Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

Restaurant: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

Cuisine: Japanese/Ramen/Noodle Shop
Last visited: March 6, 2010
Area: Vancouver, BC (West End/Robson/Downtown)
1690 Robson Street
Price Range: $10-20

1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: Tres Excellent!!

Food: 6
Service: 4.5

Ambiance: 4.5

Overall: 6

Additional comments:

• Multiple locations (In US, Canada, Japan etc.)
• Closest thing to authentic Japanese ramen
• Best ramen in Vancouver – according to Japanese ppl too!
• Deceivingly big portions
• Specializes in ramen noodles
• Famous for signature Shio broth
• Famous for Toroniku Ramen bowls – limited quantity
• Famous for perfectly cooked noodles
• Authentically ramen is eaten with rice bowl
• Appetizers “coming soon”
• Long lines/busy
• Quick eat
• Cash only
• Clean & contemporary atmosphere
• Limited menu, but lots of options for customization
• A couple dollars more expensive than most
• Extra for green tea
• Minimum charge $7.95/person

**Recommendation: Toroniku aka “cha-shu”, Toroniku Shio Ramen, Toroniku Miso Ramen, hard boiled egg…ANY Toroniku ramen bowl, but especially Shio w/all the fixings…the Toroniku bowls have more pork and toppings served on the side.

This place is hands down the best ramen I have had in Vancouver thus far. I was recommended by a friend who got the inside from his Japanese friend. Through word of mouth I also heard that this place is the closest thing to authentic ramen noodles you would get in Japan. My expectations were set high and I was extremely excited.

I do like Kintaro, Benkei Ramen and G-Men Ramen and I’ve never had ramen noodles in Japan so I don’t know what authentic is…however I do trust Japanese people when they say “Hokkaido Ramen Santouka” is the closest thing to it in Vancouver. Some even said Kintaro is “crap”…I don’t think it’s crap, but after Hokkaido Ramen Santouka …it’s definitely not as good and not authentic if this is the real deal. Now it doesn’t necessarily mean Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is the BEST in Japan, but it is still good there. It’s actually a chain restaurant that exists in Japan as well so I’m very happy that it has made its way to Vancouver.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka just opened so the line-up was a 30 min. wait and it’s didn’t stop for 3 hours. To be honest I’d wait in line again…it was worth it. It’s a bit more expensive then most ramen places and the portions looks small, but they’re deceivingly filling. Also go early because they almost ran out of egg when I was there and their house special “Toroniku” ramen bowls are a limited quantity. A lot of their appetizers like gyoza, salad and 2 sushi rolls are “coming soon” – I will definitely go back…soon too.

On the table:

**Toroniku Shio Ramen 6/6

• Smmered pork jowl (pork cheeks) and salt seasoned ramen $12.95
• + Egg $1.25 + Tokibi (corn) $2.00 + Yaki nori $1.45
• This is the signature, “claim to fame”, authentic and most popular ramen bowl offered.
• It’s limited quantity and first come first serve. Get it with all the fixings.
• The broth is a “pearl-coloured Tonkotsu soup” that is made with pork bones and other ingredients such as vegetables, dried fish and kelp.

• The broth is rich and creamy and so flavourful. It’s got a salty flavour that is so much more than just salt…it’s so complex and delicious. The saltiness is developed with layers of ingredients, it’s slow cooked and the pork flavour is distinct. This is one of the first times I have enjoyed Shio broth more than Miso broth.
• Unlike Kintaro and Benkei there’s not as many “floaties” aka pork fat bits floating on the top.
• Apparently some people think the broth is not hot enough, I thought it was hot enough…but they have a standard temperature they serve it at for optimal flavour.
  

• The noodles are delicious! They're al dente - a little harder (how they should be) and they have a great chewy texture. Apparently Santouka is famous for cooking their noodles perfectly too.
  

• It's a deceivingly large bowl...don't be fooled...it looks small, but the bowls are deep!

