So much ramen, so little time
You need a food-blogger level of commitment to keep track of all the ramen joints in Toronto. Here’s a handy-dandy guide to what each spot does best.
1 AJISEN RAMEN Tom yum beef teppanyaki Ajisen is the Burger King of noodle shops, with more than 700 outlets globally. This is where you’ll want to try unorthodox soup bases like a creamy tom-yum broth served with thinly sliced beef and lime wedges for $8.75. a hint 332 of Spadina hot-and-sour Ave., 416-977-8080. Thai flavour.
2 This KINTON uncommon RAMEN combo Cheese of noodles and shredded Swiss works. The textures are unusual: The giant mound of cheese melts into light miso broth that’s punctuated by corn, basil leaves, bean sprouts, and a salty slice of soft pork belly or shoulder.
$11. 51 Baldwin St., 647-748-8900.
3 A-OK FOODS Szechuan tsukemen Loaded with chilies, Szechuan peppercorns, sweet bean paste, and chili oil, chef Chris Jang’s chicken broth is bold. Because of the soup’s richness, the housemade noodles are served in a separate dish to dip into the broth. $10.50, 930 Queen St. W., 2nd floor, 647-352-2243.
4 KENZO RAMEN The King of Kings This extra-large helping has a bit of everything: egg, fresh and dried seaweed, barbecued pork, ground pork, Japanese fish cake, bean sprouts, and carrots. The delicious broth is made from beef bones, pork bones, chicken, and dried seafood.
$12. 138 Dundas St. W., 416-205-1155.
5 SANSOTEI RAMEN
Tonkotsu with thick noodles Sansotei’s signature broth is milky white with a surprisingly strong porkiness. You can choose between thin or thick noodles— the latter stands up to the richness of the soup. Scallions, soft-boiled egg, fatty pork belly, and black fungus top it off.
$9.25. 179 Dundas St. W., 647-476-3833.
6 SANTOUKA RAMEN
Tonkusen shio toroniku This mild pork-bone broth is served with a plate of tender pork cheek, bamboo shoots, scallions, wood-ear mushrooms, and fish cake. That red ball on top? A pickled plum that you should save to cleanse your palate of the soup’s salty aftertaste.
$15.90, 91 Dundas St. E., 647-748-1717.
7 RAMEN RAIJIN
Bamboo charcoal dark miso This bowl from the Vancouver chain has a slightly smoky flavour, thanks to the bamboo-charcoal powder in the broth.
$11. 3 Gerrard St. E., 647-748-1500.
8 MOMOFUKU NOODLE BAR
Smoked chicken While the restaurant is best known for its pork ramen, its crispy smokedchicken variation is top-drawer. Generous pieces of juicy chicken with delicately crunchy skin, and a softly poached egg, sit atop the mound of chewy noodles. $14. 190 University Ave., 647-253-8000.
9 RYOJI RAMEN AND IZAKAYA Otoko-aji This Japanese restaurant group has the lightest broth of the bunch—almost like mom’s chicken soup, though it’s pork bone–based. The fun stuff: thin, chewy noodles, bean sprouts, green onions, ribbons of wood-ear mushrooms, and slices of pork belly.
$13. 692 College St., 416-533-8083.