Reviews of Nikkei Ramen-ya (Fish Shop)

Karl Peterson

Very tasty ramen. Service was very friendly but also scattered. No matter, I would cheerfully go again to enjoy the well prepared food.

sweeped boxed you

Came here in my last 20$ after a really long day. Felt welcome and will leave here soon with my belly and heart both full. Thank you thank you for making my evening so much better and for your simple kindness

Grace MacNeil

Loved how Nikkei Ramen-ya had the Hakata style noodles in their Tonkotsu ramen, it really put it a step above the ramen I've had at other restaurants on the island. The ordering system they had was cute, it definitely reminds me of ordering ramen from shops in Japan.

Deb

Rich and delicious. They treat their staff well and happy staff make great food. It is known.

Lauren

Unfortunately I had to witness the terrible abuse the staff endure from the owner on one occasion. It ruined the experience for me entirely. The place is overpriced, the restaurant is more tent than building. I just don't want to support an awful, abusive business owner. I will never go back.

Zachary O'

Owner is very unprofessional and rude towards his loyal customers. Food is mediocre and certainly not worth putting up with or supporting such behaviour. Will never go back.

R1 - LE

I’ve been here a handful of times, and always leave warm and happy. I don’t know why I don’t go more often. The ramen is amazing, and considering you aren’t tipping, your meal is actually way cheaper than anywhere else in town providing fresh, scratch made food. I always add an egg and pat of butter to my order, which makes the incredible (house made) broth extra rich and adds a little more flavour (as if there isn’t enough already). With the additional serving of (once again, house made) noodles, I never leave hungry. The noodles are super easy to eat while having braces too, which is an added bonus for me!

Amy Dorais

This place gets it. The ramen is superb, great staff. Soup is so flavourful and rich and you leave absolutely stuffed. The egg add on is a must. And the pork ramen is my fave.

Lilly Stoyko-Lang

Amazing - house made noodles and locally sourced ingredients are a rare find for any ramen restaurant. This is a gem of a restaurant and a delight to find in Courtenay.

Burton Wei

It’s not very good. It’s very bitter and the customer service is just straight up sad. The noodles I ordered was flavourless. Only the marinated egg was okay. Otherwise everything else did NOT taste good. And before the owner tells me I ordered the wrong thing, my friends ordered different ramen and I tried it, and it was gross. I’m aware there aren’t any servers but I was still disappointed. And why is the owner attacking everyone in the reviews? Please. If everyone is leaving bad reviews maybe improve your food and stop trying so hard to defend your awful restaurant

Jessica Xiong

The tantanmen was delish! The tonkotsu broth lacked a bit of depth and the toppings aren't what you'd usually find at a ramen-ya, but overall it was satisfying.

Renée Fowler

Home-made noodles. What more can you say.

Lynne Lien

Cute ramen spot in a small city. Being from a bigger city, I’d say the ramen is decent but nothing to write home about. Due to Covid a lot of things are self serve? You do the ordering and picking up …

Larissa P

Service

Joey Thiessen

Authentic ramen place. They cook the broth for 2 days and make their own noodles. Very tasty!

Sonya Haffner

So awesome . Really good ramen . Friendly staff .

Sheila Hildebrand

????Delicious.

Izi Mansell

Fantastic daily fresh made ramen! I love this place, it's always a good choice

Michael Ayukawa

Rude and unprofessional. Very disappointed to see the owner calling his paying customers names online. Edit/Update regarding the owners reply: I’m not part of any mob lol read their replies to all their reviews even before Covid and read their social media posts laughing and excited to be excluding a good chunk of their long term customers. It’s one thing to follow a mandate it’s another to publicly call your customers kooks over and over again and make multiple posts about how glad you are to not be taking their business anymore. Many of those “kooks” have and would have continued to support you by ordering takeout. There’s so many differences in opinions right now and fear and emotions and that’s ok but calling your customers names on public platforms does not look good and would make me stop supporting any business no matter the circumstances.

Greg Turk

Very good ramen. Went with family of 4 and had 4 really good bowls.

Tonja Henigman

Been here a few times and have tried a variety of the menu. It's always delicious. Free noodle refills ensure I leave full every time. It's a bit cosy, but friendly and has a great vibe, so it's all part of the experience. I love that they support their workers with a living wage as well and don't rely on tips. I'll definitely be back and will recommend this place.

Anouck Belthoise

Fantastic ramen! Best I’ve had on the island and the service is terrific! The ordering system is a bit finicky but I’m sure once we get used to it it’ll be fine. Highly recommend it.

Clayton Frost

My three year old daughter: "Tasty". Five stars

Callum Alexander

I love this place... they have options for kids and have a great menu... I've never had a bad bowl of ramen... is can be a little pricy but its main do the cost some the ingredients out here is canada ( compared to Japan).

Kierstin Willier

Nikkei Ramen-ya is always expanding their standard menu and adding new features to keep things interesting. The chef has prioritized using local fresh ingredients and runs a tight ship. All things that make for an enjoyable, delicious, and healthy meal.

Matt Morrison

So thankful to have this first-class restaurant in the Comox Valley. Easily my favourite place to go for lunch. You can taste in every bite the quality and care they put into their food.

Elise Marquis

Best place in town for the best ramen, everything I've tried has been wonderful. One of my absolute favorite places to go.

Jody Levy

It was decent ramen for the island. Definitely the best I've had north of Nanimo. Great service and I appreciate that they include tip with the price yet keep it reasonable.

Quinn King

Great food.. but they might as well take gyoza off the menu Its never available when I try to order it.

Siobhan Hayton

Really good ramen. I was disappointed to see that I paid for extras but they were forgotten (maybe double check your food before driving off with take out).

