Kanbe Ramen - 163 Retail Park — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

This ramen joint ranks the first in my list of best ramen in town. Upon queing up which is almost always a sure thing during dining hours, you’ll be given a slip to select and customize your ramen or tsukemen. I usually come for the soup ramen and my fav is the aka flavour or the spicy pork soup (refer to my photo) and I'd recommend the original shiro flavor for those who wants to savour the goodness of the broth in its purest form. Either one you choose, your palate will be greeted with the richness of the pork broth. I love how it's so flavorful yet the soup isn't overwhelming in texture. The next highlight is the chasiu which is well marinated and cooked to right tenderness. Mind you, the chasiu comes in thick slabs and not the typical thin slices you'd find in other ramen places. If you're up for even more mouthful of porky goodness, then do try the buta kakuni (pictured in top left). The almost melt in your mouth pork meat and fat in combination of the umami rich seasoning makes it a perfect companion to your ramen. Be aware though, some told me that it can be bit too salty. Another ingredient worth mentioning is their onsen egg which is equally well marinated compared to some places that are disappointingly bland and tasteless. And what would be a good bowl of ramen without the noodles right? The noodles texture is perfect with the right amount of bounce and chewiness. Best to slurp with your broth. All in all, I'm very pleased with the ramen and would definitely recommend this to anyone. The price is very reasonable for the taste and amount you get served. Plus point, you'll also get a drink included as well.

If you'd like something different, you can opt for the tsukemen but know that the bamboo shoots in the dipping sauce may be too overpowering for some.

Update: I found myself developing a preference for their tsukemen in my visits lately. It is a now plus because I can finally request to not have the bamboo shoots by indicating it in the order chit. That delightful chewy noodles paired so well with the deliciously potent and rich tsukemen dipping sauce. If the ramen broth isn't flavorful or strong enough for you, then you ought to give this a try. Do not forget to ask for something complimentary broth to dilute the tsukemen sauce as and when you desire. This opens up the flavors as you savor your...

I remain amazed at the inability of people in general to distinguish hype from facts…because Kanbe is a travesty.

I tried it twice just to be sure, but came to the same conclusion—I don’t get the hype. I didn’t enjoy the ramen, tsukemen, or the side dishes.

Let’s start with the sides. The chicken karaage with chilli powder was too spicy (not the yummy kind) to enjoy, and the fried shrimp was completely unseasoned. Just bland, tasteless battered shrimp served with a pasty mayo-based sauce. Basic 101 - salt?!

The main events were also uninspired and cloying. The ramen broth lost its heat very quickly due to the bowl material and wide mouthed design. I typically finish every ounce of broth, and wish for more, but couldn’t do it here. I had the shiro broth (my usual go to when I’m trying a new place).

The yuzu tsukemen was even more cloying and unpleasant. It was unnaturally gloopy and gross, like they had used a ton of starch to thicken it. It is by far the worst tsukemen I’ve ever had the displeasure of having. The “cold” noodles were room temperature. Even Mitsuyado is better, so that’s pretty telling.

Ambiance: very noisy, tables set extremely close together even in a non-covid world—exacerbated by poor ventilation and AC that is barely present. It’s uncomfortable but all the better to eat your lukewarm broth in 😂

Service: it’s a massive turnoff when we’re asked to pay the bill at 9:25pm, still mid-meal. Not “I’ll apologetically leave it here and come back later”, even—but “I will hover until you produce payment, I don’t care if you’re eating”. And it’s obvious the staff want to clean up as soon as possible, attempting to remove table condiments WHILE we’re eating. When asked what time closing was, the response was a vague “when people finish”. Not the standard of service you’d expect from a restaurant with a Japanese chef. In fact I’d venture that no local restaurant would get away with this...

The things I did like: ironically, the complimentary stuff were tasty. The free flow vegetables were yummy, the tea is unidentifiable but very refreshing...

Food: Good, fresh ingredients and authentic taste Portion: Generous amount Environment: Hygiene, small, dine in area Queue time: 30min+- Price: Medium

Visit on Saturday start queue 3pm. 3.27pm get our seats (2pax). We ordered nanban karaage, shiro ramen and kuroXsakura ramen.

🍜⚪️Shiro Ramen Their broth taste good, rich and flavourful. I challenged 5x extra hot KANBE secret sauce to my shiro ramen. Their spiciness just soso😏. Taste good and the spiciness didn't over take the taste of broth. Chashu taste well cooked, well seasoned, tender and meaty. Noodle is springy and smooth. Totally my kind of ramen 🥺 I love it.

🍜⚫️X🟠 KuroXSakura Ramen My friend tried kuroXsakura ramen. Which they are able to mix two different soup option for you with charge of RM5. Kuro have their own garlic kick and Sakura have very rich prawn umami taste. Both combined have very rich earth and sea taste to your ramen. Which is very good (sorry ya. to be honest, i think this combination taste like prawn mee😆atas type of taste)

🐓Nanban karaage. The fried chicken is not ordinary crunchy type ya. It is boneless, juicy and soft type of fried chicken thay soaked with slightly sour and sweet vinegar sauce. Tarta sauces on top have some kick of pickled ginger taste. Some chicken have a bit of chicken tendons that kind annoying when you chew but overall is good.

🍯🏺🧂Secret ingredients to add They have several seasoning and condiments serve on the table. I took some marinated mustard green to add on my shiro ramen when I am half way to finish it. The taste change and add more flavour to my ramen. Surprisingly tasty for me. There are seasoned bean sprouts and spicy miso on table also but I didn't try.

🍵Black oolong tea They also serve black oolong tea and can refresh your taste bud after ramen.

Really like their price that stated on menu that is included all taxes and service fees. No hidden charge and extra 6% for all the meal you order. Really nice and honest restaurant to have in Malaysia 🥺

Their staffs are friendly and nice too. Very polite and patient when my data is slow for e...