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Motomachi Shokudo
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
740 Denman StVancouver, BC V6G 2L5
Neighbourhood: West End
(604) 609-0310
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
133 reviews for Motomachi Shokudo
Review Highlights
"I would definitely recommend the charcoal ramen."
(in 25 reviews)
"...was tender and fatty, and the soft-boiled egg was perfect."
(in 9 reviews)
"Motomachi and kintaro are the best in town."
(in 45 reviews)
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133 reviews in English
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Review from Vivian W.
Vancouver, BC
11/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
No more Kintaro. This place seats way more comfortably and I'm happy to shell out an extra buck for the quality ingredients.
Shio ramen is sheer bliss. With Himalayan salt and other meaty goodness, the resulting soup is surprisingly clear (no muddy cloudiness of pork bits floating around) and rich. I love the angel leek topping and creamy egg. Char siu (BBQ Pork) is done nicely with thin slices that are grilled before serving. Great for those of us nursing a cold.
Spicy miso, shoyu and charcoal miso are also favourites. If you aren't afraid of the gooey mess of grated yam, the cold ramen is also excellent.
I don't think I've ever been unhappy with any of my visits. Even when the staff brought me a bit of uncooked noodles, they simply apologized graciously and offered to replace it with another bowl of my choice. Each bowl of ramen is served on a lacquer tray with a beautiful little flower. What a gem! -
Review from Meana k.
2/5/2012
Um, yeah. I don't get the hype. Was super big time craving some ramen and came here with a friend. First off, we were asked to wait outside because it was too crowded inside. Okay, that turned out to be okay since it was rather nice out, but really there was plenty of space for us to stand inside.
Service was very nice, but not very accommodating. My dish had come with some burnt onion to add extra flavor to the broth, and my friend asked if she could also order a side. Nope, she was told that only comes with what I ordered. Really? You can't just sell her a side of burnt onion? Hmmm. Okay. Every question we asked was met with a "sorry, no, we can't do that" sort of response.
I ordered the Nama-Shoyu Ramen. The noodles were nice, the broth was mediochre, and the pork was okay. What I did like about the dish was the egg, the side of burnt onion (yes, it sounds weird, but adds a nice caramelized flavor to the broth), and well, I guess that's it. The portion for the price was good. $8.95.
I tried my friend's Spicy Miso Ramen with Organic Free Range Chicken. I didn't like the spicy miso at all, actually. It wasn't actually spicy, but had a strong chili oil flavor that to me just tasted greasy and bland.
I prefer the ramen at Ramen Jinya down in Yaletown, personally. The broth is so savory and leaves you craving more the next day. -
Review from Elisa A.
North Vancouver, BC
2/4/2012
Compare to the kintaro next door,I always find motomachi shokudo has better quality of food.
The soup taste fresh ,the noodles is cooked perfectly which I love it,and the chashu is so much better than Kintaro's , it is not too lean and not too fat ! the gyoza taste very good! I love them!
its a bit of small and the portion is also smaller than kintaro and the price is higher for 1~2 dollars than kintaro,but I don't mind it at all,the atmosphere here is good too! -
Review from Aron A.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2012
This Ramen is fine.
It is not bad it's just fine.
The broth is...light...tastes like it might be a Bonito base. This is ok, just not very exciting.
The pork...meh...it can't compare to the wizards next door at Kintaro. Mediocre chasu and some other pieces of pork that were weird cuts (to me) nothing bad just not belly.
If you want a soup that feels light and healthy, this is it. This is for you healthy people, live it up!
Enjoy your jog around the park then finish it up with a bowl of soup. I'll be next door with extra fatty pork, thick brown broth and a beer.
Oh, PS. This place was playing elevator music...yup. Really bad elevator music...that's a no no. -
Review from Steven S.
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hands down the best Ramen in town, simple. just amazing amazing fatty pork ramen. I shall dream of swimming it the broth at night while slurping noodles. I will hold all other pork cheek ramen to this water mark of porcine. It is a small place but I love that they also source everything organically and locally if possible. The portions and prices are equally wonderful.
