Kenzo — Restaurant in Guelph

THE worst. I hate to leave a bad review, but this left a really bad taste in my mouth.

I used to eat at their original location in Mississauga and absolutely loved their food. Everything was excellent! You can tell that things were made in-house. Their broth was rich and flavourful, their noodles were tender, and the chasu! It was melt-in-your-mouth-out-of-this-world delicious. Each piece was extremely juicy and the portion you would get was amazing. You would walk in at any time of the day and could see one of their staff were hand-folding their dumplings. You just knew everything was made with love and care. Every single time someone came in, the entire staff, including the kitchen, would shout a warm welcome to you and would always thank you when you left.

I was so excited when they opened up a location here in Guelph, so that I wouldn't have to make that long trip to get their delicious ramen anymore!

When I started coming here, the ramen was just as excellent as their Mississauga location. The atmosphere was not the exact same (not as warm or welcoming), but I could at least count on the food being good. However, the last three times I've eaten here (a mix of both takeout and dine-in), it has been absolutely terrible. The quality of the broth isn't the same, the noodles no longer taste like they are made in-house, the gyoza is clearly no longer made in house, nor is it pan-fried or fried on a flat top (honestly, these look store-bought and now they just toss them in the deep fryer. They no longer have the crispy skirt at the bottom, which is the trademark of a good pan-fried dumpling. Not to mention, they are so tiny now!!), the chasu has gotten to be thinner than paper and dryer than the Sahara, the toppings are getting so skimpy, and don't even get me started on how much you pay to add extra toppings! $4.50 for thin, dry meat?! Are you kidding me? You're basically paying (at the very bare minimum), $20 for noodles and broth. If you get any additional add-ons, a bill for one can quickly reach $40-50 dollars. This is verging on being criminal.

The staff are pleasant, but in all of my past three experiences, something is always wrong with my order. I pay for extra meat or egg and I don't get it, I ask for one thing and get a completely different thing. Even tonight, I ordered a 3 piece gyoza and they gave me 5 pieces and charged me for 6. It shouldn't be this complicated or even this difficult to eat out.

I understand and expect that in today's economy, things cost more. Period. I'm happy to pay, but when the cost doesn't match the quality or the type of service I should be getting, it makes me resentful that I even spent my money on it and it certainly doesn't make me want to go back. Worst of all, it is just disappointing to see what has become of the Kenzo name.

If you're craving the comfort and deliciousness of some good ramen, especially on a cold, wintery, day, I recommend you go elsewhere. I hear Crafty Ramen is good!

I'll probably see you there since I won't be coming back here. 10/10 would NEVER recommend.

Is there any good ramen in and around the city? Asking...

If you're a ramen lover, Kenzo is a must-visit spot that truly elevates the traditional experience.Thus restaurant combines a warm ambiance with an impressive menu that caters to both ramen enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Upon entering, you're greeted by the delightful aroma of simmering broths and the sound of noodles being expertly prepared. The decor is simple yet inviting, with wooden accents and soft lighting that create a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a casual meal or a special outing.

The star of the show, of course, is the ramen. I opted for the Tonkotsu ramen, which boasted a rich, creamy pork broth that had been simmered for hours to achieve its depth of flavor. The noodles were perfectly cooked—springy and smooth, soaking up all the deliciousness of the broth. Topped with tender slices of chashu, a perfectly soft-boiled egg, and fresh green onions, every bite was a comforting delight.

For those who prefer something lighter, the Shoyu ramen offered a savory soy-based broth that was equally satisfying. The addition of bamboo shoots and nori added a lovely texture and flavor.

The staff were attentive and friendly, always ready to recommend their favorite dishes.

Don't miss out on their side dishes either! The gyoza were crispy and packed with flavor, making for an excellent appetizer.

In terms of pricing, Kenzo is quite reasonable, especially considering the quality of the ingredients and the portion sizes. It's the kind of place where you can indulge without breaking the bank.

Overall, Kenzo is a gem in the ramen scene, offering an authentic and delicious dining experience. Whether you're a ramen aficionado or just looking to try something new, this restaurant should be at the top of your list. I can't wait to return and explore more...

Recommended by my local friend, I visited this restaurant with two other friends, and we ordered three appetizers to share and one ramen each. Appetizers- chicken karaage, pan fried hand made dumplings, and agedashi tofu; ramen - Spicy Charshu ramen, king of king ramen, and sapporo miso ramen.

We loved all of the appetizers. Chicken was crispy and not over fried and their slightly sour fruit based sauce was a good complement to their chicken. Dumplings were very juicy and full to the skin. Tofu was saucy but not overly salty or had that tofu taste you can sometimes feel with raw tofu.

I had spicy Charshu ramen with level 1 and it was a good spicy level for me (I'm Korean). I was surprised to see my bowl that it was essentially covered with Charshu and their pictures on the menu were actually true. Full of very fresh veg and bean sprouts i didn't see any brown or old vegs or bean sprouts until I finish my bowl. I tried other two soup bases thatvmy friends ordered and it was clear that the owner had a very good understanding of different soup bases. Each had distinctive soup base taste depending on their main ingredient (for example, soy, miso vs. Pork based) and again not overly salty or greasy.

Will definitely visit again when I'm ever in Guelph. Highly...