keeping it real

VANCOUVER SUMMER & WINTER RECOMMENDATIONS

Hi everyone!

Long time no blog post. But I’m back (temporarily LOL) with a very highly requested post on what to do/eat/etc in one of the best cities in the world… Vancouver!! If you don’t already know, yours truly grew up in Vancouver and therefore knows all the ins and outs to that city (just kidding, I left when I was like 18 – but I do have friends that know the ins and outs to that city…) so…

Hi everyone! It’s Monday!!!!! you know what that means 😉 #WorstDayEver but at least you have THIS post to look forward to right?!?!?! 😉 Not to remind you every damn week (but I’m gonna until it sticks), if you are tuning in for the first time, I’ve started a food series where I write about one of my favourite restaurants (every Monday 9pm EST) that includes my pictures and personal…

Welcome to the 3rd episode of my weekly Food Posts #GetaweiFood and #GetaweiFoodTO (follow this hashtag on Instagram, y’all). To understand what this is, check out my first blog post here that explains a little more about these series. Also don’t forget to check out the last post which was a fantastic brunch spot called Baddies!

Remember that these food posts will occur every Monday at 9pm EST! Turn on notifications on my Instagram to keep posted.

Anyway, getting to this week’s post… I’m introducing to you

THE. BEST. RAMEN. IN. TORONTO.

(my opinion of course haha there might be better ones according to other people but… are you reading their blog? Yeah didn’t think so. #SassyMondays)

Anywho…

This week’s special guest is my absolute favourite ramen spot in all of Toronto. I’ve been to so many ramen places including the top ones like Momofuku,Kinton, Sansotei, etc, but this restaurant I’m about to introduce you guys is BY FAR the winner in my eyes for the best ramen. Don’t believe me? This is also the only ramen place that has ever been able to surpass a 4.5 rating (currently sitting at 4.7) on Google with close to 800 reviews!!!!!!

Introducing… (not really but just broadcasting the message here)… RAMEN ISSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before I continue, I would like to say a special thanks to my amazing friend Lisha Fan for showing me this restaurant and taking me there first :’). I didn’t even take snaps/pictures my first time because it was just so damn good I scarfed it down.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT:

Their noodles are absolutely unreal and it’s nothing like the other places I’ve tried

The soup base is also Roll-Your-Eyes-Back amazing

Their vegetarian options are BOMB. If you’re a vegetarian and you’ve been sad that you haven’t been able to try out ramen… do not fear. This is the best place you will ever find for vegetarian ramen!

The staff here is also very attentive and friendly. The service is great!

ESSENTIAL DETAILS

Downtown Toronto – Bathurst & College

Exact Address = 421 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1T1 (again, I don’t know why you would want to have the postal code but here it is)

NO RESERVATIONS ANYTIME

Wait time is typically around 15-30 minutes depending on:

Your party size

If you’re willing to sit on the counter / bar, if you’re willing to share a table, or if you only want actual seats

WHAT I’VE TRIED

***Disclaimer: these are my personal favourites and suggestions

So before I give you a point-form version that we all love to see, I just want to say that I’ve been here 3 times. In total, I’ve tried 5 different dishes. To me, there was a clear winner and what really set this place apart from other ramen places was their Kotteri Shoyu Ramen (I’ve attached pictures of their menu below). Everything about that dish was amazing – the noodles & the broth as well as the toppings that are included.

This is the Kotteri Shoyu Ramen!!! SOOOO GOOD YOU GUYS I CAN’T EVEN A;SLKDFJ;ALSKDFJKJA;LSKDFJ;ALSKDFJ;ALKDSJF;

  the KOTTERI SHOYU RAMEN is by far the BEST RAMEN i’ve ever had!!!

The other items I’ve tried on the menu were also good but I wouldn’t say that they were my favourite and those dishes didn’t make this restaurant stand out to me as much as the Shoyu Ramen.

RAMENS I’VE TRIED:

Kotteri Shoyu Ramen – YOU HAVE TO GET THIS

Spicy Miso Ramen

Black Tan Tan Noodle

Shoyu Tsuk’emen.

In depth review:

1// Kotteri Shoyu Ramen 

Don’t know how many more times I can say this except for the fact that this is literally the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. It’s literally my go-to ramen when I come here. The toppings are great, the soup base is amazing – not to salty but really flavourful, and the noodles are like no other ramen places (in a very good way!)

2// Spicy Miso Ramen

This was the most suggested item from the restaurant itself. Don’t get me wrong it’s still good but it’s not as great as the other one in my opinion!! I got Lucas to try this one and the Kotteri Shoyu Ramen and he definitely agrees that the Kotteri is what makes this restaurant special whereas this one was pretty average. However, definitely give this a try if you really like miso base or if you’re craving spicy.

3// Black Tan Tan Noodle

This dish was interesting because you were able to grind the black sesame seeds and pour it into the soup base yourself. However, what I didn’t like about this dish was that it was pricier than the classic ramens ($13.80 rather than $11 something) and it didn’t include as many toppings – it didn’t have egg, seaweed, etc #WhatIsUpWithThatCmonMan. The soup base for me was also a little to salty for my liking so when I got this to try I immediately regretted not getting the one I usually get RIP 😥 #DramaQueenHour.

4// Shoyu Tsuk’emen

This is their “dip ramen”. Basically the soup on the left is not only SUPER HOT but there is only very little quantity of it. The idea is that you eat the ramen by dipping into the soup rather than eating it together. The noodles here are thicker and much chewier than your classic ramen-in-soup. I got this really to try it out but I didn’t actually like it too much because I’m more into eating the noodles and drinking the soup at the same time. Also, just like the Black Tan Tan Noodles, this dish was also on the saltier side which I didn’t like. AND the noodles were on the colder side since it’s not in the soup itself so overall the dish was kind of cold. I would recommend trying this more for the experience or if you really like dip ramen but overall this was not a favourite of mine.

I’ve also tried their vegetarian ramen (just a few bites from Lisha!) and I can honestly say that the soup base was just as good despite the fact that it’s not from actual meat! If you are a vegetarian, definitely give this place a try.

OTHER:

Chicken Karaage

Cold Peach Jelly Sake

In depth review:

1// Chicken Karaage

Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) is always good no matter where you go and this place is no exception. This appetizer didn’t particularly stand out amongst other restaurants but regardless, good Karaage overall.

2// Cold Peach Jelly Sake

This item was pretty pricey ($9) for a small can but it was DELICIOUS. Also it was a really cool thing to try because the drink comes out in Jelly form!

Karaage 

Black Tan Tan Noodle. 

Shoyu Tsuk’emen. 

I hope you liked this episode of Must Eat in Toronto! Talk to you all next week!! ❤

Love, Lisa

Merry Christmas, you guys!!! 🙂 Welcome to the second episode of my food series. For those who are tuning in for the first time, I’ve started a food series where I write about one of my favourite restaurants (every Monday 9pm EST) that includes my pictures and personal recommendations. And yes, only the favourites will make it on to these blog posts so if I don’t like it, I won’t write about it…

Hi guys! I’m really excited to announce that I’m going to be starting a new segment on the blog EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 9PM EST that includes everyone’s favourite topic… FOOD! Many of you have are already victims of my food spams on Instagram stories… #SorryNotSorryByDemiLovato, but now I wanted to give you a more in depth review of some of my favourite places in Toronto / GTA (or wherever I may be).…