Baldwin Village is a unique community just north of the Art Gallery of Ontario and east of Chinatown. Reflecting both its neighbours, this area is comprised of small ramen, sushi, dumpling and vegetarian restaurants among residential housing, which manage to attract AGO visitors and OCAD students alike.
With the more famous Kinton Ramen right down the street, Ryus Noodle Bar competes for serious business in this eclectic area: ramen wars have caused these small venues to provide more and more variety.
Ryus Noodle Bar is small yet charming. A lone waitress handles all orders attentively, and the homemade "Follow us on Twitter" signs suggests the restaurant doesn't have anything to prove.
The waitress helps explain the menu, and as a first-time ramen eater it was nice to have some guidance. Each bowl comes with a broth-the meat options ($9.50-9.95) come with a pork and chicken-based broth with bits of meat mixed in with vegetables and secondary sauces, and vegetarian options ($9.50-9.75) include a variety of vegetables like napa cabbage and shittake mushrooms among flavours of sesame and garlic.
Unfortunately, the vegetarian options fall flat.
Secondary sauces like sriracha, shallot & garlic sauce, sweet & spicy ginger paste, house made chili oil, or truffle oil (add $0.50) accompany each dish in small bowls on the side for an extra punch of flavour. Ryus recommends adding a bit of your choice of sauce to your dish once it's half finished.
Ryus Noodle Bar separates itself from Kinton down the street by further inquiring about your noodle preference: soft, al dente, or firm.
Draft beer-Sapporo-is only $4.95, and pop refills are free. In all, Ryus Noodle Bar is humble and unassuming, with unparalleled service. It is comfortable and welcoming, and a good place to grab a quick snack should you crave fancified ramen noodles.