It's in a corner of the somewhat maze-like Paradigm Mall in Kelana Jaya, and has a pretty par for the course decor. The Ramen served here is of the horikiri style, whatever that means, and was developed by Chef Teruhisa Shimizu over in Japan.
The gyoza we ordered was pretty interesting in that it comes with all the rice web attached. This crispy layer tastes not unlike roti tissue without the sugar. It's an interesting, solid and very competent take on gyoza.
Moving on to the ramen! Confusingly, Large and Regular sizes on the menu both cost the same and are 'exactly the same' (according to our waiter). So you only get a choice of Large/Regular vs Small, despite there being three sizes listed. I settle down with a Large/Regular Ultimate Tonkotsu Ramen (MYR 21.90), which comes with the works - egg, bamboo shoots, seaweed, chashu, bean sprouts and spring onions.
We also try small portions of the Tonkotsu-Miso Ramen (MYR 15.90) and the Shoyo-Miso Ramen (MYR 14.90). All three of these bowls had just the right amount of noodles, and a very well cooked, melt-in-your mouth chashu (roast pork). However, the soups were nowhere near hot enough - they were bordering on lukewarm - and all three were pretty weak and lacking in depth and flavor.
The Rainbow Tsukemen (MYR 18.90, small) was even more disappointing. We thought that the dipping sauce was too weak and tasteless, and barely finished half of the noodles. Check out that overcooked egg, too!
At MYR 108.45 for four people after service charge and taxes, we thought that the ramen here simply isn't good enough to stand with the other bigger ramen chains in town, and will almost certainly not be back for another try.
Goku Raku Ramen has two outlets in KL - Paradigm Mall and Mid Valley. At time of writing SGD 1.00 is MYR 2.42. Non Halal.
Try Menya Mushashi Ramen at One U isetan, not bad!!
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