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Review from Leona Y.
1/17/2012
We were originally planning on eating at Kintaro a couple doors down, but the wait was ridiculous! Since we walked by this place on the way to Kintaro, we opted for this place instead. There was no wait for 4 and we were here on a Saturday night around 7pm.
I loved the Miso Ramen here! It's a pretty big bowl so I think it's plenty to share with 2. There is like a $8 minimum per person, however, so I suggest ordering a ramen and then some side dishes like gyoza so that it equals about $8/per person.
The menu here is very easy to read. They have pictures and describe the broth and toppings very well so you know exactly what you'll be getting with no surprises.
This place is run by Japanese people so you know you'll be getting some authentic ramen. Although I thought the ramen was good, I didn't really think it was amazing....
The seats are wooden stools, so if you don't have a big butt like me, you might start feeling uncomfortable by the end of your meal. Also, there are hooks along the wall where you can hang your jacket, but there definitely aren't enough hooks for everyone. We had to hang 3 jackets and 2 handbags on one hook which was inconvenient.
Since there are many other ramen places in the area which have great reviews, I will most likely be visiting those instead next time I'm in town. -
Review from Taylor K.
Vancouver, BC
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
With so many raving reviews of the place I've wanted to give Motomachi a try for a long time.
On my way back from the aquarium, I hopped off the bus with my little man and walked over. Luckily for us it wasn't very busy and we were seated right away.
I like the little wooden stools and the hook on wall to hang up the jackets. With this being said, there aren't enough hooks for every patron.
I ordered the miso ramen and the little rice bowl for my son. It was only $2.95 which is pretty good price compared to a whole bowl of ramen which is $9.45. I also ordered gyoza as well since I didn't know how much he was going to eat.
The miso ramen was just all right. I thought the broth was little bit too greasy. The noodle was cooked well. Maybe too well.
I have to give kudos for the meat; it was cooked really great though. It wasn't fatty at all but was tender and not dry at all.
I've heard so many great things about this place and I have to say I was not impressed with the ramen. It wasn't bad but just wasn't below my expectation. Maybe reading all the raving reviews had me going in with a high expectation.
The gyoza was quite yummy and so was the bowl of rice I ordered. It wasn't quite what I expected but it tasted good and different from all the other rice bowls I have ordered from other ramen places.
If you are reading this and wondering whether you should go to Motomachi, I think you should give it a try. What I like may be completely different from what you like. -
Review from Vincent N.
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver has started to become a Ramen city, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it grow the way Pho has in the upcoming years.
When people talk about differentiating yourself from the competition Motomachi truly understands this concept. The main theme of the restaurant is clear, serve good healthy food with ramen.
I've gone here three times, and the first time I tried out their charcoal ramen. Charcoal detoxifies the body and is actually used in hospitals. But it's not just this dish that makes it stand out, it's the fresh organic ingredients that are used.
They provide a different type of sweetness that comes from fresh vegetables and organic chicken. For myself I rated this 4 star because of personal preference to a heavier style and thick soup base like Kintaro.
But the beauty of their particular ramen is that is meant for people who like a cleaner, lighter taste to their soup and to their ramen without being drenched in the taste of pork fat.
The place is a little small, and can get cramped at times. But I highly recommend that any foodie to go and try this ramen out for themselves. And that's because it is delicious and serves good wholesome food.
And truthfully, I love Kintaro a lot. But if Kintaro is too busy, there's no doubt in my mind, that I go to Motomachi. And don't mistaken I will be going back. -
Review from Sean N.
Vancouver, BC
Now that the cold wet weather has set in hot bowls of yummy noodle soup are totally on the menu for me, some day's it's pho and on some its laksa but usually its ramen calling my name.
Motomatchi is a place I've been to on more than on e occasion since my first post 4 months ago and the dish that I've settled on hit's the spot and fills your belly and the side dishes are a step up from the competition.
