Address: 179 Dundas Street West
Website: http://www.sansotei.com/
Type of Meal: Lunch
Having two
unsuccessful attempts to eat at Sansotei, I finally got a table after returning
on a weekday for lunch (albeit still waiting ten minutes). For my first
experience, I opted for the tonkotsu ramen ($9.60), which had a creamy soup
base packed with pork flavour – whether you like it is dependent on your palate
as I can see some may find it a tad "porky". Personally, I found it
enjoyable, especially since it wasn’t too salty so could be enjoyed with the
noodles. Thinly sliced black fungus and green onions added a nice crunch and
freshness to the overall dish.
With a choice
of thick or thin noodles, I went with the thick ones as they generally are more
al dante. Sansotei certainly disappoint as they retained their springy bite.
The chashu (roasted pork) was perfectly marbled with alternating layers of meat
and fat that made it very tender; likely only second to Santouka’s famed pork
jowl.
Sansotei's
egg arrives still runny in the middle. Admittedly, I prefer a soft boil where
the yolk is cooked through, but it didn’t detract from the ramen. If everything
was a tad hotter, the dish would have been better as it cooled down quite
quickly. But, the lower temperature appears to be how its traditionally served
as even in Japan they were just slightly above warm. Perhaps, ramen places do
this so customers can eat faster and promote quick turnaround.
All in all,
this is one of the better bowls of ramen in Toronto – possibly tied with
Santouka. If only the wait wasn’t so
unbearable I can return one day and try some of their other offerings such as
the shio or spicy versions.
Overall mark - 8 out of 10
Like the blog? You can now follow me on twitter for notifications - https://twitter.com/GastroWorldBlog
____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
