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Yokato Yokabai Ramen
Restaurant Top Pick

Yokato Yokabai Ramen

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
4.5$ & $$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 11:30 am
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Yokato Yokabai Ramen Montreal Restaurant: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
JapaneseRamenSoups

Amenities, services & more

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Reviews for Yokato Yokabai Ramen

Food
Service
on Google4.6 (5300+)
*as of 2026-02-15
5★
72%
4★
14%
3★
7%
2★
6%
1★
1%

Review Summary

Reviews paint Yokato Yokabai Ramen as a busy, cramped but authentic spot where a rich, customizable ramen experience sits at the center of the appeal. The broths, especially tonkotsu and torikotsu, are repeatedly described as savory, creamy, and deeply flavored, with homemade noodles that hold up to toppings like pork, chicken, or vegan options; karaage and takoyaki are frequent favorites on the side. The atmosphere is described as cozy and authentic Japanese with a lively vibe, though the space is small, chilly near the door, and noisy during peak hours. A popular text-based waitlist system helps manage queues but wait times can stretch, sometimes making the meal feel pricey for the portion size or the level of service. Service quality ranges in reviewers' eyes from warm and attentive to slow or inconsistent, contributing to a sense that the place is excellent when it shines but not always flawless. Value is debated: some call it the best ramen in Montreal and worth the crowd and cost, while others feel the hype and Michelin connection have inflated expectations and that the experience does not always match the price. The restaurant also offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-aware options, and a cocktail program adds to the scene, but overall opinions converge on a standout, highly flavorful ramen that pays off for many despite the caveats of popularity and pace.
Page 1 of 2 - 38 Reviews

The place is cute atmosphere is nice!
We had the Karaage Chicken wasn't impressed at all. Had way better ramen in other places Surprised how it got a Michelin Star. Service was good.

Feb 6, 2026
on Google
Roxy P
5 Reviews
5.0

I went to Yokato Yokabai Ramen on a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon with a friend. One of those grey days where you just want warmth, something comforting, & a place that lets you linger.

The space is intimate & cozy, with warm lighting, wooden accents, & Japanese murals lining the walls. It feels lived-in in the best way. Like a spot people return to often. When we arrived, only the ramen bar was open, so we waited about 40 minutes for a seat. Normally that might feel long, but the weather made it feel right. When we were finally seated, it was directly in front of the chefs, which instantly made the wait worth it. Watching the bowls come together was its own quiet kind of entertainment.

Once seated, things moved smoothly.

We started by sharing the pork gyoza with peanut sauce. Crispy, savory, with just enough sweetness to round everything out. A solid opener.

Then came the ramen.

I ordered the torikotsu, a chicken-based broth with thin noodles & chicken teriyaki. Comforting, rich without being heavy, & really well balanced. My friend went for the tonkotsu, with its deeper pork broth, tender slices of pork, & the same delicate noodles. Both bowls were deeply satisfying. The kind of food that warms you from the inside out & makes the rain outside feel intentional.

One small thing to note. There was a water jug on the table, but the menu didn't list drinks & we weren't offered anything else, so we weren't sure if additional beverages were available unless requested. Not a dealbreaker, just something to know going in.

We ended up opting for a special that included ramen & a yuzu panna cotta for $25, which felt like great value. The panna cotta was smooth, lightly tangy, & refreshing. A gentle ending rather than something overly sweet.

The space itself is a bit tight, & it can get loud when it's full, but that closeness adds to the charm. It feels like a place where people gather for comfort, not spectacle.

Yokato Yokabai is the kind of spot you crave on a cold day. Cozy, unfussy, & focused on doing ramen really well. I'll definitely be back, ideally at a quieter time when more of the space is open, but the food alone makes it worth returning to.

Feb 5, 2026

We had pork & sesame broth thick noodles Ramen. Chicken & pork. Sesame broth was too heavy for me. The soup was colder than expected. Spicy chicken entree was good. Rice with pork entree was tasty. The place was packed on Sunday at 2. We waited for 20 minutes for a table. 4 stars overall.

