A Fredericton Gem: A Picky Eater’s Review of Tokyo Ramen

As many Frederictonions already know, Tokyo Ramen is a not-so-hidden gem. 

I finally tried this staple on a sunny Saturday. I recently moved to a nearby apartment complex a few months ago, and have been meaning to pay a visit to Tokyo Ramen ever since. After procrastinating for almost the whole semester, I finally walked up the street.

I was tired after the walk, but decided that a hearty ramen would make me feel better. Mind you, I had never tried non-instant ramen before, so don’t ask me how I knew that it would make me feel better. 

I had checked the menu before leaving, trying to prepare for my order. You see, I am a picky eater. Trying new things makes me anxious, but I am trying to push out of my comfort zone. 

I chose the Kara-Age ramen with soy sauce broth. I was a little insecure about the broth choice; however, I was instantly re-assured after taking the first sip.

It was a characteristically busy day at the restaurant. It was so busy that I sat at the counter because all the tables were full. I enjoyed my meal with reckless abandon while trying to figure out how to eat ramen with the hashi (chopsticks). While I ate, a constant flow of customers filtered into the restaurant.

I overheard from the cashier that there was a waiting time for tables. Instead of waiting, some customers chose to take-out rather than dine in. 

It is only logical that the demand for Tokyo Ramen is so high: the food is tasty and the price is reasonable. My meal came to twenty dollars. The affordability and quality of Tokyo Ramen should make it a favorite for Fredericton’s large student population.

Some students have certainly taken notice of Tokyo Ramen, as The Brunswickan is not the first student newspaper to report on the restaurant. In 2020, Saint Thomas University’s The Aquinian published an interview with the Kamazuka family, who owns the restaurant. Their history is marked by immigration: they moved from Japan to the United States, where they lived for seven years before moving to Canada. 

At the time of The Aquinian’s interview, the Kamazuka family were talking about moving to British Columbia. However, three years later, they are still here in Fredericton — and we’re glad that they chose to stay.

The Brunswickan contacted the owners of Tokyo Ramen for an interview, but our request was declined.