Konjiki Ramen

Restaurant: Konjiki Ramen

Address: 5051 Yonge St.

Phone: 647-350-7766

Operating Hours: Wed-Mon 11:30 AM - 8 PM, Tues CLOSED

Website: www.konjikiramen.com

Interior

Menu

Smoky Black Tonkotsu Ramen, $13 + Egg, $1.50

Review

My Order: Signature Clam Broth Ramen (Shoyu), $14 + Egg, $1.50

I work right across Konjiki Ramen, the hottest Michelin-recommended ramen shop in Toronto right now. The small restaurant shares space with Saryo Cafe, a Japanese dessert shop. I skipped out on it when I was at Konjiki because I wanted to try their soft-serve when summer hits.

I got there at around 11:15 AM on a weekday, 15 minutes before it opened. My cousin and I were third in line. No more than 10 minutes later, the lineup grew rapidly. Being third in line allowed us to get a table to ourselves instead of being placed at a communal table. I decided to go for the Signature Clam Broth Ramen. This can be a hit or miss for some people because a couple of my friends weren't a fan of it. I, on the other hand, quite liked it! It was very light and definitely felt like I had the healthiest ramen option possible. My cousin remarked that it didn't have much flavour. If you are a ramen traditionalist and prefer thicker noodles and a heavier broth, then I recommend going for another ramen like the Smoky Black Tonkatsu Ramen.

I was in and out of the restaurant within 30 or so minutes. You will get swift service and the manager might come by to tell you more about the ramen. I really like how efficient and attentive the staff at Konjiki Ramen was. I wouldn't say I am crazy about the ramen but I definitely enjoyed it. I recommend if you have the ability to go for lunch time, drop by at least 15 minutes before opening to get ahead of the crowd. By the time I left, there was a huge line up. Don't go with more than one other person because it's a tiny shop with limited seating.

Touhenboku Ramen (Entertainment District)

Restaurant: Touhenboku Ramen
Address: 261 Queen St. West
Phone: 416-596-8080
Store Hours: Mon - Sun 11 AM - 12 AM
Website: www.touhenboku.ca

Interior

Menu

See full menu here: www.touhenboku.ca/menu/

Spicy Touhenboku Ramen, $10.50

Review

My Order: Garlicky Touhenboku Ramen, $10.50

Touhenboku Ramen is a ramen restaurant on Queen Street West. My friend wanted to try it out because she loves ramen. I passed by this restaurant many times but never paid attention to it. I was up to give it a shot.

We arrived on a Sunday evening and it wasn't as busy as I expected. There were a few patrons but overall, my friend and I had our space to chat without having to worry about the noise and crowd.

At Touhenboku, you customize your ramen. You get to choose the type of noodles you want, the seasoning, and more. Extra toppings cost extra. All ramen comes with nori, scallions, mushrooms, and an egg. If there is a topping that already comes with your ramen that you do not want, you can substitute it for another topping for free (excluding Chasu meat). It's perfect for people who like to customize their food to their preferences. I usually choose a spicy dish but I decided to change it up this time. I ordered the Garlicky Touhenboku Ramen and was satisfied with my choice.

Touhenboku Ramen is a good spot to hit up if you love ramen.

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Restaurant: Momofuku - Noodle Bar
Address: 190 University Ave.
Phone: 647-253-8000
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30 AM - 3 PM, 5 PM - 11 PM
Website: www.momofukutoronto.com

Menu

 

Review

My Order: Dan Dan Mein, $14

I finally got to try Momofuku. From what I gathered, it is a three-level restaurant comprising of "smaller restaurants" within it (correct me if I'm wrong please). My friend and I decided to catch up over some ramen at the Noodle Bar, which is on the first floor. Momofuku is quite popular outside of the foodie community. Therefore, my expectations were super high coming into the restaurant.

We arrived during the evening on a Sunday and it was packed. I wasn't a fan of the communal tables, especially since it was crowded. We were squished in the middle between two different groups of people. I had to raise my voice so my friend (and probably the neighbours) could hear what I was saying.

The menu was printed on a piece of paper and since it had the current date, I assumed the menu changes everyday (what a waste of paper!). My friend said the pork buns were great so I agreed to try it. I wasn't overly impressed because I thought it was overpriced and likely something I had before. For my order, I chose the Dan Dan Mein. I was disappointed to see how little the noodles took up in the bowl. Don't give a big bowl if you aren't going to fill it to the top! I liked the noodles but again, nothing I was eager about.

If I go back to Momofuku Noodle Bar, I will attempt their ramen instead which they are known for. If I revisit, I would likely come on a weekday during non-peak hours.

Note: This review only reflects my experiences at the Noodle Bar and not the rest of the Momofuku's restaurants within the building.