65 replies to this topic

[grayelf]

Seeing this thread again makes me just have to say that Menya has gone downhill since it opened.  They just aren't consistent sadly.

It appears that, since ramen is such a work of the artisan, consistency has always been the issue. Who's the person standing in front of the stockpot makes all the difference.

I remember first visiting Kintaro within weeks of its opening and fell in love with the place, it being so so so much better than Ezogiku, then the only other authentic ramen shop in Vancouver. It stayed good for several years, until the owner decided to venture out and be an investor rather than just a ramen-master, handing over the noodle-strainer to lesser and younger chaps. I have never been back since he could no longer be found behind the counter. The story seems to be repeating itself somewhat at Motomachi Shokudo. Benkei's quality, while remaining mostly acceptable, varies quite a bit. The broth is also a bit too rich for my taste -- but then I am on par to redeeming my fifth free bowl of ramen from them regardless! I have only been to Menya once when it first opened; I like some, but not all, of its offerings.

Deli Nippon's okonomiyaki comes in three flavours: pork, beef (I think...) and Italian. Again very simply-prepared and not the over-done ones like some others. But since it is Hiroshima style, you'd better like ramen if you ordered it. Where else can one get respectable okonomiyaki in Vancouver anyway?

But Deli Nippon's miso ramen is truly something to try.

Thanks in part to your comments, we went to Deli Nippon last weekend and really enjoyed it. The ramen was indeed excellent (we had the syoyu and the miso) and the okonomiyaki was double brill. Almost as good as Modern Club in its heyday, which is the only other place in Vancouver I've had the Hiroshima style and liked it. Sadly, the service was so ridiculously slow that we finally gave up on it and haven't been back in ages. I especially liked that they would put your meat of choice on the outside of the 'cake so it would crisp up nicely... ah well, Deli Nippon is a very good substitute with almost no waiting! Thanks again. Oh and did I mention the okonomiyaki is dinner plate sized and a good inch tall? I took half home for my lunch the next day...

Edited by grayelf, 03 July 2009 - 04:49 PM.

[Vancouver]

I visited and I wonder if it was just a bad night. Tried the chashu miso and the broth really tasted like the type that use the instant powder. Soup was lukewarm, and the pork, corn, and bamboo were all cold to the touch.

Off night? Or permanent change?

[grayelf]

I visited and I wonder if it was just a bad night.  Tried the chashu miso and the broth really tasted like the type that use the instant powder.  Soup was lukewarm, and the pork, corn, and bamboo were all cold to the touch.

Off night?  Or permanent change?

That's a drag. Ours didn't taste "bottled" at all, and there were deffo no heat (or lack of heat) issues. But keep in mind we are by no means ramen (or okonomiyaki) experts. Maybe we lucked out??

[Vancouver]

I visited and I wonder if it was just a bad night.  Tried the chashu miso and the broth really tasted like the type that use the instant powder.  Soup was lukewarm, and the pork, corn, and bamboo were all cold to the touch.

Off night?  Or permanent change?

That's a drag. Ours didn't taste "bottled" at all, and there were deffo no heat (or lack of heat) issues. But keep in mind we are by no means ramen (or okonomiyaki) experts. Maybe we lucked out??

It sounds like both you and nondual had good experiences there. I just wonder if it was an off night or a permanent change......

[Jtothe]

For me Motomachi is king in Vancouver. Their shoyu ramen is on another level compared to anything else in this city. The design of the restaurant is awesome, it's really relaxing and they have friendly service + a couple cute servers. Also, they do serve beer which Benkai does not and for me beer is a necessity with a boiling bowl of ramen. Motomachi's garnishes are by far the best and the sexiest... watercress and pepper threads come on. I realize ramen is more about what's in the bowl and not the aesthetics of the restaurant, either way Motomachi is my joint... that is until someone comes out with Sloping Hills pork Ramen.

