Japanese Noodle Soup for the Soul

Midterm season is here! While ramen has a stereotype of being dormitory junk food, it is the perfect way to destress while studying for midterms, and cramming for MTM labs and care plans. Instead of buying ramen in grocery stores, why not visit one of these restaurants that specialize in serving Japanese noodles made in seafood or meat-based broth? They will definitely satisfy your cravings! Itadakimasu~!

1. Leslie Dan Pharmacy Building 144 College St.
Not a ramen place, but it is listed here as a reference point.
Price: $$$$$$$$$$ ($20,000+)

2. Santouka Ramen 91 Dundas St. E.
Famous for their white tonkotsu (pork bone) broth, this restaurant started out in Hokkaido, Japan and has since opened locations worldwide. They make a superior combination of soup, noodles, and meat that just blend in and create a mild, gentle flavor in your mouth that is unmatched by other places. The line ups around lunch and dinner time can attest to that!
Price: $-$$$ ($13-20/bowl)

3. Ryu’s Noodle Bar 33 Baldwin St. // 786 Broadview Ave.
This place serves a variety of ramen with delicious broth for an affordable price. They make the best tsukemen* in 2 different flavours of angus beef curry and shio broth with pork and chicken. They have very friendly and quick service staff that really makes the heart and soul of this restaurant. Try and ramen you fancy and drink it with some cream soda or Sapporo beer and no doubt you will be filled to your heart’s (or stomach’s) content.
*Tsukemen = dip n’ noodle ramen where noodles are dipped in a separate bowl of soup before eating.
Price: $-$$ ($11-18/bowl)

4. Ramen Isshin 421 College St.
Isshin has a good broth that has a stronger (and more flavourful!) taste than in most places. They have really quick staff and you can see them prepare the noodles in front of the store. Whenever you get a bowl in this place, order it with an extra shoyu marinated soft-boiled egg.
Price: $-$$ ($11-16/bowl)

5. Ramen Raijin 2 - 10 Phipps St.
The most convenient ramen restaurant since it is a 2 minute walk from Wellesley station, has a mini grocery store inside which also sells bento boxes (pre-made lunch boxes) that you can buy for lunch! They are usually open until midnight and is a perfect place to hang out with friends for those late nights.
Price: $-$$ ($11-15)

6-9. Kinton Ramen 51 Baldwin St. // 668 Bloor St. W. // 402 Queen St. W. // 396 Church St.
Kinton is the largest ramen chain in Toronto that has a create-your-own ramen menu where you choose your broth, meat, noodles, and toppings. This is a good introduction for ramen beginners if they would like to try it out as the flavor is more “western” than traditional ramen. Also, Kara-age (deep fried chicken) ramen on Mondays is a must try!
Price: $-$$ ($10-16)