Kokoro Ramen is the place to go for delicious, authentic Japanese Ramen! They’re all about healthier options that don’t compromise on taste. While searching for them online, you might confuse it with Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba; Just to clarify, Kokoro Ramen is a separate brand offering a different style of Japanese cuisine.
The team values community engagement, creates inviting restaurant spaces, and cherishes the memories made with customers. They view customer visits as a privilege, constantly seeking innovation and improvement, and highly value customer feedback.
the name is often confused with the other known mazesoba also in Vancouver, but they are separate brands serving very different Japanese food.
What are the Specials at Kokoro Ramen?
Spicy Ramen Options
Kokoro Ramen offers a variety of spicy ramen options for the adventurous foodie. They offer 5 levels of spice levels, ranging from mildly spicy to extremely spicy. Here are their spicy specials to ease your spicy taste buds:
- Aka Miso Karaage Ramen $19 – level 4
- Aka Bubble Ramen $19 – level 4
- Double Akamaru $19 – level 5
- Spicy chicken with umami bang sauce $9 – level 1
- Karaage Hell’s Fire Jalapeno Sauce $13 – level 3
Veggie and Vegetarian Ramen option
Kokoro has a few vegetarian options and all veggie ramen comes with Kale noodles which are made of kale, wheat, and no egg. It is nutritional with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium. They use local, Canadian and traditional Japanese ingredients and do not add MSG to their recipes.
Hearty Vegetarian Miso Ramen $17 (Add $2 for egg)
Comes in a vegetable and mushroom broth with tofu, craft Japanese blended miso, bean sprout, tomato, carrot, green onion, bamboo shoot, kikurage, asparagus, broccoli, and ito tougarashi. Some vegetables are seasonal so this list may change.
Spicy Veggie Tantan Noodles – 3 levels – $17 (Add $2 for egg)
Vegetable and muchroom broth, bok choy, tokyo negi, plant-based grounded ‘meat’, ito tousgarashi, and sesame seed
Each of these noodles can add additional toppings:
- green onion $1.50
- Fried onion $1.50
- Egg $2.00
- Fried Garlic $1.00
- Tokyo Negi $1.80
- Tofu $2.50
- Corn $1.50
- Pork Chashu $5.0
- 3-piece Nori $1.50
- Kikurage $1.50
- Bok Choy $1.50
- Bamboo Shoot $1.50
- Broccoli $1.50
- Extra noodles $4.00
- Extra Broth $5.00
- 4-piece Chicken Wonton $3.80
You can also add a side sauce for $1.00, including homemade spicy sauce, chilli oil, and mayo.
Happy Hour Deals
Kokoro offers happy hour drink deals for your quick get-together or just feel like unwinding with a bowl of ramen in the afternoon. Their Happy hour is from 2 pm to 5 pm and you can get an Asahi ber 12oz for $5. Or for an extra $1, get a cocktail and choose from:
- Lemon Sour – vodka (2oz), sparkling water, lemon juice
- Highball – Whisky (2oz), sparkling water lemon
- Fuzzy Navel – Peach liquor (2oz) and orange juice
What Dishes to Try at Kokoro?
Kokoro Ramen is a highly recommended ramen place due to its excellent offerings and diverse menu that caters to different preferences. Their ramen menu offers a multitude of options for every palate. These include pork-based ramen, chicken-based ramen, a combination of pork/chicken base, and also vegetarian soups. For those looking for something different, they even offer a delicious mazesoba option.
The TanTan Mazesoba is a standout dish, with its perfect balance of spice that is sure to delight those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals. The noodles are chewy and when mixed with the soft-boiled egg, it creates a creamy and delectable dish.
Equally impressive is the Shio ramen. It creates a harmonious blend of flavours. The soup broth is rich, deeply savoury, and full of flavour that is sure to satisfy every ramen lover.
For those who do not consume pork, the Chicken Ramen is a fantastic alternative. It is reportedly incredible, giving a testament to Kokoro Ramen’s ability to cater to different dietary preferences.
The Cha Siu offered at Kokoro Ramen is noteworthy for its nice, soft, and tender texture. It has a good fat-to-meat ratio, making it a perfect accompaniment to the ramen.
The Karaage is another must-try item on their menu. It’s crispy and juicy with a great sauce to accompany it. There are many different varieties of Karaage, but the one with teriyaki mayo flavour stands out as the most popular among patrons.
In addition to the mouthwatering food, the service and atmosphere at Kokoro Ramen are also praiseworthy. The restaurant has a warm and inviting decor, characterized by tasteful wooden furniture and a cozy feel. The simplicity and charm of the place add to the overall dining experience, making it an ideal spot for every ramen enthusiast.
How is the Service at this Ramen Restaurant?
The environment of Kokoro Ramen is quite inviting, with tasteful wooden furniture that gives it the distinctive feel of a classic ramen shop. The shop itself is comfortably warm, and adorned with rich wood tones that create a cozy and homely atmosphere. There is an undeniable charm in its simplicity that adds to the overall dining experience.
Where is Kokoro Ramen?
Kokoro Ramen is located at the busy corner of Victoria Drive and E. 41st Ave.