The petite pork bowl here is a step up from any other place I've been to, the addition of the shaved nori and the Japanese mayo make this one flavorful bowl. The meat in it is nice and chunky yet super moist, when I eat mine I mix all the items up together resulting in a nice creamy touch from the mayo and for under $4 it's a great deal.
This is the bowl of ramen that I have whenever I come here, it's their Spicy Miso Ramen without the spicy chili oil. I order this because if comes with organic chicken and more vegetables than their regular miso ramen and for some strange reason you can't order the regular miso ramen with chicken so that's how I was steered towards this. The garnish is finely shaved leeks and they provide a nice texture in the soup in addition to the usual bean sprouts.
You also get green cabbage, snow peas, corn and diakon radish in the mix and the noodles here are cooked perfectly. They do let you add extra chicken when you order for $1.50 ad its a worth addition otherwise you only get 2 medium-sized pieces.
If you're looking for a great bowl of ramen check out definitely check out Motomatchi Shokudo, it does get busy but the table turn over is pretty quick but be warned the space is small and storage for your bags and stuff is limited. -
Review from Nancy W.
Port Coquitlam, BC
12/4/2011
Motomachi Shokudo is one of the many Japanese Ramen restaurants congregating in West End / Vancouver Downtown area; mainly on the Denman Street. With so many to choose from, yet these little joints still always manage to be FULL. We initially wanted to go to another ramen place, somewhere, tried-and-true where we knew we would get a hot hearty broth. The line up there was out the door (can you guess where?) and with the temperature plummeted to freezing, frankly I didn't want ramen that bad.
http://www.coffeefoodi...
There has to be some another! Something new (not that new now since they've been in operations for some time) we haven't tried. Motomachi Shokudo, located a few stores down was actually not that busy.
It must be a common décor genre for ramen places to resemble the actual environment in Japan. Ramen joints in Nippon are all small and crammed. Motomachi is no exception. Although cutely decorated in wood bar tables, common long table, and rustic industrial painted concrete walls, the wooden stools were uncomfortable and not enough coat hangers to stash belongings.
Cuisine: Japanese, Ramen
Price/Entrée: $10 - $15
Out of 5... (1: Don't bother -- 5: Excellent)
Food: 4
Service: 3.5
Ambiance: 2.5
Overall: 3
The sticker price for a bowl was somewhat pricey - average $11.95 for a bowl. Perhaps this has to do with ramen noodles imported from Nippon Trends in San Jose instead of made in-house or simply located in the West End.
Shio Ramen $8.95
Light flavourful broth. It is not as salty and loaded with MSG as some other places. Thin ramen noodles cooked al dente. Comes with chashu and corn.
Spicy Miso Ramen with Organic Chicken $11.95
Despite the tasty spicy broth, this ramen bowl does not come with the usual chashu pork slices and ajitama soft boiled egg. You may order them as an addition. Chicken bits are somewhat dry but well seasoned. The chilli oil drizzled shredded onions, corn, and lotus roots were a nice for it added texture to the noodle bowl. The noodles used here are slightly thicker compared to the shio ramen; the reason for this? I have no idea. Cooked al dente. The Onsen egg was delicious with the gel-like yolk.
Bamboo-Charcoal Dark Miso Ramen
Somewhat newer to the whole "ramen" scene in Canada, is the play of use charcoal. The "cleansing" agent (traditional to Kyoto dishes) said to absorb toxins from the body; adds a smoky grey tint to the miso flavoured broth. This bowl is richer and slightly saltier when compared to the shio.
At first glance you may wonder why Motomachi lacks a selection of Tonkostu broths as so many would jump to conclude.