**Toroniku Miso Ramen 5.5/6

• Simmered pork jowl and miso (fermented soy bean paste) flavoured ramen $12.95
• + Egg $1.25 + Tokibi (corn) $2.00 + Yaki nori $1.45
• This is almost part of their “limited quantity” list.

• This was delicious as well! It was a bit more flavourful and richer than the Shio Ramen…but I almost thought it was a bit indulgent. The Shio is such a masterpiece already that the miso almost took away from it…it was still really good though. Still complex and layered flavours.
  
• It was creamier than the Shio and it tastes like there’s sesame sauce in it. It even almost tasted like peanut butter…it’s less salty then the Shio but also richer, heavier and nuttier in flavour.

The side plate of toppings that come with every Toroniku ramen bowl: Toroniku (cha-shu), black wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, green onions and that fake "lobster/crab" thing made of mixed fish.

**Toroniku (BBQ Pork) or “cha-shu” 6/6

• Simmered pork jowl meat ($5.45 if ordered separately)
• This is THE BEST pork I’ve had served with a ramen bowl yet.
• It’s seriously soooo soft it comes off as the texture of cheese. It was so tender, flavourful and juicy. There’s only one type, not like Kintaro where they have lean or fatty.
• I want to give this an 11/6…I don’t even know why 11…it’s just so damn good.
• Even a toothless person could eat this…my grandma could eat this...that’s how tender it is.

• It’s not really fatty, but there is a layer of fat around the edges. It’s not thick or chewy so it’s not obvious and it doesn’t even taste fatty. It’s the kind of fat that you don’t really see or notice…I really don’t like fatty meats and this one didn’t bother me. It's just a bit oily...but so juicy and flavourful. There's an additional salty flavour to it.
  

• The side plate also comes with black ear wood mushrooms, green onions and bamboo shoots. Even the mushrooms and bamboo shoots are delicious. They’re both very fresh and the perfect texture of crunchiness and tenderness. Most places they’re too crunchy....which I like and got used too…but now I’ve had this, I prefer this.

**Egg 6/6

• $1.25
• I must give a special shout out for the egg. It’s perfect. As perfect if not better than G-Men Ramen.
• They almost ran out and I almost cried…but she came back and said they were able to make more…I was ecstatic.

• The middle was a dark orange and it was ultra creamy. Freaking love these soft boiled eggs…they do a great job with them here.

Ikura Gohan 2.5/6

• A bowl of rice topped with ikura (salmon roe) $5.45 Small size only.
• I prefer G-Men Ramen mini dons over this.
• Ramen noodles are authentically eaten with a side of rice – they have combination trays (ramen + rice bowl) but only the regular ramen bowls apply, not the Toroniku ramen bowls. I had to order them separately.

• Ikura Gohan rice bowl is the most authentic one. Japanese people order it and it was recommended by the server even though it’s not most popular.
• I thought it was ok.
• The rice is sticky steamed rice, it’s not flavourful like sushi rice is though – not supposed to be either.
• It has slices omelette on top that was very dry and came off as dried tofu skin.
• Overall it was too plain and simple for me. The only flavour came from the salmon roe. I actually ended up eating it with some of my miso soup broth…that was good!

______Shake Gohan 2/6

• A bowl of hot rice topped with pieces of grilled salmon $3.95 Small size only.
• I didn’t get the first part of the name for this dish...my camera flash got in the way :(
• The salmon is very salty and dry…it comes off as salmon jerky. It almost tastes preserved…not quite pickled, but very salted. It was a decent amount but I wouldn’t order it again.
• I liked the toasted sesame seeds on it though…added a little flavour.
• Overall the dish was too plain for me again and I still prefer and highly recommend the mini don’s at G-Men Ramen.
• Again – The rice is sticky steamed rice, it’s not flavourful like sushi rice is though – not supposed to be either.

Dragon Ball Tea House

Restaurant: Dragon Ball Tea House

Cuisine: Bubble Tea/Chinese

Last visited: February 21, 2010
Area: Vancouver, BC (Shaughnessy)

1007 W King Edward Ave
Range: $10 or less

1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: Tres Excellent!!

