The end of a very delicious chapter in Vancouver's ramen history is about to come to a close. Menya Japanese Noodle on Broadway will be closing down on May 31.
When Menya opened at the corner of West Broadway and Yukon in September 2008, the neighbourhood was plagued with Canada Line construction, and the modest shop's very Japanese vibe (including its tree stump seats) seemed like novelty to many.
Menya Ramen at 401 West Broadway (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
In the following years, ramen has really boiled over in Vancouver--we now have what we call "Ramen Row" on Robson Street, with several new shops just having opened up in recent months.
Menya has been known as a reliable spot for its Kyushu-style tonkotsu, prepared by the chef and owner Shuichi Hara, who trained to make ramen under the tutelage of his mother-in-law in Nagahana, Japan. Kyushu style, incidentally, means a cloudier, rich pork bone broth and has thinner, less curly noodles than other varieties.
Nagasaki Champon at Menya (@mealsbyjason/Instagram)
The restaurant is also known for their Nagasaki Champon, a one-pot ramen made with seafood, pork, and vegetables, and noodles cooked in the soup. Menya has a Shoyu ramen on the menu, along with other noodles like soba and udon, and a number of side dishes. Their prices have also remained fairly steady over their ten-year tenure.
With nearly a decade of dishing up ramen under his belt, Hara is ready to retire. The restaurant confirmed they will be ladling their last bowls of ramen on May 31.
Menya Japanese Noodle is located at 401 West Broadway in Vancouver