This is the healthier alternative when Chef Daiji Matsubara decided to opt his concoction in a chicken-broth based for a lighter, less oily soup, and lower fat content. However, this is not the only reason. Motomachi is actually a sister restaurant to the Kintaro. Therefore, if you're looking for the Tokyo style tonkotsu pork based soup is shio (salt), shoyo (soy sauce) , or miso; whichever that may tickle your fancy, please hop over to Kintaro! -
Review from Vivian H.
BF and I walked in for lunch on a chilly Vancouver fall day to find a full house as it was a small establishment. (Note to girls from the States visiting Vancouver: leave your clothes from Aritzia at home! You'll be wearing the same things as everyone else...as I was...)
After a wait of about 10-15 minutes, the bf and I were seated at the counter. There were only 3 personal tables, a counter that seats 4, and a communal table. All of the staff, even the chefs/cooks, were women, which was interesting.
I ordered the strangest looking item on the menu: charcoal bamboo ramen. The broth was black but that definitely did not deter me. In fact, it was very intriguing. My choice was a good one, as the broth was slightly smoky paired with thin, bouncy ramen noodles. The bf ordered the miso ramen, which had a slightly sweeter broth and fatter noodles. I preferred my bowl over his. Mine came with a deliciously flavored organic half egg and both orders came with a very large piece of tender and fatty pork. It's about 10 dollars for these relatively large bowls of ramen.
Service was quick and efficient. I might come back, after I try all the other competing ramen restaurants in the area. -
Review from May C.
Vancouver, BC
9/16/2011
Cold ramen? Yes, please!
On a nice summer day, ordering a bowl of cold ramen for lunch seemed like the perfect choice.
The waitress asked if I've ordered it before, and they ask this for good reason. This dish comes with a softly poached egg, which you break and mix in with the noodles and the sauce/soup. If you're not a fan of runny eggs, you can opt for a hard boiled egg. When you're about 2/3 way done, you can ask for soup to mix in another layer of flavour.
The serving was quite large, as I couldn't finish the entire bowl. Mind you though, I did split an order of gyoza with a friend. I think it was the additional soup that sealed the deal for me. The dish wasn't screaming with MSG, so I liked it. But for some who are used to saltier broths, it may taste like it lacks a bit of flavour.
I've also tried the Dark Miso Ramen before, and boy, did it play with my head. The charcoal from that dish turns the broth pretty much black, so anyone would think twice before slurping on any black liquid. It doesn't alter the taste though, and they say it's healthy for you. So bottoms up!
I definitely like this place more than I like Kintaro. I find the soup here not as oily. It's a few doors further down from Robson, but the environment feels more calm, and the little fresh flowers they place on your dining tray adds a nice touch.
Like most ramen joints, it's small, so you do have to come early before any lunch or dinner time rushes. I'm definitely coming back to try their other ramen. -
Review from Tiffani L.
Richmond, BC
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Shio Ramen CAN$8.95
Miso Ramen CAN$9.45
Butchigiri Gyoza CAN$3.75 -
Review from Sonia C.
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Motomachi's black charcoal miso ramen was really good! The charcoal gave the broth an interesting smoky flavor which I hope was not carcinogenic. The pork was tender and fatty, and the soft-boiled egg was perfect. The noodles were a little too mushy for my liking, but I'm really being nitpicky here.
I didn't really like the gyoza which were the size of small bananas and not nearly crispy enough. I also didn't like the petite bowl of pork rice which had lots of mayo and flavorless pork. Despite this, I enjoyed my ramen immensely and won't hesitate to come back. -
Review from Micha V.
10/18/2011
I really like the experience of eating ramen at Motomachi Shukudo. The ingredients are very good quality, the restaurant is very clean and their staff is very sweet and polite. The ambience of the place is stellar. I honestly felt as though I WERE back in Japan eating ramen at a proper ramen house. The décor really fits with a traditional style and being magically transported to Hokkaido with a hot bowl of ramen and my hoji-cha was my favourite part about the experience. It tends to be crowded though, so while the staff is attentive, they are also busy and there is often a line, so be prepared to wait as long as 30 minutes for a table.
