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ZUBU - Downtown

4.0 (61 reviews)
ModerateRamen
Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

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ZUBU - Downtown Photos

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ZUBU - DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Happy hour specials
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

Recommended Reviews - ZUBU - Downtown

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Cold chicken Ramen and iced green tea
Joanna L.

I have been to this place again few times. I usually get the hot ramen but on a hot day, I decided to try the cold ramen. With my meal, I ordered an iced green tea--which is bottomless and comes with the sweetened or unsweetened option. The service here is a hit or miss. I would say it is a 40% miss. The first time the service was terrible and we waited a long time to get our bill. This time, the bill was given at the right time but it was tough to order a refill and get the server's attention. The cold ramen was on the dry side and the portions are not as generous as the hot ramen. I probably will not get the cold ramen again. I do like their appetizers and hot ramen as well as the iced green tea so I will probably come back for that.

Sake
Min A.

We went last night and ordered from DOV dine out Vancouver. Ordered house salad, spicy chicken ramen, mango mochi and house sake. The salad dressing was very good. The ramen broth with thin noodles was delicious so flavorful, ordered hot spice level had a kick but wish they would add veggies as they only put 2 pieces of chicken, probably because of the DOV set menu perhaps the regular portions are adjusted as all that for $35? I had not tried this ramen place but it's very good. We also ordered a bottle of their sake as they have 50% off their sake bottles.

Ramen Flight
Allison K.

If you're a first time Ramen-er, I highly recommend trying the Ramen Flight. You get to try three types of Ramen noodles at one time for a reasonable price. Service today was polite and friendly. Informative and prompt. Clean and upbeat. The only downfall for me was tackling downtown traffic and expensive parking. Otherwise a total hit for meal choice today!

Aburi cheesecake
Dana S.

Came for dinner here with a friend. The first thing I noticed was that the restaurant was really nicely decorated - nothing super showy, but there were these arches over some of the tables decorated with (fake) plants, which I thought was interesting and very pretty. The staff was very pleasant and helpful with menu suggestions. I ordered a vegan rice bowl, and my friend and I shared an order of the vegetable gyoza and an aburi cheesecake. The gyoza and rice bowl were great! The gyoza, which we ordered on the recommendation of our waiter when we told them we were looking for a vegetarian appetizer, were made with soy-based imitation meat that had a very meaty texture - simple but very tasty. The rice bowl also had the soy meat, but seasoned differently, with a more intense flavour, along with atsuage tofu and various vegetables. It was delicious and also seemed healthy. We liked the aburi cheesecake, but it was more lemony than we expected. The waiters who brought it out said the lemon was to cut the sweetness, but we actually felt like the lemon competed with the caramel flavour of the bruleed crust. The textures were amazing though. We really enjoyed our meal here and I wish I'd tried them sooner!

Annie W.

Service was good but the ramen bowls were just ok. A lot of the noodles were clumped together making it hard to eat. One of the broth was insanely salty. When we asked our server for a bit more soup we were told we would be charged $4 because it's meant to be on the saltier side. We settled for hot water since it was free. She must've felt bad and eventually brought over some extra soup free of charge, but we were again told we should've asked for less salty when we ordered. It was our first time visiting and I'm unsure if we'll be back.

Kaman K.

Food - the size for the regular chicken ramen is substantially smaller than the spicy chicken ramen. And the classic ramen includes some red onion, two thin slices of chicken and some almost untraceable kale bits and pieces. They really look pathetic. The chicken curry - the chicken batter is way too thick. Service - there are many empty tables when we walked in however we are asked to sit at the bar as there are no tables available. By the time we finished our food those tables remain vacant. Atmosphere - very loud music and not particular encourage conversations. Not a dining experience I'd like to repeat.

House salad
Lindsay D.

