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Tsukuyomi:

Customize Me

RESTAURANT JAPANESE MILE-END CASUAL <$20

Disclaimer: This meal was comped.

The Pitch

Just as the outside temperature starts to dip below the godforsaken double-digit below-zero mark, our bodies respond by demanding hot, comforting and salty food.  Our invitation to sample a new-ish Mile-End ramen joint on this frigid Monday night could not have come at a more opportune moment.

tagged:  OPEN ON MONDAY

The Mood

Mood image

The most striking feature of Tsukuyomi's interior is its wrap-around wooden bar eating up most of the space.  Its foot-high, cubicle-style divider gives a sense of privacy while still allowing one to soak up the atmosphere.  Finally, the overly-open kitchen will guarantee that no staff member is hard to reach.

tagged:  SIT AT THE BAR

The Food

Food Image

The brief one-page menu doubles up as a fill-it-yourself order card.  A handful of affordable ramen variants and small side dishes – with one dessert – round up the food offering.  Drinks comprise of a couple sakes, Sapporo and milk or matcha tea.

Finicky and health-conscious diners will enjoy the multitude of customization options.  From the choice of protein to the broth's salt level and type of noodle – all the way down to extras such as egg, nori and spinach – the ramen combinations are endless.

On a personal note, we found the pork broth to be rich, milky and luscious while the vegan version fell a little flat on flavour – nothing that can't be fixed with a helping of black garlic oil and spicy takana.

Goma-ae thumbnail (click to enlarge)

Side

Side

$3

$3

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Goma-ae

"boiled spinach with sesame paste sauce"

Takowasa thumbnail (click to enlarge)

Side

Side

$4

$4

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Takowasa

"wasabi-flavored octopus with nori seaweed"

Chashu Tonkotsu Ramen thumbnail (click to enlarge)

Main

Main

$13

$13

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Chashu Tonkotsu Ramen

"pork bone broth, braised pork, egg, nori, spinach"

Vegan Ramen thumbnail (click to enlarge)

Main

Main

$13

$13

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Vegan Ramen

"vegan broth, egg noodle, tofu, vegetable, spinach"

tagged:  BUDGET-FRIENDLY

The Verdict

Named after a moon god in Shinto mythology – or a less culturally-relevant manga/anime character – Tsukuyomi is riding the wave of Japanese eateries that have recently shifted from sushi shops and izakayas to ramen and sake bars.

Between the inviting ambiance and personalized, budget-friendly fare, this Mile-End newcomer should not face any issues filling its seats.  And while the flavours could have used a minor boost, the warming/comforting factor was there.

So why not grab winter by the chopsticks this season?

Price per person:  $16.50

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514eats

Montreal restaurant and bar reviews brought to you by two regular guys who like to eat and drink.  We will go anywhere and we will say it like it is.

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MILE-END

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