Wilson Lin

As always, incredible ramen from this kitchen. Kudos to you for your living wage commitment and to your dedication to authenticity and quality. And for your consistent pivoting during easily some of the hardest times in the resto business.

rick segal

Excellent food.

David Brown

Great food! Fresh, handmade noodles amd fresh ingredients. Every bowl is packed with flavour. I'm definitely coming back here again.

Mac Moon

As soon as you walk in it smells delicious, tastes delicious and has the coolest atmosphere on fifth street! I would recommend for anyone who's very hungry or enjoys a warm filing meal. Itadakimasu!

Évelyne Comtois-Legault

In times of need I crave ramen, there is no place that fulfills that craving quite like nikkei ramen-ya. Bless you and your noodles

Erik Pinheiro

If you are from Victoria and have had this place recommended to you.... just go to Menbow Ramen in Victoria it is much better. The Ramen we ordered was okay. We also had to wait 40 minutes for the order after being told it was going to be a …

Mavourneen Wright

Amazing ramen, exceptional service.

Montana P

Amazing every single time without fail. The food is great, the staff are happy, the prices are decent, and we haven't ever had a bad experience here. Treat yourself and eat here.

Virginia Rogers

Super delicious find in Courtney!

Bailey Angeline Krueger

Exactly what the doctor ordered. Rain or shine this place is excellent. Good setup for Covid19 with plexi-dividers which oddly enough make it feel more like Japan. My ramen was tasty enough to order a second round of noodles. Price was reasonable and they don't take tips. Get the chili paste.

Philip Howard

Hands down the best ramen I have ever had, randomly encountered on a summer’s day in Comox. Has become a serious consideration in our decisions to make the drive up from Victoria!!

Joel Varghese

Great Ramen. A little pricey but high quality so you get what you pay for.

Nick “Nickname” Name

Seriously delicious. Fantastic service. The single only comment I could think of, and it's a stretch let me tell you; is that I would ask for more veggies to be automatically included. Especially for the veggie version. I loved every slurp and can't wait to go back. The seasoned egg was amazing. I'm getting two next time.

Cameron Macaulay

Cool place I really like the kiosk to order. Ramen was unique

Pierre-Sebastien Cabrejo-Jones

This is a really lovely place! Super good service and ramens are good!

lirz 2.0

On par with Jun-Men Ramen Bar in Manhattan. Nikkei Ramen-ya has a variety of light or rich homemade broths which are all delicious. The best marinated soft-boiled egg ever. Highly recommended. Tip is already included in price.

Sarah G

This is the best ramen I have ever eaten! Hand made noodles, light but flavourful broth, just so good. If you are anywhere near the area it is worth a trip.

Samantha Baldry-White

Food was great, maybe a tad expensive.

Meaghan Logue

Noodles and broth made from scratch. Everything is excellent! In addition to the top notch food, the restaurant's desire to do right by their employees is inspiring. They are committed to paying a living wage and do not accept tips.

quinn (Quinn)

This is the best ramen on the island, the end. The traditional Japanese experience to offer noodle refills is amazing; it's like 2 bowls for the price of 1. They also have a couple vegetarian options, so everyone their deliscious offerings!

Snek Spiyie

Incredible Gyoza and Ramen. Chasu was tender, Noodles were perfect! Thank you for the great flavours.

Christopher Boux

Portions are perfect size and flavour is amazing!! No option for tipping when ordering so they should up the living wage to 15% :)

A Hart

This is the best bite in the Comox Valley! I do recommend the spicy butter in your miso as well as a soft boiled egg. My kids loved their chicken ramen too. Service is fast and the tables were immaculate. They make the noodles fresh in house and while the standard portions were enough for us, you can get 1 free noodle refill if you're extra hungry. Don't miss it.

Harry

Very Good Ramen, chicken Karage was good, but not worth the price. You only get 3 small pieces for $11. …

Emma Hu

Literally the best ramen I've ever had anywhere (including Tokyo). I love this place so much that I have their official merch. I come here almost anytime I visit Courtenay. If I could rate six stars I would.

Greg Bolso

Nikkei ramen is okay... but this is not real Japanese broth. Too salty in efforts to replicate the deep flavour of original broth. Considering the higher price and smaller portions compared to some authentic restaurants in Vancouver, a bit of a letdown. Seeing some of the other reviews here...it seems that the owner may be in denial... Keep up the great PR.

Maya Jonker

One word...AMAZING! Definitely the real deal. Loved the idea of noodle refills also. Product is excellent and price is fair. Will visit again for sure.

J White

Delicious! I don't often come by restaurants that have gluten free ramen available and I was impressed. The takeout was really quick and my bowl was great!

Dave Nabeta

Really good! Fantastic broth and excellent staff

Jennifer Hazard

Love it more selection since I’ve last been there and hopefully that is a good thing keep up the good work. Best ramen in Canada

Nikita Filanovsky

I've visited many times, tried most items and have come away satisfied each and every time. It is a popular and busy place with limited seating, so ensure you plan accordingly for busy hours... But well worth the wait. Great food, friendly staff and pleasant environment... It's a gem.

Cody K

Great food, gluten-friendly

Luke Anderson

Super friendly staff, and a hot bowl of soup that can't be beat. Such flavorful broth, and delicious ingredients, you can tell they take their time preparing their ingredients. Plus you can get a reload of noodles!

Logan Ballegeer

Delicious ramen love the homemade noodles. Pricey though.

Brian

Excellent Ramen and delicious too!

Gabriele Milione

Best restaurant ever! Super nice staff and very yummy food

Eric Hansen

Some of the best ramen I've ever had! The shop has a great feel to it, and they're always introducing new products. They're always on top of current health protocols and are diligent about following them. …

Wyatt Shaw

Authentic Japanese ramen. Very very delicious. Beats or at par with most Vancouver ramen spots.

