A bunch of ramen shops were opening last year in Toronto. So I decided to sample them all and find which one I loved the most. The first time I had epic ramen was in LA at daiyokuya and I’ve been craving it since. It just so happened that in 2012, I was visiting New York and LA so I got to sample some America ramen shops too!

Each review was written after I had tried the ramen. Sorry, Momofuku, your ramen doesn’t really count so I didn’t include it. I haven’t tried Raijin Ramen in Toronto yet…

Kinton Ramen – Toronto – May 2012

I was looking forward to this new ramen house by Guu. We were there as soon as it opened. There was a long wait on a weeknight but we eventually got in with our large party of 6.

We got the fried kaarage chicken as a starter. This was great. The ramen was disappointing since I can compare it to LA’s ramen shop. The soup was good but too peppery in my opinion. Not sure if ordering the stronger version would have been better. The noodles were little hard for my taste.

7.5/10 – Good but I won’t be back unless I’m in the area

Ippudo Ramen – New York City – Sept 2012

I had high hopes for this one but sadly, it wasn’t met. It was still good but not as good as I expected it to be with all the raving reviews I’ve read.

The restaurant is much larger than I expected and the decor is very modern japanese. I was nervous there would be a long line but luckily we were seated for two right away on a weekday.

We started with the steamed pork buns and they were amazing. The bun was warm and soft with tender flavorful meat inside. There was also a spicy kick to it… Spicy mayo I believe. The ramen arrived and it was good but not as good as I had remember the LA ramen to be. It tasted very similar to Kinton Ramen.

It was pricy ramen tho… At about $16-20 a bowl depending if you added any toppings. Eg. An egg.

8/10 – I would be back but not rushing to go back. Maybe rushing back for their pork buns though

Sansotei Ramen – Toronto – Oct 2012

I randomly read about this ramen place on Blog.to and decided to add it to the ramen taste test. A friend also said it was delicious.

We went on a Friday night at 9:00pm. There was a lineup for the small shop (seating maybe about 30 at a time) We waited about 20-30 mins before we got a booth.

We ordered the fried chicken as the appetizer. It was good but not as good as Kinton’s kaarage chicken. I ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen and Chris ordered the Shio Ramen. The Tonkatsu was the winner. The soup was very flavourful and had a smooth creamy taste to it. The Cha Sui was tender and had been pan fried. The noodles were soft but still chewy. They could be improved here but I prefer this texture over Kinton.

The Shio soup was stronger and had a bamboo shoot flavour. Still very good. What a surprise! It’s the best Toronto Ramen I’ve had (until I try others)

9/10 – I want to go back now!!

 

Santouka Ramen – Toronto –  Nov 2012

Okay, I remember this name from reading about the best ramen in LA. It was tied with Daikuya which I remember was heavenly. I was anticipating their grand opening since I heard the rumours they were going to expand to Toronto.

We went on a Saturday night at 9:30pm and the wait was about 30 minutes. Chris ordered the Cha Shu Shoyu Ramen with a rice bowl and I got the toroniku Miso ramen.

The rice bowl was very good and the eggs were popping in my mouth. The shoyu ramen soup was better than the miso. But the toroniku pork was more fatty thus flavourful. It was a bit odd that the toroniku meat and toppings was all separated in my opinion but I can overlook that because it was all really delicious. The texture of the noodle was perfect as was the toppings.

I did find the soup get salty at the end… Well at least the miso did. It worked well with the meat and noodles though. Part of me feel like I enjoyed the Tonkatsu soup from sansotei more since it was more creamy. But the noodles and meat from santouka was too good. I must try the Shio soup next.

9.5/10 – I really want to go back now. Right now.

Daikokuya – Los Angeles – Dec 2012

This place was the first place I’ve ever experienced ramen. It was amazing and since then I’ve always been back each time I’m in LA. Now I can make a fair comparison with the other ramen shops to compare to.

The shop is small like most ramen places and so the wait was brutal… About an hour for a table for four at 5:00pm. I blame the group of 12 people ahead of us.

I had their Daikoku Tonkatsu soup base ramen. It was delicious! I love their soup and quite possibly my favorite. It was rich but not too creamy or salty. The noodles were not to soft or tender either… Just the way I liked it. Their pork was soft and good but I remember Santouka and Sansotei being tastier. They did add bean sprouts which is interesting… I didn’t love or hate them in it.

9.0 – I want to go back now!

Monta Ramen – Las Vegas – Dec 2012

A small shop but I was excited to try it since a friend said it was amazing and Chris enjoyed it last time in Vegas as well.

I had their pork belly rice and gyoza to start. Gyoza was good but not mind blowing. Their pork belly rice was amazing –Sushi rice bowl topped with flavorful meat.

On to the ramen, their noodles were quite thin… But then my mom’s miso ramen was thicker. I prefered daiyokuya’s ramen noodles. Soup was very good and flavorful but not as good as Daiyokuya.

The pork portion was very small. You have to order extra. I swear, there was only one piece. However, it was melt in your mouth goodness. Very good cha sui and better than Daiyokuya.

9.0 – I want to go back now.

Final Verdict

It’s hard to compare since there was definitely a time span between each ramen sitting but from what I believe, I think each ramen shop had it’s speciality.

Kinton Ramen – Toronto

Ramen meh… I did go as soon as you opened so maybeee it’s better now. Your kaarage chicken is amazing though.

Ippudo Ramen – New York City

You were most dissappointing… I had really high hopes. But your pork buns were mind blowing.

Sansotei – Toronto

You surprised me. Your soup is the best and your pork is quite awesome.

Santouka – Toronto

Soup on the salty side but best char Sui. If I had to pick a winner… You’d win. I wonder how you taste in Los Angeles or Japan though.

Daikokuya – Los Angeles

It was my first love and your soup base still rocks my socks. I’d have to try other ramen places in LA next time tho…

Monta Ramen – Las Vegas

Amazing melt in your mouth pork. I’d be back when I have ramen cravings in Vegas.

I haven’t found the perfect 10/10 ramen yet. I guess, I need to go to Japan… Or take santouka’s noodles and pork and add it to Sansotei’s soup. I think Santouka definitely has potential, I just need to try all the other soups and maybe request less salt.

Happy Ramen~!