Located at Murray Street and occupying only half of the shop lot, this ambiguous looking restaurant without a huge signboard of the word NAO is easy to be missed should you not pay close attention.
We were this close to not able to locate this shop, if we hadn't followed the crowds. Hapless was not the word to describe us because not only we found this place by accident, we had also managed to squeeze in for a bowl of hot ramen before they called it a day.
Just because this place serves authentic Japanese Ramen, we found the menu to be slightly confusing, and it doesn't help when we can't read a single Japanese word. But this did not bug us at all as the pretty Japanese waitress was really helpful and patient. We managed to get our order done literally within seconds.
First, choose the broth that you preferred— shoyo (soy), miso (soy bean paste), shio (salty), and spicy (spicy miso). Next, we were allowed to pick the noodles of our choice — white (plain egg noodles), green (spinach infused noodles, extra $0.50), and red (red chilli infused noodles, extra $0.50). All of the noodles are served with the basic toppings like bean sprouts, spring onion, bamboo shoots, wakame (fresh seaweed), nori (dried seaweed), and a slice of chashu (sliced roast pork).
Of course, you are free to add on any toppings from the list with an additional charge!
We went for Shoyu broth with white noodles (Large). ($13)
We ordered one for sharing because the portion was really huge!
In my humble opinion, a good ramen must possess two important criteria, a good thick and flavourful broth as well as springy noodles!
Nao ticked both the boxes!
If you haven't already known, the broth of ramen is made of pork lard, so it's really common to see a layer of oil floating on top of the broth.
They were pretty generous with the amount of toppings in a bowl of ramen.
Marinated charsu was a great meaty addition to a bowl of carbs,
bamboo added an aromatic flavour burst upon chewing, and sesame in the broth added a nutty taste which I thought was really appetising!
This was one of the best meals we have had in Perth, and we most definitely left the place grinning from ear to ear. We thought the food was well priced and the portion was great too!
I would highly recommend checking them out for a hearty bowl of ramen that's absolutely value for money.
Address: 117 MURRAY STREET, PERTH WA 6000
Tel: 08 9325 2090
E-Mail: info@naojapaneserestaurant.com.au
Hours: Mon - Thu 11:30-18:00 (17:30 Last Order)
Fri 11:30-21:00 (20:30 Last Order)
Sun 12:00-17:00 (16:30 Last Order)
Close: Sat, public holiday & Sunday before public holiday
That bowl of ramen looks delicious! Will pay a visit if I happens to be at Perth :D
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