I’ve said it before that Montreal’s ramen scene is strong. Some might even argue; too strong. What’s great about having so may options is that everyone is relatively on the same playing field. When everyone is lined up next to each other doing the same thing, that’s only when the stars will shine the brightest. My gold medal standard bowl of ramen is from Yokato Yokabai. Their classic tonkotsu is undefeated. Although (don’t tell anyone) I’ve become a big fan of their Gomami broth – a sesame based broth. This week I went to check out the new location of Kumamoto Ramen in Ville Saint Laurent to see where they stack up.
Ramen
In the past five to eight years, the proliferation of ramen shops in the city has blossomed to a point where you can get decent ramen almost anywhere in the city. My favorites are still Yokato Yobabai and Kazu, don’t @ me. At the same time as the ramen rise, there was a variable poke bloom as well. When was the last time you got a poke? No, not that thirsty thing you did on Facebook to get your crush to notice you. I meant poké; the delicious dish of soy sauce marinated raw fish tossed with savoury aromatics like scallions, red onion, sesame.
What if I told you, you can now get ramen, poke annnd the city’s best taro latte all at the same time? That’s right, the newest hotspot in NDG is located at Mia Café Club AKA, Ca Lem AKA Caviar Sushi Poke & Ramen.
What food related thing are you proud of? Are you able to eat really spicy foods and is potent enough to test plumping systems? Are you an expert sommellier that can discern different kinds of wine by blind sniffing the shelf at the SAQ? Have you ever eaten the weight of a small child at an all you can eat buffet? One of the things I’m most proud of is eating over 50 bowls of pho across Montreal to present the most comprehensive “Best Pho of Montreal” list. With this week’s review, I’m happy to add another accomplishment to my list – having eaten at every Japanese ramen joint in Montreal. I visit Ramen Plaza.