Ramen Ya

Chashu - Pork Roast Spicy Miso Ramen Noodles

The ramen noodle bar just keeps getting raised higher and higher in Montreal – just when I think I’ve had the best, I went for lunch at Ramen Ya on St Laurent. Ramen Ya is a great and understated little restaurant with seating along the kitchen bar and a few tables for groups. On my recent visit, I was treated to the full nine yards – Japanese music, decor and even a Japanese businessman on his iPad.

I asked the chef for his recommendations and got the Chashu ramen bowl which includes pork roast and spicy miso soup along with house made ramen noodles and the usual ramen amenities. The bowl was served with some optional dried garlic seasoning and shichimi tougarashi (excellent Japanese spices). My order was served lightning fast and and the service was amiable.

I am starting to love how every ramen place has it’s own take on the dish – this bowl was quite distinct from my other favorite yuki ramen (a more Chinese take). I was told the Chashu pork is a more traditional Japanese preparation involving simmering pork belly with garlic, ginger, sake and shoyu. The spicy miso broth was AMAZING – so so delicious, not too spicy not too salty. Just damn good.

Ramen Ya also offers sashimi and maki rolls on it’s menu which I haven’t tried so can’t speak for. But to be honest the ramen is so good it would be a small tragedy to eat sushi.

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