The Ruthless Eater: Review: Ramen Kanbe Restaurant, Empire Damansara

Overall comment: The ramen broth was actually very tasty & unique. Even AP who doesn't eat much ramen loved the ramen here & I have to say that their gyoza (non-vegetarian as confirmed by the business manager 5 minutes ago) tasted really good! Seems like PerutBesi didn't fail in picking out ingredients from the gyoza after all :P
Halal: No

I've never been to Empire Damansara & wasn't even aware of its existence! Well, you can't really blame me since I live at the other end of the city & rarely come over to this area since it's quite a distance + the main road towards this building is usually congested at most times of the day.

But as I was invited by Fujiwara-san to review the food at Ramen Kanbe, I was more than delighted to try out something new outside my radar. I certainly had NO regrets!

Ramen Kanbe opened its 1st ever outlet in the world, here at Empire Damansara. This year itself, the plan was to expand the business to various parts of Asia including possible countries like Indonesia, Thailand & even Myanmar! You may wonder why the management of Ramen Kanbe is moving into such markets, but hey, when there's less exposure towards authentic Japanese ramen, that's where Ramen Kanbe can be the pioneer in such places :) Good stuff.

At Empire Damansara, you can just park at Car Park #1 & head up to G floor to the restaurant, that's located within the Heritage Lane. The restaurant faces the road outside, so it's behind the row of shops on the Heritage Lane.

The restaurant is spacious, clean, & smells of delicious gyoza/chicken karaage :P I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there were quite a number of groups walking into the restaurant during lunch hour despite it being hidden behind the main row of shops at the Heritage Lane. I must say that when it comes to good food, no matter how hidden you are, people will still find their way to you!

Chef-on-training from Indonesia
In time to come, Jakarta may get to taste Ramen Kanbe!

You may wonder what's so special with their ramen. The star is actually the Kobe-style soy sauce, custom made to pair with their freshly-made-each-day ramen. The noodles are firm, slightly chewy, & very smooth. It's similar to "pan mee" (yay to pan mee fans like yours truly!!), but firmer. I loved it!

Lemon tea (RM5.00/glass) & Japanese Green Tea (RM3.00/glass)
Although the price of drinks are slightly more expensive than the usual, I have to say that their lemon tea is really refreshing & different. It's not your generic lemon tea from the dispenser, for sure, but one that's made in-house :)

Ramen Kanbe is proud to introduce their set lunches (and dinners - it's not stated on the menu, but it's applicable for both lunch & dinner). Authentic ramen sold anywhere else costs around RM25.00-RM30.00/bowl, so these set lunches are actually quite a deal! For larger sets like sets C, I think that 2 not-so-hungry eaters can actually share the meal :D In fact, that's what AP & I did...heehee...

Charsiu Ramen (RM21.00/bowl)
We ordered this best-seller ramen & it was GOOD! The soup is made from vegetable & chicken broth, cooked for 7 hours to achieve a full-bodied soup. It is savory, slightly sourish (like a hint of black vinegar) & somewhat rich yet clear. You have to eat the smooth noodles with the crunchy beansprouts, black fungus & meaty charsiu. Ah...I want a hot bowl of this ramen now!

The soup isn't the usual shoyu based nor is it the miso based soup. I prefer this style, actually.

Simple, straight forward menu - I like!

During lunch hour, they also have a 'fast-to-cook-good-to-eat" pork rice. The portion is generous & the taste is oh-so-fragrant! If you love garlic & onions with pork, this is a dish for you. It's a very simple dish, but like what I told AP, "It's a guy's dish! So much rice, pork, onions & garlic!"

I was so stuffed...so much rice...

Other types of rice & side orders

Chicken Karaage (RM10.00/serving)

It's a larger bite size of really aromatic deep-fried boneless chicken thigh. The chicken is well marinated in their house blend sauce & spices (there's definitely garlic!) & it goes well with a bottle of cold beer :D

Look! Beer promotion to go with your snacks!

Gyoza (RM10.00/serving)

Okay, it's not meatless as what I was told. The business manager just informed me that it contains meat. I thought it's such skill to make vegetarian gyoza taste like a meat gyoza...hahaha...There are chopped cabbage, spring onions, ginger & meat (pork)! The gyoza went well with their house-blend dip of soy sauce + black vinegar. Slightly crispy on the outside, soft & moist on the inside. Yums!