Thursday, September 11, 2008

Benkei Noodle Shop Downtown Vancouver



Benkei ramen shop.
Vancouver
1741 Robson St, Vancouver
Tel: 604-688-6980


For the years I have been searching in Calgary for a simple ramen it only took me two days in vancouver to discover this little shop. I was having a hunger for some fresh noodles, but what a shock I got from picking up the menu in this normal looking japanese restaurant. It was paper thin and only had one side to it. Advertised on their menu was 3 kinds of ramen plus a cold noodle mix! Go figure, a ramen shop that only does ramen!

I personally had their miso ramen, as I am sucker for miso. Ramen is one of the few times I'll actually indulge in pork, and I don't regret it one bit! Along side of the gristly meat were green onions, bean sprouts and what I can only assume was japanese pickle. Now don't get me wrong, some people consider it a delicacy, but I would much rather try raw snail again than eat another japanese pickle. Pushing the pickles aside I had a very nice meal.

My uncle who accompanied me decided to try the cold noodle and broth bowl. It was topped with a little bit of everything! Shaved pork, shiitake, shrimp culled cucumber , pickled red pepper and then that yellow stuff (help me out people??)
But yes, I tried some of that and for a cold soup thats not borche I was happy. Both of our meal cost us 8 dollars each. With a drink and taxes we paid a little over 20$.



There must be at least 100 good japanese restaurants in Vancouver and area, but sadly I only had the time for two this trip, this happens to be one of the ones I went to, and I highly recommend that you check it out if out. Right near the sea wall and near/on some of the major streets. An average priced ramen shop with great results. A small selection, but totally unimportant in this case. Great wait staff, quick and courteous, I don't think anyone stayed for long than 40 minutes, flat. Without directly comparing this to the calgary scene I would love to give this palce a healthy 7.5/10.

Till the next!
Mata ne!