Came for the 3 course deal. The value here is good. Another highlight is the service. They check on you regularly and bus the table frequently. They also explain everything to you so you know what the options are. We had the house salad, karage, ramen flight, mocha ice cream and then choice of beer, sake or house wine. Thr house sake was a decent size, comes hot or cold and was actually pretty good for a house sake. They also have dark Sapporo which is not very common. The sale is kinda basic, but it looks nice and has a good portion size. The ramen flight comes with either thick or thin noodles. It was quite a lot of noodles and they were cooked perfectly. The broths are not the most flavourful, however. The highlight was the karage, which for some reason they call crispy fried chicken, I guess for tourists who don't know what karage is? That was a bit weird. But the chicken was juicy, perfectly cooked, large pieces and very crispy with the right ratio of meat to breading. The mochi ice cream was pretty standard, I think it's the one you can just buy at the store in the box lol. Interior decor is nice, they have some different seating options. Everything was clean though I did not use the washroom. Overall, a convenient place to go if you are looking for somewhere central, good value and with great service.

Anushka B.

I first tried Zubu a couple of weeks ago through Uber Eats and loved it so much I decided to come in-person. I visited their downtown location which was very centrally located. We shared two ramen bowls amongst 4 people and got two appies for the table. Their spicy vegan ramen remains my fav thing on their menu! Their spicy chicken ramen was also good and had a lot of flavour but I would still choose their vegan ramen. For appies we got their Ebi Mayo - shrimp tempura tossed in spicy mayonnaise and Consommé Garlic which were french fries with consommé garlic powder. A huge fan of their ebi mayo so creamy and the shrimps were cooked perfectly!! Their fries however, did not have any taste of garlic which was disappointing. They were crispy though! For dessert I tried their aburi cheesecake which was not bad but their tiramisu was my favourite! Their space is pretty big and I loved the interiors. Would definitely come back to try some of their other menu items!

Flight combo
Kevin F.

Dropped by ZUBU Downtown for a casual lunch and tried their Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen with medium spice. The broth had solid depth and richness, though personally I prefer the firmer noodles and more intense flavor profile from Danbo. Still, the thin noodles here had a nice texture and the toppings--crispy garlic, spicy bean sprouts, and chashu--were well-balanced. My lady ordered the ZUBU Combo, which came with a mini ramen, a taco, and a dessert "flight" featuring jello. It's a fun sampler-style option that gives you a taste across their menu. The taco was a creative touch, and the jello added a playful finish. Service was friendly and attentive, though the food took a bit longer than expected. With its easy, abundant seating and relaxed vibe, it's a great spot for dinner or weekend hangs--but might be a bit slow for a tight lunch break. Overall, a solid ramen experience with a modern twist. Would return to explore more of the menu, especially during off-peak hours. Ambiance: 9 | Service: 8.5 | Food: 8 | Value: 8

Cynthia S.

Yay! It's cold ramen season and ZUBU is starting the summer with a $10 cold noodle special! I tried both the sesame version and the sweet soy version of the dish. I preferred the sesame because it was super rich and creamy!

Pretty room.
Devon S.

Their food is yummy and their room is pretty too. My favorite is the spicy chicken armed and the carmalized cashew broccoli and cauliflower. If you like delivery they often have great deals on Uber Eats as well. It's a great place to eat dinner if you're watching a movie at the theater across the street. Nice change for the usual movie night dinner choice of Earls around the corner. It's not super authentic, but it's very yummy regardless.

noodle pull
Nat L.

we were a party of four, dropping in for happy hour on a sunday around 4:30 pm. zubu is located on the corner of smithe and hornby, right across from the law courts. the space is open and spacious, with a modern, minimalist design and a mix of booth and table seating. the space features neutral tones, wooden accents, industrial style lighting, and a neon wall sign. the restaurant was about a third full when we arrived. service was friendly, though a little tricky to flag down since we were seated off to the side. we're newly converted fans of ramen butcher, and curious to see how zubu stacks up. i'm told their vegan menu is pretty legit, and the ramen flight looked interesting, but we're not huge on spice, so we kept it simple this time. we started with the five piece crispy chicken. golden brown, super crunchy, and served with mixed greens, a lemon wedge and a side of dipping sauce, while our vegan diners chose the shoestring fries. the tonkotsu ramen was rich and hearty, exactly what you want in a comforting bowl. thin, smooth noodles soaked up the creamy tonkotsu broth, with all the good stuff on top: two slices of tender pork chashu, finely minced green onions, wood ear mushrooms, crispy garlic chips, and two sheets of nori. zubu was a good, solid choice for a satisfying bowl of ramen and the happy hour menu has enough variety to bring us back for another visit.

