Danbo Express Opens a Ramen Counter at UBC

Where it is and when it is open

Noms places the restaurant right below Big Way Hot Pot on Dalhousie Road. Danbo Express's own locations page lists the address as 5743 Dalhousie Rd., Vancouver, with hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The restaurant's website says you can dine in, take out or order delivery.

Four ramens, one broth

The official menu lists four ramen types, all built on a tonkotsu pork broth base. Classic Tonkotsu is the signature. Shio is described as mild with a gentle salt-umami taste, Miso blends two traditional Japanese miso, and Negi-goma adds sesame oil, roasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. So the big decision is how to dress one broth, which is still more commitment than most of us manage before noon.

A vegan menu is also available, including vegan pan-fried yaki gyoza. A regular six-piece gyoza order is on the menu too. Prices were not available in the sources I checked, so look at the restaurant's menu before ordering.

A rewards program of its own

Noms reports that Danbo Express runs its own rewards program, with a free ramen at 170 points. It is separate from Ramen Danbo Rewards, and points cannot be combined or moved between the two. If you already collect points at the original, they stay there, a bit like owning two loyalty cards and being rich in neither.

For a date, this suits two people who are happy to agree on ramen and keep the evening simple. Hours run until 11 p.m., so it works as a late bite after campus plans. Decide in advance who gets the miso and who gets to be jealous of it.