Jan 18, 2026
on Google

We visited on Saturday afternoon, it was fully packed & we had to wait ~30 mins to be seated.
I ordered mocktails, spicy fried chicken, fried potatoes, chicken ramem bowl & vegan ramel bowl
Food was reallyyyy good especially their mocktails are a must try!!

Jan 18, 2026
on Google
5.0

Adam truly made our experience at Yokato Yokabai Ramen! From the moment we arrived, he was kind, respectful, & genuinely welcoming. The type of service that immediately makes you feel comfortable & taken care of. If it weren't for Adam, the experience honestly wouldn't have been the same, & he is the main reason we're even taking the time to write this review. The food was excellent! We ordered two bowls of chicken ramen, edamame, Diet Cokes, & sake, & everything was delicious. Emmanuel was helpful as well, though his energy felt a bit more reserved & not as welcoming, which was slightly disappointing given how respectful we always are as guests. That said, Adam absolutely deserves recognition from management for his professionalism, warmth, & attitude. He represents the restaurant extremely well! We'll definitely remember the service he provided.

Jan 3, 2026
on Google
5.0

would recommend, worth a try if you are ever in the area. Ramen soups is normally very salty but not in this case, totally drinkable, very savory, better than average for sure.

Karaage was a pleasant surprise, layers of flavor, I rate it higher than the ramen, maybe I just like fried chicken more in general.

Dec 28, 2025
on Google
5.0

Rich, creamy tonkotsu with melt-in-your-mouth pork & a generous portion. The tempura & octopus sides were super crispy & delicious too. Plus, they have an open bar with plenty of cocktails. Totally worthy of its Michelin star-just be ready for a long wait during peak hours. Can't wait to come back & try the chicken broth!

Dec 18, 2025
on Google

Overall, we had a good experience. We ordered a sesame broth ramen with pork, & a pork broth ramen with chicken. The sesame ramen was incredible, but the pork-broth ramen was a bit disappointing (would not order it again). Also, the area where we were seated was very cold since the door with access to the entrance was always open.

Dec 13, 2025
on Google
4.0

Attempt #2 trying to go here worked as the first time on a Friday night was told 1.5 hour wait & you cant make reservations. Second time for a weekend lunch they had implemented a new system which was much better where there is a tablet where you enter your name, number of guests & phone number & you will be texted when to come back when a table is available. Our estimate was 15 min to 45 min but ended up being much closer to 10 minutes.

Yokato was great but hurt by high bar expectations in terms of the Michelin Guide reference. Service was very good, as was the ambiance & food just nothing that blows you away which for better or worse what you expect when you hear the name Michelin name.

After getting the text me & my friend were led to our tables. For lunch you fill in a little sheet with what sides you want, the broth, meats & any extras which I appreciated for the efficiency.

We ordered the Pork broth with Pork & the Chicken Broth with Chicken. Both were very good & savory, & didnt take too live to arrive after ordering. You also get a little caddy with add-ons for the soup which were spicy sesame seeds in oil, regular sesame seeds, pickled radish & pink onions I think.

Overall the service, system & food were all very good, just not mindblowing or novel which is what I kindof expected with any association for the Michelin Guide

Dec 7, 2025
on Google

Everything great but the yakitori was raw chicken… will come back to adjust the rating if im sick

Nov 2, 2025
on Google

We had a wonderful lunch at Yokato Yokabai. Cocktails, karaage chicken & ramen. Everything was delicious. Great way to celebrate our anniversary

Oct 25, 2025
on Google

Best ramen hands down in all of Québec. Nothing comes close to them. Recommend trying both their pork broth (tonkotsu) & chicken broth (torikotsu)! Service by Kathy is always great.

Sep 9, 2025
on Google

The chicken broth ramen had a deeper umami flavour than the pork which was shocking. The noodles were exceptional. Fried chicken was not as crispy as I had hoped. Overall really tasty with some misses. Friendly staff. Wait was not long at all. 10 min for 3 of us on a Friday evening.