Menu page 1
Anners C.

What a lovely and family friendly restaurant!! Decor and music had cool club vibes; I would recommend they try playing clean/radio version of some songs tho. The kids combo meal was full of great food choices - rice or ramen and more. Adults had a perfectly priced combo and also so many other food choices. Service was speedy and had many servers helping and tending at all times.

Delicious!

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Ramen DANBO - Robson

Ramen DANBO - Robson

4.4
(763 reviews)
0.7 km
$$

I recommend going early! Since I was having a solo party, I was able to be seated early at the…read morecounter if there were any available seats! The guy in front of me, Deng, looked at me with such envy as he cut in line. This place is incredibly popular! Every time I pass by, there's a long queue. Even on rainy days, people are willing to get soaked in the rain just to have a bowl of hot tonkotsu ramen. While you're queuing, the staff will hand out menus. The ordering system is similar to Ichiran Ramen; you can choose the noodle firmness, broth consistency, spiciness, green onions, oil level, and MSG amount . The basic ramen is only $13. I added a soft-boiled egg and pickled cabbage for $2 each. Although the pickled cabbage is really expensive , I can't help it, I'm a pickled cabbage addict! The pickled cabbage paired with the rich tonkotsu broth was refreshing. The broth was flavorful but not greasy, the noodles were chewy and springy, and the portion size was just right. Overall, it's incredibly good value for money; no wonder there's always a queue. After eating, you really get that "Ah~ this is the taste of happiness" feeling

Ramen Danbo on Robson Street specializes in traditional Fukuoka-style tonkotsu ramen and has become…read moreone of the most popular ramen spots in downtown Vancouver. The restaurant has a compact, wood-accented interior that feels warm and inviting while keeping service efficient. It's common to see a line stretching down the sidewalk, but the quick turnover and organized staff keep the wait moving at a steady pace. The Classic Tonkotsu Ramen is the reason to come. One of my favorite parts of the experience is being able to customize nearly every aspect of the bowl, from noodle firmness and broth richness to the amount of pork fat. The tonkotsu broth is creamy, rich, and deeply savory without becoming overly heavy, while the thin Hakata-style noodles have a fantastic bite when ordered firm. The slices of braised chashu are tender and flavorful, and adding a soft-boiled egg rounds out the bowl perfectly. If you're in the mood for something with more heat, the Rekka Ramen is an excellent option. The spicy red pepper sauce adds a bold kick that complements the rich pork broth without overpowering it. I also recommend ordering the pan-fried gyoza, which arrive with crisp, golden bottoms and a juicy, savory filling. If you somehow finish the noodles before the broth, you can order a kaedama refill to enjoy another serving without wasting a drop. Despite the constant crowds, service is impressively fast and well organized. Once seated, orders are taken quickly, and bowls arrive piping hot within minutes. The restaurant is better suited for a quick, satisfying meal than a long, leisurely dinner, but the efficient pace is part of what allows them to handle the steady stream of customers so well. Ramen Danbo consistently delivers everything I look for in a great bowl of tonkotsu ramen. The ability to customize each bowl, the rich and balanced broth, and the perfectly cooked noodles make it easy to understand why it remains one of Vancouver's busiest ramen destinations. It's a place I would gladly return to whenever I'm craving authentic Hakata-style ramen.

Photos
Ramen DANBO - Robson
Ramen - most delicious!!!
Ramen - most delicious!!!
Classic ramen with chashu nori soft-boiled egg

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Classic ramen with chashu nori soft-boiled egg
Kingyo

Kingyo

4.4
(1.3k reviews)
1.4 km
$$$

This was my first time at this Japanese restaurant, and the atmosphere and food were fantastic! The…read moreprices were reasonable, and the service was incredibly warm and friendly. I highly recommend it! I'll definitely come back next time and bring my friends to try other dishes on the menu.

