First Look: Ramen Daddy finds a forever home

Posted on 5 November, 2020

Renowned The Boat House chefs John Leverink and Eddy Tsai forged Ramen Daddy from their shared love of French and Japanese cuisine.

Fast forward a few years and their self-described hobby has become a resident of Canberra’s most anticipated new foodie precincts, Verity Lane Market.

You may know Ramen Daddy from their pop-ups at The Forage and Assembly, or perhaps you cooked up a storm during lockdown with their take-home ramen kits. But the days of venue surfing are over for Ramen Daddy—they’ve found a forever home.

Located in the Sydney Building, Verity Lane Market has a European-style food market layout, and John says it’s the perfect fit.

“We were attracted to the space and their vision,” he says. “It lends itself to that street food Japanese feel—we just figured it would be a good location for Ramen Daddy to make its debut on Canberra’s dining scene.”

Verity Lane Market has been designed to reflect the historical elements of the Sydney Building with modern-day touches, creating a refined yet minimalist hub for Canberra’s best chefs to congregate. The result? A haven for foodies.

John and Eddy at work. Credit: Ashley St George.

Verity Lane Market is the brainchild of innovator Phillip Keir, previously the publisher of Rolling Stone Magazine Australia and gosh, it is too cool for school. Think: exposed beams, cream and wood tones and plenty of seating right next to Ramen Daddy’s kitchen.

While Ramen Daddy’s menu features some new faces, all the cult favourites are still there. One such dish is their Tori Paitan (white chicken ramen), as well as a plant-based ramen (capable of satisfying any keen meat eater) and a dan dan noodle which John describes as “kind of like a spicy sesame ramen”.

Credit: Ashley St George.

New additions include the Chicken Katsu, Slow-braised pork belly, or vegetarian poke bowl and make it a complete dining experience with a degustation of nori and sesame spiced chips with ramen gravy and wasabi-sesame edamame, as well as a chicken katsu or eggplant katsu sandwich. Heaven.

Credit: Ashley St George.

To finish, order the RD Crème Caramel (a favourite of the HerCanberra team) or the Matcha Cheesecake for dessert. Or both.

The menu is a reflection of John and Eddy’s diverse culinary toolboxes and eagerness to push the boundaries of food, the result precisely refined to create the perfect umami experience.

“My style is slowly becoming that, ‘complicated, not complicated’—I find I’m in a constant battle with myself. How many elements are too many?” says John. “I guess the battle with that is keeping it fresh and new and fun without being too pretentious, but still providing the wow factor.”

Credit: Ashley St George.

The opening of a permanent venue is testament to John and Eddy’s abilities—and Canberra’s enthusiasm when it comes to their offerings.

After years of pop-ups—and the added challenges of 2020 and COVID—it is no wonder John is excited to finally “have a home for Ramen Daddy”.

Credit: Ashley St George.

Credit: Ashley St George.

Verity Lane Market. Credit: Lean Timms.

Feature image: Ashley St George