[Andrew Morrison]

For me Motomachi is king in Vancouver. Their shoyu ramen  is on another level compared to anything else in this city. The design of the restaurant is awesome, it's really relaxing and they have friendly service + a couple cute servers. Also, they do serve beer which Benkai does not and for me beer is a necessity with a boiling bowl of ramen. Motomachi's garnishes are by far the best and the sexiest... watercress and pepper threads come on. I realize ramen is more about what's in the bowl and not the aesthetics of the restaurant, either way Motomachi is my joint... that is until someone comes out with Sloping Hills pork Ramen.

I've been actively lobbying the folks at The Diamond for just that. They do Sloping Hills gyozas and great noodle dishes. Why not mix the two?

[fmed]

Only a dedicated ramen-ya can do ramen justice. (Sorry to sound puritanical, but that has been my experience). Now...Sloping Hills pork over at the Denman St places...that sounds interesting.

[Andrew Morrison]

Only a dedicated ramen-ya can do ramen justice.

There are some who might disagree with that. One dimensional restaurants don't corner the excellence market in the one thing that they do. If a multi-dimensional restaurant like The Diamond can produce kickass gyozas that trump those on offer at Gyoza King and other Japanese and Asian hybrid restaurants in town, then it stands to reason that they could do just well with ramen too. The right combination of quality stock, pork, and noodles isn't a closely held family secret - nor is it hard to achieve for the home cook.

[fmed]

I didn't have the gyoza at the Diamond on my recent visit there because I noticed that the gyozas came swimming in the dipping sauce...which is a crime, IMO. To be fair, I will try them (and a few other dishes) next time I'm in. I'll have to keep my prejudices in check.

PS...I do agree with the general thesis that one-dimensional restaurants don't corner the excellence market....ramen could be one of the few exceptions IMO.

[Kentan]

Exciting news on the ramen front! Vancouver will soon see its first Hokkaido-style ramen shop opening a couple of doors down from Kitanoya Guu with Garlic. Which should mean that we'll soon be getting some awesome miso ramen , since it originated in Hokkaido back in the 1950s.

While this new place probably won't be to the level of Sapporo's famed Sumire, it'll certainly be a welcome addition to Vancouver's 'Ramen Alley'. This will make 5 ramen shops in the area near the corner of Denman and Robson - not quite the numbers of Sapporo's legendary 'Ramen Yokocho', but we're getting there...

[Kentan]

The plot thickens...turns out it will be a branch of the Santouka (山頭火) chain of ramen shops that started out in 1988 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. As far as I can tell, this is Vancouver's first branch of a Japanese ramen chain. I've never tried it, but hopefully it will up the level of competition for the city's ramen shops.

Exciting news on the ramen front! Vancouver will soon see its first Hokkaido-style ramen shop opening a couple of doors down from Kitanoya Guu with Garlic. Which should mean that we'll soon be getting some awesome miso ramen , since it originated in Hokkaido back in the 1950s.

While this new place probably won't be to the level of Sapporo's famed Sumire, it'll certainly be a welcome addition to Vancouver's 'Ramen Alley'. This will make 5 ramen shops in the area near the corner of Denman and Robson - not quite the numbers of Sapporo's legendary 'Ramen Yokocho', but we're getting there...

[nondual1]

The plot thickens...turns out it will be a branch of the Santouka (山頭火) chain of ramen shops that started out in 1988 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. As far as I can tell, this is Vancouver's first branch of a Japanese ramen chain. I've never tried it, but hopefully it will up the level of competition for the city's ramen shops.

Thank you for the information -- it's good news indeed!

Technically speaking, Ajisen in Parker Place of Richmond is the first Japanese chain of ramen shops to land in Greater Vancouver; but we really mustn't hold it against ramen chains based on Ajisen's quality, as some chains are better than others.

During my trip to Hokkaido, I tried four ramen places in the span of 6 days -- would have gone to five or six, but I was too tired. Santouka was not one of them, so I will be looking forward to giving this new place a try. Aside from the miso base, Hokkaido (or Sapporo?)-style ramen is rather unique in other ways and it would be great if this place is able to turn out authentic version of it. Will report back after trying!

Edited by nondual1, 30 November 2009 - 02:58 AM.

[Jtothe]

Great news indeed! Anyone know when it's set to open?

