Ramen Burgers at Shizuku

With the cronut craze well behind us, last week in New York 250 Brooklynites lined up for three hours to sample the latest food fad: ramen burgers.  Freshly made ramen noodles are packed into the shape of a bun and lightly pan fried, so they just hold their shape as you bite through the soft, eggy layers and into whatever toppings are placed between them.

Sandwiched between the pho houses and foreign neon signs of Victoria Street, Shizuku is Melbourne’s so-far-uncontested home of the ramen burger.  Shizuku’s version features eggplant doused in miso jam or pork belly smothered in plum sauce, prune sauce and kewpie mayonnaise, both atop a bed of lettuce ($15).  The noodles also come in their traditional form, floating in a 15-hour slow-cooked pork belly broth and topped with a soft-boiled egg ($15).

Shizuku’s ramen noodles – in both incarnations – are definitely the menu highlights. Other items taste as expected; the battered and deep fried karaage chicken with kewpie ($10), three types of gyoza (6 for $10) and potato-filled crab croquettes ($8).

Shizuku feels fun – the light hangings mimic flower blossoms and whilst the larger round tables are ideal for groups, the short red stools at the window ask diners to observe the frenetic street outside.  But if booking a table for two be warned: the ramen burger will have sauces dripping down your hands in no time.

Shizuku is an affordably priced addition to Victoria Street. Be one of the first to try the ramen burger before the queues come.

SHIZUKU
309 Victoria St, Abbotsford
9995 8180
Monday to Sunday 11:30am-10pm