Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Vancouver

aji-tama

At last my chance to get my ramen fix after the 4-week ramen drought. For their combination of great barbequed pork and awesome boiled egg, we decided to join the line up at the Hokkaido Ramen Santouka on Robson this time around.

Toroniku Cha-shu

I was enduring the queuing hoping to see the light - aji-tama, toroniku cha-chu, and the broth that can be smelled steps away from the restaurant.

The seating is tight though comfortable for ramen joint standard, with many clever compartments to store away stuff for everyone. Be warned that you make good use of whatever utensils and napkins, and that include chopsticks - just in case an all-out war of splashing and slurping breaks out with your hostile neighbours.

The eggs were done perfectly - not overcooked and still runny in the centre of the egg yolk, and flavoured throughout. The cha-shu is extremely tender. This is supposed to be the cheek part. How much meat do you suppose each pig has? ;) The soup is very rich and bursting with the aroma of pork broth.

carefully assembled and ready for onslaught

This is by no means heaven-sent ramen, however. The soup is quite salty, and the pork is fatty. Even though iced water is served and the portion isn't as insanely large as most North American restaurant, this is not suitable for daily consumption, but occasional enjoyment like all good things in life.