Aaron Peters

I've never looked ramen, but this place was exceptional. The food was delicious, the price reasonable. No one was bothering us, which was nice, and the location couldn't have been better.

Jeff Ricard

I'm a ramen guy, been to many ramen places in Vancouver and Japan and I love this place. Visited during a business trip and found this gem! Will definitely come back again if I am in town.

Galactic Sunset

In house handmade ultra delicious ramen with broth and yummy ingredients that will leave you coming back for more! This has become my favorite place to eat in town and I love how they pay their staff well and don't accept tips. Also how they offer a complimentary order of ramen noodles for your soup when you dine in. Really grateful that Nikkei Ramen is here in Courtenay thank you beauties for making such yummy amazing food???????????????? I suggest you check them out ????

Lee Baker

The go to place for ramen.! Their broth , full of flavor* & they got tender chashu.

Christoph

Excellent place to go! Great Rsmen

Will Reiher

Good food, lots of choices, quick service, will reccomend if you dont know what to eat. Very busy though book ahead!

Brian Bailey

Rachel says: 4 or 4.5. Delicious, but not quite traditional enough. Egg could have been cut. Ginger should have been optional. Eubie: 4. Yeah, egg should be cut. Broth and noodles were great. Carmen: 5 stars. Delicious. Awesome vegan broth. Rare to have such a nice vegetarian/vegan option. David: 4.5. Very tasty. Nice veg option. A bit pricy but you can get more noodles (one noodle refill allowed).

Whiskey Ginger

Food was very good, prompt service. Price is a little high for ramen, but still reasonable.

Scott Howard

Seems to be prioritizing authenticity. I was intimidated by the unfamiliar menu choices but also keen to explore them. They give one free noodle refill!

Phillip Humphrey

Really cool restaurant. Awesome ramen and the staff were very nice and helpful when helping those with no ramen experience choose their meal. Good price to.

Andrea Kennedy

An authentic ramen, but at a premium price. $18 for a bowl of ramen with a marinated egg and added spice.

Derek (InkedGoProAddict)

A small, cozy place with great ramen. Tasty broth and good portions. I was going to get the Aka ramen (shoyu/soy sauce based) but they were out of pork belly, and there was only one portion of Tsukemen (dip noodles) left, as it was a busy morning (we came in around 2pm on a Tuesday and they open at 11:30am). I ended up getting the Kuro ramen (miso based) and it was good. The Tsukemen that our table got was the best though; it's a seasonal item. I recommend going early to make sure you get your first choice. They give you a poker chip that you can trade in for extra noodles if you'd like more, which is pretty cool!

Devin Fennerty

I mean, c'mon...it's Ramen! Flavor- check Friendly- check Location - check ????

Zakariya Khan

Very delicious, nice outdoor seating, and easy to navigate menu. Service was decent

Claire Hanna

Go. Just go to this place if you like Ramen. Great broth, noodles and perfectly cooked soft-yolk egg. …

David duChemin

So delish! Fast service, great food and high quality ingredients. excellent covid protocols Ordering on the machine is reminiscent of a ramen chain in Japan and it really …

Mandy Foo

I really enjoyed Shoyu ramen! It was very authentic, and I liked noodles and cha-shu a lot! This is probably the best ramen I had in Canada so far.

Leif Jason

Really good ramen, decent price and the staff were polite and quick. The selection is good too. Also, free refills on noodles is great!

Alejandro Duque

We have driven up from Nanaimo 3x now for their ramen it is THAT good. Supreme attention given to the quality of ingredients and a value for locally sourced. Absolutely our top 10 places to eat on the island. Thank you Nikkei Ramen-ya!

Jonathan Dumont

One of the best experiences I have had! A great special and wonderful ramen! It brought back memories reminiscent of being in Japan!

Dogepenguin

If I paid the same amount of money as one would for instant ramen, I would still be disappointed. Two stars because the staff, unlike the owner, are very friendly and efficient. To reply to the owner: Im not saying they're comparable. I'm saying that even if the bland ramen served cost 75c a bowl, it would still disappoint. Scratch made does not equal good.

Emma ya

Lovely patio heating and delicious as always! This is my favorite place to eat in Courtney.

Travis Ram

Food was excellent! The kiosk ordering system is great, if you know what you want. A think it would be nice to have some other picture menus available to look at while waiting to use the kiosk. That way when it is your turn to enter your order you could be a bit more efficient.

Lisa Dean

I'm not exactly a ramen expert but this was a solid bowl for sure. Good service, cozy vibe, and lots of menu options. I'll definitely be back.

Richard Lawson

There hasn't been a single item on the menu I have tried that I haven't liked! Even while busy orders are prepared quickly and are amazing quality every time! Lots of seasonal specials too that have all been great and worth the try! …

Blaine McMillan

Absolutely amazing food, wonderful atmosphere! The flavors are out of this world!

Jb Lim

Everything I’ve ever had here has been incredibly fresh and tasty. I also really appreciate that the owners pay their staff living wage.

Alain Roy

Yesterday evening, we had our family dinner after visiting Comox. Their noodles are very good and tastes pretty much authentic. Above all, they follow very strict safety protocols against Covid-19. Highly recommended.

Jon C

First time at this place and i must say it was absolutely amazing!!! This place came highly recommend by Family and friends and they nailed it. Thanks for the awsome experience. I'll be back!!!

Duke Anderson

I had the chicken and my partner had the Miso with pulled pork. Both were delicious. My partner said they were the best noodles he has had in years. They give you the option to refill your broth with more noodles and we both had a second helping. Made for a highlight of our roadtrip.

