Ramen Danbo Kitsilano

Danbo is a lot of people's favourite ramen shop so we were excited to finally try it. Got there 15 minutes after opening, and it was already almost full. Would recommend getting here early. We got the Classic Chashu-men and the Miso Chashu-men and added an egg. We didn't do any customizing for our first time. The noodles were really good and the chashu was a little fatty, but super tender. The flavour of the broth was nice, but it gets too salty, especially for drinking the broth. Its great for getting a refill of noodles for only $2.00 for a full order. Danbo is a strong second place on our ramen list.

We had the Vegan Miso Ramen and the Classic Ramen. Both were delicious and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. Definitely worth the price. The space is small and usually packed, so try to arrive early (or be ready for a bit of a wait).

Our family came to this restaurant a couple of time, and the food never disappoints. I ordered vegan broth ramen with thick noodles, all the extra toppings. Service is great! Amazingly friendly staff. Always busy, so make sure put your name down as soon as you arrive.

Ramen Danbo in Kitsilano is a very good, affordable ramen spot that consistently delivers on flavour and value. The tonkotsu broth is rich and comforting without being overly heavy, the noodles have great texture, and the customization options let you dial in your perfect bowl. Portions are satisfying for the price, making it an easy go-to when you want quality ramen without spending much, and while it can get busy, the food comes out quickly and is well worth it.

Danbo is, in my opinion, the best Hakata tonkotsu ramen in Vancouver. I usually go to the Robson location, so this was my first time visiting this one. The space inside is tiny — like, really tiny. And every time the door opens, a cold draft comes in, so it can feel a bit chilly. At the Robson location, you can write your preferences on a paper order form, but here you have to tell the server verbally. I think first-time visitors might feel a little lost without that system.

The Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The vegan “eggs” are a revelation—silky, buttery, and surprisingly satisfying. The broth swirls with depth and balance, while the side dishes play off each other perfectly, turning a simple plate into a delightfully cohesive experience. The only drawback: on a couple occasions, even by 5 p.m., they’d already run out of vegan "eggs". The Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The staff were impressively attentive—always smiling, friendly, and eager to lend a hand—making the dining experience feel warm and effortlessly welcoming. The Atmosphere ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The space feels deliberately intimate—a snug, thoughtfully designed setting where soft lighting and a lively soundtrack generate a warm, inviting buzz. While seating is limited and waits can stretch, that scarcity adds a subtle sense of exclusivity, making each moment at the table feel a bit more special. Overall, the ambience balances cozy charm with an energetic vibe, leaving most guests with a decidedly positive impression. Summary ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Zubu delivers standout vegan “eggs,” a richly balanced broth, and attentive, friendly service in an intimate, well‑curated setting—making it a solid choice worth trying despite occasional ingredient shortages and long wait times for a table.

Danbo is one of my favourite ramen spots in Vancouver! The Kits location is my preferred spot, as there is usually a shorter line than other locations. You can put your name down and go look around at the shops while waiting. The tonkotsu here is delicious and keeps me coming back, and is priced more reasonably than other places. My only complaint would be the seating, it can be pretty cramped. However, I appreciate the storage underneath the seats for your things. I would definitely recommend going here, great food and reasonable prices!

Tasty but expensive for what would be considered staple food in East Asia. Japanese Ramen in 604 has become more of a chic and luxury food these days aimed at foodies and younger, cosmopolitan crowds with means. Be prepared to pay minimum $25 after taxes and tips for a rather small bowl of noodles. The food is good, but not $25 good. There are japanese places with amazing bento boxes sold at similar price points. Overhead costs, rent etc are expensive in 604 and this is understandable but the days of ramen being the food of the poor / working class is long gone here compared to just a decade ago where 604 ramen could still be had for $15 all in and bigger portion too. Cheap, tasty ramen still exists in japan but over here, it is now mostly a fad or once in a while treat.

Always great. Worth the (short) wait. The winter seasonal special was a hit. Friendly, quick but not rushed, delicious, and filling.

