Shujinko

About

Not just your regular ramen shop, Shujinko is a standout in Melbourne’s Japanese food scene. They’re open 24 hours—you heard it right, 24 hours! Whether you’re popping in for lunch or stumbling into Shujinko after hitting up the club, you can always stop by to slurp up a big bowl of ramen any time of the day (or night, we don’t judge).

The Tokyo-style pork tonkotsu broth is brimming with flavour. You’d hope so, given that it takes them a whole 12 hours to make! Matched with handmade ramen noodles, blanched vegetables and flame-grilled chashu, you can’t go wrong with the signature Shujinko Ramen. Really, you can’t go wrong with anything off the menu.

Another hero—fun fact: “Shujinko” in Japanese means “main character” or “hero”—on the menu is their Tsukemen. Those who prefer dry noodle dishes will appreciate this. You basically dip dry noodles into a subtly spiced, rich pork broth. Plus, your noodles won’t get soggy! Perfect for slow eaters out there.

The decor and layout of the restaurant is true to the Tokyo ramen bar, with its dark-stained wood, sake bottles aplenty and Japanese silk prints serving as wall decorations. The cabinet of Japanese anime figurines adds a fun little touch, and a nod to the restaurant’s name.

While their flagship spot on Russell St is by far the most popular (and arguably, the best), they’ve got outlets dotted throughout the city (on Elizabeth St, Flinders St and St Collins Lane) with one set to open up in The Glen Shopping Centre.