1333 Robson St
Vancouver, BC

Hours: Daily from 11p.m to 11 p.m.
Menu: ramendanbo.com
Phone: (604) 559-8112

On a chilly night, sometimes a warm dish of ramen is required to chase the blues away. Technically, we’re now in summer, and it’s a great time to explore the big city, or the adjacent municipality like Richmond. Trying to find a bite late at night isn’t all that tough, but when my appetite strikes closer to midnight, the options are fewer. Thankfully, Ramen Danbo came to the rescue! With this chain opening operations all around the world (almost), I had to check out this operation. Every time I’m on the Robson strip, I see lineups. 

The buzz is in the broth, and it’s all about what’s in the white tonkotsu (pork bone) soup. Part of the process is now “mass-produced” so that it can be shipped to outlets so it can be brewed properly in house. Unlike open window operations, I couldn’t get to see how it’s made (when compared to another place I hit while in town).

The place is a hit mostly because service is quick. Getting into the small dining space is reasonably fast since this is a place that you go in to eat, don’t lounge in and then leave. After being given a ticket to mark off what I want in my dish, I waited about 15 minutes prior to getting in. There was an hour left before closing, and although I wondered if I could order the special black oil garlic dish a previous diner posted online, it was gone. I was told you have to come back and monitor this operation’s specific social media for that. 

What makes this place better than the conveyor belt is that there are a few toppings offered I don’t see elsewhere. There’s wood mushrooms (which was the highlight in my meal because of its texture) instead of shiitake, and the noodle size isn’t limited to just one thickness. There’s thin and thick–presumably all from the same dough–that’s rolled, stretched and pulled before being cooked. I could also choose the softness–which is a rarity when considering I never have that option back in Victoria. 

While the basic offering dish costs less than $20 to chow down on, if you want the work (more than the usual amount of toppings offered), eating it all can easily turn the bowl into a king-sized meal, and cost nearly twice that! Yes, dining in downtown Vancouver can get pricey. It’s to be expected but, I’m glad I don’t live here properly otherwise I’d be eating on the cheap a lot more often and just treat myself once a month.

 3½ Blokes out of 5