Toronto’s Ramen Isshin Opens on Montreal’s South Shore | Eater Montreal

"On the South Shore I welcomed the opening of Ramen Isshin at Dix30, marking the six‑year‑old Toronto noodle shop’s first expansion outside the city. Isshin oscillates between classics and less‑common takes: their signature spicy red miso ramen features wok‑fried noodles in a tonkotsu broth, while a light-coloured shoyu (soy sauce) ramen and a shio ramen—given extra sesame flavour—round out the traditional options. For something more out of the box there’s tantan ramen, a spicy, black‑sesame‑tinted dark soup loosely comparable to Sichuan dan dan noodles. Prices are affordable (around $14–$15 for a hearty bowl), and various reviews of the Toronto originals have been notably positive. I also appreciated the large selection of vegetarian ramens (including a roasted garlic shoyu and a spicy red miso) and the izakaya‑style bites such as karaage, takoyaki and pan‑fried gyoza. Founded by Japanese‑born chef Koji Zenimaru—who moved to Vancouver in 2004, opened izakaya Kingyo in Toronto in 2012 and launched the first Isshin in 2013—the brand appears set for further expansion; hours at the Dix30 location are currently variable." - Tim Forster