Menya Monaka is bringing a new late-night dining experience to Mona Vale, with ramen at its heart.
Owner Fuminori “Bun” Fukuda is introducing locals to shime-no-ramen, a Japanese dining tradition that hasn’t quite made its mark in Australia—until now.
What is Shime-No-Ramen?
In Japan, a night out often follows a simple ritual: start with drinks and snacks at an izakaya, then finish with a steaming bowl of ramen. The word “shime” means “to close,” and shime-no-ramen is all about ending the night on a satisfying note.
Fukuda has noticed that many Australians treat ramen as just another dish to pair with drinks, often letting the noodles sit too long while sipping wine. At Menya Monaka, the concept is different. Enjoy your drinks and small plates first, then savour your ramen while it’s hot and fresh.
Bringing Kanto-Style Ramen to Sydney
Unlike most Sydney’s focus on Kyushu-style ramen—known for thin noodles and rich tonkotsu broth—Menya Monaka highlights Kanto-style ramen, which comes from eastern Japan. These bowls feature medium-to-thick noodles, made fresh in-house daily.
The name “Monaka” combines “Mona” for Mona Vale with “Ka”, the Japanese character for family. It’s a nod to his popular café, Cafe Monaka, and the strong relationships he has built with locals. “Menya” translates to “noodle shop,” reinforcing ramen as the star of the menu.
Each bowl is crafted using house-made noodles and slow-cooked broth options: tonkatsu, chicken, or a soy-based vegan alternative. To maintain quality, the restaurant serves only 100 bowls per day.
More Than Just Ramen
For a true shime-no-ramen experience, Fukuda recommends starting with snacks and drinks first. The menu includes a selection of izakaya-style small plates, such as:
- Twisted ramen noodle pretzels
- Sourdough with moromi-miso butter
- Sesame-soaked smashed cucumber
- Nori-shio fries
For something heartier, there’s Wagyu sirloin steak and karaage chicken. The bar offers an impressive selection of sake, Japanese whisky, cocktails, and Australian wines.
The interior design is sleek and minimal, taking inspiration from authentic Tokyo ramen bars rather than the more familiar styles seen in Sydney.
Bringing Late-Night Dining to Mona Vale
Opening a restaurant is challenging, especially when everything is made from scratch. But for Fukuda, authenticity comes first. Through Cafe Monaka, he has built a strong relationship with the community, and regulars had been asking for a quality late-night dining option.
Now, it is one of the few spots in Mona Vale open late, giving locals a new place to unwind after hours.
One thing you won’t find here? Sushi. Menya Monaka wants to showcase the country’s diverse food culture beyond its most famous dish.
The Perfect End to the Night
If you have room for dessert, options like monaka ice-cream sandwiches, matcha tiramisu, and yuzu cheesecake provide a sweet finish.
Guests can order however they like, but Fukuda hopes they’ll embrace the full shime-no-ramen experience over time. In Japan, that means ending the night with a perfect, comforting bowl of ramen.
Published 7-Feb-2025
