While Italy is amazing with its unlimited supply of pizza and endless flowing streams of wine, there's nothing more I miss more than home food. When I say home food, I really just mean ramen. It's times like these one can fully appreciate the multitudes of cuisines we are offered i.e. bomb as f*** ramen. I had a chance to finally check out the infamous Gumshara just before I left (yes, I am prob the last foodie in Sydney to try it).

Tucked away in Chinatown's Eating World food court, the centre is bustling with diners this one specially cold winter's night. What better way to warm up than with a big bowl of ramen though, right? Gumshara is specialises in tonkotsu broth made from pork bones that has been cooked for hours to release all its fatty collagen goodness. How many kilos of pork bones? Only about 120kg a day. It is thick, creamy, and rich - not one for the light hearted. Because of all the marrow and collagen that has been released into the soup it is said be extremely good for your skin, keeping it soft and supple (which is prob why Japanese people look so young still when they're about 100). 

Proudly displaying their Sydney Food Bloggers award for Favourite Ramen

There is a sign asks customers to instruct the staff if they prefer less salty or thick soup. Being a massive tonkotsu fan I urge myself to try it in all its glory. How thick is the broth? It is thick. 

Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen Noodles $11.50 + Egg $1.50

I was in no way prepared for the intensity of it all. It is beautifully sickening. There is so much flavour and depth in the broth, heightened with the black garlic oil and a heaping of fried garlic to give it an extra oomph. The noodles are perfect, not too chewy with a soft spring. Honestly, it was too much for both Rvr and I BUT I am willing to give it another go, perhaps thinner broth next time... 

I needed something to sweeten up my palette and there is always room for dessert, so a stop to the close by N2 Extreme Gelato was in order. Having seen liquid nitrogen used to make desserts before (soooo Bluementhal) it was exciting to actually try it and watch it before my own eyes. 

N2 is easily distinguishable on Dixon St with its crowded masses, gelato 'scientists' in lab coats, and puffs of nitrogen smoke. It is the first of its kind for Australia, now with another store open in Melbourne's Brunswick. 

Baileys Mint Oreo

Rvr is allergic to peanuts unfortunately so we opted to try the Baileys Mint Oreo which was Baileys gelato with mint slice and Oreo cookies crushed throughout! It had a slight alcoholic Irish Creme liqueur taste and was minty with bits of cookie pieces throughout. Very delish and not at all sickening! The service took a while but understandable as they make it to order but they were staff were super friendly (and it helps to have good company ;-)).

I've read quite a few reviews the constant changing of flavours and customers unable to eat their favourite flavours again, but I think this is N2's selling point and how they differientiate themselves. The wait, especially during nights and weekends, can be quite long but people need to understand that it is made to order and not just scooped out from a container. 

EDIT: Been to N2 Extreme Gelato 3 more time since, and love it every single time! My gelato love will never die ^_^