Ramen shops have really become popular in Vancouver in recent years, which is why it’s a little surprising to find such a shortage of them along the Main Street corridor. We’ve got all sorts of other cafes and restaurants up and down Main Street and while some of the sushi restaurants serve ramen, they’re not really ramen shops.
So, I got pretty stoked when I saw that a ramen restaurant was opening next door to Ogenki Sushi at 4342 Main Street. And then, less than a week later, I noticed that they opened the doors… to Ogenki Ramen. The two restaurants are directly linked — there’s even a pass-through door inside — but they have separate kitchens and separate menus.
I’ve only had a sub-par experience at Ogenki Sushi in the past, but I was hoping that the people running the ramen side of the business would offer the same kind of dedication to the craft as Brittany Murphy. The cute “hugging’ salt and pepper shakers were a nice touch, as was the mostly traditional wooden-looking interior.
The menu was more or less what I expected to find from a ramen shop, but I was a little saddened to see the lack of a Shio Ramen option. That’s usually my go-to broth. As expected, there are additional toppings (like extra noodles, green onion, corn, agitama boiled egg, etc.) and some appetizers (gyoza, chicken karaage, edamame, etc.).
Taking a stroll off the beaten path, Susanne decided to go with the Spicy Tan Tan Men in a Miso Broth. This is rather unconventional for ramen and it’s even less conventional than what you’d find at Motomachi Shokudo. Unfortunately for the spicy fans in the audience, this broth wasn’t all that spicy at all; I tasted more of the peanut than anything else.
In lieu of my usual Shio Ramen, I opted for the Tonkotsu Ramen (I usually spell it tonkatsu, but tonkotsu is acceptable too meaning pork bone, not to be confused with a tonkatsu breaded pork cutlet). The good news is that it came with quite a few different toppings, like the nori, boiled egg, and kikurage black wood ear mushroom. The bad news is that I only got a single slice of chashu (BBQ pork). What’s up with that?
The broth wasn’t particularly rich and flavorful, nor did the noodles have the same kind of chewy “bounce” that you’d like to see from “al dente” ramen noodles. (And yes, I realize I just combined an Italian term with Japanese cuisine.)
What’s interesting is that I was served green ramen noodles. There’s a $1.50 option for spinach noodles, but I don’t think that’s what I got. It’s also too bad that Ogenki Ramen seems to lack in the usual condiments, like togarashi and garlic. They’re mainstays at a place like Benkei Ramen, so Ogenki should have followed suit.
At the end of the day, I’m a little disappointed with Ogenki Ramen. But given the lacklustre experience I had with Ogenki Sushi, I really shouldn’t have been all that surprised. The food is okay, but it doesn’t compare to a Kintaro Ramen or Hokkaido Ramen Santouka.
I saw it open when I walked by last sat…so I still need to go try it…maybe when I’m in the area again…lol..
You are a tough reviewer for ramen. I noticed that in your last review on the subject. At least I know where the food won’t be what it should be.
I think I’ve been spoiled, having had ramen in Japan. It’s just not the same. The best bowl I’ve had, ironically enough, was at some random truck stop on the side of a highway outside Tokyo.
I do believe the out of the way, hole in the wall places do have the best food a lot of the time. One thing I have found from driving with my Dad all those years as a kid when he was in the Military is that Truck Stops tend to have better food than the 5 star famous chef restaurants.
How many have tried and failed miserably to match Kintaro?
I wouldn’t say they’ve all failed miserably, but I have tried several. Off the top of my head: Motomachi, Santouka, Benkei (3 locations), G-Men, Q Go, Nikkyu, and now Ogenki. I’m not counting Japanese restaurants that happen to also serve ramen either.