[Kentan]

Ramen shops head downtown!

Benkei Ramen will be opening a second location soon on Thurlow between Alberni and Robson.

[nondual1]

Ramen shops head downtown!

I have a dream...

I have a dream, that the Robson area is lined with ramen shops, blocks and blocks of them...

I have a dream, that I go "ramen-hopping" on a winter evening, slurping down one bowl of steaming hot ramen after another...

I have a dream, that from Sapporo to Tokyo, from Yokohama to Kyushu, from tonkutsu to shio, all styles and flavours of ramen are only steps away from each others...

I have a dream, that the ラーメン横丁 ("ramen yokocho") is a Vancouver dining destination, to be visited by locals and tourists alike...

I have a dream...!



But, darn it, why isn't the Santouka (山頭火) shop opened yet??

[Country Cook]

Ramen shops head downtown!

I have a dream...

I have a dream, that the Robson area is lined with ramen shops, blocks and blocks of them...

I have a dream, that I go "ramen-hopping" on a winter evening, slurping down one bowl of steaming hot ramen after another...

I have a dream, that from Sapporo to Tokyo, from Yokohama to Kyushu, from tonkutsu to shio, all styles and flavours of ramen are only steps away from each others...

I have a dream, that the ラーメン横丁 ("ramen yokocho") is a Vancouver dining destination, to be visited by locals and tourists alike...

I have a dream...!



But, darn it, why isn't the Santouka (山頭火) shop opened yet??

If you dream it it will come

[Kentan]

[quote name='nondual1' date='07 January 2010 - 05:33 AM' timestamp='1262867599' post='1722275']
[/quote]
But, darn it, why isn't the Santouka (山頭火) shop opened yet??
[/quote]
Well Santouka's not open yet, but I finally saw some people working on it again this week. With Japan House just up the street for the Olympics I'm hoping that they're trying to get it open asap!!

[vandan]

where exactly is japan house going to be? i've been searching but to no avail

[Kentan]

where exactly is japan house going to be? i've been searching but to no avail

It's in the Empire Landmark Hotel at 1400 Robson St. My guess is that it'll be strictly for athletes and support staff, unlike Swiss House or Holland House.

[Kentan]

Woo-hoo! Santouka （山頭火)　ramen opens tomorrow. Hope it's worth the wait.

[canucklehead]

Yaaaaay!!!!

[nondual1]

Santouka （山頭火)　Ramen



Santouka is "soft-open" since Friday, February 26, 2010 with a limted menu; official grand opening is a week hence, on Friday, March 5. The limited menu includes most ramen; the sets, rice and snacks (including gyoza) will come later.



This stylishly-appointed ramen shop features a long common table, several 4-tops and a bar facing the glass-enclosed kitchen. All seats thoughtfully include under-the-table space to tuck away bags and jacket. Sleek and clean -- a harbinger to everything about Santouka -- yet not over-crowding, the atmosphere is an appetising one. The staff is all Japanese delivering the expected energetic service.



Prices tend to be on the high side ($8 to $13 for a bowl of ramen), more on par with Motomachi Shokudo than with the other ramen shops. It uses the style of noodles that is lower in egg content and alkaline water, similar to that Meny-ya uses rather than to, for example, Benkei's or Deli Nippon's. This style of noodle is not as springy as the other type and is harder to the bite. Santouka cooks its noodles al dente -- just about right.



Since Hokkaido, where Santouka was born, is famous for its miso ramen, we gave it a try. Whereas the miso broth is definitely miso, it is not over-whelmingly so. It is not bland, but neither is it exploding with flavours. It is also a little surprising that it does not include corn, one of the pride produces of Hokkaido. The serving temperature tends to be on the low-end: still hot, but slurping is not de rigueur.



An alternative to the more regular ramen is the toroniku ramen. "Toroniku" is the prized neck meat of the hog and Santouka braises it to the point where it literally melts in one's mouth. Of the 3 types of broth (shio, shoyu and miso), we had the shio ("salt") type, which is essentially milky pork-bone broth. It's thick without being oily and over-bearing. Very calming and soothing indeed.