First of all the portions are HUGE! They have a nice variety, but the real reason to come here are for the burnt onion and charcoal broth, which are each very unique and delicious.
Also, their chsh is especially tasty (better quality & more flavour than most ramen/soupy noodle houses I've been to - including Samurai Noodle and many Chinese establishments that pride themselves on their pork) and their eggs are cooked to perfection (soft and golden without being runny and the flavor was well absorbed into the whites), the only downside for me is that their noodles are not as good as the ones at Samurai Noodle, which is what I am looking for in an authentic ramen house. The broth is comparable though, and I've not seen anyone serving charcoal broth this good outside of Japan! -
Review from Quddous B.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 9/11/2011
I've had Motomachi 3 times since the last update and have been quite disappointed each time.
Their meat is really tough and their soup is laden with MSG. I usually
don't feel the effects of MSG but this place must really overdo it.
I don't think I will be coming back here.
If you want to try ramen head two blocks down the street to Santouka.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/18/2010
I had their blackened bamboo charcoal ramen the last time I was there.
This is the only ramen that… Read more »
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Review from Robin M.
5/30/2011
Ramen. To some it's a cheap sodium-filled memory of their youth; to most (who shall be known as the lucky ones) it is the perfect comfort food made with the freshest noodles to be eaten on a rainy day. But to me, ramen isn't ramen without one crucial element: the broth.
Forget that Motomachi Shukudo only uses organic ingredients (happens to be true), or that they serve their ramen with a perfectly soft boiled egg (they do), or even that their minimal, rustic, wood accented interior feels just like being in Japan (it does). Focus instead on the light tasting, non-chemically seasoned, perfectly balanced liquid that makes the dish what it is. Now that is an amazing and beautiful thing.
Also, communal table. Full win. -
Review from Adam M.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2011
warm refined setting
charcoal ramen is silk kiss
not for blunted palette -
Review from Justin L.
8/15/2011
In preparation for a visit to Motomachi Shokudo (down the block from Kintaro), I walked all the way from Granville & Broadway. I think it took me almost an hour? Anyway, the prices here seem higher than Kintaro's, but then the digs are shmancier.
I wanted something a bit different, so I chose the CHARCOAL ramen. Basically, the soup is black because they mix in some charcoal powder. I know, sounds gross, but it's quite the rage in Japan and particularly Korea. Actually, homeopaths in town will also tell you about the benefits of charcoal to digestion and the purging of toxins in your body. Besides, it doesn't really alter the taste of the soup.
Quality is excellent at Motomachi, so if Kintaro is too crowded, this is not merely a consolation prize. -
Review from Cathy S.
5/16/2011
A sure way to get a great seat here without waiting is to come during a Canuck's playoff game!
I really like the feel of the room, aesthetically it is a definite step above its ramen counterparts on Denman and Robson. Even though there are only a few small individual tables, one large communal table and a lot of counter seating it still feels more like a restaurant than a typical ramen joint.
I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen. The bowl with the vegetables piled high looked like a piece of art. It was presented on a black tray with a single alstroemeria bloom which was a lovely touch. The ramen's flavour was unmuddled and to my taste, not overly spicy. The vegetables were fresh and plentiful and the noodles deliciously chewy. I only found a few very small pieces of organic chicken in my bowl, but what was there was moist and tender.
This has become my new favourite place for ramen in this part of town. -
Review from Cynthia L.
4/23/2011 4 photos
Most authentic ramen experience I've had so far...in North America!
The order:
- Organic beer
- Butchigiri Gyoza, $3.75
- Nama Shoyu Ramen, $8.95
- Extra BBQ Pork Miso Ramen with an extra egg, $13
What Motomachi Shokudo did right:
1. Perfectly cooked egg with a gooey, golden-colored yolk.
2. Fresh, chewy noodles.
3. Use of organic ingredients, including organic chicken for the soup base. Very flavorful and tasty!
4. Tender, smoky, charbroiled pork slices.
5. Organic local beers.
6. Large, juicy pork gyoza.
7. Good service.
8. Zen wooden decor.
5 stars. I'm craving for more!Listed in: Wandering Sea to Sky
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Review from Edward L.