Christina Green

Great service, very quick and efficient. Completely delicious ramen and sensible prices. Will definitely be back.

Batya Fellman

I go to this place all the time. The food is fantastic, and people are super friendly. Good food, good people. It's a simple recipe that so many businesses seem to forget. Be sure to ask for your extra noodles (yum!). Plus, downtown Courtenay is so charming, so that's just bonus fun!

Alex Ortwein

Love it. This is my new favorite place in the Comox Valley and I want to take all my friends here. I am not sure why I waited so long to eat here but this will be a once a month eat out at least. Prices are completely fair as they are paying their restaurant staff a living wage (food service employees are grossly under paid in BC) and all the ingredients are fresh. Eat here.

Helen Edley

Our son had highly recommended this restaurant to us a few months ago and today we finally found ourselves in Courtenay at dinner time and enjoyed our amazing ramen with his lovely wife! We took photos for him so he could see that we’d …

Marlee Fitzpatrick

The best ramen I have ever had. My new favourite Japanese place.

Blake Noelte

Delicious Ramen! The egg is very nicely marinated. Great toppings. Friendly service.

Henry Lopez

Homemade ramen made fresh makes a huge difference. Quick service. Will be back soon.

Charles Pinel

Best ramen. Love it here.

Chris Eddy

Loved the ramen, really good and will be going back for more

Yann Angelini

Reasonably priced. Everything fresh. Excellent portion sizing. Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and carnivorous options!!

Daniel-André Delorme (Betadan)

Atmosphere is great, food was outstanding. Service is friendly and fast. Definitely will be back!!

Bulat s

Amazing food, and a very cozy atmosphere. Good prices too. Will definitely be back again.

Brent

Super delicious, interior is subtle and simple but the food is delicious. Traditional ramen with soup bases of obvious Japanese influence and leaves you with a warm satisfaction.

J Negara

Great customer service, delicious food and ingenious self-order system.

Jarlath Blair

Just click on the options for a 1 Star Review and read the Owners unhinged responses. If you're a Conscious Person with a Functioning Brain and a Modicum of Integrity ~ these Reviews will Speak Volumes. Why support any business that promotes and gleefully encourages Blatant Bigotry?

Tess Zyla

A true to Japanese style ramen restaurant! Being from Vancouver and having ramen quite often, I was delighted to find this hidden gem, in the small town of Courtenay.

Ryan Okada

Nice setting, the hostess was very helpful and the place was clean. I ordered one of the vegetarian options but was disappointed, this is definitely not like the quality of ramen I was expecting coming from Vancouver.

Mass S

This place was an amazing find for me. I would high recommended it. Everything is made in house.

Emily Gao

Yummy, quick, salty. Self serve ramen stall with street side dining. These guys take Covid seriously. Convenient kiosk to order. You sit down and wait for your name to pick up your food. As good as a big city ramen stall. Got the miso which was rich and salty.

John “Jay” McGowan

So so good. Authentic Japanese ramen. All house made sauces with imported Japanese ingredients. This is the real deal. Good service. Tiny place, but cozy. I love sitting at the bar watching their efficiency. Vegan options. They pay their employees a proper living wage. What's not to love?

Sarra Lyford

Excellent service and food ????

Callie Moore

Amazingly delicious and it felt like I was in a traditional ramen shop in Japan. Well done!

Phillip Tanner

Best ramen on Vancouver island. Please open a location in Victoria ???? Very excited to support a company that actually cares about its staff and even …

Chrys LoScerbo

Amazing Raman! My kids love it, I love it, everyone loves it ! A true gem in the town of Comox. If you get a chance, I highly recommend it

edmund lee

Side walk and bar dining. Great service. It was 2C outside but heating was provided. Not all the adnvertised items were avaliable - chasumen, karaage chicken etc.. The shoyu ramen was however very tasty. The soft boialed egg was excellent! Perfectly done!

Cynthia Chan

Nice little ramen shop. Could use a larger menu selection (appetizers)

Marcus Farrell

So delicious. Fresh made ramen noodles. Meat and veggie options. Added bonus is no tips taken at all so the price listed is the actual price

Sunny Carson

Really outstanding Ramen. The pork belly is perfect and the eggs?! So good.

Whistle & Flute

Very beautiful food.... The ramen soup all are very testy

Thomas Robson

Loving your Ramen in Victoria.

Robert McGechie

My favorite place in the Comox Valley to eat. The in-house noodles are always top quality, the ingredients are locally sourced and the service is outstanding. They have vegan and vegetarian options, option for gluten free noodles and rotating seasonal menus.

Doug Chinnery

Their ramen and broth is so delicious! It's a bit of a wait at lunch time, but totally worth it.

Amanda Jarrett

Amazing Ramen and great service!!!

Heather Eigler

So far so good. Nice outdoor seating. And beer! In chilled glasses.

M User

Would love to see a breaded pork option. Great noodles (best noodles in town, really.) but a littleee pricey.

Collette Christney

Very tasty

shane er

Probably the best ramen I've ever had in my life.

Teri Fillion

Awesome. Great food small restaurant so may have to wait for a seat but well worth it

Anna J

I have never eaten Ramen before so wasn't really sure what to have. Staff was super helpful with recommendations and showing me how to order. The food was delicious and I will definitely be back to try other dishes.

Lisa Riehl

Amazing food! We ate outside under the tent, it was raining, and the heater was on and with the lights the ambiance was great. What an awesome spot - will be back for sure!

Zeke Critchlow

Really great noodles and excellent broth. What more can you ask for. How about free noodle refills? Yep, they got you covered. This is my favorite lunch spot in Courtenay.

