“You know, I lived in Japan for three years but I’ve never tried ramen”, my grandpa tells me as we walk down Whateley street in Newtown.
To be fair, he lived there post-World War II and the army were pretty strict with what soldiers were eating. Forbidden from eating the local fare, he was stuck with meat and three veg meals sent from Australia. But funnily enough, he lived in Tokyo in what was a pretty pivotal time in the history of ramen, according to Lucky Peach. After the US supplied the country with an abundance of wheat, the Japanese government encouraged the mass production of wheat noodles. And then not long after that, miso ramen was invented in Sapporo.
So when I tell my 89-year old Pa that we’re going to a motorbike workshop that also makes great coffee AND ramen, he is intrigued to say the least.
Housed in what used to be a Mitre 10, Rising Sun Workshop is already making its mark as a Newtown staple. The cafe was originally a pop-up, located on nearby Lennox Street before finding a more permanent location.
The spacious two story building hosts a garage workshop on the ground level for motorcyclists where members and drop-ins can tinker away on their bikes. On the second level, what used to be a dark and dusty part of the hardware store, where you could pick up hooks and screws, is now a light filled dining area. Long communal style tables and a couple of lounge chairs make for a very relaxed vibe.
At lunch time, there are three types of ramen you can order, the Light, the Dark and the Monk, all $17 each. My grandpa opts for the Dark, a rich bowl of pork bone broth with kurobuta belly, black fungus, bamboo, mushroom and a perfectly cooked runny egg.
As well as ramen, you can chomp down on an excellent Porky Banh Mi ($12), with grilled kurobuta belly, pigs head & lime terrine and a super rich and luxurious paté. There’s also a vegetarian version, the Fu ($12) with black pepper tofu and mushroom paté.
If you make it before 11am, the breakfast menu includes a Prison Bento Box ($15) and a moreish Pig Jam Toast ($12), spicy sobrasada on a toasted milk bun with an optional fried egg, perfect with a cup of Single Origin coffee.
My grandpa takes a sip of the collagen rich porky Dark broth and his eyes sparkle. It’s never too late to have your first bowl of ramen.
Rising Sun Workshop
1C Whateley St, Newtown NSW 2042
Happy Chompo To Me 