Out of the 4 places within a block of here (Santouka, Benkei, Kintaro being the other 3), this one is surprisingly the best one. Of course, this one also is the most expensive out of the 4, but you really do get what you pay for.
The layout is super-cramped compared to the other locations as well. There is a big square table, and a bar. If you're in a group of 4 or more and that middle table is full, you're screwed. And of course, parking is pretty much non-existent here, unless you're lucky enough to score a free spot just W of Denman.
I had a chance to try their summer shio ramen. The soup was nice and light, with slices of tomato. Definitely different. The noodles here are definitely the best out of the 4 places. They were thin, firm, and not mushy at all. Definitely glad I ordered this. Since I was feeling baller, I also had a chance to try their soft-boiled egg (1.50). They were bland, but nice and.. squishy. I'm sure you all know what eggs are like.
One thing worth pointing out is that their gyoza ($4.50) only has 4 in one order, while every other place has 5. They're on the larger end, but still worth pointing out.
I also had their BBQ pork with chili sauce ($5). This was definitely a unique dish, as it's served as a mound of huge slabs of meat. Unfortunately the bottom "filling" of mound is just bean sprouts.
They only take cash and Canadian debit. Yes, Canadian. That's what the waitress told us at least.
I will definitely be back. Recommended. -
Review from Melissa K.
Vancouver, BC
11/5/2011
I've never had real ramen in Japan but Motomachi is the best place in town. Everywhere else has a lot of MSG and is really salty; if I have ramen anywhere else I get really thirty all night. They're supposed to be organic but who really knows? I always have the charcoal ramen because no where else offers it. The soup is black and it's really good. The only thing is, they have these tiny stools you sit on and there's no where to put your jacket and your bag, you feel like a giant sitting on them. I suspect they want you to be uncomfortable so you can hurry up and leave. A lot of places in Hong Kong do that.
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Review from Ted S.
Calgary, AB
6/27/2011
We had the (Charcoal) Dark Miso Ramen and the Shoyu Ramen.
It was pretty good but the broth was not especially rich and tasty, nor were the slices of pork as marbled with fat and delicious as they could be. -
Review from Rick C.
I'm by no means a ramen expert, but I was underwhelmed here. I had the spicy chicken miso and it was huge and filling, but lacked a certain flavour and richness.
The place was nice enough and the service was good, but I wasn't entirely satisfied with the meal. It packed a punch, but something was missing. -
Review from Judy H.
Vancouver, BC
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
The quality of ingredients -- deep, rich broth and fresh toppings -- and friendly service make this place my favorite ramen place in town. Sometimes what's even better than the ramen: the side order of pork and bean sprouts with the most delicious chilli sauce. Now only if I can remember not to order too much..
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Review from Bronwyn G.
North Vancouver, BC
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Motomachi Shokudo is on the same stretch of Denman as Kintaro and right around the corner from Ramen Santouka. When two other such great ramen choices are nearby, there's really no reason to chose Motomachi.
The prices and food are better at Kintaro and the food is way better at Ramen Santouka.
Granted Motomachi does OK ramen, but I found the ratios of toppings, meat, broth and noodles to be more satisfactory at Kintaro and Ramen Santouka. At Motomachi the soup just felt heavier and harder to enjoy.
So yeah, Motomachi is an OK option, but I recommend Kinato or Ramen Santouka if you're in that area of town already. -
Review from Angie L.
Burnaby, BC
11/2/2011
Love their ramen. Kintaro is a bit overrated for me.
Been here few times after work, I like the regular shio or miso ramen. Ordered kimchi and gyoza sometimes, pretty good. Never tried their charcoal ramen but would like to one day. Occasional line-ups at late night but nothing bad enough that would deter you. Cozy space, nice atmosphere, does not have the greasy or crowded feeling some other ramen places give me. -
Review from Clara L.