Alex Bower

Authentic and delicious food. Friendly and unpretentious staff. Passionate owners. I will be back again and again and again and again.

Wyatt Michael

Literally the best noodles ive ever had, i'll be making the drive up from Nanaimo again just for this. Good service too

Jennifer Cappiello

Brilliant food no matter what you order. I'd definitely suggest going there no matter what your doing, its so freaking good.

Anthony Olynyk

This is a review based on the gluten free ramen I had at this restaurant. I have been looking for a ramen place that does GF ramen. I was so excited about this place when I saw the menu! I found, however, that the soup was really plain and unflavourful. I understand that it is tricky to do good GF flavor given gluten content in soy sauce but ????????‍♀️ It wasn't worth the high price tag.

Tom Ex

This is our second visit in a week. We are visiting from Australia and are keen ramen eaters. The ramen is great and the free noodle refill makes it excellent value and a big lunch. Our only disappointment was that there was no tonkotsu available. Having said that, it is a good thing as I agree with the idea that you do it right or not at all. Over the holidays they could not get the bones they needed so we missed out. A good reason to come back next time we are in Canada. Many thanks for a couple wonderful meals.

Fiona “Quoi” Brilvicas

This place is wonderful and the ramen is super satisfying. I've been going to Nikkei Ramen-Ya since it opened and it's always a treat. My favourite is the Shoyu with an egg (the egg is a must). Always happy when I come here:)

K P

Absolutely delicious and efficiently run business. Self order kiosks with large pic descriptions. Felt a little pressure when choosing, seeing this was my first time seeing the menu and there's only 2 kiosks but it's very intuitive and accurate. Many varieties of miso and veg broth. My only disappointment is the runny egg - I had hoped/expected a soft but not runny yolk. Great living wage adjustment for workers and free noodle refill option for each bowl.

Alexandria McQueen

Amazing food!!! Very busy, so loved the kiosks for ordering. Free refill on noodles was awesome! Took a girl with us from Japan who loved it, so I assume it's traditional!

Penny Marcotte

Authentic Japanese noodle bowls. Several options including a vegetarian option and a children's portion and a noodle dish without broth. Had an excellent IPA beer.

Dilon Harms

Dam good ramen!

Ren

A great place. Excellent food. Fantastic staff. Can't wait to go back again.

Alicja Hempinski

What a great ramen bar! Everything about it was wonderful: the staff, the food and the consideration for Covid 19 protocols. We felt very safe eating out here during the pandemic as you could tell they take their employees and customers safetyer seriously. They charge a certain percentage on each order to provide their employees with a living wage, which is awesome to see as well. We will definitely be back next time we are in Courtenay, and will recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to eat!

Owen Mackie

this place is great, even gived you a free refill on some ramen!

Will Ho

Very calm, and welcoming environment. It gives off very traditional vibes, and though I cannot say I've actually experienced those traditions elsewhere, I just aim to justify that its an entirely new food experience. Staff was lovely, and the management aims to pay them living-wages, which means there is a surcharge on customers orders to do so. I have no problem paying a little extra into my economy, and my community.

Fanny Drapeau

A great local find on a trip into Courtenay after a day on the mountain. Wonderful ramen, fresh taste and friendly staff. A real plus for the gluten-free in our group, to be able to enjoy a bowl of great ramen, careful crafted, is a treat indeed when you have dietary restrictions. Thank you for offering the GF options!

Karen Garcia

Who knew that it would take a trip halfway up Vancouver Island to find amazing ramen. Best I have found on the island and I have been searching for a long time. Looking forward to them adding Tonkatsu based ramen to the menu. Courteney is very fortunate to have this unpretentious, underappreciated venue for Delicious ramen. Gyoza was good too.

Stormy Sweet Huggins

Delicious Unique local treasure.

Jordan Drouin

Best ramen I have ever eaten. Fabulous food! Thankyou

Deepal Samarajeewa

Best soup in town! In my top 3 favourite restaurants!

Dylan Doucet

Dine in…

Yuki Kishimoto

I saw the rating was 4.7 on google so i went there and hoped i could have a good experience. However it turned out disappointing. The flavor is mediocre and selections are very limited. No one will do the order for you, you need to order from a screen yourself. This is fine. However, before you pay there is an automatic service fee 14.8 % added to your bill without any warning during the ordering process. I guess when you at last step before complete your bill, most people will just pay for it... Then when the order is ready. The waitress will let you know, but you need to pick up yourself. I get it, Covid changes a lot of things, but it would be nice if you at least will receive some service when there is a mandatory fee charged. On top of that, if you order extra noodles, it will not be added into your meal when your food is ready. You will be given a token and then when you almost finished everything, you have to ask them to make it for you....plain noodles to add to your half finished broth. No broth will be added either. Also, you need to serve yourself water as well. If you order a pork soup there will be only one piece of pork on the top. If you ordered a fried chicken one, there are 3 small pieces on the top...two tables seatings inside with hard plastic chair and few seatings outdoor with picnic table. For the price, service and quality of food, or if you are looking for a real ramen experience, this is not a place to go.

Kisa Daniels Prev.Tiller

Definitely a favourite of mine, I visit here quite frequently. Good value and greatportions. Staff are friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend????

Jason Taylor

Once you eat here every other Ramen place will be garbage prepare yourself for the best

Rea Manguba

Walked 20mins to get takeout but they weren't doing take out, dine in only. I was annoyed and hangry but i wont judge on that. Its obviously busy because its good food so 5 stars. One day ill get to eat there.

kellymaroo

The best ramen I have ever had. Staff were courteous and service was faster than I expected. We live an hour away and I’ll be making this a somewhat regular pilgrimage. So, so good!

