I was excited to hear about a new ramenya that has just opened up. A Japanese had recommended, so we had high expectations. Our company went for lunch. There were 5 of us.
The tiny restaurant was jam packed with a lineup. However, it was about a 10 minute wait. It would have been much longer if we all wanted to sit together, but 3 seats at a counter and a table of 2 opened up, so we agreed to split. I got the table. It was crammed and hard to get through the tiny crack between the tables.
They only serve 4 different ramen; Classic Tonkotsu Ramen $9.45, Negi-goma Tonkotsu Ramen $11.95, Blazing Hot Rekka Ramen $10.45 and Yakibuta Chashu Pork Ramen $11.95
I ordered the Negi-goma, topped with lots of green onions, pork slices, toasted sesame seeds and white sesame oil. Supposedly, this is the healthiest bowl. When the bowl arrived, we were shocked at how small the bowl was – especially for being more pricey than other ramenya. I could have easily had 2 servings. It has been the smallest ramen bowl I’d ever seen in my life.
My coworker ordered the Yakibuta Chashu Pork Ramen $11.95.
You can ‘customize’ your ramen by choosing the firmness of the noodles (5 levels; very firm, firm, standard, soft, very soft), the thickness of the noodle broth (light, standard, strong), and the amount of lard (none, standard, a lot) and spicy tare sauce (none, standard, a lot). And with additional fee, add toppings. I choose standard for all with no additional topping.
The men (noodle) was the thin type, and al dante. The coworker I was sitting with at the table and I both agreed that we were happy we ordered the standard because it was already so uncooked, we wondered what ‘very firm’ would have been like. The pork slices were too fatty – I left them…
We had one order of pan fried Gyoza $4.75 to share between the two of us. It was a bit burnt, but otherwise good flavour.
We all had different bowls, but all 4 of us agreed it was not good (or just not to our liking). Nothing special about the broth either. The price didn’t justify the quantity or deliciousness – though perhaps if I grew up in Fukuoka, I might have loved it because I would be used to it. Still, if there are no thumbs up from the team, it’s not just good.
Service was satisfactory, despite the lineups and busy atmosphere.
Men (noodles) = not good
Broth = ok
Setting = too crammed, loud, lineups
Price = too high in consideration for everything, even if it’s on 4th Ave by Burrard
Taste: 
Price for Value:
Atmosphere: Service:
Location:
Would not return.
I ordered the Bamboo Charcoal Dark Miso Ramen $10.55. The colour may not look too appetizing, but the flavour was unique – in a good way. There were lots of noodles, more than most other places which would be floating in a lot of soup. For the first time in a long time, the chashu (sliced pork belly) had no fat at all. It was on the chewy-hard side, but I prefer that than the fatty, greasy slimy ones. The broth, being it based on miso was quite salty for my liking. Bonus – comes with a pretty flower on the ramen tray.
And one order of Gyoza to share. It was hot, juicy and authentic. Very good.
