every time a bowl is placed in front of a customer. If that sounds like a warning, it most likely is, for Kikanbo’s original Tokyo restaurant is known for one thing above all else: spice.
In fact, the warning signs are all over both the Tokyo original, and the new Melbourne opening on La Trobe Street, which opened to the city’s foodies today (July 1). Oni – or demon – masks decorate both shops, and aside from the drums, there’s an impressive display of flames from the open kitchen, which counter diners can peer into as the ramen masters work their magic. It’s been brought to Melbourne by Gilbert Kam and Kikanbo founder Masakazu Miura, and the chefs have had extensive training at the Tokyo restaurant ahead of the opening. Miura, meanwhile, has been in Melbourne recently to oversee the final touches and ensure the flavours are perfect.
Speaking of those flavours, Kikanbo’s mission is to craft “ramen to delight all five senses”, and the chefs pack a whole heap of flavour into the broths, by blending different miso, red peppers, and chilli oil, along with bone and vegetable broths, to create the culinary equivalent of a punch to the jaw. Diners are able to customise the spice level to suit their tastes, so you can stick with the lowest level (nuki) if you’re nervous, or crank it all the way to the top (oni-mashi, which appropriately translates as ‘demonic’) if you’re a spice fanatic.
Toppings include charred baby corn, chashu pork belly, and beansprouts, and there’s a dish unique to the Melbourne location: wagyu ramen made using Victorian beef. It’s Kikanbo’s first foray outside of Asia – aside from Tokyo, they have outposts in Taipei and Hong Kong – so if you think you can handle the spice, why not join the quickly-forming queue and give it a try?
đź“Ť 5/260 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Open 12-9pm Monday to Saturday, 1-8pm Sunday for walk-ins only.
👉 More on their website.