This is hands down my favorite ramen spot! Coming from North India, I love bold flavors and a touch of spice, and their miso ramen hits all the right notes. It's incredibly flavorful and unforgettable. The broth is perfectly balanced--rich, savory, and deeply satisfying, with a warmth that feels like a hug in a bowl. The noodles are spot-on: chewy, springy, and just right. The toppings are fresh and generous, and the subtle hint of garlic in the broth takes the dish to the next level. Don't miss out on the marinated egg; it's the perfect finishing touch. Whether you're a ramen enthusiast or trying it for the first time, this miso ramen will leave you impressed. Highly recommend giving it a try!

Came here on a weekday evening to catch up with some friends. Be warned, they are often busy with a lineup, so come early to put your name down on the list! They are pretty small inside. Service is very prompt and friendly, and efficient! I got the Negi-goma Chashu-men because I was very hungry. This bowl comes with 6 slices of pork. I also got an egg addition and ended up getting a half order of Kaedama noodles. Guess what? I was still hungry lol. it's hard to survive out here. The ramen was delicious as always! The broth is rich, creamy, and flavourful, but not too heavy. I loved the sesame seed addition. The egg was perfectly jammy too.

Ramen Danbo is hands down my go-to spot every time I'm in the area. As someone who has been here multiple times, I can confidently say they serve some of the best and most authentic ramen in Vancouver. What I love most about Ramen Danbo is the customization! You can adjust everything to your preference - from the thickness of the noodles to the richness of the broth and the level of spiciness. Plus, the price is unbeatable. A bowl starts as low as $12, which is a rare find in Vancouver these days. For the quality and authenticity, you won't find a better value in the city. The service is also always good and very fast! Note: expect a bit of a wait, especially if you're going at peak lunch or dinner times - but it's worth it. If you're looking for a flavorful and affordable ramen experience, Danbo is the place to be!

Danbo is a must for those who already love ramen and a must-try for those who aren't sure they like it - it has changed the minds of some of my friends! The Kitsilano location in Vancouver is the only one I've been to with vegan soft-boiled "eggs," and it is a highlight menu item for me.

Flew from CA to try this spot. The broth was so rich, creamy and flavor. It is possibly better than my favorite Daikokuya in Little Tokyo (IYKYK) I would definitely come back, the service was amazing and the atmosphere was so lively.

Really good vegan ramen like sooo good it taste like meat super good highly recommend

I always love going here, service is fast and efficient, ambiance is alright despite the place being super small. Staff always friendly and the ramen is always delicious and consistent. Would always come back

Danbo is my go-to spot when I'm craving ramen but don't feel like cooking. Their portions are generous, which is always a plus. However, I do wish their thick noodles were a bit thicker for an even more satisfying texture. The gyoza are decent and a nice addition to the meal, but they didn't particularly stand out. Parking can be a bit challenging in the area, but you can usually find free or paid street parking with some patience. The restaurant itself is quite small, so it fills up quickly, especially during peak hours. Be prepared to put your name on the waitlist if you arrive at a busy time.

Some of the best ramen I've had and I've had a lot. Very rich broth and meat was flavorful. Love that you can get more ramen for 3 bucks. Location is so small. Only room for 20 people but turn over is pretty fast. It's reasonably priced for ramen and add more meat for 6. Tip next time I'll sign up on waitlist earlier to avoid having to wait so long I'd come again and

Food came out quickly, the place is tiny and they initially seated us at a table connecting with another couple, which felt awkward, so we asked to move ourselves to bar seating. They also asked us to leave as soon as we finished eating, but the rest of our party was still wrapping up. Not the best first impression with service. The Rekka Tonkotsu ramen was just ok, I got it mild but still felt the spicy powder was a tad overpowering. The eggs were perfectly gooey and the chashu was super thin and tender. The Negi-goma ramen was not bad, but be prepared for an extra large amount of scallions in your ramen

I remember coming here before and finding the broth wayyy too salty, however, with my recently visit, I found it very enjoyable! It always looks super busy, but it seems that the turnover rate is quite fast. We went around noon, and only waited about 15 mins before we were seated :) Got the Classic Ramen (Tonkotsu pork broth, Chashu-men $16.95) and the Shio Ramen (Regular, $12.45). I really enjoyed the classic ramen, it was so creamy and jam packed with flabour! The shio was good, but I felt that it was getting quite salty near the end. I really liked how they had the fresh garlic on the table, and it really added a new depth of flavour into the bowl. We also paid $2 for extra noodles and it went perfectly with the remainder of our broth!

