Yokato Yokabai is a premier destination for authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen. Known for its rich, creamy pork bone broth simmered for hours and prepared entirely without MSG, this cozy eatery offers a true taste of Japan. With house-made noodles, highly customizable bowls, and savory sides like their famous karaage, it delivers an uncompromising and traditional ramen experience.
Overall, Yokato Yokabai Ramen is frequently praised for its rich, deeply flavorful broths and well-prepared noodles, with many tasters calling it the best ramen in Montreal and noting authentic Hakata-style notes you can customize to taste; the atmosphere is cozy and open, though often busy and loud, with a sometimes cramped space and long waits that are eased by a helpful SMS waitlist system; sides like karaage and edamame get strong nods, while some diners find the prices high or the bowls only warm rather than hot and occasionally feel the experience is overrated or uneven, depending on time, table, and dish.
It being listed in the Michelin Guide set my expectations quite high. On my first visit, the wait time was 75 minutes, so I decided to come back the next day. This time, I arrived before opening, but the queueing system & entry process were quite confusing. There was no clear guidance for customers on where to wait. The ramen shop signage said to enter through the izakaya next door, which was very confusing. The staff didn't seem to manage or inform the queue, even though the door was open (it probably should have been closed if they weren't ready to receive customers).
When they finally opened, people rushed in-whoever stood closest to the door got in first, with no real order. Once inside, I was surprised to see that the izakaya & ramen shop were actually connected. Seating was bar-style (no backrests), & if you had a lot of belongings, there wasn't really anywhere to put them-you'd be better off coming light.
I ordered the chicken broth ramen. The soup itself was rich, flavorful, & clearly chicken-forward. However, the chashu pork was too lean for my taste, making it a bit tough & hard to eat. The noodles & broth didn't come together as well as I'd hoped. Toppings were minimal (like green onions & seaweed), & you had to pay extra if you wanted more. At the bottom of the bowl, there was some orange peel, which added a refreshing note if the chicken fat became too rich.
If I come back next time, I'd probably try the chicken topping instead.
This place is very unique. The waitress went out of her way to help us, & also greeted us in Japanese. The food was amazingly tasty. The atmosphere was very interesting & inviting.
On the bright side the wait wasn't long for me. However, the waitress wasn't friendly, did not even say hello. I hesitated to tip & now still don't know why I did, don't think she earned it & I regretted immediately, not even thank you at the end, just… would you like a copy?
I understand you may be tired from your shift being a waiter is no easy feat,but it is exactly why we have tipping culture, & you get paid such a high salary, because we expect some service. A small smile can go on a long way, a lot of us treat ourselves to a meal to feel better too.
But, she doesn't even glance the customer in the eye, maybe it would be wise to consider a position in the kitchen if it is such a chore to engage with clients.
The food was room temp when it arrived, the ramen was not hot unfortunately. Isn't the star of the dish the broth? But you serve the meal cold..? It's disappointing. It's probable they are too short staffed & she forgot my order so it cooled, can't say. Overall, the food was just okay. Not great, not bad just okay.
Maybe close to what you would get at a ramen fast food chain in Tokyo when you're tipsy at 5am. Again for Montreal the bar is low, unlike Toronto, this is not bad for what you can get here because we barely have options for japanese food, we tend to specialize in European dining... But overall it is just okay! Same for the service just meh, not great,not bad, just okay. It's on the pricey side as well. Maybe, I'll have a better experience if I visit next time.
I went on a Sunday, before dinner rush, & though there was no lineup I still had an estimated 30-50 minute wait after checking in with their electronic system even though there was no line. The wait turned out to be 75 minutes, & when I was finally seated it was in the adjoining pub, where there were many open seats. If you were just going to seat me in the pub, why make me wait at all, not to mention longer than the estimated time?
The spicy karaage was excellent, but the only high point of the experience. The ramen itself was very basic, bland, & forgettable. Service was non-existent, I was not offered anywhere to put my coat & had to put it on the floor under my stool, I was not checked on after my order was taken only when it was time to pay.
There are many other places in the city where you can get ramen that is delicious, you don't have to wait for, & don't have to pay $50 per person for. Disappointing in almost every way.
Apr 20, 2026
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Avis récent: Je dois malheureusement dire que j'ai été déçu par la qualité des ramen cette fois-ci. Ils étaient loin d'être à la hauteur de ceux servis l'année dernière.
J'ai commandé les ramen Tonkotsu avec nouilles épaisses & un oeuf complet. Le bouillon était nettement plus gras que d'habitude & le chashu manquait cruellement de goût. De plus, les nouilles n'étaient pas épaisses comme demandé.
