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The 10 Slurp-Worthy Ramen Spots in Kelowna for Souperly Delicious Warm Bowls
When you live in a country that’s perpetually cold, a hot bowl of ramen is always comforting. The way you can feel the broth warm up your stomach makes the wintry days bearable, and it’s so deliciously satisfying!
Well, that’s why I love good ramen, and thankfully, Kelowna has no shortage of the good stuff. From your traditional bowls of goodness to unique takes of this popular Japanese dish, you’ll find them all in the city.
After hours upon hours of slurping never-ending noodles (not that we mind), we’ve finally completed our list of the yummiest ramen spots in town. Skip the instant packs—below is Kelowna’s best!
Ramen Arashi
– Media credit: ramenarashikelowna
Address: 1884 Dayton St
Contact: 236-970-8695, [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday – Monday: 11 am – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
Give the chef at Ramen Arashi a couple of minutes, and they’ll know how to cook up a warm, comforting bowl of ramen.
Without a doubt, it serves some of THE best ramen in Kelowna. If you have high expectations—or have tasted authentic ones in Japan—you won’t be disappointed here.
We’re serious, BTW. The noodles are perfectly cooked (not too thick with the good bounce), the broth is super flavourful, and the meat is tender. Nothing beats the Spicy Tonkotsu, a crowd favourite for a reason, for its pork broth umami goodness.
Another spicy recommendation that isn’t too fiery on the mouth is the Arashi Black Tan Tan Ramen. Sure, it still has a kick, but it’s more balanced due to the added black sesame base. It’s got more toppings, like bamboo shoots, spinach, egg, and pork belly.
Pro Tip:
If you have low spice tolerance, order plum wine or beer to cut through the spiciness.
Little Tokyo Ramen
– Media credit: little_tokyo_ramen
Address: 4629 Lakeshore Rd
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday – Friday: 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Saturday: 4 pm – 7:30 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 3 pm
Pricing: $
They say big things come in small packages, and we’re inclined to believe that’s true because of Little Tokyo Ramen, an itsy bitsy trailer in front of Barn Owl Brewing Co. It has a small menu—literally only six ramen bowls—but it packs a delicious punch!
It’s for individuals who enjoy the simple things in life, like basic ramen without an overwhelming amount of toppings, while still serving a rich taste. The noodles are handmade, and you can tell by the texture, as they feel fresh with a slight chew.
Try the Red Spicy Miso Ramen for a little kick, which presents a perfect balance of flavours because there’s no added salt or preservatives. It perfectly pairs with a light lager from Barn Owl, and so you can sit at the brewery while slurping your ramen!
Pro Tip:
Arrive early to make sure you can still order your preferred flavour. They’re a small business, and they can run out of ingredients for the day.
Wasabi Ramen and Izakaya
– Media credit: wasabiramen_kelowna
Address: 1623 Pandosy St
Contact: (250) 762-7788
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 2 pm & 4 pm – 7:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $
When we’re craving thick noodles, we go to Wasabi Ramen and Izakaya, a place in Kelowna where the food is rich and fresh. It’s where you go for freshly handmade noodles, which are kneaded and cut by hand.
And the broth? Some of the best we’ve tasted in the city. The rich and complex flavours wrap you in comfort, particularly the Spicy Yuzu Pepper Ramen. Its broth is made with yuzu paste and chilli oil, and is absolutely yummy topped with pork.
Since this is an izakaya, you get to add crunchy meals on the side—the gyoza, filled with seasoned pork, pairs really well with a hot bowl of noodles. Meanwhile, the chicken karaage adds a crunchy texture.
Pro Tip:
Order a Ramune, a carbonated beverage, to balance out the spicy broth.
O-Zeki Japanese Restaurant
– Media credit: ozekijapaneserestaurant
Address: 1745 Spall Rd #1
Contact: (250) 862-8022
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
O-Zeki is a Japanese restaurant in Kelowna that actually looks and feels like you’re in a Japanese restaurant. It’s got a more traditional vibe, and you can tell it was carefully designed to provide an authentic experience.
Tonkotsu ramen is always a safe choice, but here, it’s absolutely tasty, with a creamy broth and a good umami flavour. It has a nice balance of seasonings, giving a delicately rich overall flavour.
For the best experience, order your ramen with a plate of sushi or sashimi (or both, no one’s judging). Grab a Salmon Spicy Sashimi for a bit of a zing, or the Deluxe BC Roll, made with BBQ salmon and imitation crab, with that deep-fried goodness.
Pro Tip:
Get a glass of beer to act as a palate cleanser for the ramen and sushi. It complements the flavours and makes the whole dining experience even more delicious.
Yuzu Bowl & Bistro
– Media credit: yuzukelowna
Address: 1573 Ellis St
Contact: (250) 762-8304
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $
At Yuzu Bowl & Bistro, ramen is done right. Once you’re seated, expect big portions, savoury broth, and properly cooked noodles that taste like a warm hug on a gloomy day.