This was my first time in Vancouver, and I found this spot by chance on Google Maps near my AirBnB. Even though it's a small restaurant with a short line, I was blown away by how incredible the ramen was. We sat at the bar facing the kitchen, and it was so cool to watch the chefs prepare each bowl. This is definitely one of the top two ramen places I've ever tried, possibly even the best (on par with Ramen Nagi in the Bay Area). Later, some friends told me it's a go-to spot and widely regarded as the best ramen in Vancouver, and I'd have to agree. The broth, eggs, and noodles were outstanding--definitely get the extra serving of noodles!

Vegan/vegetarian ramen options?! Unheard of. I was so excited to try this spot and it didn't disappoint. Most authentic ramen spots have 1 vegetarian option MAX, and they're not always great. Ramen danbo is an authentic Japanese chain with 16 locations in japan and then only 2 in Canada and 2 in the US. Super special spot, not overrated....and it has the same amount of vegan options as traditional!! AND ITS SO GOOD!!! Tip: join the waitlist from yelp ahead of time if you're hungry! There was a large wait because it's a super small spot with only a few tables, but definitely worth it. We didn't join online but thankfully kits is a fun neighborhood and there was plenty to do with the time we had.

Came here on vacation. Heard a lot about this ramen restaurant. It was good but wasn't anything mind blowing. But it was very affordable. Service was also pretty fast.

Ramen Danbo at kitsilano area, it's a nice small shop that can get busy at times so I would suggest you get your name on the waitlist using Yelp! If you go at the right time then they have a lunch set special from 11am-5pm if you get tonkotsu ramen of your choosing then Set A for $4 you choose two ramen toppings: half serving of either soft boiled egg, nori (seaweed), kikurage (cloud ear mushroom), Karashi takana (pickled veg) and gyoza is the combo we got Their classic tonkotsu ramen is so good. It's just a really good instant noodle in my opinion, Japan's ichiran is way better but this comes close with the tonkatsu pork broth it's quite comforting and so good to drink all the soup and eat a hot bowl of noodle soup, it's so good.

Tried this ramen place because it was the only thing open late at night. It was pretty decedent, i've had better. Would come again if im in the area, but i wouldn't go out of my way.

The food was on point what a great experience. The service provided was amazing they are very kind and helpful with the customers. And the ambience was great it made you think that you were in a different place

The wait is worth it. Our Airbnb host recommended it and specifically said that if there's a wait to wait it out and not go next door. The service was quick and got us seated and ordered quickly and the ramen was top notch. We would definitely be back if we were ever in town.

I find that ramen can sometimes be too fatty and rich, but when I ate at Ramen Danbo at the Kitsilano location all my negative opinions of ramen dissipated. The broth was deep and flavorful, without the fatty oily texture. You can even customize how concentrated you want the broth, thickness of noodles, and spiciness. I thought the price matched the potion size and you could order extra noodles for a small price if you had leftover soup. The wait can be long, so I recommend going as two people and expecting to wait around 40mins to an hour. However, there is plenty of shopping around this location so you won't be bored!

Service with a Smile EVERY SINGLE TIME No Lines, hot Karage Getting Hungry again Always available parking See you soon

Omgggg the vegan Ramen is sooo good. And the wait time was not bad at all. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and everything we got!

Decided to give it a second chance. The thick noodle and the thin noodle was very similar. However, the texture was not great. Soup was ok. Portion size was small. They were still very understaffed and had to flag the server down every time for water and extra order. It's a small store so understandably it was pretty packed. There are definitely better ramen joints in town.

Being in Vancouver, you may come across a few ramen spots around the area. This one was a recommendation . To start be prepare to wait. This is a real small spot which would be the only thing keeping me from coming more often. However, their ramen is very delicious and flavorful. Had the miso ramen medium spicy with extra meat. Cannot forget to either add the boil egg and nori. Shared a side of gyozas and everything was done well. Really solid place for ramen overall. The staff was also very attentive and friendly.

Speechless You have to line up to eat this food but it is the best thing on 4th.Very small place and they don't do take out or delivery. A warm hug for your soul.

