Newly opened at Willowbrook Shopping Centre‘s The Courtyard is AO Ramen Bar, an elevated Japanese resto-lounge.
AO Ramen Menu
While their name suggests they are a ramen bar, they are actually multiple concepts in one. They offer ramen (like tonkotsu, shoyu, chicken and more); sushi (like rolled sushi, combos, sushi boats and so forth); teppanyaki (like steak, chicken, salmon and more); katsu (like chicken and pork) and more. My sense is that they kind of plucked the most popular items from various Japanese concepts and offer them on their menu.
What We Tried
We ordered the following:
AO Ramen $18.95 (roast pork, kimchi, half egg, bamboo, beansprout, fungus, fishcake, onions)
Tonkatsu with Rice $17.95 (deep fried pork cutlet with miso soup)
Tori Karaage With Rice $17.95 (fried chicken)
Aburi Sushi Combo $14.95 (salmon, ebi, unagi – 2 pieces each and torched on top)
Mango Ice Cream Double Scoop $8.95
Honestly all the dishes we tried were pretty OK. Some straightforward fare but executed reasonably. The ramen broth was creamy and the noodles were al dente. The roast pork was very tender and the kimchi was nice touch. The tonkatsu and karaage were crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.
We tried to order some teppanyaki dishes but apparently they are not ready yet.
Stylish Interior
The stylish well-appointed interior features different dining areas including a ramen bar, sushi bar, teppanyaki, and a 2 storey bar tower. Pendant lights and metal elements are widely used in the space, creating a glamorous and luxurious atmosphere.
Service
Service was friendly and reasonable for a soft opening. Their machine presenting tipping options starting at 10%…haven’t seen that in a while!
The food was better than expected and the overall experience was OK.
AO Ramen is located at 9705 Fraser Hwy Unit 525, Langley, BC.
launi
Saturday 2nd of September 2023
just went there for my Birthday for lunch with family. I would so highly not recommend this place. Over priced for what you got. Had bento box it was so bad, between the 2 tablespoons of beef for 20.00 that was old and taste like it and the califor.roll was funky .. there Miso soup was like drinking sand it was so grity...my box was half empty,. One thing weird never seen cold slaw as salad. For a 20.00 lunch all you got was 2 tablespoons of beef very very little sprouts, 3 slices of pickled radishes, 2 mini spring rolls, calif.roll and a miso soup. The only thing good was the radish and the min spring rolls, not worth 20.00. Another person in our party had the ramen soup, when he asked for hot sauce, he was told they ran out... but they did have chilli oil. Running out before noon on a Friday is hard to believe. When his soup came she didn't even have the chilli oil Also when leaving notice the chef was eating right infront of me well cooking other people food. When he saw I said, he then patted his hand on a towel beside him and continue cook and didn't wash his hands. I would have said something then, but I wasn't paying the bill and my person paying it said don't bother he would never eat there again, and would let his other people know at his company as well. This is my first review I ever written, and I just had to as it was one that bad... and it's a brand new place and I had high hopes as I love Sushi it would be good, man was I wrong..... Don't waste your money, try some of the other Sushi place, you'll pay less and get way better taste and quailty of food.