Drinks: 6

Service: 3 (well it’s pay at cashier and they go as fast as they can)

Ambiance: 2

Overall: 5

Additional comments:

• Located at major intersection, but neighborhood area
• Famous for bubble tea
• One of the most popular places for bubble tea
• Attracts locals everywhere
• Family owned and operated
• Small operation
• Stamp card available
• Line-ups during peak hours (late night/after dinner)
• Fresh fruit flavours
• Seats 15 or so (very limited)
• About 4 hot rice dishes available (with fried egg style)
• Pay at cashier
• Great price
  
• Very casual/hole in the wall-ish
• Some small snack available: Pocky, instant noodles
• Open late
• Couple parking spaces in the back
• Pre-order/pick-up service available
• Opens daily at 1:30pm
  

**Recommendation: Japanese Green Tea Ice Cream, Supreme Milk Tea, and any of their fresh fruit series – I like blueberry

Next to Pearl Castle Bubble Tea and Peanuts this is also one of the most popular places for locals to get their bubble tea. Everyone loves Dragon Ball Tea House and it has been here for ages! At least 8 years I’d say…maybe even 10? It JUST got a make-over and it used to look even more hole-in-the wall-ish. It’s has very limited seating and it’s super casual and unpretentious. I’d even call it more of a to-go place. I’ve been coming here fore years and it’s my top bubble tea choice in the Vancouver area…although Capstone Tea & Fondue is good too.

Unlike many other bubble tea places, Dragon Ball Tea House really focuses on just bubble tea. They do offer maybe 3-4 hot dishes (which I’ve never seen anyone order) but they really focus on just bubble tea. They do a great job and they have steady traffic and pretty long lines and waits during busy hours…which is usually late at night or after dinner hours.

I’ve tried a lot of flavours here, but I always go back to the recommendations above. You can get drinks sweet/half-sweet/non-sweet/hot/slush/combination of flavours/mixed fruit etc. Almost everything can be customized, but they just don’t advertise it. Everything tastes like it’s made with ice cream here. The fresh fruit flavours are like smoothies. I haven’t had one bad drink. Even the tapioca pearls are great. Besides tapioca pearls they have coconut jelly, grass jelly and I think maybe mango stars as options.

On the table:

Pudding Slush Bubble Tea 4/6

• $4.00 + $.50 with tapioca pearls - $4.50
• This was my first time ordering pudding slush. Again it was like ice cream, they do a good job, however the best pudding slush bubble tea is still at Tri-ty.
  

• This was very good, but I wasn’t a fan of the pudding pieces at the bottom. That’s how it’s supposed to be served though, but I just didn’t like them that much. They’re jello like and not that flavourful for me…so I found it more distracting.
  
• The drink part is a sweeter drink and it tastes like vanilla pudding, but in slushy form.
  
• The pearls are great. Nice and chewy and cooked perfectly. They give you lots too!
• The drinks are pretty big and filling, but they’re delicious!

Vancouver's BEST Poutine on Davie Street - Conclusion

This is Vancouver's Best Poutine on Davie Street Part 4 of 4.

Follow this link to watch my final thoughts on the poutines I had on Davie Street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Ev9NJibIA

The Best Poutine on Davie Street Part 1 of 4

The Best Poutine on Davie Street Part 2 of 4

The Best Poutine on Davie Street Part 3 of 4

Please subscribe, rate & comment at my Follow Me Foodie youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/FollowMeFoodie Thanks!

The following is the written conclusion and summary of The Quest for Vancouver's BEST Poutine on Davie Street with material that may not be included in the videos.