The bowl is ALWAYS consistent. The service is there and I leave satisfied every time I visit this location

Ramen is always fresh and service is always welcoming and efficient! I'd recommend anyone to try this ramen spot.

Aesthetics: This place looks like a typical chain ramen shop that I have been to. The place is nice and I really like how they have a seat where you can store stuff in it (but don't forget it!!!). Service: Expect to wait for a LONG time 30-45mins. I have been here at 10 am and 10 pm here before and there is ALWAYS a line. I was naive enough to wait the super long line to try it out. Once you get inside, all of the waiters are really nice but just expect slightly slower service because they are always packed. Despite being really packed, my food started coming out ~10mins after I ordered. Food: I ordered the Miso Ramen + Lunch Set C (gyoza + mini donburi). I had a bunch of locals and a few foreigners tell me that this spot was fire. The gyoza was good. I really like how lightly pan-fried it was though I won't complain if it was fried a little longer. The mini donburi features rice with sweet and savory chashu, which was also good. For the ramen, I picked all of the standard customizations just so I had something to compare back home and I would say this place isn't bad. I might get canceled for this but I feel like it was okay and probably not worth the long wait. I would say it tasted really similar to a ramen spot in Cupertino, CA called Ramen Nigiri, which is also really popular and also not worth the wait in my opinion.

Food i great. The cheapest ramen in the town I can say. Broth is very good and spice levels can be customised. Fewer toppings options (even paid options are limited) Classic Vegan ramen comes with broth, noodles, 4 pieces of Tofu and spring onions Everything has customizing options Friendly and welcoming servives. Small ambience and hence long wait times. (No option to put yourself on waitlist online. You have to go in person and do it. Wait times can be as high as 2 hours)

Everything was perfect! Spent 10 days in Vancouver with my husband and adult son . While my husband was working, my son and I stumbled across this ramen place. He said it was the best food on our trip (and we went to several well recommended and reviewed places)!

Amazing I love this restaurant the food is delicious My favorite ramen so far In this location you can do a reservation ahead of time using yelp

FOLLOW Instagram @jfoodreviews When it gets cold, ramen is my go to! The wait was 2hours, if you can wait. Come here. Their thin noodles and reasonable price are well worth it.

This place consistency has a line up. We waited an hour . While you wait in line a server will ask pork broth or vegetarian and hand you a piece of paper which is pretty much the menu and you write your order down. As soon as you sit down they bring you water and take your order sheet, And within minutes your food is brought to you. We order gyozas and two classic ramen with everything standard and add egg ( extra $2) Everything was good. Broth was nice and creamy, and the little bit of chili sauce on top was a nice little kick. As soon as you are done they take away your plates and soon after they return with your bill and the machine and pretty much kick you out. Overall, the food was decent. Is it worth the 1hr wait no. Maybe if the line was short then sure wait but not worth the hype.

Went before dinner, luckily get seat right away. QR code is crap to load menu on the phone. Host didn't ask for points card stamp on Apple wallet. Disappointed. Good broth, smooth and delicious Standard and rich soup chosen. The soup won one of my best awards from my gold list. Portion size is too small on the expensive side with combo. Not worth price with combo. Gyoza was cheap filling. Chashu was thing layer, on the cheap side. 3 piece for $7 ..... Questionable. Overall - For a fit male, u need eat 2 bowl of ramen to be full. This portion size is only perfect size for females. Will I go back again ? Yes, but not going to order with Chashu. Will just order plane noodle with different flavors for try out. And tat will be the last time step in the restaurant as I will order 2 bowl of ramen to eat and tats enough to finalize this ramen restaurant !!

Yum! Very friendly and smooth operation. True ramen! Better than flying to Japan for ramen!

Sooo delicious and very reasonably priced. Had the classic ramen with a soft egg and the broth is so flavourful. Favourite ramen spot, simple but delicious.

What a teeny tiny gem serving up big flavor! Beware this place is small and surely will have a line out the door, but generally it was pretty quick to get in and we loved our ramen and gyoza. You can really customize your order with the thickness of noodle, richness of broth, spice level and more. It was well served and a good price overall. Would definitely come back!

