Ramen has recently been a hippy pop-up trend and long gone are the days of Kenzo (sorry Kenzo - you are now the McDonalds of ramen). I am no Ramen expert butI've been recently on a solo ramen adventure and have frequented Sansotei as part of the anecdotal big 3 1) Sansotei 2) Santouka 3) Kinton.
The only downside is the small capacity and the need to wait outside. However once inside, the atmosphere is also a bit quieter compared to the hustle and bustle of Kinton The seating is also a little odd - since they have no solo bar seats, you might have a rando sitting communally at your table or if you're a solo enthusiast like me, have your smartphone ready. I see that they are expanding to Yonge and Bloor, and I can't wait as that location will be much closer! Hopefully they will be more strategic with the seating plan.
I do keep coming back to Sansotei mainly for a couple reasons. I always order the Tonkatsu Ramen with extra pork. I love how it automatically comes with an egg (most places charge you) - and the extra pork gives you an extra 2 slices to 4 from the regular. Although traditional ramen is more like the thick yellow squiggley - I like how Sansotei offers the long white ramen as the original and I do enjoy this variation. it is a white creamy broth that is delicious without being overpowering. I find a touch lighter than the tonkatsu at Kinton which I find greasier. .I also prefer the broth at Sansotei as I find the Santouka one a bit too salty. The pork Chashu is just right - I find that it is not too fatty compared to the pork belly at Kinton and is very flavourful and tender. The black fungus/mushroom added some texture and crunch.
Overall, I really enjoy the Sansotei ramen and I find it is a nice balance between broth, noodle, and pork. It is a light bowl of ramen with a lovely Tonkatsu broth and I will definitely be back.