These are the ramen joints you have to visit in Toronto this season

Nov 11 2019, 6:18 pm

It’s officially cold in the city, which means it’s high time to enjoy a warm, hearty bowl of the best Toronto ramen

New ramen joints have been popping up all over town, and older brands have been adding new locations. It’s never been a better time to slurp your favourite tonkotsu broth, whether you prefer a traditional ramen or one that adds new and bold flavours.

So without further ado, here’s where to go for the steamiest and most savoury ramen around.

Ramen Isshin

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Their name means “One Heart, One Ramen” and Ramen Isshin truly puts love into their food. The Wok Fried Red Miso Ramen is their signature dish and is made with red and white miso, sake, and decadent tonkotsu broth.

Address: 421 College Street
Phone: 416-367-4013

Address: 111 Richmond Street West
Phone: 647-557-5993

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Sansotei Ramen

@sansoteiramen / Instagram

Sansotei is a hometown hero. In Toronto since 2012, this ramen bar brings different styles of ramen from all over Japan to one store. With locations all over Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area and a restaurant in Ottawa, Sansotei is dominating the province. Their Tonkotsu Black ramen cannot be passed on.

Address: 179 Dundas Street West
Phone: 647-748-3833

Address: 650 Yonge Street
Phone: 647-349-3833

Address: 115 Fort York Boulevard
Phone: 647-343-8878

Address: 3987 Highway 7, Unit 4, Markham
Phone: 905-604-7118

Address: 9555 Yonge Street, Unit 12, Richmond Hill
Phone: 905-884-0707

Address: Square One, 100 City Centre Drive, Unit 2-817, Mississauga
Phone: 905-232-8890

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Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

Adrian Zee / Daily Hive

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka started with a simple white tonkotsu soup in 1988 and is now a massive franchise spanning dozens of stores in Japan and around the world. Its Canadian outposts make their broth fresh and by hand. And their classics like the Shio, Shoyu, and Miso ramen prove that simple is best.

Address: 91 Dundas St East
Phone: 647-748-1717

Address: 2057 Yonge Street
Phone: 647-351-1163

Address: 515 Bloor Street West
Phone: 647-346-6350

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Jinya Ramen Bar

Adrian Zee / Daily Hive

On the other foot, Jinya moves beyond traditional ramen. While traditional tonkotsu is on the menu, Jinya also has signatures like their Sprouting Up Ramen — made with spicy bean sprouts. Want something even wackier? The Jinya Chicken Ramen has an option of adding cheese and tomato for $3.

Address: 399 Church Street
Phone: 647-748-8988

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Konjiki Ramen

Konjiki Ramen / Instagram

Konjiki came into Toronto strong with its “Michelin-approved” ramen. The restaurant has since received its Michelin star, and its second location is soon to open closer to the downtown core. The signature at Konjiki is the Lobster Ramen, which is made with a house-made lobster cream reduction. But this specialty is only available on Wednesdays. On the other days of the week, their Clam Broth ramen is the way to go.   

Address: 5051 Yonge Street
Phone: 647-350-7766

Address: 41 Elm Street

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Hakata Shoryuken

Hakata Shoryuken / Instagram

Hakata Ramen is known for their tonkotsu, which hails from the city of Fukuoka in Southern Japan. The tonkotsu broth is cooked for over 15 hours over high heat and only uses high-quality pork bones. This process releases the bone marrow into the soup, giving it a rich and creamy texture.

Address: 225 Queen Street West
Phone: 416-519-8940

Address: 5321 Yonge Street
Phone: 416-733-3725

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Ryus Noodle Bar

Ryus Noodle Bar / Instagram

Ryus is all about the umami flavours of ramen. Their Chicken Broth Ramen uses mainly Ontario chicken but has the addition of Angus beef, as well. This adds a sweet umami flavour to it. If you really want that tradition pork broth, however, go for Ryu’s signatures such and the Rich Shio and the Nostalgic Japanese Shio.

Address: 786 Broadview Avenue
Phone: 647-344-9306

Address: 33 Baldwin Street (Currently closed for renovations)

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Ramen Misoya

Misoya Ramen / Instagram

While Miso Ramen is usually an option at ramen bars, Ramen Misoya puts it centre stage. This chain has 30 locations worldwide, with one in Toronto. Their ramen fuses three kinds of miso broths: shio (white miso); kome miso (which has a richer taste); and mame miso (purely soybean). This is a miso-lover’s paradise.

Address: 646 Queen Street West
Phone: 416-594-6476

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Hakata Ikkousha Ramen

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Also founded in the city of Fukuoka, Ikkousha Ramen has been making authentic tonkotsu ramen for over 15 years. They have over 70 stores worldwide and have more recently set up shop in Toronto, creating three-hour lines just for a taste of their delicious broth.

Address: 249 Queen Street West
Phone: 416-901-2249

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