Our go-to is the Chasu Miso Ramen, topped with pork belly, egg, kikurage, crispy onions, and green onions—and no, the onions don’t overpower the miso broth. Add a lovely touch of spice by ordering the Chilli Tofu Bites, fried with Korean glaze.
Pro Tip:
Visit during happy hour, from 3 pm to 6 pm, and from 8 pm until closing time. Take advantage of discounted Japanese beer since it pairs well with a hot bowl of ramen.
T-ONE Asian Fusion Restaurant
– Media credit: t1asianfusion
Address: 3477 Lakeshore Rd Suite 100
Contact: (778) 940-6675
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
- Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 12 pm – 8:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Karaoke and ramen in one place in Kelowna is a killer combo! Delicious warm udon on a Saturday night while getting the chance to belt out our inner Mariah Carey—okay, not THAT amazing, but at least we can follow the lyrics on screen just fine.
While someone else is hitting the high notes, you’ll be slurping delicious noodles and sipping deep flavours of the broth. One of our favourite things about this ramen place is the choice between thin or thick (udon) noodles.
The chewy texture of udon works really well with the Seafood Ramen. And on days when you want to indulge in something lighter, the BBQ Pork Ramen with thin noodles is gentler on the stomach since it’s already topped with a thick-cut chasu.
Pro Tip:
If you prefer a quieter dining experience, skip Saturday nights. But if you want to belt it out, visit at 8 pm. Better yet, arrive a little before 8 pm to order the mains, since the regular menu is available only until 8:30 pm.
Craft Beer Market
– Media credit: craftbeermarket
Address: 257 Bernard Ave
Contact: (778) 741-2337
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 am – 12 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 1 am
Pricing: $$$
A beer restaurant isn’t a place you normally think of when the ramen cravings kick in, which isn’t unusual. But you should really give CRAFT Beer Market a try—alcohol and ramen in one spot is more than enough reason, eh?
There aren’t a lot of options (just one, actually). But the only ramen can make a bad day good because of its tastiness and unique take. The Sticky Chicken Ramen Bowl, made with a miso garlic broth and chilli oil, is topped with soy-glazed fried chicken.
It’s well-rounded with the perfect balance of ingredients. It’s not overflowing with broth, which is a good thing in this case because you don’t want your glazed chicken to get soggy fast.
Pro Tip:
Take a sip of the seasonal beer features if you want to try something new. The bartender whips up creative cocktails that would go well with a hot bowl of ramen.
Soy Asian Fusion Restaurant
– Media credit: soyasianfusion
Address: 2900 Pandosy St #101
Contact: (778) 478-0458
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11 am – 8 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $$
If you’re searching for ramen that isn’t too sinful, Soy Asian Fusion is where you should head next. It’s gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly, offering various Asian dishes while specialising in Neo Tokyo cuisine.
The star of our cravings is the Spicy Coconut Ramen, a unique take on this popular Japanese dish. Instead of miso broth, your noodles will be covered in red curry-flavoured soup that brings a creamy and well-rounded profile.
If you prefer a lighter meal, customise your ramen with rice noodles instead of the traditional chewy texture. For an even healthier option, the Ramen Noodle Salad is served cold with a variety of veggies and soy sesame vinaigrette, but without the broth.
Pro Tip:
Visit on a Saturday for all-day happy hour.
Kokoro Ramen
– Media credit: kokoro_kelowna
Address: 1195 Richter St #101
Contact: (778) 478-0068
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Pricing: $$
We first tried Kokoro Ramen on our trip to Vancouver, and it was a place we couldn’t forget. It was a delicious visit, and we wondered why we had never tried the Kelowna branch before.
It’s all about ramen and udon, so every customer gets their pick of thin or thick noodles. There are loads of flavours, but we tend to gravitate towards the Spicy Tan Tan Ramen, the OG that’s cooked with the Demon Spicy Sauce—a must-try for fiery foodies!
The Mazesoba menu is also worth tasting, which has all the ramen ingredients except the broth. You mix the raw egg yolk with all the ingredients, resulting in a more intense mix of flavours because the noodles and toppings are covered in sauces.
Pro Tip:
The Demon Spicy Sauce has six levels, with one being the mildest and six the hottest. If you have a lower heat tolerance, stick to level one for a kick you’ll feel but won’t burn your tongue, or level two if you want to feel the heat.
Kinton Ramen
– Media credit: kintonramen
Address: 570 Bernard Ave
Contact: (778) 478-9977
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Located in downtown Kelowna, Kinton Ramen is a must-visit if you want to taste something other than the usual tonkotsu and spicy ramen. It serves up a variety of flavours, including meat and vegetarian options.
It isn’t wholly authentic, but it still delivers. The original flavours aren’t overwhelmingly rich, which is perfect for casual days when you just want something subtle. But of course, adding a touch of spice can elevate the broth.
The Beef Spicy Garlic Ramen is a popular pick, topped with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and scallions. Make it a meal by adding either a beer or sake to neutralise the salty taste.
Pro Tip:
Try the seasonal offerings for something different than the usual menu.
