Bowl 161 ~ Bowl of Choco Mazesoba. IIKO. Haymarket. Sydney.

In February, 2020 I had posted an article about how Ramen shops in Japan were doing "chocolate ramen" for Valentine's Day and I thought it looked really interesting. I couldn't figure out what the flavour profile would be - the mind would expect it to be sweet, but the dish is usually savoury?! 

Mish from IIKO Mazesoba contacted me asking if I wanted to "collaborate" on making a bowl sometime, and we kicked around the idea of making a version of the chocolate ramen in time for Easter! 

...just as we were finally happy with the concocted result...COVID struck! So the 2020 Easter launch was swiftly halted. 

Fast forward a year, and we can finally reveal this to the world! 

The noodles are made by IIKO in-house made (thick and wavy), but with real added cocoa and have such a strong "chocolate" aroma! 

Main toppings are not too dissimilar to the signature IIKO mazesoba bowl; charred pork chashu, menma, 63 degree onsen egg, spring onions and nori. 

An easter egg is added for the chocolate component. Then it is all brought together with with sesame seeds, chilli threads and lemon pepper. 

Mix this strange sounding concoction all together and let the eggs melt through to combine all elements in harmony, then open your mind to flavour town. 

This bowl works so well and the mental battle of sweet VS savoury is easily put to rest as you dive into this bowl. 

Choco Mazesoba is only available for a limited time from March 29 - April 10. 

IIKO is located at 86 Hay Street, Haymarket. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.