Ramen Isshin – 421 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1T1
Country: Japan    
Seating: Indoor seating only. 
Dinner guests: Pornstar Sam
The high: The best marinated ramen egg in the city. If your ramen doesn’t come with one, add one!
The low: They make it clear that once you’re done with the food, it’s time to go. 

Ramen is a regular staple in our diets and Toronto is home to a myriad of Japanese ramen restaurants, and despite this, they’re always busy and always tasty. Ramen Isshin is one of our favourites in the city so if you’ve never had it you’re missing out. There are three main types of bases for the broth: miso, shio, and shoyu. All of these options are represented on both of Ramen Isshin’s locations in the city, so it’s up to the individual to decide their broth of choice. 

The miso broth Ramen Isshin is red in colour from the red and white miso that’s cooked with sake, a tonkotsu broth, and vegetables. It’s then served over a generous portion of rice noodles and topped with a couple varieties of pork. There are three variations to pick from depending on the level of spice desired. The Spicy Red Miso (一心 スパイシー味噌らーめん) is a safe bet for those who enjoy a kick but aren’t looking to suffer. The broth alone is beautiful to look at while you eat, but it’s a velvety texture and filled with flavours that dance around in your mouth before swallowing. 

The Black Sesame Tan Tan Noodle (スパイシーブラック担々麺) was recommended by our server as his second favourite ramen option after the spiciest of the red misos (the Red Dragon, which is delicious though beware, its got quite the kick). It’s one of the restaurant’s specialties, and it’s different from any of the other soups on the menu. For starters, there’s an interactive component of grinding your own black sesame to enhance the taste. Not surprisingly, black sesame is the main event in this soup that’s cooked with pork belly, pork mince, bok choy, chives, and thick twisted noodles instead of the traditional straight ones. It’s an excellent option for those looking to order something off-the-beaten-track. 

A shoyu broth is heavier and richer than the others,  and in this case, the Roasted Garlic Shoyu (自家製麻油でガーリック醤油らーめん) is exactly that and more. The decadent broth is infused with a strong garlic flavoured broth that marinates the pork belly and the soft boiled egg as it cooks. This is the most comforting of the ramen options we oredered because the broth feels thicker, and all the ingredients inside it take on an elevated level of richness. 

Although none of us went for the Shio style broths during this meal, they’re still delicious because it’s a clear soup with a saltier taste that goes well with the noodles, meat, and spices. It’s a less rich option than the others but is still stacked with white sesame flavour. 

As far as appetizers go, they’re all sharable and perfect for a group who is still deciding on what soup to order because they come to the table quickly. The Chicken Karaage (鶏の唐揚げ ~ガーリックマヨ~) are small pieces of deep-fried chicken that easily pop into your mouth one at a time. These bites are specifically perfect for those who love a crispy sampler of battered chicken. 

Another easy win for a group of diners are the Deep-Fried Pork Gyozas (揚げ餃子) that come with five per round. They have a crispy exterior and a warm interior stuffed with seasoned Pork. This is the Japanese version of a dumpling. 

To make things a little more exciting the last starter of the night was the Tako Yaki (大阪魂!!揚げたこ焼き) – bite-sized octopus balls that are battered and then deep-fried. They’re topped with bonito flakes that give off a taste of the sea which is topped with kewpie mayo a Japanese brand of mayonnaise known for its umami-rich, tangy-sweet flavour profile.

It’s rare to walk into either Ramen Isshin location and see an empty table. It’s actually more common to have to put your name down with the hostess that will call you back when the table is ready. Luckily there’s a quick turnover, and everyone leaves happier. Be sure to keep this into account when planning a meal there because wait times can vary from minutes to hours, but it’s certainly worth the wait. 

Eat with you soon, 

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)