There’s a new ramen spot in the city, and it’s not downtown.

Kokoro Ramen opened up recently on the corner of Victoria and 49th. The restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients and healthy ramen. You’ll find your favourite miso and shoyu ramens here. But for the health conscious, they can control the saltiness.

I ordered the Miso Ramen which includes pork chashu, napa cabbage, green onion, bamboo shoots and seaweed. It was a bit too salty. The chashu was good. The soy egg was a little overcooked. The ramen noodles were cooked perfectly (al dente!)

The sides were are a little on the pricier side. I think for the sashimi/seafood salad, it would be great to brighten the fish up with some citrus flavours.

I ordered the Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen which is typically a rich tonkotsu pork broth. Here they serve it with pork chashu, bamboo shoots, minced onions, green onions and seaweed on the side. I think the soy egg itself could have a bit more soy flavour to it.

The chashu still has that nice smoky flavour and fattiness that I enjoyed. The ramen noodles are al dente and the broth is better – less salty, a bit more heartiness and smoke to it which is good.

The chicken karaage was much crispier and breaded better this time, also piping hot and enjoyable.

While they still have to stabilize the consistency of their bowls of ramen, I do want to come back and try their other ramen bowls when they are available. For a place that isn’t located downtown, it’s still a solid choice and I would take it over many of the other non-downtown ramen places that isn’t a chain.

Kokoro Ramen

5695 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC

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