Mappen Japanese Noodle Bar

9:52pm Tuesday 7 September 2010 Sydney (gmt+10)

I wanted to take Sheila to the Chef's Gallery for early dinner today but she had to go to work. So I just went walking around the block and I discovered a small noodle bar behind Pepper Lunch right in the heart of Skyview Shopping Plaza at George Street. It's called Mappen.

It's very cozy and quite tiny... probably able to sit only 25 people when full. And it's also hard to find. But once you walk through the front door you're made welcome by all the staff and even though I have to grab my own drink and food off the bar and return my tray after finishing I still feel very much looked after.

I like the decor. Large heavy tables and large heavy benches with flowers on top and lots of vintage Japanese movie posters on the wall. And a lone pepper shaker that looks like an urn. The whole room is very inviting and the ambiance makes me want to have a hearty meal!

Ok, so how do I get a hearty meal? It's a different set up. No service staff on the floor, only half a dozen kitchen staff behind the bar. Not to worry. On every corner of the room are posters explaining how their system works. And if you do get lost the helpful staff behind the bar will help you out.

So first I have to get my drink off the fridge, then approach the girl on the counter who will put my noodles together. I asked for a bowl of Beef Soba Noodles. And while she was working on it I saw what looks like a veranda right above the drinks fridge. It's like someone lives up there. Cool!

Miso Soup came out of a machine. But it was quite good, and smelled really nice. I also had a couple of Tuna Mayo rice ball. And a hearty Japanese meal is not complete without Tempura Prawns. Despite being under the heat lamp even before I walked in the Tempura Prawns were still very crunchy and the prawns within the batter were very juicy.

The Tempura Egg was also a real treat. I was expecting its yolk to have a dark outer layer 'coz I assumed they're overcooked. But they were not. The yolk was perfect, and not dry. And the same was true with the Tuna Mayo Rice Ball. Although 'coz it was premade the seaweed was no longer crunchy. But that didn't bother me. It still tasted good!

The noodle itself was fantastic! Japanese food has always been accused of being too simple and bland, but the Beef Soba Noodles tasted so good. The beef broth's flavor was so well defined and I'm sure it's natural because it didn't have any saltiness whatsoever. And the noodles were perfectly cooked, and the beef pieces were so tender. I'm sure glad I found Mappen. And I will come back to try the other stuff on their menu. Yummy!

Mappen Japanese Noodle Bar

(Right behind Pepper Lunch)

Skyview Shopping Plaza

537 George Street Sydney