Alistair Brown

Best ramen noodles. Best to go early, it gets packed real quick

Travis Mason

This place has great food in the Courtney region. Most asian food can't compare to this food. Only complaint is that the transparency of the Living Wage added on to the check isn't clear and is prompted at the final part of ordering and …

Alistair Hirst

We recently held our 2021 YANA Big Love Benefit and want to thank you for your generous donation of two gift certificates. The Comox Valley has embraced the concept that it takes a community to raise a child. We are grateful for Nikkei Ramen-ya's donation which helped create a memorable evening and a successful fundraiser. Thank you on behalf of YANA (You Are Not Alone) Comox Valley Board of Directors

Noreen S

Ordered take out a couple weeks ago from Nikkei Ramen-ya. It was busy. Wonderful customer service. Waited about 10mins. Mind blowing food. One of my favorite places in the Valley. Thank you!

Jesse P

I am vaccinated and support and encourage the roll out of vaccinations. However, I do not support the government’s assertion of restricted freedoms, or freedoms with contingencies. That being said, it is fully within a business owners …

Maya Amlani

Absolutely delicious, but if I'm paying $18 for a bowl of soup, I don't want to leave hungry.

Garnet Heise

Nikkei ramen has really really good flavor in all of their dishes. They cook their soft boiled eggs to perfection and the broth that they use is absolutely amazing. One thing that is a little disappointing is the price. My bowl was 14 …

Pocket Infinity

Amazing ramen. Highly recommend added the egg, it was cooked to perfection.

Ellen Oback

Cool little restaurant!! Miso bowl was amazing and they give you a noodle refill if you have left over broth! Will definitely be returning!!

Hilda Wan

Very satisfying!!!!! This is the first time in a long time I get to have my own bowl of Ramen because of their gluten free option!!!! Noodle is perfect! The first bite u will notice it's missing something ( not enough salt ) but the more u eat , the more flavorful it is! This is definitely Japan quality Ramen!

Mike Sokol

Very disappointed by the experience overall... I come from Vancouver and having tried many ramens, I am quite used to what a ramen place should be like. First, I didn't like the service as there is really none. You need to order your food from a vending machine and pick it up once it's cooked. On the menu there was not a single ramen with marinated eggs. You need to add an extra $2 for that. In the end, we had a bill of +$35 for two ramens with eggs, barely marinated. It's outrageously expensive when you know that you will be still starving after those tiny bowls. Ramen should be an earthy, filling and generous comfort food. I think this place totally missed the point and I don't recommend it at all.

Jan Kanters

Tasty ramen... Friendly staff. Covid proof Dine-in is possible and there is a heated patio next to the sidewalk..

Ashley Boisvert

Food is pretty decent, though the broth could use a bit more seasoning. Staff are friendly and facility is really clean. Prices are decent. So nice to sit outside and enjoy a bowl of yummy Ramen.

jamie godfrey

Excellent food and friendly staff. The atmosphere is chaotic and fun, the open kitchen brings a sense of involvement and engagement with the action of the chefs, which is what Nikkei wants you to be, engaged with the food. They make their own noodles on site (except the gluten-free) and they are proud of it, check out their website for more info. The poker chip tokens are to be presented when you're ready for a noodle refill (leave broth in your bowl in anticipation of this). Vegan notes: 2 dishes are vegan, noodles and everything (just ask for no butter), was very easy to order and it was filling and delicious. I went on Nov 10th and they had a 50% off special for veterans and currently serving military, which I thought was really amazing.

Alain Fortier

Always has been good but recently it seems that they have really upped their game. Tori Paitan forever!

Barry Colley

As good as or better ramen than we've eaten anywhere in the Vancouver and Seattle area. The meals were prepared quickly and the staff was great!

Rachael Langhorn

This is hands down the best ramen on the island. Everything is hand done and delicious. You get a top up of extra noodles if you don't do ish all your broth the first go.

Kris TeWinkel

Regular customer since the restaurant opened. The noodles are quality and the staff are regularly quite friendly. Our last visit left my girlfriend and I with a bit of a bad impression after her …

Forrest

Decent ramen for Courtenay. Portions are smaller than what I'm used to in Vancouver but overall impressed with the ramen being all the way out in Courtenay. Definitely would recommend giving it a try for people who enjoy ramen.

Kieran Wilkie

Yummy tasting ramen! Staff are super nice and take out recently was great too.

Dan

Absolutely fantastic ramen! I always go for the Ebi!

Geneva Day

Mandatory 15% tip and Menu inside has higher prices than outside. I just walked out before finishing my order.

Keisha Deanne

Great bowl of ramen! We tried both the miso and the shoyu- nice flavourful broth without being over salted. Their ramen eggs are also spot-on with nice custardy yolks. I will definitely be back when I’m through Courtenay.

Earl Hockin

Delicious! Just the way ramen is supposed to taste. The order system could use a little tweaking, we found it confusing upon entry but overall it was fantastic!!

Brenda Hunt

Best Ramen on the island in my opinion

John Myers

Very surprised and impressed!! Coming from both Vancouver and Tokyo, this place was actually top in presentation and taste.

Ralf Korus

Some of the best veggie ramen I've ever had. The broth is incredibly flavorful which is normally lacking on most veggie ramens. Definitely add in the soy egg. It is cooked to perfection.

Kathy Fentiman

When they opened they focused on providing authentic, delicious ramen with a simple menu. Since the Ramen has only improved and they have added a bunch more menu items! We are v.lucky to have extremely passable ramen in our small town!

Jarrah Zdf

Had the Aka ramen bowl and it was absolutely superb. Would recommend and can't wait to go again!

