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| - Long after many other ramen places have opened across the GTA, Kinton remains one of my favourites.
Their broth is tasty, allowing you the choice of either light, regular, or rich (rich is where they add pork fat, usually skimmed from the top of the broth while simmering). You can also choose your noodle thickness in thick or thin, a protein of chicken or a cut of pork (shoulder or belly). Other or extra toppings like butter, corn, or dollops of spicy grated garlic or jalapeƱo can be added at roughly $1 each. The menu provides you with their recommended combinations, but you can pick any ingredient to your liking. Rest assured that whichever you choose, it will be flavourful. My usual pick is the spicy garlic ramen with pork belly, which is a must-try for any garlic lover. It makes your breath horrifyingly stenchy, but worth it!
Side dishes like takowasabi (small chunks of octopus mixed with grated wasabi alongside nori sheets to wrap it in), Japanese fried chicken, and takoyaki are also available but I prefer the Guu chain for that type of eating as it's more their specialty. By the way, Kinton is owned by the same Kinka family.
You'll be greeted by the same raucous "Irashaimase!", may find an equally long lineup depending on the day/time, and friendly service. On the downside, the lack of space to place your bag or belongings is also an issue here, and with the packed, wooden stool seating it means you're left to carry your things on your lap.
Credit cards are accepted, and prime times are Friday and weekend evenings starting at about 6:30pm-8pm. If you can finish your entire bowl - every noodle and drop of soup - you will be inducted into the Kinton hall of fame (dubbed Kinton Bowlers) via an Instagram shot and a stamp card, for which you start earning rewards after fully completing 10 bowls. The portions are hefty, but as the tastiness level is high, you may find yourself joining the Kinton Bowlers club quickly.
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