Menya Itto is the #1 ramen in Japan and they are opening their first spot in North America right in Vancouver! On March 16th, Menya Itto will open their doors to serve up their signature ramen and tsukemen. Menya Itto is known for their signature light, smooth, and umami-filled chicken and seafood broth that is slowly simmered for more than 12 hours. If you are a fan of tsukemen you need to check this spot out. Check out my Menya Itto review below to see what I thought!
What is Tsukemen?
Tsukemen aka Japanese dipping ramen noodles is a popular summer dish in Japan. The dish involves serving cold noodles alongside a bowl of hot soup. You dip the noodles into the soup and enjoy the toppings served atop or on the side of the noodles. Tsukemen generally has a thicker more toothsome noodle than your standard ramen noodle.
Menya Itto Soft Opening Menu
For their soft opening, part of Menya Itto’s launch menu will include:
- Menya Itto Signature Chashu Tsukemen – Menya Itto’s Signature broth dipping ramen with shiso-infused crunchy textured chicken balls, three types of chashu (pork belly, pork shoulder, and sous vide chicken), generously thick and wholesome ramen noodles for dipping.
- Menya Itto Classic Tsukemen – Menya Itto’s Signature broth dipping ramen with Ajisuke tamago, shiso-infused crunchy textured chicken balls, generously thick and wholesome ramen noodles for dipping
- Chashu Noko Gyokai Ramen – Thick and creamy chicken and seafood broth with scallop oil and housemade thin noodles. Served with three types of chashu.
- Shio or Shoyu Ramen – Clear chicken soup served with a slice of chashu in housemade thin noodles.
The ramen noodles at Menya Itto are housemade from seven kinds of specialty flour, giving it the ultimate velvety texture. The noodles also have a chewy and toothsome character.
Menya Itto Review – Media Preview
The Menya Itto Signature Deluxe Tsukemen features Menya Itto’s Signature broth dipping Ramen with shiso infused crunchy textured chicken balls. There are also 2 pieces each 3 types of chashu consisting of pork belly, pork shoulder, and chicken. The chashu was so soft and flavourful! The chicken chashu was an absolute stand out for me. The broth was so rich with a deep flavour.
The noodles were perfectly coated in the soup. It was a fantastic bowl of noodles!
For ramen we had Noko Gyokai Deluxe Ramen and Yuzu Shio Deluxe Ramen. Both ramens were delicious but the Yuzu Shio Deluxe Ramen by far was the star. This bowl features clear chicken and yuzu citrus soup with house made thin noodles. It is served with 2 pieces each of 3 types of chashu consisting of pork belly, pork shoulder, and chicken.
The yuzu flavour was so prominent without being overwhelming. There was a slight spicy kick in the broth and overall the bowl had such deep and complex flavours. The thin noodles are exactly my type of ramen noodles – slightly firm and thin. If you have ever had Afuri before this is similar (but so much better!).
All the bowls come with a lovely ramen egg that has the perfect ooey gooey interior.
Worth a Try?
ABSOLUTELY. I would completely and totally queue for this which I think is a testament to how delicious everything was.
Guests can begin experiencing Menya Itto in Vancouver on March 16, 2022 for its soft opening week. During this time, there will be limited bowls available starting from 11:30 a.m. until sold-out for lunch and from 5 p.m. until sold-out for dinner. At launch, Menya Itto will be able to serve 20 people at a time. Seating is first come, first serve.
It isn’t currently on the menu but they will be launching a Lobster Ramen and Tsukemen and trust me when it is out you need to run and try it. It is one of the best bowls I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Menya Itto
Address: 1479 Robson Street
Website: https://menya-itto-canada.com/
