Behind the shed-like black-wood exterior (and oversized paper lantern) lurks the chatty heart of Kitsilano's best ramen joint, a cozy, izakaya -like spot serving slurp-worthy bowls in four different base variations. All are made with a signature pork broth, while added extras can include boiled eggs, pickled veggies and some extra (and highly recommended) slices of succulent pork.

Located right in the heart of downtown on Robson St, Ramen Danbo tops our list. Originally from Fukuoka, Danbo has become a staple when you think of ramen in Vancouver, with locations in downtown, Kitsilano and Kerrisdale. They specialize in tonkotsu ramen which is a pork bone broth and allow you to customize the richness and thickness of your broth, spiciness and firmness of your noodles – perfect for those like me who enjoy super soft noodles!

Ramen Danbo was located directly across the street from our hotel (The Listel) and we couldn’t help but notice the long line of people outside of the restaurant every night. Obviously our curiosity was peaked and we ended up having the best ramen we’ve ever eaten at this tiny shop on Robson. Many of the reviews mention that the only place to find better ramen is in Japan (we’ve never been, so we can’t comment).

One thing guaranteed about Danbo – there’s always a line-up to get in. Loved internationally with multiple locations in Vancouver, Seattle, and New York, true Japanese food lovers can enjoy traditional Fukuoka-style Kyushu Hakata Tonkotsu ramen here. Another thing that makes Danbo standout is that everything can be customized to your liking from the thickness of your noodles to how much spice you want.

Ramen is a staple for many locals and there are plenty of places to plunge into a steaming bowl of brothy, noodly goodness here. Among the best (there are several additional options in the same area), Ramen Danbo has a loyal following and peak-time queues to match. Go for the Classic––complete with rich pork soup, delicious thin noodles, and velvet-soft slices of slow-cooked chashu pork.

A casual 15-minute or so walk from Kits Beach, Ramen Danbo is a popular spot for a good reason. Bringing Fukuoka-style ramen to the Kitsilano food scene, their Tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen is rich and delicious. My favorite part is that they’ve got customizable options that we didn’t even know existed – noodle thickness and firmness, broth richness and thickness, and umami spice level.

I might be biased because Danbo is my mid-week go-to ramen joint, but their rich pork broth and always-bouncy noodles are worth braving the ever-present queue (and probable rain) on Robson. My current hyper-fixation order is the negi-goma, which comes with Danbo’s signature tonkotsu broth, sesame oil, roasted sesame seeds, braised pork, and an overflowing portion of fresh scallions.

With 4 locations in the Vancouver, Ramen Danbo is a local buzz-word and the go-to spot for authentic Fukuoka-style Tonkotsu ramen. Their customizable bowls allow you to choose your preferred noodle thickness, firmness, and even the richness of your broth. The Classic Tonkotsu Ramen with spicy miso is a must-try, especially when paired with their perfectly marinated soft-boiled egg.

Ramen Danbo checks off all the boxes, offering classic ramen, shio ramen, miso ramen, negi-goma (white sesame oil), and a deathly spicy “rekka ramen.” This spot is so awesome that there’s almost always a line around mealtimes, especially when it’s raining. Address: 1333 Robson Street, VancouverPhone: 604-559-8112. Address: 1833 West 4th Avenue, VancouverPhone: 778-379-8977

Ramen DANBO: Don’t let the lines at Ramen DANBO scare you away; it moves very fast, and if anything, it should be very reassuring. Ramen DANBO manages to pack a lot of people in one small space, so if you like to take a long lunch and to stretch out your legs while you eat, pass your way. But the succulent ramen bowls certainly more than make up for the tight space.

Introducing the authentic taste of traditional Fukuoka Tonkotsu Ramen to North America. Ramen Danbo’s Vancouver, Canada locations were the chain’s first ventures outside Japan, now expanding to Seattle and New York. Crafting Kyushu Hakata-style ramen, our menu offers traditional Tonkotsu broth with customizable toppings.

This is where you’ll find the delicious likes of Danbo, which serves up steaming bowls of Fukuoka-style tonkatsu ramen in a small, busy room that turns over quickly. Up a block is Tractor, a bright quick-service eatery that focuses on healthy fare (we love their curried cauliflower with their pea/potato salad).

Ramen Danbo in downtown Vancouver stands out for its top-rated Fukuoka-style Tonkotsu ramen. Customize your ramen bowl, selecting noodle firmness, broth type, lard amount, thickness, and spiciness. A top recommendation for first-timers is their traditional Shio ramen, complemented with a Soft-Boiled Egg.

Ramen Danbo has to be one of the most popular ramen spots in Vancouver — and for good reason. Their extensive selection of ramen variations are so delicious and stay true to the traditions. Fans of this spot love the curry Tonkatsu ramen which is a beautiful blend of creamy broth and spices.

Danbo has become sort of a Vancouver ramen chain (this is very good because high quality and accessible ramen is nowhere close to UBC). Fresh Fukuoka-style ramen (I have no idea what this means) in a cute and cozy café style ramen joint. What could be better than that?

Ramen Danbo is extremely popular in Vancouver – and it’s great for vegans!. They serve 4 types of vegan-friendly ramen with optional sides such as rice and vegan gyozas. Their ramen dishes are very customisable with the noodle size and broth thickness.

Head over to Ramen Danbo for some comfort food in a cozy setting. They offer a variety of ramen options that cater to every dream, but they are best known for their Chasu-men ramen. The bowl comes with six pieces of mouth-watering braised pork belly.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (384 reviews) - Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5) - Type of cuisine: Japanese, Asian - Price: $ - Address: 1333 Robson St, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 1C6 Canada - Read more on Tripadvisor

Let’s start with a top pick for the classic shoyu ramen that most people associate with the dish. Rich and creamy, with just the right amount of salt. The Negi-Goma is delicious as well, for those craving a little healthier-feeling ramen.

Notice I didn’t include a single sushi joint on this list, however. But when it comes to spicy pork belly ramen done in the Fukuoka style, you can’t beat Ramen Danbo. I love that you can personalize everything about your ramen here.

Why You Need To Go: "Believe it or not but I am OBSESSED with their vegetarian ramen. The broth has so much flavour!! I also love the texture of the noodles" Kaye told Narcity. Those noodles look just scrumptious from the photos.

There’s always a lineup at this ramen joint, so you know this spot is THE SPOT. We love the Classic Ramen and Classic Chashu-men for when we’re extra hungry. Trust us, it’s worth the wait!