Ryo's Noodle

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  8     

My gf heard of good comments about Ryo's noodle so we decided to go. It was raining so we expected no one was queuing up but soon we found out we were wrong.

The queue never seemed to end even after we finished dinner at 8pm, although it wasn't too long and we probably waited for 15 minutes.

Waitress service was just ok quite average for this sort of busy Japanese restaurants. Food were served quite fast and didn't have to wait again after waiting in the queue outside.

We ordered Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, Deep Fried Chicken, and Grilled Dumbling. Ramen was very nice but a bit oily, at least not very salty as we expected from others' comments. Dumpling was very yummy, hard to find this top quality level of it in Sydney. But Fried Chicken was just too salty and we couldn't finish all.

At the end we thought we want to come back again to try different dishes. Great value for this taste.

Nov 25, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

This place is pretty good in terms of all the Ramen I have tried, and service is fairly quick after you get seated.

My favourite is the Tonkotsu ramen, however the broth is definitely more salty than other places, so be prepared if it's your first time there.

All in all, a good alternative if you don't want to drive up to the other Japanese places in Neutral Bay.

Oct 16, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  8     

The wait can seem a bit silly but the queue never lasts long. I enjoy their ramen but the gyoza and the tonkatsu curry are my favourite. Not a regular but like to treat myself once in a while.

Sep 28, 2011 

4 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  3     

Came here twice within the past month or so, and my conclusion is that it's not worth the trek over to crows nest, nor the wait to get a table. Perhaps back in it's heydays Ryo's had excellent ramen, but these days the quality has gone downhill. I was curious to see what all the hype was about, and to be honest, it's nothing to write home about.

First Time I came here I had the basic tonkotsu ramen, expecting it to be a rich soup somewhat similar to Gumshara in Haymarket. But what I got was some watery broth that lacked the flavour of pork bones and marrow. The soft boiled egg and noodles were the only saving grace.

Then I returned yet again to give Ryo's a second chance, and it wasn't any better. This time I went for a negi miso ramen, and the soup was so salty and oily that when I got home afterwards I drank nearly a litre of water because I got so thirsty from it. The amount of oil I scooped off the top of the soup was unbelievable - one full sauce dish and there's still quite alot floating in the bowl. The supposedly soft boiled eggs were a let down, as 80% of the yolk was already hard. At least the noodles were still up to scratch.

It's a bit of a gamble at Ryo's, as you never know if you're going to get watery tasteless soup or soup so salty it'll leave you severely dehydrated. Depends on the chef's mood I guess. You can tell people are voting with their feet - the lines at Ryo's used to be 40 minutes long but now you'd be lucky to spot any more than 5 people waiting outside. With no quality control in the food they serve, why would anyone bother returning?

Sep 04, 2011 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

After driving past Ryo many times seeing people lining up outside, my mate and I had to try.

There was no one outside lining up but I was met with a very rude hand-in-the-face "stay outside please!" from one of the staff. My inquisitiveness of their broth had to be satisfied, however, I ordered the #5 and was disappointed.
I do believe its hype due to its location, North Shore broth lovers should cross the bridge and try somewhere else in Haymarket.

Aug 09, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

This place is my idea of heaven. Yes, sometimes you have to wait, but that is because it is worth the wait! A tiny little place with paper pinned all over the walls with swirling Japanese script advertising the menu + extras. The service is prompt and friendly. The food comes out in minutes.

The karai ramen is a dream. Rich, filling and delicious. I can't say enough about this place. Love, love, love!

Jun 30, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  3      Service  6      Value  6     

This place is cash only.

Ambience - This is a place one goes to eat only, it's not a place for you to sit around and chat, the staff will make sure you leave once you finish your meal anyway.

This place is a bit of a hype! The Ramen here are good, but not out of this world. I have had equally good Ramen elsewhere without having to wait for an hour in the cold.

The service is acceptable at best, a far cry from the usual attentive and polite service one comes to expect for a japanese restaurant. But then again, you are only there for one purpose to eat then leave. As long as there's no expectation, it's not too bad.

In terms of value it is pretty reasonable $20 will get you a noodle and a side dish. This is a place we go when we crave japanese noodles and don't want to drive across the bridge.

Jun 23, 2011 

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  7     

Great tasting Ramen but not worth going out of your way for it given the service. Given the queue that is typically outside I don't mind the push to eat and leave. Having a waitress rudely slam your Ramen bowls down on the table and then walk over to a group of Japanese customers to greet them warmly does, however, show a pretty tragic attitude.

Jun 10, 2011 

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  8     

The ramen noodles are great, I ordered the "Special" which is not on the menu, but its actually 2 ramen soups mixed together. So far its probably the best ramen noodles in sydney. Saying that, Ramen noodles arent the most exciting japanese dish but for some reason every now and then you get a craving for it. The Venue is old and run down, they at least could of had some better decor. Service is more like rushing your food out and clearing tables.

May 15, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  5     

I have been to Japan a few dozen times and I know what good ramen should be like. This is not definitely one of those that an average Japanese would consider good. Besides, the service was horrible. While I was waiting for my friend, the waitress came twice within 5 minutes to ask me if my friend was really coming. Then she even asked me to move to sit at the bar and I refused. I will never return.

Apr 11, 2011