IIKO Mazesoba Restaurant Darling Square
By Lisa Nguyen | Published 29 April 2024
Does this spot match the hype?
TL; DR | Summary
IIKO Mazesoba is the first of its kind in specialty brothless ramen. My familiarity with the owners, who are true food enthusiasts, guarantees that their mazesoba and classic Japanese dishes like karaage and chashu will be crafted with a dedication to quality and flavour. While I prefer ramen over mazesoba any day, the handmade noodles and premium ingredients used in IIKO's dishes have deepened my appreciation for mazesoba. Their dedication to innovation is noticeable as their menu continuously introduces exciting new specials throughout the year.
IIKO Mazesoba Review
If you haven't tried mazesoba or are unfamiliar with brothless ramen, there's no better place to get the whole experience than this specialty noodle joint. When stepping into this restaurant, you will instantly recognise its colourful Japanese-themed décor. You'll also notice unique traits about the restaurant, such as its enormous spoons! To this day, I've never seen an individual serving spoon this big.
It's also easy to stop by IIKO as it is positioned at one of Sydney's best food hubs in Darling Square. Here, you can easily travel by train, light rail, or car, as there is plenty of nearby parking.
And what sets IIKO apart is its unique offering of mazesoba along with the definite passion and thought that goes into every menu item. For instance, the noodles are fresh and handmade, and their carefully selected ingredients are adequately prepared without compromise. It's why their mazesoba is nothing short of spectacular.
My only hesitation is that the pricing isn't cheap, with a standard mazesoba ranging from $18-22 and premium bowls reaching the $30 mark, equivalent to a traditional broth-filled ramen bowl.
As a dedicated ramen enthusiast, I ventured into the world of mazesoba with a hint of scepticism. But since trying IIKO Mazesoba, I began enjoying the brothless ramen as it's better to eat on a hot day and convenient to have as a takeaway option.
IIKO Mazesoba Menu & Ordering
The service at IIKO consistently hits the mark as they have a QR code ordering system that ensures prompt and accurate delivery of food. Then the staff are both kind and courteous, so you'll always be in capable hands.
The menu offers plenty of options for mazesoba noodles. There's chashu pork, pork mince, and karaage chicken for starters, and then wagyu beef and eel for those opting for the premium choices. For vegans, there's a version of the dish featuring sautéed mushrooms and slow-roasted tomatoes.
Gyoza
Pan-fried Japanese pork dumplings
One of the simple Japanese menu items of well-executed classics. They're perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and utterly delicious. You won't go wrong with ordering a side of these dumplings.
Read our guide to learn more: What Is Gyoza? A Comprehensive Guide To Dumplings From Japan
Zenbu Mazesoba
Housemade noodles, pork belly, spicy pork mince, onsen egg, shallot, corn, bamboo shoots, sesame seeds, nori and ground fish
If you enjoy pork, this is a great introduction to mazesoba. The pork belly chashu is juicy, while the pork mince gives you a spicy kick. You won't get bored, as there are a lot of textures at play with the egg, bamboo shoots, and green onion.
XO Piggy Mazesoba
Housemade noodles, spicy XO sauce, pork belly, mixed cheese, onsen egg, shallot, chilli threads, noodle crisps, sesame seeds, & nori
Disclaimer: This dish was a collaboration between myself and the owners of IIKO when they first opened.
This dish features pork belly chashu enriched with XO sauce, creating a rich, savoury base. It's then topped with a soft onsen egg, nori, green onions, and cheese.
XO piggy is a dish where I wondered what combinations would work well together. After some discussion, we landed on this concept. I'm proud to see that this remains a staple dish since it was initially introduced as a limited-edition menu item during the restaurant's opening.
Karaage Mazesoba
Housemade noodles, chicken karaage, onsen egg, shallot, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, kewpie mayo and nori
While I enjoy karaage on its own, it also pairs well with fresh, saucy noodles. It's particularly great if you're more of a chicken person or are looking for a lighter yet equally flavourful alternative. It's a must-have for fried chicken lovers.
Dan Dan Mazesoba
Housemade noodles, spicy pork mince, onsen egg, shallot, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots and nori
Unfortunately, this is my least favourite mazesoba. Traditional dan dan noodles should have a rich and saucy flavour profile, but this version was dry and was essentially flavoured pork mince. I wouldn't recommend ordering this unless you specifically enjoy simply seasoned pork mince.
Ume Soda
I'm usually not a fan of Japanese plum or ume, as they can be overpowering. However, the ume is incorporated well into this soda, and its flavour is light and refreshing.
Special menu dishes
In the winter months, aligning with truffle season, IIKO typically unveils the following specials:
IIKO Truffle Karaage
Chicken karaage with black charcoal and mayonnaise
This particular serving of karaage is distinguished by its strikingly black charcoal coating. It's hard to resist trying this dish just because of its colour. However, it fell short of delivering the anticipated truffle flavour, which was barely noticeable.
Truffle Duck Mazesoba
Housemade noodles, duck, duck liver croquette, onsen egg, nori, shallot, mushrooms, sesame seeds and truffle slices
Expect a good helping of black truffle and duck cooked with a pink centre. Priced in the $30-$40 range, it's best for those who enjoy a well-cooked duck.
Mazesoba Truffle Wagyu
Housemade noodles, wagyu mb 8-9, onsen egg, shallot, nori, sesame seeds and sliced truffle
This dish features black truffle and wagyu. It's priced in the $40 range and designed for those willing to spend a lot on a premium noodle experience. I’d purchase this as a once off when I’m feeling extravagant, but I must be mentally and financially prepared in advance as I wouldn’t say it’s worth it.
RECOMMENDED
- If you visited before, then visit again for their special menu items
- Zenbu mazesoba
- The XO Piggy Mazesoba is a must-try (not biased at all, although I collaborated on this dish)
- Gyoza and Karaage entrees
- Try their ume drink
- Opt for their dessert
Final Words
IIKO Mazesoba in Darling Square has won over Sydney ramen devotees with its exceptional take on mazesoba. The combination of fresh, handmade noodles, high-quality ingredients, and a Japanese-themed setting makes this spot a standout in Sydney's food hub.
While the prices can be steep for ramen without broth, the dining experience and the joy of discovering new innovative dishes make every visit worthwhile. It doesn't matter if you are a ramen enthusiast or are simply curious about what mazesoba is, IIKO will deliver on a brothless ramen adventure that's bound to have you return for more.
Where To Find IIKO Mazesoba Darling Square
Address
Hours
- Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Website
Phone
+61 401 305 885
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I think the Truffle flavour was only present in the Kewpie Mayonnaise for the Charcoal Kaarage Chicken. The Inactivated Charcoal used in the batter for the Kaarage was more for aesthetics.
Ahhh fair enough, makes sense! Thanks for your 2 cents