The Topic: Quest for Vancouver's BEST Poutine on Davie Street

The Contestants: La Belle Patate, La Brasserie, Fritz European Fry House

4 Poutines later, the results are in!

In terms of authentic French-Canadian poutine, I’d have to give 1^st place to La Belle Patate. It’s pretty much the real deal in terms of authentic poutine. However this doesn’t necessarily mean it was the best tasting…for that ___________ takes the win! You'll see that blank filled in next week...in a bonus episode ;)

Overall the cheese curds at La Belle Patate stole the show, yet La Brasserie had the best gravy. As for the poutine at Fritz European Fry House, it was always a solid choice until I took on this challenge...I know…what a “challenge” I had right? Well to be fair, you try eating so much poutine and going to work afterward…that was a challenge! (I could have easily taken a nap…and I don’t know if I would ever wake up…)

The following is a quick recap/summary of the 3 poutines:

Poutine 1 - La Belle Patate:

This is not representable of what is actually ordered. I'm so embarrassed...I forgot to take my picture before I started eating it. I didn't follow usually routine because this was for the video blog.

La Belle Patate Traditional Poutine 6/6

• Small $5.50 Medium $7.50 Large $9.50
• Red Potatoes, hand cut, skins on, freshly fried
• The “gravy” or as they call it the “poutine sauce” is actually completely vegetarian. (A wheat based sauce)
• They do offer meat “gravy” or meat “poutine sauce” and it’s under the name of “BBQ”
• Best cheese curds - fresh, firm, squeaky, don't melt
• Authentic Montreal poutine
• Foil to-go containers
  

Poutine 2 - La Brasserie:

Truffle Poutine 5/6

• Fries, cheese curds, pork gravy, truffle oil $9
• Kennebec potatoes, hand cut, skins on
• Gourmet poutine
  
• Best pork gravy with lots of truffle oil, a bit of a kick and freshly cracked black pepper
• The cheese curds were part mozzarella cheese rather than an actual cheese curd.
• It’s savoury, very aromatic with the truffle oil
• Comfort food with a gourmet twist.

Poutine 3 - Fritz European Fry House:

Poutine 4/6

• Small: $4.50 Medium: $5 Large: $6.50 Jumbo: $7.50
• Russet Potatoes, hand cut, skins on, freshly fried
  
• Firm and a bit crispier than the other two.
  
• Layer their poutine - fries, cheese curds, gravy and repeat.
• Good ratio of ingredients.
• European Fry House - focus on dips
  
• Gravy enhanced with black pepper and some dried herbs.
  
• Mozzarella cheese curd - stringiest of all 3 places.
  
• The most ooey gooey, saucy and cheesy poutine.
• Muchies/Hangover food
• Styrofoam to-go container

Added note: This review is a little different because it was for my video blog. Therefore the food at La Belle Patate, La Brasserie, and Fritz European Fry House was complimentary, (although I did offer to pay) but my opinions are still honest and as non-biased as I can be. The opinions and views expressed in "The Quest for Vancouver's Best Poutine on Davie Street" review and video are those of Follow Me Foodie/Mijune only. There is no paid advertising and as always I write for the benefit of the customers and not for the restaurants.

La Belle Patate - Vancouver's Best (Authentic) Poutine on Davie

The Best Poutine on Davie Street Part 1 of 4

This is the first vlog for Follow Me Foodie. My quest for the best poutine on Davie Street started off at La Belle Patate. For the next episode please subscribe to the Follow Me Foodie youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/FollowMeFoodie or visit back for updates!

The Quest for the BEST POUTINE on Davie Street Part 2

To launch the 1st Follow Me Foodie video blog this review/post will be the post for Wednesday and Thursday. The following is the written review as well as more details about La Belle Patate that are not included in the video.

Restaurant: La Belle Patate

Cuisine: Canadian/French/Fast Food
Last visited: January 7, 2010
Area: Vancouver, BC (Downtown/West End)
1215 Davie Street
Price Range: $10 or less

1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: Tres Excellent!!

