Our favourite spot for Japanese udon has opened a new location, and we had to check it out. Their tenth restaurant has now officially soft launched in Surrey, allowing locals there to get a “taste of Japan”.
Although we could have more easily visited either of the locations in Burnaby (where we live), I do like seeing how each location is designed and decorated. Each one similar with the rustic meets elegant theme, which includes neon lights and chandeliers; yet distinctively different.
For example, the Surrey location is the first and only to have touch screen menus. You still have the ability to flip through a hardcover menu and then place your order on the touchscreen iPad, located at the end of each table. And once the order is processed, everything comes to the table fairly quick.
You don’t even have to ask for utensils or napkins, as everything is made accessible at your table. Southeast Asian style caddies with chopsticks, spoons, and a collection of sauces including vinegar. For those unfamiliar, the latter is recommended to help cut in to any of the stronger, more garlicky flavours you may be experiencing.
Already fairly familiar with the menu, we decided to try items that were new to us. Sadly, the Shrimp Gambas, Spanish style prawns were sold out, so we missed out on that.
However, we did get a try their first appetizer share platter. A mix of Japanese meats meets north American bites. This included crispy french fries that were not your typical fast food potato sticks. And finely sliced potatoes that looked like chips, but retained a lot more of their natural potato flavour. Both were given a twist when dipped into one of the three available sauces that reminded us of chipotle mayo and garlic mayo, plus the classic ketchup.
Along with this came a handful of their Spicy Chicken Karaage. A a taster of the full appetizer of Fried Juicy Chicken Coated with Kokoro Spicy Sauce and Mixed Seeds. The sauce was similar to gochujang, but less intensely spiced and pungent.
You also got a half serving of their Takoyaki appetizer with the share platter. Octopus Balls with Special Japanese Sauce, topped with Bonito Flakes. Baked fresh with a spongy coating and a chewy centre. Smothered in sauce, so be sure to eat them quick for their optimum texture.
As a whole, this was a nice little assortment to get the appetite going, especially when paired with some of their sweet drinks.
They are not really known for their liquor or cocktails, as I would imagine their food with its stronger flavours would compete too much with this. Instead, they offer a well curated collection of fresh teas and juices to help cleanse the palate in between bites. This is especially necessary with all the heavy handed use of garlic.
We were sad to learn that they are no longer using plastic, ready-to-take-away bags for their drinks. A fun novelty, but a logical move. Their discontinuation makes sense as a way to cut costs, and to abide by the restrictions surrounding the use of plastics at restaurants.
So we had our classic and creamy Tokyo Iced Milk Tea and juicy Kokoro Refresher in peach and strawberry served in glass beer steins. Once again, I highly recommend pairing their drinks with their food, as it helps offer longevity to your meal, when its flavour can grow a little much. Not to mention they are all super tasty.
For food we took a shot on the new Katsu Curry Mazesoba. I like especially liked the presentation that included a wire rack to showcase the fried pork cutlet. This gave it its own platform, and the ability to stay crispier for longer, as it would otherwise be sitting in the saucy mix.
Japanese Curry Sauce, Japanese Pork Cutlet, Minced Pork & Beef Meat, Green Onion, Onion, Cherry Tomato, Ground Saba Fish, Sesame, and Multi-Grain Noodle Made in house. I am a big fan of Japanese style curry, so admittedly was a little disappointed by this, thinking that that would be what I would be getting. In hindsight, I should have ordered the curry bowls, especially as I wanted the actual curry sauce. Here, the noodles were barely coated in curry and I couldn’t really make out its sweet and/or spicy fragrance obscured by the toppings. It was all still a delicious and tasty udon dish with plenty of green onions and raw onion for freshness, but this did not satisfy my curry craving.
Instead, I preferred and am glad that we also ordered and stuck with my go-to of the Chef’s Special Deluxe Mazesoba. Slow Broised Pork Chashu, Minced Pork and Beef Meat, Runny Egg Yolk, Seaweed, Soft Boiled Egg, Bamboo Shoot, Seaweed Flakes, Chives, Green Onion, Minced Garlic, Ground Soba Fish, Sesame, and Multi-Grain Noodle Made in house.
This has never disappointed as an umami rich noodle experience with the most ingredients and the ability to order it as a regular serving or extra large at no additional cost. And should you finish all the noodles and there is still topping that remains, you can ask for a free bowl of rice to enjoy it with, like a mini rice bowl. I also like rejuvenating mid-way stale bites with the table side vinegar to make it anew.
We typically stick with the saucy udon, but given the rainy day of our visit, thought a hot bowl of ramen would be nice as well, plus it gave us a good reason to try their new Szechuan Mala Ramen. There are no free size upgrades with any ramen, but you can choose the firmness of your noodles from soft, regular, or firm and the level of spicy from 1 to 3; for a more customized experience.
Spicy Pork Bone Broth, Slow-Braised Pork Chashu, Bamboo Shoot, Szechuan Pepper Powder, Green Onion, Cilantro and the Thin Ramen Noodle. This we liked and were surprised by how much we did. At a low level of spice this is a bowl we would order again. The broth was fatty, but it still ate and left you feeling light, but maybe just when compared to the udon. It also has an almost effervescent tangy quality to it. Definitely not what you would expect from them, but nice to see they are expanding their offerings, and giving fans like me the ability to return and try something new.
In conclusion another welcomed addition to the chain, offering fans the ability to enjoy this taste of Japan closer to home.
Kokoro Japanese Ramen House – Surrey
10418 University Dr, Surrey, BC V3T OK1
(604) 953-0161
kokoro-mazesoba.com