All in all, not bad -- however, at these prices, it'd better be! Interestingly, when I compare my pictures with the those taken at other Santouka locations, they look almost the same. Now that cars are "driving machines" and pens are "writing instruments", perhaps the style of Santouka Ramen can be said to be "precision-engineered slurping materials"?

[kuwegg57]

Ramen shops in Asahikawa although being a city in Hokkaido are more famous for their shoyu ramen. We were on a tour last year of Hokkaido and we stopped for lunch at the Asahikawa Ramen Village. Its a building with about 10 of the more popular ramen shops together in one place. Ramen Santouka was one of the shops in the village but we ate at Aoba Ramen which is supposed to be one of the best in Asahikawa. The waitress at Aoba spoke some english and when we asked for recommendation she told us to order the shoyu ramen. She said that Sapporo is where you should go to have good miso ramen.

[nondual1]

Ramen shops in Asahikawa although being a city in Hokkaido are more famous for their shoyu ramen.

Well, you know what you are going to make me do now...

Go back to Santouka to try their shoyu ramen!

Googling Ramen Aoba (ラーメン青葉) does show it specializes in shoyu ramen and that it, along with Hachi-ya (蜂屋), is the quintessential ramen-ya of Asahikawa (旭川). But it would also seem that Santouka breaks with the tradition a little by making a name in shio tonkotsu (とんこつ塩らーめん) instead.

It's getting complicated...!

[Kentan]

Of the 3 types of broth (shio, shoyu and miso), we had the shio ("salt") type, which is essentially milky pork-bone broth. It's thick without being oily and over-bearing. Very calming and soothing indeed.

I totally agree with your assessment of Santouka's broth nondual1. I really enjoyed their miso ramen broth. I wasn't as enamoured with their noodles - though I went on the first day they opened, so maybe they were still working out the kinks a bit.

Word seems to be spreading - their was a line-up of about 15 people last night when I walked by. Is Vancouver becoming like Tokyo, where the best places ALWAYS have a line-up （like this place in Tokyo station)? I think it's that we still don't have enough ramen places in town and there's lots of pent-up demand.

[canucklehead]

The lines ups are for Santouka look crazy right now. I am dying to try it out though.

Stay away from the Oru Ramen at the Fairmont Hotel. Overpriced and deeply underwhelming - despite the noodles being made in house.

[fmed]

If you can swing it, go late in the evening. I was there at 9 on a weekday and I was seated immediately.

[nondual1]

Ramen shops in Asahikawa although being a city in Hokkaido are more famous for their shoyu ramen.

Well, you know what you are going to make me do now...

Go back to Santouka to try their shoyu ramen!

Based on Kuwegg57's suggestion, I went back to Santouka to try their shoyu ramen. Although, as I mentioned in my previous post, Santouka really did not make its name by excelling in the shoyu broth, I was very pleasantly surprised. Whereas in most places, you definitely are tasting the soy in this broth, Santouka's shoyu broth is really more a tonkontsu (thick creamy pork broth) dotted or highlighted with shoyu. Going easy on the shoyu not only lessens the saltiness of the broth, it actually hones and purifies the underlying pork flavour. Santouka's shoyu broth is easily the best of its three broths and most likely one of the best of its kind in Vancouver.

[Kentan]

Benkei Ramen seems like it's preparing to dominate the Vancouver ramen market! In addition to the new Thurlow St. location, they have two more underway. Fmed mentioned the Ontario/Main and 5th (43 East 5th) spot previously, and there's also one going in at 3235 W Broadway between Silk n Spice and Andale's. That will be three new locations in the span of only a few months.

You wonder why Kintaro doesn't try creating at least one other location. My guess is that they wouldn't be able to maintain the same quality.

[fmed]

You wonder why Kintaro doesn't try creating at least one other location. My guess is that they wouldn't be able to maintain the same quality.

Or...they are waiting for how it pans out for Benkei. Let them take the risk.

FWIW, I find the Main St location choice to be quite odd. Will they really see that much traffic there? (Who am I to second guess?)