Cheap and Budget Friendly Ramen in Burnaby.
CHECK OUT RAMEN BUTCHER IN BURNABY
Calling all ramen lovers! As the weather gets colder, my cravings for something cozy and warm also get stronger. When a friend asked if I wanted to check out a cheap ramen spot in the neighbourhood, I just couldn’t say no!
I visited the Hastings location of Ramen Butcher in Burnaby. For those that are familiar with the brand, you can also find their sister locations in Chinatown and downtown (Ramen Gojiro).
BURNABY LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY: ⅘
Situated on the corner block of Hastings and Willingdon Ave, the restaurant is relatively easy to find, with a big lantern posted up in the front entrance and satisfies my need for cheap ramen in Burnaby. Buses from major transit hubs are available to get to and from the restaurant, making it relatively accessible by transit. Parking is a different story. Unfortunately, there isn’t parking available for the restaurant. Staff advised parking in the residential streets a few blocks back or in the neighbouring Safeway’s parking lot.
CONVENIENCE & SERVICE: ⅘
I was seated relatively quickly during off-peak times (arrived at 2:30pm for a late lunch). A server came to take my order soon after, and I had my food within 15 minutes! For those looking for a quick and convenient bite, I’d recommend this spot just based on how quick and efficient service was from entering to receiving my food. I’m still docking some points though, just given the parking inconvenience for those that drive, as I can imagine looking for parking would take a hot minute.
VIBE: 3.75/5
The interior of the restaurant has a laid-back and easygoing vibe. There are bar seats available for solo diners as well, which I always appreciate. Pieces of Japanese culture are also featured throughout the restaurant.
PRICE: 4/5
I ordered the classic ramen ($13.50), which is a pork bone broth with chashu and simple toppings. This is a pretty solid price for what you get, since other ramen spots would run you up to $18 minimum for the same option. I will say, the other menu options are similarly priced ($17.50+), but I did appreciate that there was a cheaper option available for cash-strapped diners like myself. Bonus points though, that they offer a free half-portion of extra noodles if you’re still hungry.
TASTE: 4.5/5
I don’t have crazy expectations for cheaper eats, but I really loved the broth here. The soup is creamy and rich, which is just what I’m looking for in cold weather. Some other reviews complained about the salt levels, but I didn’t mind it. I thought the saltiness of the broth complemented the creaminess quite well, and the noodles clung quite well to the thick broth. The chashu also had a nice charred flavour that balanced the fat from the pork. After finishing the whole bowl, though, you will feel quite heavy due to the fat and grease.
ALLERGY AND DIET-FRIENDLINESS: ⅘
I was quite surprised to learn that Ramen Butcher offers quite a few options for certain dietary restrictions. There are vegetarian and vegan options, including an entire menu page dedicated to vegan versions of the class tonkotsu-style ramen. These come with vegan tofu “eggs” and soy “chashu” to mimic the real thing! These noodles are also made without egg white. For allergies, there is a chart the servers can show customers indicating common allergens included in certain dishes. I saw options for nut-free and shellfish-free dishes, which is a plus. I suppose you could call in advance to inquire about specific allergies or dietary restrictions as well.