Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba - Metrotown — Restaurant in Burnaby

Honestly not worth the hype. The food itself was just okay. I wouldn’t go back there for it but it was acceptable. What was not acceptable was the portions. I’m literally 5’4 120lbs and the bowl was just the right amount for me, maybe a little more would’ve been better (I literally can’t finish a bowl of pho). The small portions combined with the just okay food… yeah no. If the ramen was good I wouldn’t complain about the portions because it’d actually be worth the money.

Anyways moving on to what actually brought the ratings low for me: the service. Ive worked in the service industry so I know what being a waitress is like. I think part of the problem is that the owners need to figure out that more customers = more employees needed which actually also = more money made. There were tables sitting empty which could’ve been cleaned by another staff member to load in more customers. To add on, my family and I were not checked on once. The server tried to take our food to another table and I called out to him to bring it over and repeated the order to him because he didn’t even know what he was carrying. The cherry on top was walking to the counter to pay because nobody was coming to help us.

The ambiance looks nice but is actually made of cheap decorations, along with the furniture. If you’re passing by and think oh wow I should try this place out bc it looks nice, you shouldn’t waste your money here. I don’t even like earls but I think I’d choose earls over Kokoro. I’m truly disappointed, I was excited to experience this place. If you want good ramen, go to Maruhachi...

Relatively new location for Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba. Interior is rather bright and airy with dining areas sectioned off representing different areas of Japan. Be careful of the tile floors as they can get slippery when wet.

Known for their mazesoba (type of broth-less ramen), you can customize your order (including adding soup) and your mazesoba comes with a scoop of rice towards the end of your meal so you can sop up all the leftover bits.

Drinks are good and come served in bags (takes a while to get used to). Kokoro yogurt refresher (passion fruit) was my fan but the Blue Hawaii was good too.

Zenbu mazesoba and mentaiko cream mazesoba are relatively similar. Loved the creamy yolk that you pop and stir in with your noods.

A bunch of items weren't available in our first visit but we managed to try them on our next visit. The Ninja gyoza are deep fried (think pan fried would be tastier). I wound up ordering the Kokoro ramen and liked the rich and creamy broth. They have some seasonal specials like the Ebi hayashi mazesoba too.

Overall, food is good quality. Most dishes are very similar. Would be nice to see some more different options...

I was tight in time coming from Richmond. So I called ahead to check and last call is at 930pm. I rushed and we arrived exactly at 930 and they said kitchen was closed although we expressed that we knew what to order on the spot already.

When I was feeling upset I called back around 935pm, I asked why we weren't allowed to order upon entering and the same guy named soto/tsoto told us that they allow last call at 1-2 minutes prior to 930pm. I asked why 929pm is different from 930pm when we came rushing from somehwere else. He then realized it was the same person he spoke to half an hour earlier about their last call..he said "my bad, I'm so sorry".

Well at this point we were already driving somehwere else to eat but disappointed by the deception or subjectivity of it.

We used to like this place but obviously staff do not mind what the customers are going through with just getting out from work early.

Saying last call at 930 and when you arrive at 930 to order and say kitchen is closed is very odd.

I had a hard time to write this as Soto seemed sincere in his apology but it is what happened. We will not...