Sansotei Ramen — Restaurant in Toronto

Last night was the second time that I've placed a pickup order from this Sansotei Ramen location (via Ritual) and in addition to the one time that I was able to dine in here before the pandemic hit, I would give it a 5-star rating every time!! :)

I ordered the black tonkotsu ramen (my absolute-favourite) and also zangi (deep-fried chicken). What I really LOVE about the tonkotsu ramen is the broth.... it has so much flavour and it's hearty and delicious with just the perfect amount of saltiness! I ordered the thick noodles and would recommend them for this ramen. They were cooked to perfection! The portion is also just right - my husband and I always end up with leftovers for the next day and trust me when I say that it tastes JUST as delicious the next day!

I've included pictures to show how the tonkotsu ramen looks as a pick-up order. The broth is packed separately so the noodles won't get soggy while you take your food home. Everything is always so beautifully packed into the container, and I always feel a little guilty having to muck it up, but if you're careful, you can make it look almost as nice if you pick things up one-by-one as opposed to just dumping the container into a ramen bowl when you get home (or into the broth container). The noodles also might be in one big lump depending on how long it has been since you picked up your food, but don't worry, they'll unravel themselves shortly after you place them in your broth, so just be patient :) Oh, and the pieces of pork are really fatty and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!!

Tip: I would definitely recommend heating up the broth when you get home because it tastes the best when it's piping hot! My husband and I have both had the broth warm (after a 15-20 minute drive home) and it's just not as satisfying as when it's really steaming hot like how it would be served if you were dining in. I use the microwave, but it would also work just as well (if not, better) in a pot over the stove/range.

As for the location itself, the most recent experience was great all-around (as always)! The hostess was really friendly and of course wearing a mask. It was only her and the cook in the kitchen in the restaurant and she even apologized for the wait when she handed me my order, even though it took no time at all! :) Japanese people are always extra friendly!

I believe this location is new to Ritual - it was super easy to place the order, and the time that it took to place and receive the order was really quick!! A tip for people who need to pick up their order by car, you can leave your car parked on the street along Victoria Street safely and even keep an eye on it through the floor to ceiling glass windows if your food isn't quite ready and you're waiting inside :)

Being Japanese, I'm naturally really picky with ramen and everything about the ramen HAS to be good for me to consider it worthy. The tonkotsu ramen here has amazing broth, perfectly-cooked noodles and super delicious pork thereby making it highly recommendable. I know that there are other Sansotei locations, but this is the newest, and personally, I think it's the best!! Go check them out especially if you've read this far since this is a new location that opened just before...

Tasty Tonkotsu To-Go with a Side of Croquette Indulgence

My boyfriend and I recently indulged in a cozy ramen night, opting for the classic Tonkotsu Black Ramen and a duo of Croquette orders from Sansotei Ramen. While we're seasoned Sansotei diners, this was our first experience with their take-out service.

First things first, the packaging was well-organized and secured, ensuring our precious ramen cargo arrived intact. We appreciated the thoughtful separation of the noodles from the broth, a game-changer that kept the noodles delightfully firm, avoiding the dreaded sogginess that can plague take-out ramen.

The star of the show, the Tonkotsu Black Ramen, lived up to its reputation with rich and flavorful broth. However, I must admit, the broth leaned a tad towards the salty side for my taste. The eggs were a highlight, perfectly cooked with a luscious yolk that added a delightful creaminess to each bite.

Having enjoyed Sansotei's delightful ambiance in-store on previous occasions, I must confess that the take-out experience, while good, didn't quite capture the same magic. Ramen is undoubtedly a dish that thrives on being enjoyed fresh and piping hot at the restaurant.

The Croquettes, on the other hand, were a delightful addition to our meal. Crispy on the outside, warm and flavorful on the inside, they were a perfect accompaniment to the ramen bowls.

While the take-out version didn't quite match the in-store experience we've come to love, it's worth noting that the quality of Sansotei's ingredients and their commitment to delivering delicious flavours still shone through. We'll continue to be loyal patrons, with a preference for the in-person dining experience when possible. Here's to hoping for a time when we can savour Sansotei's ramen delights in the cozy confines of their...

There's really no way to review Sansotei Ramen other than saying it was honestly gross. It isn't easy to say that because it really seems like a popular place.

We ordered the miso ramen, shoyu ramen and zangi (hyper seasoned fried chicken). One with thick noodles, the other thin.

To start, I was really enjoying the ramen. After a few mouthfuls I started to taste something I can only describe as "funk". I thought, maybe, I was picking up on the mushrooms they added? Then I took a bite of the chashu pork and realized... It was the meat. It was... Old. And I mean it tasted like it was no longer good.

When I looked closer, the pork was bone dry on one side and the color of shoe leather. Not the lacquer exterior you get on chashu pork... not the Mailard Reaction but the color you get when food sits in the fridge for too long.

Even after being submerged in the soup, it was still dry and flaky as you can see in the photos. But it started to alter the taste of the soup as it soaked.

I couldn't bear to eat any more. The zangi came out... And it was delicious. I was scared to try it, but honestly hungry since we only had some light snacks throughout the day.

My wife didn't finish her ramen either, she noticed I stopped eating and confided she wasn't enjoying it much and thought it was her imagination.

We paid, left and immediately got other food.

I want to be fair. We do visit Japan routinely and I recognize that it might color my opinions. I would never give a place one star because it didn't live up to an impossible standard. That being said... Bad meat taste, as in tasting like spoilage isn't a personal opinion. It's just gross.

I give the zangi an genuine 4 stars, better than some places in Japan... but the restaurant primarily serves ramen and that's what I'm...