Best Ramen in Van by my money. Add ons are overpriced as are sides. Food comes out fast though is always busy. Ambiance is normal Ramen place, busy and loud but thats the idea. Move people fast and efficiently.

I've been to the Ramen Danbo in Seattle multiple times, and that's my general go to Raman spot in the PNW. The wait was also an hour and a half when joining the wait list at 6:30pm. This time, I decided to check out the Vancouver location since I was in town and was surprised to find togarashi in the broth. I ordered my usual Rekka Classic Raman with medium spice. The noodles were consistent like usual, but their broth was not as rich as usual for their standard setting. The broth tasted even a bit watered down unfortunately (minus one star for that)!

Ramen Danbo is my favourite spot when craving japanese food. I've been to both their branches in the USA and Canada and IMO every restaurant lives up to the reputation of classic Japanese cuisine, top-notch. I got a Tonkotsy ramen last time and have no regrets; it was a delicious large bowl of a traditional meal. The staff were all smiles and welcoming. On the negative, the place is quite small hence long wait times and often crowdy yet the authentic taste, great staff and low prices (~15 bucks for a bowl with toppings) make the wait worth it. Definitely a must-visit for raman lovers in Vancouver!

absolute favourite ramen place, rich broth with fast service. I always crave it once in a while.

Had to drive my wife to her girls night in downtown Vancouver and had a few hours to kill. Always looking for a new spot to try. Happened upon Ramen Danbo on West 4th. There was a few people outside waiting in line. Didn't realize that there was a wait list and about a 45 minute wait. It was worth the wait. I was seated on the counter. Staff was friendly and welcoming. I ordered their Classic Rekka with some fixins (extra charsiu, nori, egg, and kirugare), gyoza, and their charsiu donburi. I haven't had lunch and was getting pretty hungry. Ramen had a great spicy broth that coated my taste buds and tickled the back of my throat (got it extra scpicy). I ordered the thin noodles at first and asked for firm. It was great! Charsiu was tender, wished it was a little thicker, but it was still delicious as it went well with everything. The eggs still had a little runny/silky yolk. The gyozas were delicious! And paired really well with everything. The Charsiu donburi was a fantastic side dish. Not too big or too small. Explosion of flavor and rounded out my meal. I even added a half order of thick noodles to help finish off the broth for my Ramen. Food and staff were fantastic. I would definitely be back when I'm in the area. Thank you

This is authentic high quality tonkotsu ramen that is worth the wait! I liked that I could choose the firmness of the noodles and level of flavor. It's a tight fit between tables but service is quick so you aren't in there for very long anyway.

Finally got to try the ramen at this place! I've been to the area many times and it seems like there is a line up anytime of the day. We were here on New Year's Eve at 7pm with a 30mins wait so that wasn't too bad. Bonus that they've added this Waitlist system where they'll call you when you're at the top of the list so you can make your way back instead of waiting out in the cold. However, we were silly goose and waited outside because we were on a time crunch, it was an estimated 15-30mins wait, and didn't realize they'd give you a heads up when your table is close to being ready. Your entire party does have to be present during time of seating and this is more like an in and out type of place so might be best to come with a smaller party. I ordered the classic ramen without customization (ie standard). The chasu was heavenly - melts in your mouth and the broth and noodles are on point. 10/10 would have it again! The portion is small, which is just right for me but for the men out there, you might need extra noodles or maybe a side. 4/5 stars because of the amazing food, good price but long wait and they serve you water instead of tea (is that a thing?).

Wait was long but worth it.! Refill option for noodles is a great idea and very affordable. The staff was amazing and the atmosphere was so relaxing. Def hope to come back to VC for this.!

This place was recommended by some locals, as well as a friend from out of the area. It did not disappoint. Very small restaurant and absolutely delicious ramen. I've had some good ramen; and this was up there w some of the best I've had. Definitely recommend!

This place is awesome. I didn't even have time to take a photo when the food arrived. It was sooo good.

This is the best Ramen in Vancouver to be honest. And I've tried many places. I dont mind waiting in line for Ramen Danbo. It's just fantastic!

Always worth the wait. Fast and easy service. And best ramen in town. Tonkatsu is bomb