Tondou Ramen — Restaurant in Toronto

Tondou Ramen was brought to my attention on Tiktok. My wife and I love ramen and specifically love trying ramen across Ontario. Tondou's shop is adorable, my wife immediately remarked that she can't wait to come back in the summer as the patio looks very cute. When we entered the staff greated us and I immediately noticed the gentlemen from tiktok! The cozy space was pretty empty, and that worried me. We were greeted by a very sweet, super friendly waitress who brought us water right away. The place has service button (more places need this). First to come out was the takoyaki with pickled ginger. My wifes face lit up. She always has this but she could already tell there was extra effort. Next was the tofu and these were very good, the batter and dip was delicious! We ordered the house lemonade and both are eyes sparkled. ITS SO GOOD. The worst part about order the lemonade was knowing we were going to be thinking about that lemonade for days. It just got worse/better from there. The Nanban fried chicken , this is my wheel house... unbelievably good. My mouth was dancing for joy! The house tartar with sour soy sauce on top of the juicy chicken was a fantastic combo- I cannot stress this enough: ORDER THIS!! Next up was our ramen - the broth was rich and the noodles were perfect. I was so happy with the nice thin cuts of meat and jammy eggs. I'm so jealous of people in the area who get to eat this on cold days. The house ramen was the winner (in our opinion). Finally for desert we got a yuzu cheese cake and once again, OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD. I do not understand how this place doesn't have a line up around the street 24/7 - Do not walk to Tondou Ramen - RUN! I cannot recommend this enough! NOTE: I believe they sell merch and I plan to pick it up next time, I didn't see any?? Top of my list for...

A very warm and casual restaurant (ㅅ´ ˘ `) It is a tiny cozy space with some seats outside. It has a very welcoming atmosphere. You can smell delicious aromas from outside.

The prices are pretty reasonable, especially for the quality and quantity you will be getting. Here are the dishes we ordered:

[Takoyaki 🥢]: creamy inside with tender octopus pieces, and just the right amount of smokiness. Drizzled with tangy takoyaki sauce and bonito flakes that danced on top, they were pure umami-packed bites. probably one of the best takoyaki I've had in Toronto

[🥟deep fried gyoza, veg]: solid appetizer. Slightly sweet flavour. Has a very nice crunch and crisp to it.

[🍜 Okinawa Soba]: The broth is light, with a deep umami flavor that feels comforting and nourishing. The noodles were chewy, a perfect match for the tender meat that practically melted in my mouth ❣️ the broth is not salty at all

[🍜 Veggie Ramen]: Often, veg options feel like an afterthought or just for the sake of being there -- but not in this restaurant. The broth was rich and slightly creamy, infused with mushroom broth, and layers of vegetable flavor. Topped with garlic chips, corn, pea shoots, and green. It felt hearty, vibrant, and thoughtfully crafted.

[🍺mojito, non-alcoholic]: a very tall drink. I had trouble finishing it. The drink was alright 👍🏼 just felt like it was too much syrup. The place can get pretty loud as more people walk in. So if you are planning to have a private convo, this is not the place.

Washroom 🚻 is at the back and walks you past the cashier and kitchen area.

The staff were friendly especially the people in the kitchen. I would come back again if I am in...

I visited on Good Friday and left around 6:20 PM. The food was excellent—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. No complaints there at all. But unfortunately, the service didn’t quite live up to the same standard, and it really affected the overall experience.

I was especially looking forward to this visit. I speak Japanese and was hoping to connect with the Japanese waitress—not just to make things easier, but because I’m half-Japanese myself and thought it might make for a nice moment of connection. But right from the start, she felt distant. When I asked for a menu, she just kind of gestured toward a barcode without saying anything. It felt cold and confusing, especially as someone coming in for the first time.

We waited quite a while just to get water, and she didn't bother explaining that you’re supposed to press a button for service—something I only found out because another guest happened to mention it. The button is not obvious since it's one of the only places that uses this method, so it just made things feel awkward. I don't think it would have hurt if she had pointed that out after she pointed out the menu barcode sticker. I came in really excited to try this place.

I ended up spending over $120 anyway and still left a $20 tip out of courtesy, but honestly, I don’t think I’ll be back. The space is beautiful, and the food really was fantastic—it’s just such a shame that the service didn’t match. I did get help from another waitress at the end, and she was cool and helpful. I wish we’d had her from the start. If they can iron out the service issues, this place could easily...