Kaminari Ramen Bar is Parkdale's hip go-to spot for Tokyo-style ramen. Taking up residence in the old Grand Electric space that shuttered last year, owners Kon Tran and Daiju Matsuura have teamed up to create a space that prioritizes the senses.

According to Tran and Matsuura, Kaminari means "God of sound" in Japanese and no effort was spared on the listening quality inside. The bar is outfitted with JBL speakers, and most nights, you'll be welcomed into the space with vibrations rolling off the sound system. 

Most of the layout remains the same from the Grand Electric days, but Japanese details have been added in thoughtful ways. Washi paper and kimono panels that double as sound absorbers line the walls.

Unlike other joints in the city, you'll only find ramen in chicken broth that comes either clear or creamy. Choose from a soy or shio (salt) base, leaving you with a minimal menu of four ramens to try. 

The Creamy Shio ($21) is a standout dish that ramen lovers must try. It comes adorned with a pork cha-shu, chicken cha-shu, clams, and bamboo shoots.

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The broth has a wonderful umami from the clams, and the sous vide process on the cha-shu gaurantees a perfect softness. Red onions and green scallion spirals offer a nice spice that cuts through each thick bite. 

The Clear Tokyo Soy ($22) is a typical Tokyo-style bowl that uses no MSG and has a clean natural broth. It's a simple order of pork and chicken sha-shu slices, nori, bamboo, and a single wonton. Add an egg for $1.50. Bound to be a crowd-pleaser, it's comforting and no-frills. 

Besides ramen, you'll find a varied appetizer menu that rotates seasonally. Made bar snack-style, they're meant to be shared. 

Tran has brought a popular dish from his restaurant DD Mau in Vancouver to this menu — the Beef Carpaccio ($18). Thin slices of sirloin are sprinkled with an even layer of peanuts, shallot, herbs, and vinaigrette. 

Served with a sesame rice cracker sheet, snap off a piece and compile a bite-sized portion for yourself. The lime and vinaigrette are perfect levels of sour and salty, and the airy crunchiness of the cracker is a great textural pairing for the soft beef. This was defintely my favourite and a must-try.

A fun take on the common Edamame ($7), here it comes deep-fried and marinated in a light soy sauce so the skins are softer and more flavourful.

In a pointed effort to be different, chicken is done as a drumette here instead of the karaage style. A smoked shio salt is served on the side to dip the bites into.

For drinks, all the wines served are natural and there are ample sakes to choose from. For those looking for a cocktail, the Negroni Wash ($15) uses an egg-washed vermouth, making it a lighter and smoother negroni drink than most.For matcha lovers, try the Matcha Sour ($17), which has a ceremonial grade tea base, Havana Club rum, and absinthe for a bitter but deep drink.Through the back is a heated patio that's a charming draw and a favourite hideaway for local patrons.
Tran and Matsuura tell blogTO they hope to reenergize the neighbourhood. "We want to drive people in, be alive, and be an important part of the community."

Kaminari Ramen Bar is located at 1330 Queen St W.