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Yokato Yokabai Ramen
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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 - 31 Reviews

Great ramen that remind us of our trip to Japan

Feb 9, 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

You can enjoy authentic & simple tonkotsu ramen. It has a very rich taste & a taste that makes you feel Japan. The amount is not large, so it is small for men, but it is just the right amount for women. & for the Japanese, you'll scream, because $30 for a bowl of ramen (including tips) is crazy. This is because in Japan, you can eat ramen with this taste for $7 or $9 I wouldn't recommend it to Japanese tourists, but I would recommend it to people from other countries.

Feb 1, 2026
on Google
5.0

I've been here many times before, but I've been compelled to leave a review this time as it does deserve it. After being introduced to authentic delicious Japanese restaurants in Vancouver area with local friends who kept saying its as close as you can get to Japan. In November that couple came to visit Montreal & Yokato Yokabai was on my list of restaurants to share with them. They were pleasantly surprised as I was again. we had reservations but we still needed to wait for our table to be ready, to be expected on a busy Saturday night. Thanks again to the staff for a great experience!

Dec 18, 2025
on Google

Amazing experience! Ramen were as delicious as in Japan

Nov 30, 2025
on Google
2.0

Speaking from my experience:
My family & I have been craving ramen this morning, we looked online & saw that this restaurant was recommended by many & not to mention their Michelin status. Today was cold & windy, of course we expect something warm & delicious to fill our stomach. We walked about 5km just to get there (not a problem). When we arrive, we were super tired, hungry & cold: expecting to get the best food experience. We waited there for a couple of minutes: no waiter came to assist. We didn't notice the little tablet which you have to use to reserve for ( our fault). We reserved, waiting time was 3h 30 + minutes. That's insane, since we saw much table available. It's fine though, we didn't come all the way for nothing. We settle down in another store waiting.

Great news! Around 30 minutes in, we got the text! Yay! We hurried & arrived. They quickly assigned us to our seat. We ordered, everything went perfectly. The atmosphere was nice, there wasn't heating nor air conditioner: no one had any problem, even though most of the people still kept their coat on for extra heat. Personally I was pretty cold & very excited for my ramen to come. When it arrived the first thing I did was to put my hands on the hottest part of the bowl. Weirdly it was warm but more on the cold side. Maybe it's a sign that the bowl was made to last! I took a bite: the food was exactly like the bowl, warm but more on the cold side, I asked around to see if it's just a me problem. Seems like it wasn't.

I finished my bowl, disappointed. & tell me why the egg was so bland. Is this Asian food? The food wasn't worth the hype, especially not with the compliment'just like Japan'. Im not picky at all, but the food was really disappointing: it wasn't special compared to other ramens. I would prefer Sensotei ramen for better flavor & packaged homemade ramen for its warmth.

Overall, the experience was upsetting & I wouldn't come back. Also not to mention, I put more green onion, but the amount was just like regular ramen stores.

Nov 16, 2025
on Google

Always was & still one of the best ramen spots in town if not the best. On par with what I ate in Japan. Only downside is.. it's always busy & they don't take reservations. Drinks were nothing extraordinary. Would stick to the basics : ramen

Nov 11, 2025
on Google

Great Ramen, Location , Service & Food is like the real thing from Japan, absolutely enjoyed my stay. Highly recommended

Nov 10, 2025
on Google
5.0

Amazing ramen & closest thing to the Authentic Japanese ramen we had in Tokyo

Sep 28, 2025
on Google

disappointing experience with an average bowl of ramen.
I was very enthusiastic about eating here, as the reviews were mostly positive & the place specializes in ramen. The staff was super friendly & attentive, & the atmosphere was cozy-it almost made you feel like you were in an authentic Japanese izakaya.

I ordered ramen with pork broth, thick noodles, pork shoulder, & egg. However, the broth was somewhat bland, the noodles were thinner than expected, & both the pork & egg were cold-like straight-out-of-the-fridge cold-which didn't help the overall taste. The portion also didn't feel filling enough, as I ended up with way more broth than noodles.

