Quick Bites:
🍜 What we ate: Kara-age Chicken ($14), Gyoza ($12.5), Tonkotsu Shoyu ($22), Tsukemen with soy-based sour pork broth ($26)
🍷 Best for: When you’re craving a warm, comforting bowl of ramen or want to treat yourself to one of the best dipping noodles in Sydney
🌆 Location perks: It’s right in the heart of Chatswood, perfect for pairing your ramen run with a little shopping or an after-dinner stroll
⭐ Vibe: Cozy, lively, and unpretentious – like a little slice of Tokyo in Sydney
📍 Where? 226 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067. Walk-ins only.
💰 Price: $$
Thank you for reading!
Visiting Manpuku Sydney got me thinking: Is this the best ramen in Chatswood?
During one of our visits to Sydney – a two-hour drive from Newcastle –we stumbled upon Manpuku, a cosy Japanese restaurant tucked away in Chatswood. By the time we arrived, it was already dinner time, and there was a line snaking outside the door. Normally, I’d hesitate (because toddler + hunger = not always the best combo), but something about the buzz around this place made me curious. So, waiting it is.
To be fair, the line moved surprisingly quickly. Watching people file out, wearing that dazed, happy look of someone who’s just eaten well, made me even more determined to see if this really was the best ramen in Chatswood.
The moment we stepped inside, the smell of simmering broth and sizzling karaage hit me like a warm hug. The space was small but it felt alive – chatter, laughter, and the occasional chorus of “Irasshaimase!” as staff welcomed guests. Despite the crowd, it didn’t feel chaotic. The wood interiors and little pops of Japanese décor gave it a cosy, lived-in charm.
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What we ordered:
Manpuku Chatswood Menu: See here.
Kara-age Chicken – $14
Crispy, golden bites of fried chicken with a drizzle of mayo. Perfectly seasoned and so addictive we almost ordered a second plate.
Hanetsuki Gyoza or Pan-fried pork dumplings – $12.50
Each gyoza is encased in a delicate wrapper, pan-fried until crisp and golden on the bottom while staying tender and juicy on top. The pork filling is savoury, slightly garlicky, and melts in your mouth with every bite. The crispy “wing” (that signature lacy skirt connecting the dumplings) adds an irresistible crunch.
Yasai Shoyu (Vegetarian) – $22
A soul-soothing bowl of ramen with a soy-based vegetable broth that’s light yet deeply savoury. Topped with blanched bean sprouts, tender cabbage, marinated bamboo shoots, fresh shallots, and seasoned shiitake mushrooms that add an earthy richness. This is a hearty, satisfying option for vegetarians – or anyone looking for a clean, comforting bowl.
Tsukemen (Dipping Noodles) – $26
This was the star of the show. A generous portion of chewy, cold noodles paired with a soy-based sour pork broth – rich, tangy, and deeply savoury. The toppings were just as memorable: shredded pork chashu, nitamago marinated egg, bamboo shoots, shallots, and two slices of seaweed. Each dip of the noodles into that thick, umami-packed broth was pure joy. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular dishes on the Manpuku Chatswood menu.
Should you eat here?
Even our toddler was happy, slurping up noodles and munching on karaage like she’d been a ramen connoisseur her whole life.
Would I call Manpuku Sydney (Chatswood) one of the best ramen spots in the city? Absolutely. And I say that as someone who has been chasing great ramen across Sydney. There’s an honesty to the food at Manpuku – it doesn’t try too hard, but it delivers exactly what you want on a cool evening in the city: a warm bowl, a full belly, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing you’ve found a little gem worth returning to.
