Where there’s smoke, there’s Gogyo’s burnt ramen.
Burnt ramen? The Japanese restaurant group Gogyo, renowned for their signature ‘burnt kogashi ramen’, has opened their first Australian restaurant in Surry Hills. Located on Albion Street the Japanese bar and restaurant has taken over the old Salaryman site. There are four Gogyo restaurants in Japan, one in Hakata, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagoya. Operations Manager, Sho Yoshimura says Gogyo is an ‘Australian first’, bringing the famous Kogashi Miso and Kogashi Shoyu ramen down under.
‘Kogashi,’ a method that was developed by Gogyo, is a Japanese ramen delicacy that originally hails from Hakata, the ramen capital of Japan. Kogashi is an aromatic black ramen made with a charred miso or shoyu base, blended with chicken stock and cooked at a high temperature. It’s topped with pork belly chashu and a umami egg. The result is a thick, dark textured broth that has a distinct smokey, umami flavour. It’s definitely unlike any ramen i’ve tried in Australia before and I can’t wait to go back. But it’s a good thing the staff are attentive and top up your water glass. The saltiness of the soup leaves you quite parched.
To quench the thirst they have a selection of wine, beer and cocktails along with a selection of top shelf Japanese whiskies.
Once you’ve tried the signature ramen go back for the Gogyo Tonkotsu made from pork bones and simmered for hours or the Chilli Shoyu made with jalepenos (this is ridiculously hot and not for the faint hearted).
The Gogyo menu also offers an authentic a la carte menu of shared plates. Sweet sticky pork belly, wagyu flank Sumiyaki and karaage chicken are some of the dishes available along with a selection of desserts.
In true Japanese style, the hospitality here is warm and considerate. From the traditional Japanese baskets to hold your jacket and bag. To the bib you’re given to guard you from ramen splashes on your shirt. Like Salaryman you have the choice of sitting at one of the dining tables or you can watch the kitchen theatre at the long bar. The space feels lighter than it’s predecessor with less exposed concrete and more warm, blonde timber. It feels more relaxed and calm. Quite zen.
In Kyoto people queue for hours to get a seat at Gogyo. Right now you can waltz on in to Surry Hills for lunch or dinner. But be quick before the crowds start streaming down Albion Street.
Gogyo
52-54 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Open 7 days 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30–9pm
02 9212 0003
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