The ramen was pretty much on the same level as some decent instant noodles: nothing special & definitely not worth twenty dollars. The restaurant itself isn't terrible, but I expected more from it.

Sep 26, 2025
on Google
5.0

Been to Japan & this ramen is seriously up there. The tonkatsu ramen is so good & refreshing summer special is also very nice. The ambiance & service is also 10/10. Highly highly recommend

Jul 31, 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
5.0

I recently visited Yokato Yokabai Ramen & was really impressed. The ramen was rich, flavorful, & incredibly satisfying. You can tell they take pride in their broth - it's creamy & full of depth, just like real Hakata-style ramen should be.
The atmosphere is cozy & casual, perfect for a comforting meal, especially on a cold day. The staff were friendly & efficient, & the service was quick without feeling rushed.
If you're a ramen lover or just looking for a warm, authentic Japanese meal in Toronto, Yokato Yokabai is definitely worth a visit. I'll be back for sure!

Jul 25, 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

Best ramens in town in my opinion. Haven't been to japan but I'm pretty sure thats the closest you'll ever get!

May 28, 2025
on Google

I visited Yokato Yokabai for the first time on a chilly, rainy Saturday afternoon with a friend, & it turned out to be a cozy, unforgettable experience. The restaurant's vibe immediately set a welcoming tone-its intimate setting, with warm lighting & beautiful Japanese wall murals complemented by wooden accents, made it feel like stepping into a little slice of Japan. Since it was early & only the ramen bar was open, we had to wait about 40 minutes for a seat, but it was well worth it. We were seated right in front of the chefs, which was a treat as we watched them skillfully prepare the ramen.

Stay tuned for my video review on TikTok (@Foxy.appetite) & Instagram (@Foxyappetite)!

In depth review:

To start, we shared the pork gyoza with a peanut sauce, which had a perfect balance of flavors-crispy & savory with a little sweetness from the sauce. But the real star of the meal was the ramen. I opted for the torikotsu, which is a chicken broth ramen with thin noodles & chicken teriyaki as my protein. My friend went for the tonkotsu, which featured a rich pork broth with tender slices of pork & thin noodles. Both dishes were exceptional, with each bite bursting with flavor. The broth was so comforting, rich without being overwhelming, & the noodles were perfectly cooked.

There was a water jug on our table, but the menu didn't mention any drinks, so we weren't sure if we needed to ask specifically for something else. We weren't offered any additional beverages, which left us wondering if this was the usual practice.

To top it off, there was a special deal-ramen & a yuzu panna cotta dessert for just $25, which felt like an amazing value. The panna cotta was smooth & subtly tangy, a perfect way to end the meal.

Though the space was a bit tight, it added to the charm, & it was clear this is a place where people come together to enjoy great food & a relaxed atmosphere.

In the end, Yokato Yokabai is a hidden gem in Montreal's Plateau neighborhood. Whether you're craving a bowl of ramen on a cold day or just looking for a cozy spot to unwind, this place delivers authentic, comforting Japanese food at an excellent price. I'll definitely be back, but during a less busy traffic time when all the rooms are open.

Apr 8, 2025
on Google

This ramen restaurant has undoubtedly the best ramen you could find in Montreal. It truly masters the formula of the signature ramen anyone would be craving for whether or not you have eaten ramen in Japan. My only complaint is that the options of ramen are practically non existent. This isn't a major issue as the classic ramen they offer is plenty enough to fill my craving, but I would hope that they add different ramens such as the tan tan ramen.

Jan 5, 2025
on Google
5.0

Excellent ramen, better than some of what I've tried in Japan. What they're doing here is incredible. Waiting time can be 2 hrs or more so try to avoid peak hours. The thin noodles picked up the broth well & everything was just delicious. Very glad I came here!

Oct 27, 2024
on Google

Best Ramen in town. Similar to Japan!

Oct 4, 2024
on Google

Excellent!! Amazing taste (pork & chicken broth). Superb bite on the homemade noodles! One of the best Ramen shops I have ever been to - including the ones in Japan!

Sep 25, 2024
on Google