Food: 5.5 (Based on just the original poutine)
Service: n/a (Due to this special review, I'm biased)

Ambiance: 4

Overall: 5

Additional comments:

• Owner Pascal Cornier from Montreal, Quebec
• Specializes in poutine
  
• Very authentic
• Recently opened
• Original location in Victoria, BC
• Offers 30 different kinds of poutine
• Offers vegetarian poutine - Traditional poutine is vegetarian
  
• Fresh, made upon order
• Fast food
• Take out/Dine in
• Open daily 11am-late

**Recommendation: Traditional Poutine (only thing I've tried)

The Topic: Quest for Vancouver's BEST Poutine on Davie Street

The Contestants: La Belle Patate, La Brasserie, Fritz European Fry House

4 Poutines later, the results are in!

My quest for Vancouver's Best Poutine on Davie Street started off at La Belle Patate!

In terms of authentic French-Canadian poutine, I’d have to give 1^st place to La Belle Patate. It’s pretty much the real deal in terms of authentic poutine. However this doesn’t necessarily mean it was the best tasting…for that you have to keep watching/following my video series!

I discovered La Belle Patate driving up Davie Street and from the outside it kind of looks like hole in the wall. I thought it was a take-out only kind of place, but I was really surprised with the inside. It’s actually very spacious and there’s actually a nice sitting area that makes it more of a “dine-in” kind of place rather than simply “eat-in”.

My expectations started to rise as I saw a Montreal Canadian flag hanging and I also heard the owner speaking French. I knew I was in for a very authentic poutine. The menu is extensive and they offer 30 kinds of poutine. There’s a lot of different styles of poutine and a lot of meat options, so I was very surprised to learn that their traditional poutine was actually vegetarian!

What is Poutine?

Using the most common definition a poutine is fries, cheese and gravy. However the real authentic definition of a poutine is fries, cheese curds (specifically fresh cheddar cheese curds), and poutine sauce or “gravy”. (Some people will object to the word “gravy” – but it’s supposed to be a chicken based sauce).

On the table:

This is not representable of what is actually ordered. I'm so embarrassed...I forgot to take my picture before I started eating it. I didn't follow my usual routine because this was for the video blog.

Traditional Poutine 5.5/6

• Small $5.50 Medium $7.50 Large $9.50
• The fries were hand cut, skin on, Red Potatoes and very fresh. They were a bit thicker cut with a crispy outside and very soft and fluffy inside.
• The fries were completely covered in gravy and the bottom layer got a bit soggy, but that’s expected.
• To my surprise, I was very surprised…the “gravy” or as they call it the “poutine sauce” is actually completely vegetarian. It wasn't obvious it was vegetarian unless you knew. It’s a wheat based sauce and it carries a shine, so it gives the illusion of being a bit oily or greasy. It is salty and it still has a meaty flavour so I was surprised to hear it was vegetarian. I'm pretty sure it's thickened with quite a bit of cornstarch because it's pretty thick and jelly-like or glutinous in texture.
• They do offer meat “gravy” or meat “poutine sauce” and it’s under the name of “BBQ” – so anything with the words “BBQ” will be meat based. I actually want to try that and do another comparison.
• I didn't get to try the "BBQ Poutine" at La Belle Patate. I wish I did because I actually feel like that version should have been the "Traditional Poutine".
• Cheese curds
• The cheese curds are the best cheese curds I’ve had in Vancouver so far. The cheese curds are definitely the highlight here. They’re very fresh and they squeak when you chew them. A sign of very fresh curds!
• They’re really generous with them and there are big chunks of it and they don’t lose their texture or shape because they don’t melt. Yes they don’t melt, so don’t expect the ooey gooey stinginess you may be used to. An authentic poutine isn’t supposed to have cheese curds that melt because that would mean they are using mozzarella.
• He gets them in from the Fraser Valley and it’s not even a mozzarella or a white cheddar cheese. It’s actually called “cheese curd” and it has the texture of very firm mozzarella so I thought it was a white cheddar cheese, but it’s not. The flavour is similar to mozzarella, but a bit deeper and it's so firm it breaks apart when you chew it.
• I really love how they served them in foil to-go containers. It was perfect! It literally retained heat until my project was done...2 hours later!
• A few things that bothered me…
• I really think they should call the “Traditional Poutine” a vegetarian poutine and then the “BBQ Poutine” the traditional poutine…for me, a real traditional and authentic poutine should be meat based sauce.
  