Aug 26, 2025
on Google

delicious ramen place in Montreal. The ramen soup was full of rich, & thick. The karaake chicken is really good, perfectly crispy & seasoned. I really love the kakigori shaved ice with matcha cream & strawberry sauce, good combination. Its a bit busy, we waited there around 45 mins but not so bad. You can go in & reserve your spot in front of the house & they will text you when the table is ready

Aug 12, 2025
on Google

Pretty unique atmosphere & experience. The authenticity of the restaurant & quality of the food are something to be appreciated for anyone who enjoys a good bowl of ramen. Prices are very reasonable & the control you have over your order does not compromise on the overall integrity of the dish you get. That said, I've definitely had better ramen at the many places you'll find a few streets away-the noodles & chicken were pretty stale, & the sesame broth lacked depth & felt powdery. Couldn't finish it because the taste just wasn't it, which never happens. Better food & a little interior rearranging (it's very cramped, snug but bordering on uncomfortable) would knock this place out of the park.

Aug 12, 2025
on Google
4.0

This restaurant reminds me so much of being in Japan which is amazing. From the interior decor to the countertop seatings, everything felt so real. The service was also friendly & welcoming but it is definitely not as'perfect' as in Japan. The food itself was great. The thick soup has great flavours & complements the noodles so well. The pork slices were thick & soft & the eggs was bursting in flavours as well. Everything tasted delicious & each element kept adding on to the bowl. Such a simple yet amazing bowl of noodles. I do think that I would have preferred the noodles to be a bit thicker but it was still pretty good. I especially enjoyed the flavours of the karaage. The little sauce/topping on top had this slight sour flavour & it paired so well with the fried chicken. The biggest difference from eating this here & 8n Japan is probably the price. One bowl of ramen here is around 21$ but the portion is pretty good & there are a lot of customizing options which is always a plus for me.

Jul 26, 2025
on Google

I got dinner here around 6. There wasn't any wait so I was seated immediately. The atmosphere is cool, pretty dark & a nice Japanese vibe. The staff was very friendly too. I got chicken Raman with chicken broth with thin noodles & a whole egg. The portion sizes were very generous. There was a lot more meat than I expected & lots of noodles. It all tasted good. It wasn't gorme but I was more than satisfied. I paid about $21 (+$1 for another half an egg) so I think it was good value for the amount of food I got.

Jun 7, 2025
on Google

We had dinner here at 5pm on a Friday. No line to get in & was promptly seated. The restaurant was small & my husband & I were put in a seat facing the wall which was fine. The restaurant was dark & hot. Hot because they are literally cooking the food with fire right in front of you! Which is awesome. I hate when ramen comes out warm/hot. This came out extremely hot which is perfect.

I ordered the sesame broth with normal salt & chicken teriyaki. The broth was nice & creamy. They put HUGE pieces of chicken in the soup. I was actually shocked. It was all very filling. If you aren't absolutely starving or aren't the type of person to have a big appetite, you can share one bowl with two people. $22 for that much food was great.

The service was great & the food came out quick. Clean big washrooms as well.

Jun 7, 2025
on Google
3.0

Ramen was tasteless. Nothing like a good ramen should be rich & full of umami. Pork look old & dry. If you get the chicken instead you would get big pieces of chicken thighs that they call teriyaki chicken but looks more like steamed chicken. Chicken garage was good nothing out of this world. They should make better ramens

May 27, 2025
on Google

Saturday 12:30 pm, 5 minutes wait, seated at the bar. Ordered sesame broth chicken ramen. Really thick broth, & they gave me probably three chicken thighs worth of meat, really generous amount I almost couldn't finish. I'd say it's a decent flavor, but it's not unmatched, you can probably find similar taste downtown Montreal. It's worth the visit if you happened to be close & there's no line.

May 25, 2025
on Google