Quick Bites:
๐ค What we ate: Honey Soy Wings ($11.50), Kara-age Chicken ($17.50), Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl ($17.50), Tonkotsu Ramen ($21), and Miso Ramen ($21)
๐ท Best for: A casual dinner catch-up, ramen cravings, or solo lunch when you want something warm, rich, and filling.
๐
Location perks: Right in the heart of Newcastle on King Street, a short walk from Civic Park and the light rail.
๐ Parking: Street parking nearby or parking stations around Civic.
โญ Vibe: Stylish yet relaxed, with fun interiors and a cosy feel.
๐งผ Hygiene: Clean and well-maintained with a newly renovated space.
๐งป Amenities: Restrooms available on-site.
๐ Wi-Fi: No Wi-Fi available.
๐ Where? 140 King St, Newcastle NSW 2300
๐ฐ Price: $$ โ reasonably priced for the quality and location.
๐ช Reservations: Walk-ins welcome; bookings recommended during peak hours.
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When a restaurant you love closes for a renovation, thereโs always a bit of nervous curiousity: will it still feel the same? Will the food hold up? Iโm happy to report that Susuru Newcastle not only looks refreshed, but it still hits the mark where it matters most: flavour, comfort, and that easygoing charm itโs always had. Susuru’s ramen is one of our go-to ramens in town, so I was excited to see how everything turned out.
Walking in, the space feels more open and polished now, with little details that make it feel more considered. The place definitely feels more like an izakaya now, as opposed to how it looked like before. When you enter, the place greets you with softer lighting, cleaner lines, and a general sense of calm. I have to admit, I wasnโt a fan of the bright white lights and shocking aesthetic they had before, but the food was enough to keep us coming back for more. So, seeing the newly refreshed Susuru was interesting โ it was now warm, dimly lit yet inviting, but now, as mentioned, had that sense of Izakaya theyโre trying to go for. It feels like a grown up Susuru, which is really nice to see.
We went for an early dinner midweek, and within half an hour, the place was buzzing. Safe to say, people are happy to have it back.
What we ate at Susuru Newcastle
Susuru ramen menu: See here
Wings with Honey Soy Glaze โ $11.50
These were the first to arrive and maybe the most memorable of the night. The skin was golden and sticky and with a very satisfying slight crunch. The honey soy glaze was just the right amount of sweet and salty, and it coated each piece without feeling heavy.ย
Kara-age Chicken โ $17.50
Kara-age is one of my favourite japanese dishes (spoiler alert: I LOVE fried chicken) Crispy Japanese fried chicken done well always feels like a treat, and this one didnโt disappoint. The kara-age came with a light, almost airy coating that crackled gently with each bite. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. This one disappeared well before the mains came.ย
Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl โ $17.50
This was a comforting bowl, and our toddler loved it. Juicy slices of teriyaki-glazed chicken over warm rice make me so happy.ย
Tonkotsu Ramen โ $21.00 (regular)
The tonkotsu was rich and velvety, just as it should be. The broth was creamy and umami. The marinated egg had a perfect jammy centre, the mushrooms added an earthy chew, and the nori gave everything a slight briny edge. This was easily my pick of the two ramen bowls we tried.
Miso Ramen (Mild) โ $21.00
The miso broth was still rich, but compared to the tonkotsu, it leaned more towards salty and sharp. It came with the same chashu pork and marinated egg, plus sweet pops of corn and crispy garlic flakes that brought little moments of flavour. It was still enjoyable, just not quite as rounded or comforting as the tonkotsu.
A steady favourite, made even better
What I appreciated most was that the renovation hasnโt changed the heart of Susuru. It still feels casual and welcoming, perfect for a solo ramen fix or a laid-back dinner with friends. The service was friendly, and the food came out at a good pace.
If youโre after familiar Japanese flavours done well, with a few playful touches here and there, the new-look Susuru is well worth a visit. Iโll definitely be back (already thinking of the wings!).
Have you checked out Susuru since the renovation? Iโd love to hear what you ordered. Check out the blog for more local food stories, and tag me on Instagram if you try something from the menu โ Iโm always up for a good ramen recommendation.
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๐ Susuru Izakaya Newcastle
140 King St, Newcastle NSW 2300
๐ (02) 4049 8448
Susuru’s Instagram
Opening Hours:
MonโThu: 11:30โฏAM โ 3:00โฏPM | 5:30โฏPM โ 9:30โฏPM
Fri: 11:30โฏAM โ 3:00โฏPM | 5:30โฏPM โ 10:00โฏPM
Sat: 12:00โฏPM โ 3:30โฏPM | 5:30โฏPM โ 10:00โฏPM
Sun: 12:00โฏPM โ 3:30โฏPM | 5:30โฏPM โ 9:30โฏPM
๐ Last orders taken 30 minutes before closing
