Taste of Japan arrives in Windsor with new ramen destination

You May Be Interested In:BLACKPINK’s Lisa talks about the challenges faced while shooting ‘The White Lotus’ season 3


Article content

With cooler seasons approaching, few things are as comforting as a steaming bowl of ramen.

Windsor foodies have a new destination to enjoy Japan’s iconic noodle dish with the arrival of Kinton Ramen, adding to the city’s already vibrant Asian culinary scene.

The well-loved Japanese ramen house, originally launched in 2012 in Toronto, now has around 40 to 50 locations across Canada and the United States.

Article content

The eatery quietly opened its doors in Windsor at 1475 Huron Church Road, near Giant Tiger, a few weeks ago, but there’s a grand opening this weekend.

“We are happy to bring great food to Windsor,” said Jimmy Tan, a Windsor native who manages the city’s newest ramen spot with his wife, Naomi Ly.

“Ramen is a very popular comfort food for many people, especially during the colder seasons.”

Jimmy Tan, owner of the newly opened Kinton Ramen restaurant in Windsor, is shown at the Huron Church Road restaurant on Monday, November 4, 2024. Guests can watch the meals being prepared. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

The menu offers 16 varieties of ramen, each with varying noodle options, toppings, and broths.

The original pork ramen, for instance, includes springy egg noodles, topped with braised pork, a soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoots, nori (dried edible seaweed common in Japanese cuisine), wood ear mushrooms, and scallions.

“All flavours are very unique,” said Tan. 

“Trying one ramen does not mean that the others will taste the same. For example, the originals are great for anyone that’s looking for a nice and light flavour, whereas if you’re looking for something a bit more rich or heavy in flavour, shoyu is a great option.”

food
A bowl of pork ramen is shown at the newly opened Kinton Ramen restaurant in Windsor on Monday, November 4, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

The culinary experience, however, begins well before a bowl of ramen is placed in front of each diner.

Article content

Guests are greeted as they enter the restaurant with an “irasshaimase” — Japanese for “welcome.” Similarly, guests are thanked with an “arigatou gozaimasu” when they finish their meal.

And it’s not only the menu and warm greeting that pays homage to Japanese culture.

The restaurant, with seating for 56, also features 12 bar seats overlooking the kitchen — a common feature in Japanese restaurant design.

“In Japan, it’s very common to have open kitchen concepts where you can see where the chefs are working and how they’re making the food,” said Tan. “We wanted to make sure we kept that authentic in this style.”

food
The bar seating at the newly opened Kinton Ramen restaurant overlooks the kitchen area where the meals are being prepared. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

Those who opt for bar seating get a front-row view as the perfect bowl of ramen comes together.

But that process, said Tan, begins long before service with the broth.

The preparation of each slow-simmered broth starts early each morning, allowing enough time for the flavours to deepen. Kinton Ramen offers four broth bases: pork, beef, chicken and veggie.

food
Colourful bowls ready to be filled with ramen dishes are shown at the newly opened Kinton Ramen restaurant in Windsor on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

Each season also has a new ramen feature. The current offering is a golden sesame ramen, made with a rich pork broth, creamy sesame paste, seasoned ground pork, and finished with chili oil and shredded chili pepper for added heat.

Recommended from Editorial

Tan still remembers his first experience at Kinton Ramen the spicy garlic beef is the bowl that inspired him to open the popular noodle house in Windsor.

Kinton Ramen celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. All ramen dish prices are 50 per cent off all day.

[email protected]

food
The newly opened Kinton Ramen restaurant in Windsor is shown on Monday, November 4, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

Share this article in your social network

share Paylaş facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Zach Manns was the hero for the Saskatchewan Rush in their 9-8 OT victory over the Halifax Thunderbirds
Hot hand: Manns scores six in OT win for Saskatchewan Rush
City of Saskatoon transit buses at the downtown bus mall in Saskatoon, SK in March of 2020.
Saskatoon police investigating after man seriously hurt in stabbing
Kris Fade leaks ‘Dubai Bling’ season 4 footage: Watch
Kris Fade leaks ‘Dubai Bling’ season 4 footage: Watch
'Squid Game' to 'The Housemaid': Lee Jung-jae's best K-dramas and films to watch
‘Squid Game’ to ‘The Housemaid’: Lee Jung-jae’s best K-dramas and films to watch
mark holland
Lewis: Canada’s dying Liberal government may have saved medicare
WhatsApp video calls now have backgrounds and filters
WhatsApp video calls now have backgrounds and filters
Pulse of the World | © 2024 | News