Kuma Takumi — Restaurant in Ottawa

Would slurp again (eventually) Tried the new kid on the ramen block — Kuma Kumi Kanata! Broth not hot enough to summon dragons, but the vibes were warm.

Okay, ramen lovers, curry chasers, and tea sippers of all ages — gather ‘round. I ventured into Kuma Kumi Kanata, a fresh face in the noodle game, hoping for Sansotei vibes with a curry twist.

Spoiler: it’s got potential, but it’s still figuring itself out.

When we went: Not too busy. No lines, no wait—just vibes. You seat yourself (like at grandma’s house, but with more broth).

Atmosphere: Clean, casual, cute. Pretty much your standard modern ramen spot. No hearty “IRASSHAIMASE!” welcome, though. Just a quiet walk in and plop yourself down.

Menu drama: Some of the big hitters were MIA. No Omurice Katsu Curry, no Teriyaki Chicken Don. I felt like I got ghosted by a dish.

What we tried: Omurice Karaage Curry: The egg? Fluffy perfection. The karaage? More "chicken nugget cosplay" than lightly battered bliss. Curry? Serviceable but not deep. Think anime filler episode.

Tonkotsu Black / Shoyu / Spicy Miso

Tonkotsu: Solid flavors, but all arrived at spa day temperatures—not piping hot. The chashu was thin enough to be on a keto diet, but the Ajitsuke Tamago was a winner—jammy with that mirin-soy flavor hug. Bamboo shoots? Tasted canned. Real menma is supposed to sing; this was more of a mumble. Green tea? Complimentary and lukewarm. So... technically tea. Not mad, just confused.

Service: Super friendly and fast. Like, “we know we’re new but we’re trying really hard” energy. And I love that.

Bathrooms: Clean enough to film a TikTok skincare routine. A+.

Final verdict: I came hoping for Sansotei meets Coco Curry. I got more of a soft opening energy with ramen ambition. Would I go back? Yeah—mainly because I need closure with that Katsu Curry. Kuma Kumi Kanata, you’re still young. Keep growing. I’ll be back when your menu (and your broth) heats up.

Rating: 3.5 slurps out of 5 Swipe-worthy? Yes. Life-changing? Not yet. But who knows? Every ramen hero has an...

edit to say I appreciate the fast reply and follow up from the restaurant. Happy to try this place out again in the future of their soft ooen bumps are smoothed over.

Pretty underwhelming ramen experience. I ordered the tonkotsu black garlic (my usual order at every ramen spot) and thought it was very bland overall. It didn't come out hot which was the first thing I noticed. The garlic oil was overpowering to the point of it being a little nauseating; to me it tasted too burnt. There wasn't much depth in the broth which I think is a key role in a ramen bowl. Eggs were cooked okay and the pork belly was fine. We ordered the takoyaki and karaage as well which were okay. I personally wouldn't return unless there is improvement (I understand it's their soft opening!)

Service was friendly enough but their choice in table surfaces enhances the clunkiness of how the food was delivered. Everything sounded like it was slammed down and slid when it was placed haphazardly on the table. The ramen bowls were sliiiiiiid down the table if it was too far from the server. Again, soft opening kinks! They might be new. Just something to note. But the tables are shaky. Like you place your hands on it and it teeters. A little bit of wood or cardboard to level it out wouldn't be bad. (We were at a 4 seater table) Water and green tea are served complimentary here...

This might just be the best ramen spot in Ottawa right now. The tonkotsu broth and chashu really stand out—the broth isn’t just salty, but rich with layers of meaty umami that lingers. The chashu is tender, with just the right amount of fat, clearly made with care. I’ve had ramen at dozens of places across Canada, including several well-known spots in Ottawa, but it’s rare to find a place that puts this much effort into both the broth and the chashu.

While waiting to pay, I took a moment to look around and noticed the interior design—subtle and refined, mostly black with touches of orange. It’s warm without being flashy. I had a quick chat with the owner and found out that both she and her husband have backgrounds in art, and they designed the entire space themselves. That explains why it feels so different from the usual cookie-cutter ramen shops—there’s a sense of thoughtfulness and personality here.

Among Ottawa’s newer restaurants, this one is definitely worth keeping an eye on. Not just for the ramen, but for the...