Hai Hai, Dinner for One — Brainal Retentive

Tonight saw the return of my learning babies. For at least one semester for the last 5 years, I've been divided on the necessity of financial gain (see content in Finance!), and the absolute adoration of being a sessional tutor. I like to think it's not for the spotlight, though that is a little bit of a drawcard... <musing> Maybe I am a conventional attention seeker </musing> but perhaps it's the absolute joy of seeing the physical change when an idea is suddenly understood. Apologies, please allow me this moment of introspection.

I dined alone tonight, post tutelage. Ramen is my coveted food sin. I know it's an occasional food, something which should be savoured with guilt and only partaken in knowing the caloric intake is that of a day's rations. If instead I could have this glorious creamy noodley medley concocted by skilled artisans every day in my life, I would. I'd die a happy noodle.

Maybe this is why I trotted in with such high expectations of the Hai Hai Tonkatsu. I'd already spent an hour salivating and ruminating over the clean, limited choice menu. It was beautifully designed to communicate their specialities. Finesse! Should I have bao? No! Spicy, yes! Where are their drinks? Are they licensed? <musing> I think I may ask this question too frequently </musing>

Their staff quickly recognised I was not a Paddington resident. I felt over-embellished without the local bohemian glamour, and admittedly my high-waisted skirt was a poor choice for overeating. Shuffle-y and a little bit embarrassed by my limited stature behind the Enormous! counter, I already knew exactly what I wanted and rattled off the Tonkatsu, spicy, annnndddd a Pear Kirin (work night drinking, so naughty!). Asked about a loyalty card, "No, we know the people who come here frequently." Ok cool. Face slightly warm. Sit down. Look around. Play on my phone.

Super quick service! The earthenware (what is that? terracotta with shine?) bowl was voluminous, and covering nearly the entirety of the liquid surface was a wedge of Chashu pork belly, an ellipse like the back of a Christmas ham. Cue me, a solid 2 minutes later, still trying to carve out sections of this protein portion into mouthful sized morsels using the most inadequate tools - a soup spoon and chopsticks. Cutting meat! With a spooooon! The pork belly was divine, though significantly gelatinous with a thick rind and fat circumference, making it overwhelmingly rich. Oh my dear heart. Remind self to book cholesterol testing.

The menu offers the option of increasing seasoning. The pork and soy broth was surprisingly modest, one of the more subtle ramens I've tried, which is unusual for such a complex and dense soup base. I would take them up on flavour country during my next patronage as 2/3 through my bowl I was finding the more simplistic stock did not carry me through. The Hanjuku egg was super delicious, the noodles were tasty, the chilli was.... humble again. I like my chilli to give me eye sweats, a moisture moustache and uncomfortable sphincters for at least a few hours (or days) post. This was a nice little burn with a single nose blow.

Condiments were plentiful, the decor flowed with the easy going nature of the staff, the bench seats were Hai, but maybe not as Hai as my expectations. A quaint, slightly over-hyped ramen restaurant with a very loyal local patronage. Yes, yes!