KINTON RAMEN KELOWNA DOWNTOWN — Restaurant in Kelowna

I read the reviews ahead of time re: bland broth (dashi) etc, but I was determined to keep an open mind because I am always desperate for broader restaurant options here in Kelowna - and the restaurant industry is a tough business!

The good: downtown location, the service staff were friendly and attentive. We were seated right away (11:30 on a Saturday) and food arrived within 10 minutes. Water served immediately (note: they are still waiting for their liquor license so no beer/sake yet). It’s nice that you can customize most aspects of the ramen you order (noodles, toppings etc)

We ordered a miso pork ramen (added garlic) and a pork spicy garlic ramen given the review about bland broth. The spicy garlic was a notch above tingly and likely is too hot if you’re sensitive to spice. There was very little miso ‘depth’ to the miso pork ramen and without the garlic addition it would have been very bland. There is truth to the prior reviews about ‘watery’ broth - compared to Vancouver ramen shops that have 2-3 day recipes there is a depth of flavour and a creamy mouthfeel that this doesn’t have. We ended up mixing spoonfuls of both dishes together and it created a more rounded/balanced broth. I would imagine the basic pork broth or the soy broth are very bland.

Noodles had a nice chew to them if you prefer the al dente side (we tried both the thick and thin). My partner thought they were the best noodles in Kelowna. The added egg was the best part with a wonderful creamy texture to the yoke. The pork came across as overcooked and a bit dry for both dishes unfortunately. Nice presentation with chopsticks and a traditional ramen spoon or ladle.

Ultimately I would rank this as ‘very elevated home ramen’ (Momofuku, not Mr Noodles) - if you had a well cooked egg, bamboo shoots and green onions with good instant noodles you could achieve this. However, I prefer ramen shops with something I can’t get at home - Little Tokyo Ramen is better with great chashu and better depth of broth/dashi (our experience this year was better than last year for some reason?!) and Ramen Arashi had a better ramen bowl overall than our experience at Kinto.

We didn’t try and other starters etc so I would still say give it a try to see if it resonates with you - however, die hard ramen fans will likely find the broth a...

There are meals that satisfy. And then there are meals that revive.

It had been a long afternoon. The kind that steals the salt from your skin and the urgency from your stride. Kelowna shimmered in the heat, and I wandered in search of shade, salvation, and something worth remembering.

That’s when I stepped into Kinton Ramen.

Bright, open, pulsing with the quiet rhythm of boiling broth and clinking ladles. I found a seat at the bar—front row to the theatre of culinary precision. Behind the counter, the chefs worked like jazz musicians: fast hands, practiced timing, total harmony.

The Sapporo draft arrived first. Cold. Golden. As refreshing as a waterfall you weren’t expecting to find. I held the glass like a man discovering chilled redemption.

Then came the Original Chicken Karaage—tender, hot, and gloriously crisp, as though someone had taken everything comforting about street food and raised it to an art form.

And then… the Spicy Garlic Beef Ramen, with thin noodles, as delicate and deliberate as hand-pulled silk. A broth so rich it whispered stories of faraway kitchens. Plenty of bamboo shoots, tender yet assertive, slid between bites like supporting actors stealing the scene.

It was bold. It was balanced. It was blisteringly good.

As I sipped and slurped and watched the dance of ladles and flames behind the counter, I realized: this wasn’t just lunch. It was a passport, a postcard, a perfectly timed detour from the ordinary.

Recommendation: One cold beer, one hot bowl, and one bar stool with a view of the...

Kinton Ramen in downtown Kelowna is hands-down one of the best ramen spots I’ve ever visited! I went for the beef ramen bowl and added veggie gyozas, and I was blown away by the quality and flavor of everything. The ramen broth was incredibly rich and savory, with a depth of flavor that kept me sipping every last drop. The beef was perfectly tender and seasoned, and the noodles had that ideal springy, chewy texture that makes ramen so comforting.

The veggie gyozas were another highlight—crispy on the outside, packed with flavorful vegetables, and just the right size for sharing or enjoying alongside your ramen. Every bite was delicious, and it was clear the ingredients are fresh and carefully prepared.

Beyond the food, the service was fantastic. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about making our experience great. The restaurant itself has a cozy, welcoming vibe that makes it perfect for a casual meal with friends or even a solo visit when you just want to indulge in amazing ramen.

Overall, Kinton Ramen exceeded my expectations in every way. If you’re in Kelowna and love ramen—or just want to treat yourself to a comforting, flavorful meal—this place is an absolute must-try. I can’t wait to come back and explore more...