Santouka - Japanese Ra-men from Hokkaido

This is my favourite place to eat Japanese Style Ramen
It is a franchises from Hokkaido Japan 
and recently faced its one year anniversary

As soon as it opened, Ramen Santouka became the only place
I go to eat Ramen. 
It became new the best ramen place in Vancouver 
surpassing kintaro in quality and cleanliness by far

If you go during meal time hour, you might have to wait about 30 min in line 
but it seems to be quite random because I can walk in right away around 1PM one day but I have to wait in line 2:30 PM on other day 

Before you walk into the restaurant 
there is models of almost all the menu 
so it is nice to take a look and decide what you would like to eat
before you actually walk in to prepare yourself 

Whenever I have to wait in line, 
I stare at these models and serious contemplate 
what I am going to eat!
There are Mini rice bowls you can make combo out of 
but I would like to recommend gyoza instead
I think it tastes so much better 

you can set up your own cutlery located on the coner of the table 
their red chopstick makes me excited though!! 

This is Cha Shu Miso Ramen 
which has extra Cha Shu (the meat on top)
compared to the regular miso ramen!
Other toppings are mem ma (bamboo shoots), sea weed, green onion and small piece of oden!
Broth is made of miso which is Japanse bean paste 
but it is not like the miso soup you would get in Japanese restaurant 
because it is infused with I think pork based broth and many other things 
making it more rich, and dense 

I found that extra Cha Shu was too much for me 
and it became my companion's.
From now on, I will not be greedy!

This is Shio Ramen Large Size 
In Santouka, you can choose your portion 
the menu is listed as regular size
but if you want to make it smaller or larger
they will do so by subtracting or adding $1 accordingly to the listed price.
Shio Ramen has broth that is flavoured with salt 
however, it has more creamier texture compare to any other broth 
and tastes more rich, smooth and savoury 

I did get extra egg topping
because egg is not included in any of the Santouka Ramen
but it is served in a separate bowl and you put it on your ramen your self 
I remember it being  soft boiled before 
but this time it was cook all the way through 
It had nothing special unlike the egg at Motomachi Shokudo which are extremely delicious!!

The noodles here are quite thin
and you might think it is be undercooked
since its quite chewy and on harder side.
However, since prefer my noodles this way,
it is perfect for me.
After couple minutes it cooks through in the broth  

As I am writing this post,
I have incredible urge to take my wallet and head down there again!! 
Soooooo Yummy!!!!

They have seasonal special as well.
In summer there is Hayashi Ramen 
which is like salad ramen but I have never tried 
In winter there is Tantanmen 
which is ramen with red pepper oil as base for the broth 
but it tasted way to oily for my liking 

For Ramen noobs who are not very familiar with Japanese style Ramen Broth 
I would advise starting with shoyu which is on lighter side 
and for people who enjoy spicy food,
there is karamiso ramen
which is spicier version of miso ramen 
but not very spciy and it is less savoury and thick compared to others 

Personal favourite is Shio ramen because I enjoy the creaminess and saltiness of the broth 

However, as all Japanese Ramen seems to be,
the broth is high in salt content
which makes me thirsty all day if I drink to much of the broth
but it still tastes great and makes me want to comeback every time!!!


Location
1690 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC