KINTON RAMEN BRAMPTON — Restaurant in Brampton

NOTE: Pictures listed are from 09/17/2023

*UPDATED REVIEW (01/13/2025): I hate to do this but less than 2 years since Kinton had their grand opening in Brampton, I've started to notice a DRASTIC change in quality when it comes to their food, service, and overall atmosphere for the past couple of months now whenever I ordered take out via UberEats or dined in.

With the current GST/HST tax break, I figured I would take advantage of it before it ends on Feb 15th, 2025. Unfortunately, today's dine in experience was rather disappointing. I ordered their burnt shoyu ramen combo (didn't bother to take pictures this time) along with their chicken karaage. The broth used to be rich, flavourful, creamy, and packed with umami flavour. However, the broth I had today tasted as if it was watered down and barely had any flavour. My seasoned egg was also nearly cooked all the way through and honestly just tasted like a regular hard-boiled egg. In the past, the seasoned eggs used to be soft boiled, jammy, and flavourful. Also, it felt as if this location is now cheap with the lack of protein they give you in your ramen. These have noticeably been the top 3 problems I've been experiencing for the past couple of months now. It's starting to feel like a complete rip-off when you're paying over $25 - $30+ for a bowl of flavourless ramen; an overcooked flavourless egg, and a little amount of protein.

The staff still greet you and are friendly, but it appears that they're not as attentive to you anymore compared to when they first opened. I also noticed multiple tables that were empty with dirty dishes remaining from previous customers. By the time I was seated, it nearly took another 10-15 mins for a server to come and take my order even though they weren't as busy. In my previous dine in experiences, the staff used to be enthusiastic; engaged with customers; had great open communication skills with each other and were quite prompt with their service. After you were seated, they would bring you water as soon as possible or asked what kind of drinks you wanted before coming back 5 mins later to take your order. The team morale and energy seems as if it has died now and that the staff have stopped caring/trying.

Overall, the Brampton location is starting to make the entire Kinton franchise look bad. The taste and quality of their ramen is no longer up to par or as good as it's other GTA locations in Mississauga, Scarborough, Toronto, Markham etc. I don't know what happened or changed in the past year and a half but it's for sure disappointing when they used to be really good instead of overcharging their customers while producing poor quality ramen.

*ORIGINAL REVIEW (09/17/2023): I was so happy when I found out that Brampton has finally gotten it's own authentic ramen restaurant that specializes in Japanese ramen. And out of all places, it's KINTON! I'm glad that I don't have to travel far to Scarborough, Markham, Richmond Hill, Toronto etc. or Mississauga to satisfy my ramen cravings.

I went for dinner around 6:30 pm during their 'soft opening' (09/17/2023) and I was quite content with my overall dining experience. And for a restaurant that's only been active for about a week, I was genuinely impressed with their customer service.

The staff was very welcoming, friendly and energetic. They were also quick, attentive, and checked in with me to make sure I was satisfied with my meal. I ordered their beef brisket ramen (I requested nori and another seasoned egg for an additional fee) and chicken karrage and it was cooked perfectly! The marinade from the seasoned eggs was also packed with flavour and the eggs themselves were not overcooked.

Space was limited inside seating wise but that seems to be common with majority of the Kinton locations. My absolute favourite is that there's plenty of free parking which helps to make it more accessible unlike the Mississauga location. Will definitely be coming...

I have been to the multiple Kinton locations prior to my visit in the Brampton location. I also used to work at the parent company location in Toronto for Kinka Izakaya as server for a year. I’m well aware of the restaurant’s standards when it comes to service and food.

Unfortunately, the Brampton location is nothing more than sub par. Me and my friend has placed an order for the spicy garlic beef. The main issue that we had noticed was that the consistency of the broth was more like syrup/ sauce and less watery. We had to add the water which was given to us to the ramen to make it edible. Apart from that, we had also ordered an egg on the side as the dish doesn’t come with it. The egg was basically butchered rather than having it as 2 perfect slices. The only reason why I’m giving it 2 stars is because, the beef was cooked perfectly and also the takoyaki and the gyoza were perfect.

Apart from this, the other issue faced was with the staff. Our first server did a good job and after we had paid for our bill, my friend had placed a separate order for takeout which was also paid. After this, there was a shift change and a new server had come up asking what else we need, when we informed that we had placed an order and is waiting for it. The server had looked at us funny, and asked if the payment had already been completed or not, to which we confirmed. The server huffed and went back in and then bought out the takeout order. For future references, if there is a server change mid shift, please ensure that the communication is made so that the customers are not treated clueless. The servers attitude really made me question everything including the tip that we had left and that is something that shouldn’t be happening to other people.

For future references, please ensure that product consistency is present and also make sure that new servers are aware of what is going on with the customers during shift change. If it’s not just me that this has happened to, just be mindful as the actions not only reflects the Brampton location but also affects the other Kinton/ Kinka...

Decided to visit the local Kinton Ramen for an evening meal (around 5:30ish). Fortunately, we were able to find a table for two as the dinner crowd was slowly trickling in.

My wife ordered the Spicy Garlic Ramen and I ordered Burnt Shoyu Ramen special with the plain Kaarage chicken. After placing the order, we casually waited ..and waited...and waited.

During the soft opening at the same location a few weeks before, the food we ordered came to the table in typical time. However, during this evening, after being officially opened, with more servers and cooks than there were diners, we waited 20-25 minutes and it was just the two bowls of noodle. While my wife had no issues with her order, my bowl was missing the nori that was part of the menu description and the side of kaarage chicken.

While the taste of both soups were on point, there was little to be desired when it came to the amount of pork that was in the bowl. We were very disappointed. Thinly sliced and barely charred, it resembled something that came from a slicer at a supermarket deli, with more fat than meat.

My wife and I have been going to Kinton since they first opened up in downtown Toronto so many years ago. We are big fans. We would actually wait in the freezing cold for 30 to 40 minutes at that first location simply to get a couple of seats at the tiny bar. The pork belly and shoulder portions were thick and charred beautifully and it was luxurious, juicy and tasty. In a bowl full of flavourful tasty broth and chewy noodles, we tasted the pork.

With that said, we brought the issue up with the manager and he went out of his way to provide a small additional portion of pork shoulder slices and finally found the missing kaarage chicken. To his credit, he was going above and beyond, unlike some of his servers.

In the end, after waiting for just as long for our bill, we left full and satisfied. My wife and I will continue to support our local Kinton. It is great food. However, I do hope that they return to a bit of what made this chain great in the...