Tokiwa Ramen — Restaurant in Central Core

This is Edmonton’s best Japanese Ramen location. There is almost always a line. No takeout or delivery, I’m guessing it would compromise quality. They did have take home ramen kits during COVID. Just go for impeccable food for lunch quickly, enjoy, and go. The restaurant works like a well oiled machine. The food arrives quickly, you enjoy, get what you need and go. It is Cash or Debit only. Only Open 11-3 or closes earlier if they are out of soup.

Serving sizes are very good. For kids, when we go with my nieces or nephews. I recommend getting an extra bowl of noodles and splitting a full size bowl. The size is about the size or most large bowls of Pho, if you are familiar with those asian Soup restaurants. Just the right size, not too much. The gyoza are a good fun finger food for kids too, always a hit.

Now the most important part. This is the best Japanese Ramen, heck asian soup restaurant in town(saying a lot because Edmonton has some of Canada’s best Pho). The line is always long if it’s Fri-Sun. Expect to wait 20-40minutes unless you are there first thing or part of the last groups through at 2:30. Even weekdays, this is where you go to impress someone with amazing food. Broth - Clear, Full bodied, and well balanced. Noodles - Fresh, glutinous, and tasty. Chashu - Fresh, best quality I’ve ever seen, never frozen like other ramen shops do, and delicious(if you like choose a spicier ramen, there are layers to the flavour and care if that only spice brings out). Garnishes - Simple and perfectly matched to the dish.

The best Ramen is the one that gets slept on by many people IMO, the Yuzo Shio. It is a unique citrus broth that tastes like a sunshine in your mouth. The next best Ramen is typically the feature. They always have inventive and creative ramens they try for the month and then they are gone. Best I’ve had is the Shabu Shabu Beef, hopefully it will return one day. The most popular regular ones are the Black Garlic and the Spicy Goma, I prefer the 3 pepper if I want spicy, but I am also a pepperhead, it may be too spicy for some, but there is always chilli oil or you can request Shichimi(Japanese Red Pepper) to enhance the spice/flavour if you want more.

Honestly there isn’t a bad option on the menu, if you like the sound of it, order it. I once went with 5 friends, we had a debate on the best flavour, put my foot down on the Yuzo Shio, even though one of them was arguing for the black garlic as the best. Had them try my broth, one guy came back every day that week for it, and the other 4 came back in that same week for it. It was a clear winner. I went to New York this year, tried Michelin star ramen shops, NONE OF THEM WERE AS GOOD AS TOKIWA. It’s amazing we have this place in Edmonton. With the short hours, there is no compromise on quality or craft. Just put in your name, eat your delicious ramen and go. If you wait too long or are not patient. You will see the saddest sign when you come “NO SOUP” (for you) lit up above the door, come...

TLDR: best ramen in Edmonton, Goma Goma is the best bowl imo. Get early (right at 11am) or after lunch rush. You may be waiting awhile on weekends, Monday-Thursday are best days to go to not wait as long.

Tokiwa aka my favourite place in yeg. After trying everything on the menu at Tokiwa I can definitely say my go-to’s are the Goma and Tonkotsu. If I get Tonkotsu one time, I’ll get Goma the next time. But 90% of the time I get the Goma Goma. This bowl is huge and so filling especially because I always order extra noodles!

What is the Goma Goma? Well let me tell you. It’s a rich and creamy pork based broth that’s simmered for 10 hours! It’s so satisfying and hits all the “soup weather” feels. It’s got sesame, chopped pork with miso and chili. Each bowl of ramen comes with a marinated boiled egg, wood ear mushroom, micro greens, bean sprouts, crisp lotus toot and shanghai bok choi. Zero preservatives used. All soup stock ingredients are natural and made in-house daily.

Tokiwa is open everyday at 11am. A lot of the time they get a line up so I’m always there 5-10 minutes before open to ensure I get a spot. Then they’re open until all the soups gone! No reservations + you can’t be seated until your entire party is there. You can’t order ramen to-go (but you can order rice bowls to-go! And their a peanut free establishment and vegetarian friendly!!(only one vegetarian option currently on the menu) The owner Ted is clearly passionate about it work and it shows. Absolutely love this place with all my heart.

If you haven’t gone to Tokiwa yet, come on. Get yourself over there, right at open(11am), order the Goma Goma and...

I've always said this was my #1 ramen place in Edmonton but I honestly had only had it like twice and hadn't been back in several years. Finally made my way back and you know what? It holds up.

Idk what it is about the Tokiwa broth but it is just a notch above anything else I've tried in Edmonton, Calgary, or even Vegas. Somehow, my most recent experience was the broth kept tasting better towards the bottom of the bowl, whereas ramens usually start to wear on the palette and feel too salty towards the end. My anecdotal conclusion from this was that the depth of flavour must be very well done, likely owing to the long preparation process, and without copping out and just adding too much salt.

While the broth is the real highlight here, the noodles have a nice texture and the egg is cooked right. I've also noticed that over the last few years, they've added more veggies and garnishing than I remember? Those were a nice touch, as fresh vegetables are good to refresh the palette in a very savory and rich dish. The one thing I wished was that the pork chashu was a little more flavourful. Misoya does a really nice chashu that's really thick and tasty, whereas the Tokiwa chashu feels a bit more like an afterthought.

Last thing to mention is the hours of operation: they're still wild! 11am-2pm (or earlier if they sellout) is definitely still a tough one to make if you have a busy schedule. They're also debit or cash only. Just adds to the allure of this...