[JAPANESE] Kinton Ramen

Kinton Ramen has been listed as one of the 2012 Best New Restaurants in Toronto by BlogTo. It is located on Baldwin Street and 5 minutes walk from Spadina. The restaurant is quite small and there is a long seating area along the bar. The interior is very modernized and bright. Also, there are group tables at the front and back of the restaurant. However, it is better to arrive before lunch and dinner hours as there are usually long line ups and they do not take reservations. Their chefs and waitresses are very energetic and welcoming towards customers.

Seating area along the bar. 

Their menu is quite limited but it offers all the popular ramen flavours. In addition, they have numerous drinks available including beer cocktails and sake. A specialty they have is their "Home-Made Lemonade", you can see bartenders squishing fresh lemons at the bar. 

Shio Ramen ($9.5) - Consists of specialty pork, bean sprout, scallion, nori (seaweed), seasoned egg with sea salt soup base. 

The specialty pork is marinated with a unique sea salt and soy mixed sauce. Also, they add caramelized flavour by browning with a kitchen torch before serving. Waitresses will ask the fat level of the pork and salt level you would like. You can add extra topping including extra pork shoulder / belly, sweet corn, butter, etc to your bowl of ramen. The cost for additional toppings range from $1 to $2. The soup was a bit oily to my personal liking but the pork was extremely delicious. It was cooked just right, with the softness and heavenly taste. 

Original Karaage (Fried Chicken) ($4.8) - There are around 7 to 8 pieces of boneless chicken. It comes with a special tartar sauce on the side for dipping. 

They also have a spicy version of the Karaage. The chicken were so chewy and not dry or over-cooked. The sauce was unique and different from normal tartar sauce.

Overall, this is one of the best ramen restaurants in Toronto and if you are a ramen lover, you will love this location. Their dishes are extremely tasty and the quality of ingredients are clear. Out of all the ramen restaurants I have tried in Toronto, Kinton definitely is my favourite (price, portion, quality).    

You should check out their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kintonramen) as Kinton is very active and posts pictures and news on a daily basis. Not to mention, they have a rewards program called "Kinton Bowler". If customers finish their entire bowl of ramen (including soup), they will receive a clip and a picture where they post on their Facebook page. 

10 Bowls = Gyoza (Fried Dumplings) 10 pieces 

30 Bowls = Kinton Towel 

50 Bowls = Kinton T-Shirt 

100 Bowls = Kinton Donburi Red or White 

500 Bowls = $500 Gift Card 

1000 Bowls = $1000 Gift Card 

Overall Rank

Transportation Convenience (★★★★☆)

Take 501 Streetcar from Spadina Station and get off at Nassau Street then walk for 7 minutes. 

Clean Environment (★★★★★)

Extremely clean. 

Service (★★★★☆)

Waitresses were very friendly but usually need to stand outside for 30 minutes to get in. 

Food Preparation Speed (★★★★☆)

Orders came fast despite the busyness.

Atmosphere (★★★★☆)

Very warm but too loud with the small space. 

Pricing (★★★★☆)

Fair compare to other ramen restaurants. 

Revisit Rate (★★★★★)

Food is delicious and well-cooked. The atmosphere was really warming and friendly.

Store Info

Address: 51 Baldwin Street ll Toronto ON ll M5T 1L1 

Phone: 647-748-8900
Website: http://www.kintonramen.com

Hours:  Sun-Thurs 11:30 am to 10:30 pm 

           Fri-Sat 11:30 am to 11:30 pm