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Kanada-Ya Ramen

 

Kanada-Ya Ramen Review: A Tonkotsu King's Chicken Ramen?

As someone on a quest to find the Best Ramen in Malaysia, I get a special thrill when a world-famous name finally opens its doors here. That's exactly what I felt when I heard Kanada-Ya was opening at the new, glittering The Exchange TRX mall. This is a shop that won 'No. 1 Ramen in London' from The Telegraph!

I knew their reputation was built on their 18-hour tonkotsu broth. But for my blog, I was on a different mission. I'd heard they also served a Chicken Paitan Ramen. This, for me, is the ultimate test. Can a shop that's famous for one thing do its "other" dish well? This was a Ramen Reviews - Others challenge I couldn't resist.

First Impressions: Modern, Premium, and Busy

Kanada-Ya at TRX is sleek, modern, and absolutely buzzing. It has the premium, polished feel of an international chain, a clear sign of its global success. It’s not a tiny, hidden-away shop; it’s a confident, flagship restaurant. We had to queue for a bit, which is always a good sign. The atmosphere was electric with the energy of a brand-new, "must-try" spot.

The Broth: A Surprisingly Solid Chicken Paitan

I ordered the Chicken Paitan Ramen and was so curious to see what would arrive. The bowl came, and it looked lovely—a creamy, light-golden broth, not quite as heavy-looking as a tori paitan from a specialist shop, but still looking rich and inviting.



I took a sip. It was delicious. It was a 100% chicken broth, flavourful, light, and wonderfully creamy. You could tell it was made with care. It wasn't as thick or intensely rich as the dedicated chicken-only paitan I had at Seirock Ya, but it was a beautifully balanced, savoury, and "clean" tasting broth. It was a very strong showing from a shop that doesn't even consider it their main specialty.

Noodles and Toppings: High-Quality Components

One of Kanada-Ya's signature features is that you can famously customise your noodle hardness. I went with "Hard" (katame), and they were perfect—thin, springy, and with a fantastic bite.

The bowl was topped with slices of tender chicken chashu, a perfectly jammy ajitama (marinated egg), crunchy wood ear mushrooms, and fresh spring onions. The quality of the ingredients was high, and the chicken was tender and flavourful. It was a complete, well-rounded, and high-quality bowl.

The "Yes and No" Pointers

Here’s my authentic take on this world-famous shop's chicken ramen:

The "Yes":

  • The Broth is Genuinely Good: The Chicken Paitan is light, creamy, and very flavourful. A fantastic, high-quality bowl.

  • Noodle Customisation: I love being able to choose the exact hardness of my noodles. This is a huge plus for any serious ramen fan.

  • World-Class Vibe: It's fun to eat at a world-famous, award-winning ramen shop in a premium new mall.

  • Great "Lighter" Option: If your friends are there for the heavier broths, this is one of the best "lighter" chicken options you can get.

The "No":

  • Not Their Main Star: You can feel that the passion and identity of the shop are rooted in their other broths. This, while excellent, feels like a supporting character.

  • Premium Price Point: You are paying for a premium brand in a premium mall. This is one of the more expensive bowls of chicken ramen.

  • The Hype is Not for This Bowl: The long queue is mostly for their other signature dishes, so it can feel a bit like you're not getting the "main event" experience.

Final Thoughts: A World-Class Shop Nails the "Other" Stuff

Kanada-Ya absolutely impressed me. It takes real skill and a commitment to quality for a shop to make a "secondary" menu item that is this good. The Chicken Paitan is a delicious, refined, and beautifully balanced bowl.

While it may not be the reason they won awards in London, it's a testament to why they are an award-winning brand. They don't cut corners. It’s a fantastic, high-quality choice for anyone looking for a top-tier bowl, and a solid contender in the Best Ramen in Malaysia scene.

Happy Slurping,

Emily

Labels:
Location: Persiaran TRX, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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