Art Landshark

Super yummy food! First visit for ramen but the food was engaging and surprisingly filling. ????????

Olive Lakatos

Nikkei Ramen-ya is seriously one of the best Ramen shops on Vancouver Island. The quality and the use of local fresh ingredients is amazing. They make their noodles from scratch, they make their Gonza wrappers from scratch, all the stocks. I could go on and on, But I will leave it at that. If you haven’t gone and try to bowl of their legit epic Ramen you need to try it out your self! My personal favourite is the Cashumen!

Dusty Silvester

Quality and care are obvious when you try their food. The service is also impecable. Didn't get the name of the guy who took our order, seemed like the owner, but he was knowledgeable and helpful. Helped us make a choice for a good sake pairing and then brought it to us and told us some history and info about it.

August Deaton

The restaurant was very clean but sadly didn't have much taste and wasn't filling. Had to go out for more food afterwards. Staff aren't friendly just read the rude reply from the restaurant below.

Brock Knudsen

Amazing ramen! Went twice in two days visiting the Courtney area. We are from Edmotnon and nothing comes close to this. Went to Japan a few years ago and this was as good, if not better than some of the places we went while we were there. Don’t listen to any of the low reviews! This is the real deal! Mmm

Rob Moroto

Not bad if they had more vegan options.. But it's the same menu month on month.

Christine Fewtrell

I’m very impressed with this shop. First of all, they have a top up/no tip wage system which guarantees their staff a living wage. And second, THEIR FOOD IS CONSISTENTLY SO GOOD! The noodles are house-made and perfected. …

Hannah Jung

This place has the worst ramen I've ever had. The owner seems to be very defensive over their bad food. Heres a tip: Take the criticism and improve your food and prices. The ramen was BLAND. I went with 3 other people, they all ordered different items, and they agreed the ramen was bland. All the toppings are overpriced for the portion you get. DO NOT COME HERE. I'll bet you the owner is going to play the victim to this review and act like I'm the one in the fault here HA

이건상

Best place to get ramen in the Valley. The staff puts a lot of work into the food and it shows. Their menu includes vegetarian and gluten free options, plus one free noodle refill!! Really friendly staff and a cozy location. ????

d Bp

Very tasty ramen in Courtenay.

Ted

The staff is extremely friendly and always welcoming! The dining area both indoor and outdoor are always clean! I can't say enough how impressed I am with the quality of the food, consistent delivers. It doesn't matter if I am ordering first thing in the morning or close to closing time - they do not compromise and you never feel like you're getting old food, everything is made to order! If you have never had Ramen or always wanted to try it from here. I highly recommend it! Also never be afraid to ask questions about the food and recommendations because the staff is definitely knowledgeable and experts in that area! Thank you Nikkei Ramen-ya, Keep up the amazing service and food quality!

Chris Lindblom

Great food, friendly staff. Would eat here everyday if I could.

T Laird

Some of the most authentic you'll find. Doesn't dissapoint at all. Full of flavour. Eggs done perfect for ramen. You can taste the hand crafted quality of the noodles. Reasonably priced ($12-15).

Simon Ross

May 2021 Update: Still one of my favorite places to eat whenever I'm in Courtenay. The patio area at the front is quite cute. You order in the restaurant on an iPad and they bring the food out to you. My mom really likes the tantanmen. It's her new favourite. Original post: One of the best ramen places I have been to in recent years. A good selection of ramen plus seasonal special on the blackboard. Cozy setting so it gets packed quickly. They truly differentiate different types of noodles and firmness based on the broth. And the broth is to die for: different layers of flavours and depth of complexity. Pork was tender and flavourful. Neither the pork belly nor the pulled pork was overcooked. Seriously one of my most enjoyable ramen eating experiences and I've had ramen in Japan, Taiwan, and numerous places in Lower Mainland BC.

Alvin Lau

You know when you crave that massive bowl of noodles with the perfect toppings and right amount of miso flavour? Well this place delivers the ramen of your dreams. Definitely recommend adding the pickled shiitakes to the miso ramen. Plus, …

Brittany caring

Unique but delicious flavours! Would go again!

Vanessa Tao

Food is OK, but it's kind of like ordering at fast food restaurant. No service, need to order at a kiosk.

Joel Harder

Great ramen place with vegan options and they even give you free noodle refills. Surprising gem in this small city.

Kam Orth

Food is way too expensive for the small portions you are given. They removed the free refill noodle feature and make you pay extra. Chili oils? Extra. Wanted to try a dessert but didn't feel like paying $10 including "living wage" fee for what was surely going to be a tiny portion of shaved ice with 2 small pieces of candied mango. Owners proudly boast how they pay their staff a living wage but charge the customers the privilege of doing so . This would be fine if the staff actually did anything but everything from ordering to picking up the food and drinks is done by the customer. $24 for a small bowl of Ramen with 4 pieces of chicken is a bad joke. The food itself is tasty. If there was another option in courtenay they'd have to sharpen their price pencil.

Alexandra Day

After reading all the positive reviews, I was really excited to eat here. Unfortunately the meal was pretty disappointing. The broth was bland and both the pork belly and lobster were over cooked. The only saving grace of the meal were the noodles. About a third of the menu was sold out when we arrived around 430, so that also didn’t leave much room for options. Despite the meal itself, the staff were friendly and the place was really clean. Hopefully this was just an off day for the restaurant.

Dustin Dilts

My fiancé and I stopped here on our way back home and our meals were delicious ! We are both vegetarian and we were very happy with the choices (we took two different soups). We will definitely be back if we are in the area !

Jay Teekl

Very dangerous culinary experience. Guaranteed to induce a painfully full feeling and cause other foods to seem dull in comparison.