Vancouver, BC
7/14/2011
This is definitely one of my favourite ramen places in Vancouver. It offers unique variations on the flavours that you find in all ramen shops, which makes it exciting to visit. I've ordered a different broth and noodle each of the four times I've been here. I've tried their signature bamboo charcoal dark miso, shio with natural sea salt and vegetables, the normal shio with BBQ pork, and on my last visit, the cold ramen. I plan on ordering the spicy organic chicken on my next visit! The unique selection of broths and ingredients is worth the long walk down to Denman.
On my second to last visit, we asked for our extra BBQ pork to be packed up to go and not having any takeout containers, the waitresses generously folded the pork into a makeshift tin foil mini purse, complete with handle! I thought it was a nice touch and a great accessory for my boyfriend to walk home with. ;) -
Review from jana h.
9/17/2011
really great ramen here, better than the east coast (I'm a New Yorker, and we obviously don't know what a good ramen house is on the East Coast, sadly to say, since we rave on about places like Ippudo). I had the Angel Hair Japanese noodles with leek, Menma, organic egg, bamboo-charcoal Dark miso ramen, and blackened soup-powdered bamboo charcoal. the menu said that it was supposed to have been used by the Chinese for centuries to aid in the pursuit of healthy, vibrant skin, while also being an anti-oxidant. Well, I'm a fan. =)
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Review from Barry M.
4/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't say I loved it enough to grant 5 stars. The ramen was ok, not greasy. The chairs are a little uncomfortable and the center table wasn't built for tall people.
5 huge yelp stars and a secret yelp high 5 for donating proceeds to Japan, something they said they've been doing for almost 2 months. -
Review from Adrian B.
Vancouver, BC
4/6/2011
Among the ramen shops that litter Vancouver with its awesome presence, personally i think this is my best preference among all. *Don't take me to lynching machine!!* I feel bad to rate all these rockin' ramen joints. Oh well the reasoning behind my insanity is that the ramen here is not as oily or heavily flavourful.
*WHAT!? Are you insane!?!? There is no such thing as too oily or heavily flavourful ramen pork broth!!! I'm not reading this any more..*
The ramen here is light and i think balanced with their greens and other condiments also the restaurant is more cozy than the rest of the ramen joints. The pork are perfectly lightly seasoned and did i mention the balance of flavour? Also, the pork rice bowl is to die for. If they ever do a meal size portion of the pork rice bowl i will be there everyday trying to get my fix...
Yeap, i think i'm craving some of their ramen now.
The only think bad about the restaurant is that it is tiny and it usually is crowded during dinner or lunch but other than that the service is good and the food is light and delish.... -
Review from Robert K.
5/10/2011
Motomachi is for the people that want ramen in a more "cleaner" type fashion. It seems like they fit the "hippies" of ramen since it's all organic. I honestly think it's quite good but just not on par with the other two 5 star ramen joints nearby (Kintaro, Santouka).
Hint: The wait is much better here so if you absolutely can't wait, definitely check it out. If you can wait, go to the other two joints.
Dishes: always love shio ramen and it's definitely above average, just not perfect like the other two places. -
Review from Kim L.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2011
My mom was in town to visit and prefers to eat organic, so my fiance suggested that we come here to better suit her particular palate.
I had no expectations, so was pleasantly surprised to receive my spicy miso ramen with organic chicken on my own tray, with a single flower blossom. I loved that the spring onion garnishes was piled high and beautifully arranged, too. You can't help but smile because it's just a view to take in before eating. The petit bbq pork rice bowl was also REALLY good--reminded me of a Japanese version of a Taiwanese braised pork rice. OOhhhh...and the egg...PERFECTLY cooked...the yolk is reminiscent of deep transparent amber and the white just tender. Even my mom, who is a tough judge commented on its consistency and the care taken to make this.
