It didn't take long for there to be another ramen option on Broadway near Cambie after longstanding noodle shop Menya Ramen departed at the end of May. Now the newcomer, Menya Raizo, is in its soft open phase at the corner of Broadway and Yukon.
Gyokai Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
Menya Raizo is part of the Zakkushi Group of Canadian Japanese restaurants. The group also operates Ramen Raijin locations in Burnaby, and Toronto, as well as the Zaukkushi restaurants in Vancouver, and a few other concepts, including "J Crepe" which features a ramen crepe on the menu.
Their newest "Japanese Noodle Bar" is currently offering a truncated menu of dishes, including five core ramen selections: Umami Shoyu, Spicy Miso, Umami Shio, Miso, and Gyokai Tonkotsu Shoyu.
Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
I checked out the Gyokai Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, which is a meld of fish and pork-based broth, heaped with singed garlic flecks and a milky hue. It's a rich, fatty broth that has distinct seafood notes, though not a full-on oceanic salinity. The pork slice is tender and yields easily with a little chopstick pressure for bites, while the noodles are an average thickness with a good amount of curl and toothsomeness.
Ramen add-ons include the usual suspects, like extra cha-shu pork, soft boiled egg, bean sprouts, nori, corn, and so on.
Menya Raizo has several side dishes, including Tebasaki Chicken Wings, Yuzu Flavoured Pickled Cabbage, and Takoyaki, as well as standard gyoza, with a crispy char from their stay in the pan and juicy filling.
Gyoza (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
Eventually they will have a few ice cream desserts and floats on the menu, but for the soft opening there is just a pre-packaged pudding on offer.
The small, sparse room was packed during peak lunchtime, putting the new staff through their paces with a steady stream of would-be slurpers grabbing a seat.
Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
Take note, Menya Raizo is running limited weekday orders until their planned full opening date (August 4) and they are a cashless operation (debit and credit only).
Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
Menya Raizo is located at 401 West Broadway in Vancouver.
