Places to go in Montréal for an authentic bowl of ramen
Jason Lee
This article was updated on November 20, 2023.
Ramen is a humble dish of fresh wheat noodles swimming in a broth (that has most likely been simmering for hours) topped with meats and vegetables. This quintessential Japanese comfort food has been growing in popularity as more and more noodle shops and ramen houses pop up around town. Here are the some of the best places to go for an authentic bowl of ramen.
Umami Ramen & Izakaya
6660, Clark Street | Website
The very first fully vegan ramen restaurant in Montréal offers well-known specialties and some exclusive Chef creations. Thanks to the importation of a Japanese noodle-making machine, Umami Ramen & Izakaya crafts its own house-made noodles from organic wheat, along with broths, tsukemono, kombucha, and sprouts. The restaurant reimagines Japanese classics and offers various vegan ramen varieties and small Japanese bistronomy specialties, complemented by refreshing beers, exquisite wines, intoxicating cocktails, delicate sakes, and other fine wine products in the Izakaya ambiance.
Yokato Yokabai
4185 Drolet Street | Website
Located in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, Yokato Yokabai specializes in authentic Hakata Tonkotsu style ramen - which is a pork bone-based soup. Its menu is a check list that you fill out at your table. Its tongue-twisting name is a literal translation of a Japanese term that means, “I like it.” Order the extra salty pork bone tonkotsu with extra scallions and half an egg and I guarantee you’ll love it.
Restaurant Kazu
1844 Sainte-Catherine Street O. | Website
This popular downtown izakaya is known for lineups that stretch down the street starting as early as an hour before the doors open. Known for its classic izakaya dishes, Restaurant Kazu also serves up a mean bowl of ramen. Home made noodles in a silky-smooth miso broth topped with braised pork belly and scallions will leave you craving for more.
Ramen Misoya
2065A Bishop Street and 30 Sainte-Catherine O. Street | Website
Ramen Misoya is a ramen chain with over 30 locations worldwide that has been recognized in the New York Michelin guide for 3 years in a row. Its broths are miso based and come in three different concentrations: shiromiso, komemiso and mamemiso. The classic bowl is delicious but try the curry ramen - a rich curry miso broth that’s topped with 3 pieces of chicken katsu (fried chicken cutlet), beansprouts, corn and fried slices of potato.
Kinka Izakaya
1624 Sainte-Catherine Street O. | Website
Expect a traditional bellowing of “irrashaimase” (welcome in Japanese) the moment you walk through the door. Not only does it serve classic Japanese pub grub like takoyaki (grilled octopus balls) or chicken karaage (fried chicken), but its ramen is popular as well.
Kinton Ramen
Various locations in Montreal | Website
As a part of the Kinka family of izakaya-style restaurants and pubs that invite patrons to explore Japanese cuisine beyond sushi, Kinton Ramen hit the ground running when it arrived in early 2016. Its official ramen challenge has patrons slurping every noodle and soup down to the last drop. Clean your bowl and you’re an official Kinton Bowler – prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.
Ichifuku
1925 Sainte-Catherine Street O. | Website
This Shaughnessy Village favourite recently changed their concept and now is a grocery store that offers delicious ramen as well as prepared meals ready to eat and imported Japanese products.
Kumamoto Ramen
1812 Sainte-Catherine Street O. | Website
Kumamato Ramen is hitting all the right notes with diehard ramen eaters. It offers solo diners the option of enjoying their noodles in specialty booths where they order and are served through a bamboo curtain with minimal human interaction.
Imadake
4006 Sainte-Catherine Street O. | Website
This boisterous izakaya has been lighting up the ramen scene for years. With a tonkotsu, kare-miso and vegetarian option made with shiitake mushrooms and kombu, Imadake gets creative with its noodle offerings. Toppings like buttered corn, grilled rare beef (think pho) and marinated soft-boiled eggs are sure to whet your appetite.
Ramen 9000
4609 Notre-Dame Street O. | Website
A pop-up ramen shop takes over the Saint-Henri favorite ice cream shop Dalla Rose during the winter months, singling three ramen options; a basic ramen, a chili ramen and a signature “Dalla Rose” bowl are all vegan. Yes, vegan ramen. Classic ramen accoutrements like pork and eggs are all available as add-ons.
Sumo Ramen
1007 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
The original ramen option in Chinatown, SUMO RAMEN has been offering slurpable Japanese soup noodles for years. Pick from a choice of three different broths, pepper, shoyu and miso as well as three types of noodles: the options are endless. Great vegetarian options available as well.
Marusan
401 Notre-Dame O. and 705 Saint-Catherine Street | Website
Purveyors of casual Japanese meals in the Old Port, Marusan opened its ramen outpost in the newly minted Time Out Market in the Centre Eaton de Montréal, serving traditional bowls of savoury ramen as well as curry donburi and other delicious bites.
Sansotei Ramen
370 Sainte-Catherine Street and 1201 Mont-Royal Avenue | Website
This Ontario chain of ramen houses has set up shop with two locations in Montreal. Specializing in tonkotsu, there’s six divergent preparations to choose from; their original recipe, spicy tantan, tomato, mazemen to name a few.
Jason Lee
Jason is a seasoned food writer and blogger with over 18 years of culinary adventures in Montréal. He’s a master at uncovering the city's hidden gems and transforming meals into captivating stories. Join him as he continues to explore and share Montréal’s vibrant food scene.