REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - Vancouver Ramen Shootout: Benkei, Kintaro, and Motomachi

jlo mein · 12-30-2009, 11:38 PM

Last week I went to Kenzo Japanese Noodle House on Kingsway and Griffiths in Burnaby. Besides ramen they serve many other Korean dishes and Japanese donburi, and also serve alcohol (unlike most local ramen shops, with Motomachi being an exception). As usual I ordered a miso ramen. Noodles were excellent with a deep yellow colour, cooked until it still had some firmness, and had the proper crinkled shape. I did not like the soup as it had almost no miso flavour and had a much too noticeable ginger overtone. Cha siu pork was tough and eggs were boiled far too long. I've yet to try the ramen at Metropolis in Metrotown or Miki Ramen on Kingsway and Royal Oak, but I don't think I will go back to Kenzo.

BTW: Does anyone know where Miki Ramen is on Kingsway and Royal Oak? I don't see it on Google Street View. Is it on the southeast corner with the HSBC?

Today I made another stop at Benkei and it was PACKED. I'm not sure if its the holidays or word getting around but it seems to get more busy everytime I'm there. When I was finishing up my meal around 7PM waitresses were already telling newcomers that miso ramen was sold out for the night! I noticed that I again got some decently cooked noodles (only on my first visit I received noodles too soft). I also ordered the cha siu pork onigiri, and its a decent side dish with some great flavour but a little dry.

I walked by 747 Thurlow Street and the new Benkei location has "Opening Soon" signs up with the windows covered. I like the location better so I hope they maintain the same standards. I also walked past Robson and Bidwell, and saw the "Opening Soon" signs for Hokkaido Ramen something beside Guu.

12-30-2009, 11:38 PM	#76
jlo mein I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: burnaby Posts: 2,705 Thanked 356 Times in 170 Posts Failed 46 Times in 13 Posts	Last week I went to Kenzo Japanese Noodle House on Kingsway and Griffiths in Burnaby. Besides ramen they serve many other Korean dishes and Japanese donburi, and also serve alcohol (unlike most local ramen shops, with Motomachi being an exception). As usual I ordered a miso ramen. Noodles were excellent with a deep yellow colour, cooked until it still had some firmness, and had the proper crinkled shape. I did not like the soup as it had almost no miso flavour and had a much too noticeable ginger overtone. Cha siu pork was tough and eggs were boiled far too long. I've yet to try the ramen at Metropolis in Metrotown or Miki Ramen on Kingsway and Royal Oak, but I don't think I will go back to Kenzo. BTW: Does anyone know where Miki Ramen is on Kingsway and Royal Oak? I don't see it on Google Street View. Is it on the southeast corner with the HSBC? Today I made another stop at Benkei and it was PACKED. I'm not sure if its the holidays or word getting around but it seems to get more busy everytime I'm there. When I was finishing up my meal around 7PM waitresses were already telling newcomers that miso ramen was sold out for the night! I noticed that I again got some decently cooked noodles (only on my first visit I received noodles too soft). I also ordered the cha siu pork onigiri, and its a decent side dish with some great flavour but a little dry. I walked by 747 Thurlow Street and the new Benkei location has "Opening Soon" signs up with the windows covered. I like the location better so I hope they maintain the same standards. I also walked past Robson and Bidwell, and saw the "Opening Soon" signs for Hokkaido Ramen something beside Guu. Last edited by jlo mein; 12-30-2009 at 11:46 PM.