I was in Vancouver for the day and had heard so many great things about this place, so I came in…read morewith pretty high expectations. We arrived around 2 PM for our reservation and were greeted warmly right away, which made for a great first impression. The restaurant itself is beautiful. The bamboo divider running through the middle of the space gave it a cozy, modern Japanese-inspired feel, and the overall atmosphere was probably my favorite part of the experience. As for the food, unfortunately it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I ordered the seafood sizzler bowl, and while it wasn't bad by any means, it felt underwhelming for the price. The bowl was mostly rice, with a few small prawns, tiny scallops, a little roe, and some crab mixed in. I was expecting something more seafood-forward, so it ended up feeling more like a deconstructed fried rice than the premium dish I had envisioned. Same with the unagi bowl, couple small pieces of unagi cut up... The appetizers were actually the highlight of the meal and ended up being more memorable than my main course. I kept waiting for a dish to really wow me, but nothing stood out enough to make me crave a return visit. Maybe I just ordered the wrong items, because I know this place has plenty of fans. Overall, I'm glad I tried it, but based on this visit, I don't see myself making a special trip back.

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Bamboo divider along community table
Bamboo divider along community table
Beef tongue
Beef tongue
Anniversary menu course #2 - omakase 3 kinds appetizers

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Anniversary menu course #2 - omakase 3 kinds appetizers
Saku

Saku

4.5
(525 reviews)
1.0 km
$$

First time at this Japanese restaurant, and it was really great!…read more Signature Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Rosu Katsu $27 This time I was smarter and ordered the cut with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The moment I bit into it, it was bursting with juice! The meat was incredibly thick but not dry at all, and the outer skin was crispy like snowflakes. The first bite was amazing; I've never had such a delicious pork cutlet in Shanghai. Curry Pork Cutlet Rosu Curry $29.5 My friend ordered the curry pork cutlet today, and it was surprisingly excellent! The curry flavor was incredibly rich and full-bodied. Wrapped in the crispy pork cutlet and eaten with rice, it was pure carb bliss! Freshly Ground Sesame Powder I have to praise their freshly ground sesame powder; the aroma of the sesame seeds you grinded yourself was a real highlight. * With lemon salt: Refreshing and original, a perfect way to cut through the richness! * With barbecue sauce: Mixed with sesame powder, the flavors develop layer by layer. With two flavors to choose from, it's really hard to stop! I'll definitely come back to try it again next time.

A must visit if you are a katsu fan! I ordered the Ebi and Hotate Katsu Curry. The katsu was…read moredeliciously crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside. The portion was massive - it came with 3 huge prawns and 2 juicy scallops. I barely made a dent in my food and went home with a very full box of leftovers. Saku generously provides unlimited refills on their miso soup and cabbage salad. The cabbage salad with homemade sesame dressing was especially addicting! I could eat it for days. Service was attentive and the restaurant decor was sleek and modern. I will absolutely be back next time I'm in Vancouver!

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Inside
Inside
Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
Zenbu katsu

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Zenbu katsu
JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver Downtown

JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver Downtown

3.9
(512 reviews)
0.4 km
$$

Jinya was our last meal in Vancouver and I can't tell you just how much it but the spot. We waited…read morea bit on line (they don't accept reservations), but then the service was quick, which we appreciated because we had our toddler with us. Atmosphere is so busy and lively, with white a modern decor. It's certainly a hot spot among tourists. We got the Shoyu Tonkotsu ramen, the Jinya Tonkotsu Black, the gyoza, the brussel sprouts, and some beer that my husband wanted. The food was so comforting! So filling! Appreciate that you can choose your spice level and that they had small bite appetizers that children can eat. We really enjoyed it overall and I'd recommend if you're in the mood for ramen.

Jinya is a solid ramen spot and the perfect place to have a pre show dinner downtown. We did just…read morethat last night ahead of our show at the Orpheum. I've had Jinya twice now and enjoyed it both times! The classic ramen is my favourite so far. Last night I had the chicken wonton ramen + egg and it was abit too heavy - they give you quite a few wontons! We also had the crunchy cucumber salad which Wes tasty but wanted abit of a kick of spice to it. And we got the spicy creamy shrimp tempura which is exactly like an ebi mayo which was so delicious! Great sauce great crunch factor! Service is always fast! You may find a line when you go but they try their best to seat you as quickly as they can. The atmosphere is usually always buzzing and the have great alcoholic and non alcoholic drink options! Will be back for sure.

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JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver Downtown
Broccolini
Broccolini
JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver Downtown

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ZUBU - Downtown - ramen - Updated July 2026

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