Par ailleurs, on m'avait annoncé une attente de 0 à 15 minutes, avant de m'informer ensuite qu'il faudrait plutôt compter 25 minutes. J'ai finalement patienté près d'une heure.
Leur système sans réservation, inspiré du modèle japonais, ne fonctionne pas très bien ici. Au Japon, les restaurants de ramen fonctionnent effectivement sans réservation, mais l'attente y est bien plus courte. On choisit son plat en entrant dans la file, on remet son coupon au chef & on est servi en 5 minutes. On mange en 10 minutes & on libère la place.
Chez Yokato Yokabai, il faut déjà 5 minutes pour commander une fois à l'intérieur. Ensuite, on attend environ 15 minutes pour recevoir son plat. Sans compter que de nombreux clients prennent leur temps. Ce système crée donc des files d'attente beaucoup plus longues qu'au Japon.
Il serait souhaitable d'adapter ce modèle pour le rendre plus efficace. Deux options semblent pertinentes :
- soit accepter les réservations (ou au moins une liste d'attente numérique accessible depuis chez soi) ;
- soit accélérer réellement le processus pour se rapprocher de l'expérience japonaise : permettre de passer commande pendant l'attente à l'extérieur, limiter le temps de table pour les groupes & encourager les clients à ne pas s'éterniser.
J'espère que ces retours aideront à améliorer l'expérience, car j'ai beaucoup aimé cet endroit par le passé.
ANCIEN AVIS: Nourriture délicieuse, je vous conseille vraiment d'attendre pour pouvoir tester leurs ramens. Ce sont les meilleurs ramens que j'ai pu manger au Québec & même au Canada jusque là. Leurs carbonaras à la japonaise sont aussi très bonnes, bons takoyakis, bon karaage. Très bonne ambiance, lieu très immersif. Bon service, personnel très poli.
Bref, si vous hésitez, n'hésitez plus & foncez ! Leurs ramens sont à tester absolument !
Client fidèle depuis presque 3 ans, j'ai toujours recommandé cet endroit les yeux fermés. La qualité des bouillons, la générosité des bols, tout y était. Malheureusement, depuis la recommandation Michelin, j'ai fait deux visites consécutives qui m'ont laissé sur ma faim, dans tous les sens du terme.
Les portions ont considérablement diminué, ce qui est particulièrement problématique pour un ramen : un bol trop léger, c'est une promesse non tenue. & au-delà de la quantité, c'est la qualité globale qui semble avoir évolué dans le mauvais sens, comme si l'établissement cherchait à répondre à une image plutôt qu'à ses habitués.
C'est dommage, parce que ce resto avait quelque chose de sincère avant. J'espère vraiment que c'est temporaire & qu'ils retrouveront ce qui faisait leur force.
Apr 12, 2026
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Ce fut une expérience étrange. D'abord, difficile de savoir par quelle porte entrer dans le restaurant, il y a une porte ouverte pour le déjeuner & une qui est ouverte pour le souper. Du côté du restaurant où nous étions assis, c'était très petit. Le staff semblait occupé & peu de service aux tables, bien que lorsque nous demandions quelque chose nous avons été répondu. Nous avons commandé des ramens tokontsu, des takoyakis & du kaarage épicé. Les takoyakis étaient croustillants mais assez petits. Le Kaarage était génial, délicieux! Le ramen avait un excellent bouillon & du bon porc, par contre, cela manquait d'harmonie avec les ingrédients. Honnêtement, c'est bon, mais j'ai vraiment l'impression d'avoir payé trop cher pour ce que j'ai mangé & j'essaie régulièrement des restaurants de ramen.
Il faut être prêt à affronter une file d'attente qui peut durer plusieurs heures, mais cela vaut le coup. Les ramens sont délicieux, le service est impeccable, & l'endroit offre une vraie bulle japonaise à Montréal.
They have 2 names for the same building, this one is more of a fast eat & go. Only ramens with sides. On the other side ichigo ichie I has the full menu with appetizers & drinks. Service is top notch. Vibe is good. Food is not as good as they say but still good! I would come back
My favorite ramen in Montreal. The broths are thick & flavorful. Love the gluten free & vegan options. Still I miss the green ramen noodles.
The karaage its ok.
The waiters are nice.
Just consider that depending on the day of the week & time you attend it could take from immediate service up to 1 hour 20 minutes to get a table (since the ramen space is quite small).
There's also the other side that is like the bar side where they serve the ramen but also other dishes & drinks. That side is also really nice.
