Popular spots to enjoy ramen in Okanagan, Kamloops
Fall is here and the weather is turning colder so many are turning to comfort foods in the Okanagan and Kamloops.
A warm, hearty soup is a definite go-to during the chilly seasons and one particular style, ramen, is becoming more and more popular.
Ramen is a fusion food of Chinese and Japanese influences that come together to create a delicious noodle soup, according to Wikipedia.
This week iNFOnews.ca went to social media to find out which restaurants you thought had the best ramen in the region.
Here are the results of our informal survey:
KELOWNA
Ramen Arashi is home to 11 different types of ramen with an additional ramen salad to boot. From bone broth to soy milk, and sesame base toppings this restaurant has so many choices for a bowl of authentic ramen.
Located at 1884 Dayton Street, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday to Monday, but closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The prices range from $15.95 to $17.95 and there is just one size of soup that is the standard. The customization possibilities are endless.
Wasabi ramen and Ikakaya has 10 different selections for all ramen lovers. They recommend their original ramen in a chicken broth, or the Tonkotsu in a pork-marrow bone broth, but of course there are other options.
Found at 1623 Pandosy Street, the restaurant is open from Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reopens at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The prices for bowls of ramen begin at $14.80 and go up to $18.80. Depending on the various toppings, additional toppings can be added for a little as 50 cents or as much as $3.00. The sizes available for soup selection begin at regular but can be upgraded to large or extra large for an additional $3.00 and $5.00.
Little Tokyo Ramen has five different ramen varieties for customers to choose from with their Red Spicy Miso ramen, traditional Shoyu ramen and Yakisoba as featured items. This restaurant is working on wheels out of a trailer and has rave reviews. This location also sells "do it yourself" ramen kits for those who want to make the delicious soup dish in the comfort of their own home.
Located at 4629 Lakeshore Road, they are open on Fridays at 4:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. The restaurant closes up shop for the day when they are sold out of ramen. It's so popular, it's a first come first serve type of experience.
The prices starts at $16.50 per bowl, with additional noodles, toppings or proteins at an extra cost.
VERNON
Raku Rice and Noodle Bar is a Vernon staple, with nine different ramen soups to choose from. Along with ramen noodles they offer other noodle options like hatchimen, udon, vermicelli, spinach noodles or even zoodles. Gluten-free, vegan and allergy alterations can also be made by request.
The restaurant is located at 3318 30 Avenue and they are open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Prices start as low as $15.50 and can be as high as $25 for the deluxe ramen experience, which comes with all the fixings and more.
Black Pine Social in Vernon is supposed to have great views and even better food. With three different types of ramen on their menu, each holds a unique and exciting flavour.
Located at 148 Silver Lode Lane at SilverStar Mountain Resort, this restaurant is currently closed until the start of ski season in November.
Prices for all three ramen bowls are $20 and additional toppings can be added for an extra fee, even including a 5 oz. steak for $5.
Sakura Sushi & Japanese Grocery has three different spicy ramen flavours for customers to choose from.
Serving customers at 1800 Kalamalka Lake Road and open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday, fans of spicy soups know where to go.
Prices for the bowls range from $13.50 to $15 depending on the type of ramen ordered, but of course, additional toppings can be added for an extra fee.
PENTICTON
Although more known for their sushi, Sushi Genki and Ramen has different three ramen varieties to try including the popular Ramen and Dim Sum Pork combo.
Sushi Genkin and Ramen is located at 95 Eckhardt Avenue Eat, the restaurant opens first from 11:30 a.m to 3 p.m. and then again at 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the dinner crowd.
At this Japanese restaurant, ramen bowls can price from $23.95 to $25.95. Some of the ramen dishes even come with additional dumplings on the side.
KOJO Sushi has a total of five different ramen bowls to choose from, with diverse soup styles with a base of chicken broth, vegan broths and cold ramen without broth.
Located at 3480 Skaha Lake Road, KOJO Sushi is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.
The diverse and unique ramen dishes served at this restaurant can range from $16.50 to $19.50, with extra prices for additions to each dish.
Katsu Heaven lives up to its name. Starting with a twist, this restaurant sells Korean ramen with four different kinds to choose from.
Katsu Heaven can be found at 203 Martin Street and is open from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. with a brief serving break. The restaurant opens again at 4 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m.
The price for a bowl of ramen ranges from $15 to $17.
KAMLOOPS
Tiger Ramen Japanese Noodle Bar takes on an exciting turn of ramen dishes, with a ramen salad and burger in addition to their five different types of ramen to choose from.
Located at 1210 Summit Drive, this restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Thursday and Friday the restaurant re-opens from 4:30 p.m to 8 p.m.
Prices range lowest to highest from $15.75 to $18.25 and the ramen is always served with a smile.
Jacob's Noodle and Cutlet has 10 different ramen dishes on their menu, from spicy, cheesy and seafood or chicken flavoured.
This restaurant with an extensive ramen menu can be found at 260 4 Avenue from 11:30 am to 9 p.m from Monday to Saturday.
The least expensive ramen on their menu is being served at $12.95 to the most expensive starting at $17.95.
Five different types of ramen are offered at Taka Japanese Restaurant. Different broths of chicken, beef or bone are serves with each ramen dish and all can be made spicy.
This restaurant is located at 270 - 1210 Summit Drive and is open from 12 p.m to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday but they are closed on Thursday. Sunday has reduced hours of 4 p.m to 8 p.m.
Prices can range from $15.95 to $17.95 depending on the type of ramen ordered. Extra chicken or beef can be added for an additional $5.00, or an upgrade to spicy broth or udon noodles for $1.
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