Local Business Spotlight: New in Town! Chilliwack's Brand New Ramen Spot

On Saturday (January 30th), Chilliwack's own Ramen House finally opened its doors, with day two being packed and full of lines as the business boomed and continues to be the latest buzz in District 1881. 

The atmosphere is a great mix of modern trendy restaurants and food with authentic flavors and their iconic two-day broth, which is made authentically and within their family over the course of two days. The lively, bustling restaurant was immediately inviting despite a wait due to them being closed for "lunch break" before 4PM rolled around, and the family-owned charm mixes commercial and humble in an excellent way.

Chilliwack has been missing out on a ramen shop for a long time, with Maru Sushi reverting from a ramen spot to almost solely a sushi spot for many. This family-owned business was months in construction before it finally opened, and the weekend opening came after the business had dealt with some electrical issues before they were meant to open originally on Thursday. This provided a great weekend rush for the business, and the atmosphere was very full and lively - almost like a slice of Vancouver brought to the humble farmland of Chilliwack. 

The menu for Ramen House is very small, but with enough variety to make it the best possible menu; enough options to come back with new options (or to have a regular order that you come back for), but not too many to overcrowd. This means that the few ramen choices are mastered and created to perfection, and the food wound up being very much worth the wait and some of the poor service I encountered during my visit. 

Something unique about Ramen House is their drink menu, with items like a strawberry cheese foam smoothie and bubble tea being on the menu. The back counter area is both where you pay and where the boba section of the restaurant is, and the bubble tea had a great flavor - with my order being my usual taro flavor I get from other boba shops frequently. Despite the fact that my pearls were forgotten, it was a smooth, creamy drink that was delicate and sweet with a delicious taro flavor - not too artificial, but not earthy, either. 

I would love to pop back in to the restaurant to try their desserts, as they have a unique section for bingsu shaved ice desserts - something that has not been available in the Fraser Valley for many years now, and something that I have missed being able to indulge in. There is a great variety in what they serve, and it is a restaurant sure to please anyone who steps through its doors. 

Ramen is something that a large audience of people love, and this restaurant knows this fact well, using it to their advantage and ensuring the highest quality food for everyone - despite poor service and a dining experience that was simply average, the quality of the food means that this is one of the best spots that currently resides in Chilliwack; and business is booming. 

Service is varied, with the ordering system being through an iPad that is delivered to your table; this makes ordering much easier, and it makes the restaurant a safer space for those who cannot order verbally. This means that it is a very inclusive space, and the amount of diversity in customers and workers was a great thing to see - the amount of effort put in by the team/family into renovating the place and bringing it to where they are now is strikingly impressive.

The location of Ramen House is incredible, right in an open area of District 1881 (near Gong Cha), and a great size for the restaurant and its tables. It is spacious, and accommodated to many people within the space; but some people did have to wait as the dinner rush hit the business, with sales already booming for the small shop. 

Ramen house is very well decorated and stylish in its design, with stunning and unique black walls and cute artworks being displayed throughout. It mixes industrial styles with concrete floorings with wooden elements along walls, and it's a gorgeously modern space that utilizes every inch of the building exceptionally. Not only is it a great space, but the food is absolutely incredible in every way. The menu is easy to choose from with plenty of add-on options and combos to choose from, and it will satisfy any and all ramen cravings in a heartbeat.

The food was slow to come out due to the capacity being maxed out for the tables in the restaurant, but it was worth every minute of waiting. The food is a mix of authentic Asian flavors and trendy aesthetics, and these are the most gorgeous bowls of ramen you can get anywhere near Chilliwack. Prices are high; but quite standard and expected and worth it for the massive helpings of ramen you receive upon ordering. Their broth is smooth and savory, being rich and salty and full of exceptional flavor that will leave you coming back for more - their process shows with the delightful flavor of each element. The portions are large and hearty, and there is great value in each order. 

Wow-worthy food is something less common in Chilliwack (due to a mass amount of chain restaurants), but every once in a while, a gem like this comes around and creates a hotspot for the city. The karaage was a highlight from the menu, and it's the best in town without a doubt for both ramen and karaage. The batter is sweet and flavorful, and the chicken was delightfully tender and juicy in the fried coating. Their pork also melts in your mouth with the delicious layers of fat on it, and every flavor is striking.

Ramen House is a must-try for anyone in the Chilliwack area, and you will not be disappointed with their homestyle Asian flavors. 

SCORES

OVERALL: 8.7/10

BUBBLE TEA: 8/10

FOOD: 9/10

SERVICE: 4/10

ATMOSPHERE: 8/10

DECOR: 7.8/10

CLEANLINESS: 9/10

LOCATION: 9.5/10

EXPERIENCE: 7/10