Aaron Abgrall

I have actually liked the ramen at this place but the owner seems pretentious. I've watched this guy make fun of customers for "not eating ramen properly"; and look at how he replies to bad reviews. I imagine there will be a gem response here in a day or two.

Mike Sanders

Tasty enough but wish I'd chose something different for dinner. Back when you were still able to eat in I was disappointed I couldn't just swap the sesame broth into a different Ramen dish...which I pumped to try! Also found it silly you have to pay an extra dollar for chilli oil, when that's usually a standard side at most Ramen places. Also left hungry...

Stacey Fussell

Theeeee best Ramen on the north island ????

Sabrina Schouten

Awesome noodles. Fabulous balance of flavours....umami

Ken Macdonald

Excellent Ramen.

Jayson Van Ee

The best.

Samantha Dimery

Great food, very tasty. Portions could be a bit larger for the cost but still yummy stuff.

Alison Hood

We to visit them for the second time to give them second chance and after the second visit, I honestly can say that their food was okay, a bit blend to be quite honest. Excellent service and tip are included within their price. I had their Tonkatsu ramen and both time I feel like something was missing. But if you want ramen, this is probably the best place to get one within 100 km radius.

Lynette Sanders

Something for everyone. Ordering was easy, the refil option is great. I'll be back.

Mikey H

Ate here when I was in comox for work. The bathrooms and establishment are absolutely filthy. Food was decent though.

Tomi Hayashi

The food here is consistently fantastic and the staff are great. Today I ordered the wrong ramen by accident and when the bowls came they were completely willing to take them back and give us what I wanted instead. I cannot speak the praises of this restaurant enough, thanks staff at Nikkei Ramen-Ya!

Dean Laviolette

First time eating here and wow! They pride themselves on their in house made noodles and for good reason! I had the miso ramen (their most commonly ordered dish) with a noodle refill on the side which they only charge you for if you’re getting take out. Cost just under $19 and was very filling. I’m a big eater and I am stuffed! Will be eating here again 100%

Graham Deck

It's good food. What more do you want from me Google.

Alison Hamilton

What a welcoming new culinary option in Courtenay. Simple and authentic! Great people and service. Delicious; as well. My new favourite lunch choice.

Michael Jung

This is an amazing ramen holding its own with places in Vancouver. The ebi ramen was amazing. The flavour was so nice and not too salty. The owners are great and really show their passion for what they do.

Colin Casault

A nice surprise in Courtenay! Enjoyed a bowl ramen on a cool day -- nicely prepared. Gyozas (meat dumplings) are tasty.

Yuki Tanaka

Edited in response to owner's request for proof, photos added. Screenshots are some of the owner's responses to reviews on their Google listing. Similar language is used on their Facebook and Instagram accounts. I have no issue with this restaurant complying with the recent mandate of masks and vaccines. As a pro-vaccine, pro-mask, vaccinated individual, I understand that the businesses following this order are doing so in an effort to protect their staff and customers. However, the way in which the owner has conducted themself online, across multiple platforms, is deeply disappointing. As a professional, it is your duty to treat your customers with respect, even when they're upset or frustrated. The owner went above and beyond the complaints they recieved to name-call, insult, and bully their customers. A quick search into past Google reviews showed me that this customer-insultng behavior was an issue before covid as well. I LOVE ramen and their food is delicious, so I'm genuinely sad to see this unprofessional behaviour from them. As a "vaxxed" food lover who prefers to wear my mask anyways, I'll be regretfully skipping this restaurant moving forward.

Crawford Railton

Nice little ramen restaurant! Decoration is nice, staff is nice and the food is good

AnDi V

Delicious food with heated and properly spaced outdoor table options.

Erin Randal

It doesn't matter if it's packed or quiet, everything is always amazing. I would eat here every day if I could.

Ben Knapp

best noodles in town

Yingyu Jian

Nice ramen, but the mandatory living wage top up really make me feel uncomfortable. Wage should pay by employer not customer. This just give me a sense that I was force to pay tips. I can pay tips but it shouldn't be compelled.

Ry Morgan

Great pork noodles. Very authentic style. Good location. A bit pricey but worth it.

Janelle Francoeur

Above average food. Admirable business ethics striving to pay their staff a living wage while still refusing to accept tips. Very reasonable prices.

Thanh Ngo

Best ramen I've had on the island! I go here pretty much every paycheque.

Adam

We've been here a few times now, service is always great!! Love the patio tables and LOVE that gratuities are included as a 9% living wage top up. Plus the ramen is soooo tastey! GF, Vegetarian & Pescetarian options, Vegan might be trickier but I think doable!

Erin Jay

I absolutely love this restaurant. The food is terrific and really hits the spot. Miso ramen and gyoza, you can’t go wrong

Mark Harvey

This place is delightful. The noodles are hand made dailey. With Vegan and vegetarian options, they have something for everyone. It's a little hole in the wall, so seating can be limited. Trust me, its well worth the wait for the inhouse free noodle refill. Did I mention its locally owned and operated?

Ben Toth

Simply delicious! Great employees, great food, nice location, good prices. All around a great experience.

S. L.

Amazing ramen, ebi was perfectly cooked, gooey ramen egg, and delicious house-made noodles. So good!

Ben Li

Great place simple to order. No waitress Which is nice. The Ramen is great.

Ferron Dupont

Very disappointed, mediocre food, slow and rude service. Owner of this place has a God complex. Would not recommend.

N Tyson

Best place ever. I love everything they are about and the quality in service, presentation and delicious food. Unique spot that can't be topped. They are my home away from home. Thank you for being AWESOME!!!

David T

First time here. Was amazed. Everything was so fresh and you bet I'll be back!