• The cheese curds are super squeaky and fresh, but from my research and knowledge an authentic poutine should have white cheddar cheese curds.

Added note: This review is a little different because it was for my video blog. Therefore the food at La Belle Patate was complimentary, (although I did offer to pay) but my opinions are still honest and as non-biased as I can be. The opinions and views expressed in "The Quest for Vancouver's Best Poutine on Davie Street" review and video are those of Follow Me Foodie/Mijune only. There is no paid advertising and as always I write for the benefit of the customers and not for the restaurants.

2009 Top 10 List - My favourtie foods of 2009

Follow Me Foodie’s Top 10 Favourite Foods of 2009

I decided to do a special post for my favourite foods of 2009 since I’ve started my blog.

They're mostly "best food in Vancouver" items, but there are a few that are listed from places I've traveled to this year. It's not the restaurant, but the particular dish I loved at that restaurant that makes the list.

There are other amazing/best food in Vancouver I've tried this year, but I'm only featuring the foods I've done reviews for.

It’s listed in random order because they’re all freaking delicious.

1. Pumpkin Bread (Special offer)

2. Vanilla Battered Prawns

3. Biggest Blueberry Pancake

4. Bison Steak

5. Matcha Macarons

6. Tuna Garlic Pepper Sashimi

7. Pork Tenderloin w/gerwrztraminer pan jus

8. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

9. Pan-fried Prawns with Basil

10. “Signature” – Double Chocoloate Potato Brioche

This one doesn't count because you have to make it. It definitely deserves a shout out though: Tiramisu Cupcakes.

About Follow Me Foodie - Vancouver Restaurant Guide

I originally started Follow Me Foodie as a blog to show off my food pictures that I've accumulated over the last couple years. However as time goes by I realize that most of my posts are restaurant reviews. Specifically - Vancouver restaurant reviews. Vancouver is my home and also where I was born and raised so trust me when I say I've tried A LOT of restaurants in Vancouver.

I hope that diners, readers, or followers of my blog will find Follow Me Foodie as a useful restaurant guide for finding or trying restaurants in Vancouver and the lower mainland. I love to cook and bake so occasionally I will post a recipe. Traveling is also on my list so if you plan to travel check my site to see if I have restaurant reviews or recommendations for that destination.

Vancouver is a major city for foodies. Downtown Vancouver is a hub for international cuisines. With so much diversity and multi-culturalism there's so many places to eat and different foods to try in Vancouver. Whether you live in Vancouver or plan to travel to Vancouver I hope that you find my Vancouver restaurant reviews useful. I rate the restaurant overall as well as each individual item so I'm able to make the best restaurant recommendations.

I'm always looking for the best restaurants in Vancouver, best foods, fantastic hole-in-the-walls, local gems and fine dining restaurants. Use Follow Me Foodie as an eating guide for the best Vancouver dining experience.

I am a Vancouver foodie, but also take it seriously as a restaurant reviewer and "critic". I write for the interest of my readers and not for the interests of the restaurant. So have faith that I am honest about the food I try and what I recommend. If I get something free or if I know the owner, be sure that I will mention it in my review. I try to remain as neutral as possible.

Besides Vancouver restaurant reviews I will write restaurant reviews while I'm traveling. So you will also find restaurant reviews from around the world. No matter where I am, I am always looking for the best food (cheap eats or fine dining), the best places to eat, the local hole-in-the-walls, neighbourhood gems and the new restaurants to try in that area. I envy Food Network's Rachael Ray because she does this for a living...I hope to do the same one day...I'm going to eat my way to this dream and I hope you will follow me on my adventure. I'm only excited to where it will lead me. All I know is that it's some place tasty.