Eat
Ipswich dishes you should have already tried
What are the standout dishes on Ipswich’s dining scene right now? We’re glad you asked. While we couldn’t round up every single one, here are 7 highlights that are helping put Ipswich on the map for south-east Queensland foodies.
Tonkotsu ramen
…at Hikari
The ramen love continues worldwide. Slurp your way through a big bowl of steaming, springy noodles with slices of pork, a creamy soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoots and nori seaweed. Hikari’s ramen broth is simmered for a minimum of 9 hours and comes in the traditional ‘shio’ (salt) shoyu (soy sauce) miso or spicy versions.
1 Main Street, Springfield Central
The Reuben Bagel
Named for a poker play friend of the Nebraskan chef-inventor, the classic Reuben, is served on rye, but this dinky little suburban café offers a lighter version, in a toasted bagel. All the other elements; pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese and a tangy Russian dressing are present and deliciously correct.
Shop 1/175 Glebe Rd, Ipswich
Patiala chicken
… at Indian Mehfil
Butter chicken is so 2016. Ipswich Indian adventurers’ go-to is Mehfil’s authentic Patiala chicken – named for the Punjab hometown of head chef Pitamber Dutt. Its allure comes from tender chicken cooked on the bone and served in its rich spiced sauce and ginger garnish. This is a sure-fire finger-licking contender for Ipswich’s best chicken dish.
116 The Laneway, Ipswich
Bratwurst hotdog
… at Heisenberg Haus
No radioactive-red supermarket hotdog sausages here. Heisenberg’s primo version of the American classic is given a German makeover, with a thick, juicy and flavoursome bratwurst sausage, swiped with a mild mustard and piled with sauerkraut and a side of fries. Also available at Heisenberg’s little sibling, Tighty Whities.
164 Brisbane St, Ipswich
Brioche French toast
…at Rafter & Rose
Let’s not fool ourselves, Rafter and Rose’s colourful brioche French toast is a pretender – a dessert by any other name masquerading as a breakfast dish to trick us into imagining it’s healthy. To be fair, there is fruit, but there’s also ice-cream, sweet sliced brioche and lashings of maple syrup.
1/17 Ellenborough Street, Ipswich
Nutella cheesecake
… at Fourthchild
With a rotating selection of chocolate cheesecakes, it’s hard to choose, but we reckon Fourth Child’s Nutella cheesecake just pips the others at the post as a favourite. What’s not to love about a base of crushed Oreo biscuits and a soft, mousse-like filling made from cream cheese and everyone’s favourite hazelnut spread?
6/126 Brisbane Street, Ipswich
Pumpkin seed icecream
… at Ungermann Brothers Icecream Parlour
One of Ben Ungermann’s most popular flavours among the 15 he debuted with at his Ipswich ice creamery is also one of the more unusual. It’s a creamy, slightly nutty number, flavoured with Slovenian pumpkin seed oil on a vanilla bean base. You can have it in a cone or cup, or go all out and try a tasting plate all prettied up with edible flowers and accompaniments.
88 Limestone St, Ipswich