You do need to pay for tea, however, they are very good at refreshing your cup with more hot water. The service is quick and the staff friendly.
I will come back when my mom is in town, when I need a petit bbq pork rice bowl with a side THE perfectly cooked egg, or a smile from what seems like my own personalized room service tray WITH floral accent. -
Review from Reena M.
12/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Delicious! The noodles are perfect and the broth was great! It wasn't too fatty and the meat and everything was amazing. The eggs were poached to perfection--but I am not a fan of the eggs so I passed them on to my friend. Service was very polite. They also have a larger variety of ramen soups that rival Santouka or GMen.
So why not 5 stars? The gyoza was just okay. Not as great at GMen's. Also, the waitress had to come to our table every 2 minutes to refill our tiny water glasses. Why not leave a pitcher? Or give us a larger glass?Listed in: Shaman-like Ramen
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Review from Kiwi W.
Vancouver, BC
3/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I absolutely LOVE the ramen here!
I have been here quite a few times and I tried different flavors of their ramen. They're all so good.
The soup base is very flavorful, but not super fatty and heavy. Those organic eggs they make are perfection. Their pork is also really tender and really yummy. Being a veggie-lover more than a meat-fan, I was surprised at how much I liked that pork...
All the ingredients that they put in the ramen, like the bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, onions... complement the dish so well.
The only drawback about this place is that it is very, very small. It's best to come a little earlier than dinner time because that's when the line-up will start to form.
The chairs aren't super comfy, but that doesn't bug me too much, since this isn't really a place for you to sit and chill with your friends. You indulge in the ramen goodness, and you leave stuffed and happy. -
Review from Peter T.
5/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I visited here twice during my recent visit to Vancouver, which involved a whirlwind tour of a number of ramen-ya's. I would rank Motomachi 2nd in Vancouver ramen ranking.
I tried both the the spicy miso ramen and the charcoal ramen. Yes, the soup of the latter is flavored with actual charcoal. And you know what? It's fantastic! The charcoal adds something quite special to the bowl. I would definitely recommend the charcoal ramen.
All in all this was a very good, traditional ramen place. The noodles and toppings were all solid. But the charcoal ramen makes Motomachi Shokudo stand out. -
Review from Vee h.
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Huge bowls of ramen! Really good "d I ordered the charcoal ramen and the shio ramen. The only thing that I really didnt like is that they dont have to-go for the left overs "| BOOOO!
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Review from Alice A.
1/23/2011
Everything was beautiful - chic atmosphere, flavourful broth, al dente noodles, perfectly seared pork and poached egg served with bamboo shoots and bean sprouts. Gooood.
Bonus? No need to wait in line today :)
So why is it not a 5-star eatery? You gotta pay a dollar for green tea in an industry where it is usually served free. -
Review from Vincci L.
11/8/2010 4 photos
This is the one, Motomachi Shokudo, oh how I love thee!
We came here on a late weekend afternoon, but we still had to wait in line for half an hour. It was worth it.
Inside, a small simple, traditional room, with a center communal table, and large stalks of wheat as a striking centerpiece. Chairs are what were step stools, and a gray toned wall leaves the ramen to bring the color into the room.
I tried the New Generation Miso Ramen-the soup a blend of miso from different regions of Japan.
Our food arrived quickly, served on a tray, and with an accent of baby's breath and a flower on it. My noodles had bean sprouts, onion, Japanese leek, bamboo shoots, BBQ pork, green onion,corn, but no egg.
I took a sip of the soup and it was delicious; a blend of organic chicken stock, and the miso. It wasn't salty, and very comforting. Noodles were chewy, just the way I like it. There were also lots of green onion, which was also perfect. I savoured every slurp of the noodles, and was very satisfied afterwards. I also got to try the bamboo charcoal ramen-the soup had this teeny hint of Chinese medicine.
Wanting to come back soon to try out the other ones!!!Listed in: Noodle-ing., Ra Ra Ramen...
