Gaku Robata Grill (ST GEORGE)

Been meaning to come here quite a while to try out the ramen here but also heard that the tsukemen was available so I had to have both. The tsukemen was very good. It was a fish based broth for the dipping sauce. I can't say the noodle were too much to my liking but together it was alright. The duck yuzu ramen was super good really like how they added the fried veggie for some added texture. Duck was cook super nice and loved the wonton. Went here for a lunch on Thursday and there was a line before opening. Soon after it was full but there was no line. Be sure to check menu as lunch and dinner serve different things.

Since we went on a Wednesday, the restaurant didn’t have uni available. The sashimi platter (P2) was pretty underwhelming—nothing tasted particularly fresh, and the snow crab was especially disappointing: overly salty and clearly not fresh, more like low-quality frozen seafood. ❌ The eel (P3) was also a pre-made product, simply thrown on the grill for three minutes. The meat was tough and definitely not worth the price listed on the menu. ❌ On top of that, one of the chefs was casually scrolling on his phone during service. Considering how sushi is made with direct hand contact, this was incredibly unsanitary and unprofessional. I don’t even want to think about how many bacteria were on his phone case and screen. The foie gras mochi (P4) was the only dish I actually enjoyed—it tasted great, but it’s very rich, so you can’t eat too much of it. This is the only item I would recommend. Now, for the worst part: the beef tongue (P5). I was shocked to find that instead of being grilled, it was slow-cooked and served in a thick, sour-tasting sauce with mushrooms that had zero mushroom flavor. The tongue itself was absurdly thick—almost like a brick—and poorly prepared, with visible taste buds on the edges (I was too disgusted to take a photo, and even thinking about it now makes me feel sick 🤢). To make matters worse, the wagyu salad had unwashed greens, which was completely off-putting. At that point, I just wanted to leave. We finished with a caramel ice cream roasted sweet potato for $20, but it was nothing special. The total bill for two people was $254—definitely not worth it. If you’re thinking of coming here, I’d only recommend the foie gras mochi and nothing else.

We visited the famous bar-restaurant in Darlinghurst, known for its ramen offerings available exclusively at lunchtime. I tried their special Tsukemen (dipping ramen), and it was a delightful experience. The noodles were thick and chilled, giving them an extra chewy and bouncy texture that was simply perfect. The dipping broth, made with a bonito base, was light, refreshing, and not greasy at all. A side of marinated cabbage added a sweet crunch, complementing the dish beautifully. The pork belly slices were marinated and served as-is, yet they tasted tender and flavorful without any overwhelming fattiness. Adding to the dish’s uniqueness was the crispy seaweed-flavored fried fish cake, which added an extra layer of flavor and texture. This is a dish that feels incredibly refreshing, especially on a hot summer day. The bar’s relaxed and inviting atmosphere further enhances the dining experience, making it a place I’d love to revisit to try other ramen options.