KINTON RAMEN VICTORIA DOWNTOWN — Restaurant in Victoria

I've come to this location four times now as it's close to my work. After trying several menu items, I cannot say this is good ramen. Each time it is at noon, and there are fewer and fewer customers.

The chasu is tough and does not melt, the ramen eggs are barely marinated. The broth is severely lacking in both salt and umami.

The service at this location isn't good either. Last time I had the server come visit our table 3 times while we were still eating, just to see if we were done. Truthfully, that time I could not finish my bowl because it was not appetizing. Prior experiences, I have been standing awkwardly for a long time waiting to be seated. There is no waiting area before you get seated.

Another defect of this location is a horde of fruit fies. Even on their opening day, the restaurant was FILLED with fruit flies. My partner and I were constantly being disturbed by 2-3 fruit flies at any given time, and this issue has persisted every time I have been.

The nail in the coffin is that the ramen isn't cheap either. It's comparable to other ramen places in town, making it unappealing even as a budget pick. I would unfortunately not recommend this place to anyone.

Overall, this results in a very negative experience. The ramen isn't good, the service has been less than stellar, and the fruitflies make it seem unclean. Steer clear of the Victoria location!! Go to elsewhere instead, you will have the much better ramen for...

Walking in as a group of four, we were sat at the bar fairly quick, and it was quite nice. Getting to see everything up close added quite a lot to the atmosphere and overall feeling of the restaurant.

Service was good. We purchased the meal for four ($90) to split among us, and the Gyoza and Edamame appetizers were great while we waited for our ramen.

I personally ate the Original Pork Ramen and felt the size of pork slices left a little to be desired. Quality of the meat was pretty good, especially if we’re comparing on Vancouver Island. Having been to Japan, my standards are fairly high, but I think it’s unfair to compare since I had some REALLY good Ramen.

The broth was quite mild and had a nice peppery taste to it, big fan, but having tried some of the Shoyu, I can say that’s much more salty and intense, and far more down my alley.

You have a lot of options in terms of base ramen and refills/extras, which is very appreciated.

I give it 5 big booms (5 Stars) because of the amazing service, high quality of food and customization, and the nice atmosphere that makes anyone feel in the mood for a good bowl of ramen

Edit: Ramen Arashi in Langford made me realize Kinton Ramen, for the price, is not quite worth it...

The first bowl is a creamy-tonkotsu based ramen with a rich, milky broth that clings lovingly to every strand of noodle. The toppings are simple but well executed—perfectly jammy marinated eggs, tender slices of torched pork belly with that smoky char, and fresh jalapeño slices adding a sneaky green heat that brightens the richness. Scallions and wood ear mushrooms give it crunch and balance. It’s comfort food with a subtle kick.

The second bowl is its fiery cousin—a spicy miso broth that radiates warmth even before the first sip. The broth is thicker and carries a bold umami depth with a lingering chili heat. Again, the ramen eggs are perfection: golden, glossy yolks that melt into the soup. The pork slices here soak up that spiced broth beautifully, while the heap of grated garlic takes the flavor intensity up several notches.

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Verdict

Both bowls highlight what makes ramen irresistible: harmony between broth, noodles, and toppings. The first is silky and mellow with a jalapeño bite; the second is bold, spicy, and unapologetically rich. If you’re craving soothing comfort, the tonkotsu is the way to go. If you want to be jolted awake with spice and garlic, the...