Hard to believe, but we've never tried it, and are looking for some restaurant suggestions to correct that.  

Where:  Vancouver (Kingsway, East Village, and etc.), Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities would be best for us to get to.

Thanks for any and all help!!

There is only one place to go for sushi yo, and that is the Robson/Denman area. Most of the places around there are good and all have something slightly different to offer. Santouka has the highest quality I think, but Kintaro has the spicy garlic. Marutama has a dope chicken based ramen (it's typically pork based) and their soft boiled egg is baller. Motomachi is also really good, they have an interesting bamboo charcoal ramen. Jinya by the library is good too.

Some people seem to like a place called Hida Takayama, referring to it as a hidden gem but your boy Caspian thinks it's sub par, and the atmosphere is hella janky.

There's 3 main types of ramen, using the pork base that they get from simmering bones for hours and hours: shio, which is seasoned with salt and is cloudy, shoyu, which is seasoned with soy, and miso, you guessed it, seasoned with miso. You might also see tonkotsu, which is the same as shio.

Don't expect it to be anything like the packs of instant noodles (although Double C gots a weakness for those) and enjoy yoself!

There are a few other places around, such as Benkei, Menya, Taishoken and Koika, but they're not as good as the ones I listed above. There's also a couple new slick joints, Gyoza Bar and the Ramen Butcher, but I'm not a fan. They just seem to be missing something.

Santouka is the only one I'd recommend downtown. Suika has a really good oxtail ramen.

Motomachi is my go-to pick! But I'm also a fan of Marutama for a good chicken broth.

Caspian recommends trying out the more traditional stuff first, but once you've been initiated, the "crispy pig face" ramen with smoked chili broth at Burdock & Co on Main Street is delicious. Sounds kinda freaky but it's on point.

Just realized I said sushi in my first reply, meant Ramen obvs lol.

Thanks ... much help!!  Now some researching on my part!!

+1 for marutama.

Would sure like to see some restaurant suggestions that are a touch more 'out our way' (like 'burbs' in/around Vancouver Kingsway and East Village, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam)?

yelp.ca/biz/kamamarui-ra…

I am with Herman Kamamarui on Royal Oak is good.

I tried Ramengers the other week, and it was just OK. If you don't mind an udon soup instead, try Hi Genki in the Middlegate/Edmonds area. They have the best Japanese home cooking/comfort food.

I recently got into the whole Vancity ramen fad and I'll never understand the Santouka hype. The place is below average at best and I don't see the point of paying 10+ for a bowl unless the noodles are actually made in house(the only good thing about them is the service). Motomatchi and Kintaro were hands down the worst ramen places i've had in this city so I wouldn't suggest either. The only ramen worth it downtown IMO is Marutama, great semi-spicy broth, house made noodles and garlic flakes at your table.

Ramengers  also makes their own noodles and has the best pork anywhere...again IMO plus there's tons of parking around the area and you don't have to fight through downtown crowds. G-men is extremely popular in Richmond but meh..whatever you do avoid Ogenki ramen on Main street and Kawawa ramen in metrotown...those have been known to give people the runs.

Thanks to everyone who have added some more "food for thought" .... lots of suggestions to consider.

My personal favourite is Taishoken on Abbott street. El dente noodles, bamboo shoots, tasty pork broth and good pork topping. I like to add a side of pickled veggies for fun.

I love reading about your food adventures, John! I hope you find an awesome ramen spot that you love! I'm a big fan of ramen but have yet to find a spot I adore - I'll be watching this thread closely too :)

I enjoy ramen, but personally think its a bit overpriced (on average, $9-$11/bowl) for what it is.  Unfortunately there's nothing much in the tri-cities area.

Closer to Metrotown, there's Ramengers, where their pork is served up a bit different - BBQ'd (or torched) on either side of the thick slab of pork, which gives it a nice flavor.  I thought the soup was a bit too salty (and if I go next time, I'd prob ask if they can ladle in a bit more of a plain broth in there to balance it).  I felt Ramengers was the best value, and might be a good place to start - price includes the usual toppings: egg, corn, seaweed, bamboo shoot.. I can't remember if there's anything else, but usually at other places, it might include 1 or 2 things, and charge you extra for anything else on top.

They also offer "sushi bombs", which is rice wrapped in seaweed, with some sort of filling in there. Seating is tight in there.  

Its a good spot, instead of trekking further out into Vancouver for ramen.

Again .. thanks all for the suggestions, recommendations, et al ... much-appreciated, and so helpful to the cause!!
Cheers!!

marutama is my joint!! i love their tori paitan broth...*drool*

+1 for Santouka