RAMEN RAMEN 2026: Back October 12 to 25

The Ramen Ramen 2026 festival returns to Montreal from October 12 to 25 for its fifth edition. For two weeks, nearly 20 restaurants across the city put ramen at the heart of their menus, with signature bowls, some of them created exclusively for the occasion. The public is invited to vote for its favourite bowl, while a jury of ambassadors from Montreal’s food scene will award its own prize.

From Classic Broths to Unexpected Pairings

The participating chefs head in several delicious directions this year. There are tonkotsu broths in the purest tradition, simmered for hours, alongside creations that bring Japan into conversation with other cuisines: a Latin-Japanese version at Escondite, a bowl with Vietnamese accents at La Belle Tonki, an izakaya approach at Biirū and fully vegan recipes at Umami Ramen & Izakaya.

Starting October 12, an interactive map will be unveiled. The festival website is also where fans can vote to decide the People’s Choice Award.

The Jury Prize will go to the restaurant that stands out most for its technical mastery and creativity. The jury brings together culinary creators Aretha Eats, Angela Fiesta, Jeff Radimiri (Montreal Only) and Charles Nguyen.

Behind the festival is ASIASIE, the nonprofit organization that also runs YATAI MTL, POCHA MTL, Japan Week and the ASIASIE Market, with a mission to foster closer ties between Asia and Quebec.

A Few Stops Worth Adding to Your Route

Among the participants, several establishments are already well known to our readers.

Neotokyo: between downtown and Old Montreal, this noodle bar with a cyberpunk look blends concrete, sheet metal and neon. The menu, created by a New York ramen master, runs from tonkotsu to shio yuzu, with mazemen for those who like their noodles without broth.

Umami Ramen & Izakaya: on the border between Mile-Ex and Little Italy, this vegan address draws on its chef’s years in Japan. Noodles, tofu, ferments and sauces are all made in house, and the tsukemen share top billing with the ramen.

Ramen Nakamichi: on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the Mile End, a long counter looks onto the kitchen where pork bones are boiled down to an emulsion, which gives the tonkotsu broth its cloudy look. Oden, onigiri and karaage come alongside the bowls, and the list of Japanese sakes and whiskies easily stretches the evening.

Tsukuyomi Ramen: since 2017, this small Mile End shop has focused on a simple setting and on tonkotsu, which can be customized to your taste. Our soft spot is the spicy miso tonkotsu, and a vegan option is available. The Bishop and Bois-Franc locations are also part of the festival.

Kazo Ramen: on Newman Boulevard in LaSalle, Ryan Huang and Marco Zhou serve some of the best ramen in town. Here, creamy tonkotsu sits alongside a whole-chicken broth and clear beef or vegetable broths, each served with thin or thick house-made noodles depending on the bowl.

Rounding out the list are Biirū, Escondite, Kinton Ramen (Sainte-Catherine x Guy and Pointe-Claire), La Belle Tonki, Marusan at Time Out Market, Nakagin (Neotokyo’s little sister), Sansotei Ramen (Mackay, Mont-Royal and Sainte-Catherine) and Shushuto Bar à Ramen et Tapas.

To keep exploring once the festival is over, our list of the best ramen in Montreal and our list of the best Japanese restaurants in Montreal offer plenty to keep your chopsticks busy all winter. Enjoy Ramen Ramen 2026!