Harahetta Ramen is bringing a taste of Tokyo’s street-food culture to Coolangatta
If big, hearty bowls of ramen, crisp karaage and cold beer are part of your love language, you need to know about Harahetta Ramen in Coolangatta. Opening just a couple of weeks ago, Harahetta Ramen has already carved out its place in the southern Gold Coast’s vibrant food scene, thanks to a captivating mix of Japanese street food, slurp-worthy bowls and laid-back charm. Harahetta, which is Japanese slang for ‘I’m hungry,’ has set up shop right across from the beach. Here’s everything you need to know about this spirited newcomer …
Hiroshi Takeyama’s journey to head chef is as unique as his broth recipes. After a career as a professional rugby player in Japan, he decided to tackle a new challenge: ramen. Hiroshi trained as a ramen chef in Tokyo, perfecting his craft before he and his wife Sarah opened Goukai Ramen, in Burleigh Heads. When their dream spot popped up closer to their home in Tweed Heads earlier this year, it was a no-brainer for the pair. They sold their beloved Goukai and began building Harahetta, with the view of bringing a slice of Tokyo street food culture to Coolangatta.
As soon as you step into Harahetta, your senses will be transported to the vibrant back alleys of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district with lanterns strung from the ceiling, rainbow LED lights framing the bar and Japanese hip-hop clips playing on the television. Pop culture icons dot the decor, bringing an eclectic, distinctly Japanese feel to the 50-seater that boasts both indoor and outdoor patio seating. And, with neighbours like Baskk and Bar Evelyn, Harahetta completes a seriously cool culinary lineup in this pocket of town.
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In terms of the menu, Harahetta takes ramen to the next level with house-made tonkotsu ramen as the main event, alongside plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. For a low-gluten twist, rice noodles are available, though the broth isn’t gluten-free. Beyond ramen, Harahetta serves up a variety of Japanese bar bites that are equally as tempting, from three kinds of gyoza to crispy tempura. The karaage chicken comes in mouth-watering flavours like sweet chilli and ponzu, perfect for pairing with a Japanese beer. Or, for a refreshing twist, try the Chu-Hi cocktail. Sake, Japanese whisky and a clutch of Australian wines round out the drinks menu. In true Tokyo style, there are no reservations, so just roll up.
Image credit: Pandanus Lane