Flavour Report with Derek Goforth: Pork ramen and bagel delight the taste buds at Quiet Life in Geraldton

For the time being, we’ve had enough of takeaways, snacks and baked goods, so this time we decided to head out for a filling lunch. Quiet Life’s pork belly miso ramen came highly recommended from a few friends and colleagues. After all, who could say no to twice-cooked pork belly, 12-hour pork broth, mild-spiced miso, soft soy-boiled egg, sweet corn, spring onion, ramen noodles, and seasonal veg? Not us on this occasion, that’s for sure. Along with the ramen, we also opted for a slow-cooked pork-filled bagel with slaw, pickles, and tangy sweet barbecue sauce. And, of course, we couldn’t go to Quiet Life Specialty Coffee without grabbing a couple of capps. At just under $50 for everything, we felt happy with the value, given the service level and standard of the food. Quiet Life would not be out of place on Fremantle’s cappuccino strip or one of Melbourne’s trendier corners in the city centre. Despite its hip and groovy (sorry, but I am nearly 50) atmosphere, it attracts everyone from families, youngsters, to older couples out for a lunchtime walk. Even on this relatively quiet Sunday afternoon, the place was still busy with all sorts of people from the community. We were pleased that parking was not an issue, and there were plenty of places to sit, both inside and out. This was my first experience with ramen, so I didn’t really have a frame of reference. But I must say it certainly packed a flavour punch. The broth itself had a deep, complex flavour, with just enough heat to awaken your taste buds. The noodles and the veg were fresh and tasty. But the star of the dish had to be the pork — tender and flavourful, it melted with every forkful, offering a sublime blend of sweetness and spice. Admittedly, the price might have seemed steep, but the quality of the ingredients made it a feast worth savouring. To be honest, the bagel was even better, packed to the brim with flavour and so many textures that played off each other. The pork, again, was amazing, but the highlight had to be the bagel itself — crispy, fresh, and moist — everything you want in a good quality bagel. We have had Quiet Life coffee before and have never been disappointed, and we are still not let down. Smooth, mellow, and just enough foam. Would I recommend Quiet Life? Without a shadow of a doubt. They have carved out an interesting niche for themselves and pretty much guarantee a flavour-packed experience, no matter what you order.