Kajiken Abura Soba- Haymarket, NSW
The best places are discovered when you least expect them- or perhaps when you follow a long queue.
As a Singaporean by birth, we often joke that all Singaporeans are attracted to long queues and that it is our hobby to spend time in queues. Contrary to this belief, I have found that the older I get, I would much prefer skip the queue altogether. Whilst on a drive through the city, we had driven past Kajiken Abura Soba one evening only for me to be attracted by the queue and hastily saving a bookmark for a future visit when my schedule permitted.
Roast Beef Aburasoba (without yoghurt)
As someone who has just recovered from 3 weeks of gastroenteritis, we opted to get a serving with the yoghurt and a serving without the yoghurt just to have a sense of what each taste profile is like. In addition to trying the default sauce provided with the noodles, I added on extra shredded seaweed, mentaiko, an onsen egg and extra green onions.
I was a great fan of the original sauce mixture both with and without the yoghurt, but adding the mentaiko only levelled up the umami factor within the dish, coating each noodle evenly with a delicious umami sauce, allowing for the shredded seaweed and green onions to cut through the added richness. The yoghurt added a nice subtle tartness which cuts through the richness of the sauce on its own in an enjoyable combination.
I will admit I was previously sceptical of how mentaiko would compliment the dish and the sauce, but found myself pleasantly surprised at the new umami heavier tone it took on!
Whilst sometimes crowds are not always the most accurate indicator of success, in this case- between the +$6 for a lunch set that adds miso soup, a salad and either takoyaki or gyoza, I can see why Kajiken began to fill up even for lunch. Starting at $20.80 for a generous portion of well-made abura soba topped with slices of roast beef in the heart of the city, it is quite reasonable for a place with such global renown!
Roast Beef Abura Soba (with yoghurt)
Overall, with the pleasing texture of noodles, the well balanced umami in the sauce, I would highly recommend a visit and to try mixing and making your own combination after you try the original!
Shop 1 and 2/605-609 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia