With increased interest in plant-based food, Montrealers quickly embraced Umami as a home run since opening last year. The noodles and tofu are made in-house from organic local grains and beans; try the shoyu (soy-based) ramen broth with yuba (bean curd skin) and see if you really miss that pork belly. Place orders on CHK PLZ.

The coronavirus crisis has forced Jumpei Iwakiri to postpone the grand opening of his latest venture: a lunchtime ramen spot called Nakamichi, in the central Mile End location that once housed Thazard. However, takeout and delivery of the creamy tonkotsu broth that garnered Iwakiri praise at his former downtown bistro are up for grabs, as are some onigiri rice balls, with salmon, tuna, or tomato and dill, for starters.

While downtown Montreal reached peak ramen, the Mile End was left in the dust — until this soup shop opened up. It keeps it simple by offering ramen with some side dishes, and matcha cheesecake for dessert. The specialty here is tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen, but there is a vegan option as well, and a cold ramen in hot months. Available for takeout or delivery with UberEats, and now with a second location Downtown on Bishop.

Before Yokato Yokabai Ramen House hit the ramen scene, Imadake owner Kevin Fung was slinging top soups among a long list of salads and dishes, both fried and grilled. Beating your fists on tables while chanting “sake bomb!” at Imadake may feel like a distant memory, but their their ramen, topped with your choice of butter corn, rare beef steak, grilled oyster mushroom, or more, doesn’t have to be. Available for takeout or third-party delivery.

Ramen Ya has built a reputation as a quieter, cozier option for authentic ramen, with La Presse critic Marie-Caude Lortie even once calling it a pioneer in the city. It’s a solid choice for anyone in the Plateau area with a hankering for the soup. Place orders for takeout and delivery online.

Shaughnessy Village may have a history as a revolving door of restaurants, but Kazu hasn’t taken long to establish itself as a mainstay. During non-pandemic times, it is known to generate constant line-ups craving items from its extensive menu, which is pretty fantastic all around. Ramen included. Drop by for takeout or place an order with UberEats.

When dining rooms reopen, diners have a seat at a cubicled counter, take a look at the menu with options ranging from pork broth to a version laden with black garlic, and hit a button when ready to order. For now, they’ll have to recreate the experience at home. Available for takeout or delivery with UberEats or SkipTheDishes.

Toronto has a much better ramen game than Montreal, hence why imports like Kinka (and its affiliate Kinton, listed above) can comfortably find a niche here. The menu is predominantly less-noodley, less-soupy izakaya fare, but its two ramen options (with either miso or shoyu broth) — both with barbecue pork — are worth a try. Place orders for takeout on its website, or for delivery with DoorDash.

Montreal can count itself among the 30 locations worldwide that hosts its own Misoya Ramen franchise from Japan, and distance from the source doesn’t detract from the flavour. Misoya’s clout and specialization in three types of miso broth make this ramen resto an indelible stop. Pick it up or get it delivered.

First Toronto, now Montreal: Since setting up shop in May 2016, Kinton Ramen has raised the ramen stakes with seven outposts in and around the city that mix the Japanese craft with Canadian ingredients. When dining rooms reopen, diners who finish a bowl to the last drop can become an official Kinton Bowler, where more bowls means more prizes. Visit their website for takeout and delivery options.

Reputable Toronto ramen chain Sansotei opened its first Quebec location over the summer, and has been serving bowls of its creamy, Fukuoka-style tonkotsu pork broth out of its Downtown location ever since. Black garlic, miso, shoyu, tomato, and spicy are also on the menu, with prices ranging from $16 to $18 a bowl. Available for takeout or delivery with UberEats.

The South Shore outpost to this small Toronto chain — the only one out of Ontario — boasts 15 ramen options, ranging from spicy red miso with wok-fried noodles and tonkotsu broth to an assari shoyu variety with a light soy sauce and seafood dashi stock, plus a handful of vegetarian options. It’s helmed by Koji Zenimaru, a Japanese-born chef who moved to Vancouver in 2004, where he worked in a couple izakayas, before moving to Toronto and opening his own ventures. Place orders for pick-up on their website, and for delivery with UberEats.