noren in Montreal
77 Rachel St W, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1G2, Canada
About
Relaxed, modern cafe serving a variety of cooked Japanese fare with limited bar & a few seats.
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Noren - A Disappointing Experience Despite the Hype Noren, a small Japanese restaurant in Montreal, seems to be quite popular, as we experienced during our visit for lunch. We couldn’t book ahead since the space only accommodates up to 12 people, so we signed up on a waitlist. This system was convenient for us, as we were a group of six. However, due to the size constraints, we opted for takeout and ate in a nearby park, which was an easy solution. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to our expectations or the high ratings we had seen online. We ordered onigiri, eggs, okonomiyaki, salmon don, and small beef. Across the board, the dishes were disappointing. The onigiri had overcooked rice, the meat was bland, and some items were excessively salty. It was surprising, especially since friends who had visited a few months ago had a much better experience. From what we heard, the head chef might have recently changed, and it seems the positive reviews on Google Maps reflect the previous chef’s work. At around $40 for an okonomiyaki and a don (tax included), it felt overpriced for the quality of the food we received. Overall, we were quite let down by our experience and won’t be returning to Noren. Definitely not the Japanese jewel it used to be, sadly...
A nice little shop just off the main street with enough seats for maybe 15-20 people max. This place reminded me a lot of jazz, but on a smaller scale. I went here yesterday with my friends and tried a couple of their menu items. We had the okonomiyaki and the soba noodles, both dishes were good, but I liked the cold soba noodles the most, especially the dipping sauce. We also retired their matcha soda, which at first was lacking taste but as you got to the end of the cup, the flavor and the sweetness picked up. The okonomiyaki was what they called, Kansai style. It had a bit of pork belly, but there were no noodles or eggs, just batter and cabbage, which made it a bit less interesting to me. Overall, the restaurant was a nice little spot to get some authentic Japanese food, some of which you can't get elsewhere in Montreal.
Delicious okonomiyaki! Food came out reasonably fast (they were busy) and the okonomiyaki was sooo good! This place is reasonably priced! Will be returning!
Really good food. The flavours aren’t particularly strong/mind-blowing, but just good food. It’s a veryyy charming atmosphere. We could get 2 seats at 12pm on a Thursday. Given the small space, I wouldn’t recommend trying to go with more than 3 people. The cabbage-egg pancake was very filling (we split between 2 people). With the soup and one side, it was lots of food.
highly recommend this gem with authentic japanese food, great presentation and very friendly service. products are fresh and the taste is remarkable. i highly recommend the salmon zuke don and tataki tuna. Service is fast and you get to see the chefs as they cook and prepare your food, which makes the experience even better. I will definitely go back!
Wow! Amazing hole in the wall place! Very authentic Japanese dishes! And they only open 11-3pm! And they have a relatively tiny space which adds to the charm and authenticity! We got here after the long drive from Toronto. We stopped first in St Joseph’s Oratory, as it should be and went here and thankfully no lines! The Udon was so good although I always prefer Soba but it was amazing! So was their Takoyaki!
Flavours and atmosphere brought me back to Japan, fair prices, small menu, small cozy place. Great poignant flavours, well executed textures all for a fair price. I will be back to try the okonomiyaki and sake. This place loses points due to their strict schedule, but it makes me yearn the food more.
I have to say, the best takoyaki I've had in Montreal! They were very similar in taste and texture to the ones I had in Japan. Other than that, everything else tasted very homey and yummy. Not mind-blowing, just simple and satisfies my craving for an authentic taste. The place was quaint and charming, with a similar vibe to a small izakaya you can find in Japan.
I rizz and I rizz
Satisfied my craving for great okonomiyaki! Perfect!
Best Japanese restaurant in Montreal!!!! Real okonomiyaki so delicious
A bit pricey for the portion size + the service was really slow, however their salmon and wasabi are truly top tier!
The Onigiri are soooo well mastered, I felt like I was back in Tokyo. The tataki salad was flavorful and generous. If you come close, do not miss it. Food : 5/5
Excellent dishes Fast service Good price We will come back
Vegetarian options: Only a couple of vegetarian options available Food
Wonderful food and atmosphere
I just came back from living in Kobe and Osaka for two years and was craving some authentic Japanese food. I am so glad I found this place. The owners are native Japanese and they know their stuff. I highly recommend the okonomiyaki! It made me feel !
Love it
Noren is fantastic, the best okonomiyaki I have had outside of Osaka. The taking is so well made as well. I can definitely recommend this friendly delicious restaurant.
Mini Japanese restaurant that serves fresh and original cuisine. I particularly recommend the okonomiaki.
nicest people and the best food! I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a good Japanese meal (though I lowkey want to gatekeep this place, its that great)
This was a tour de force. Everything was prepared with such attention to detail. Make sure to try the tea! Vegetarian options: Lots of dishes were offered with a protein substitute.
Excellent
Love this place! It feels authentic, and the space is intimate. Very affordable too! Highly recommend.
Every. single. dish we ate here was PERFECT! It was so delicious! Cant wait to go back again soon to try everything on their menu!
Amazing place, my only wish is that they were open more days and for diner! Always a great meal there Food : 5/5
An address to know in Montreal! Secluded at the end of Rachel Street, Noren offers a true Japanese cuisine experience. The place is small and friendly, around fifteen places for a real culinary journey. Everything is very well cooked, spicy, on site or to take away, its delicious. Special mention for the Maze Udon, and the Tataki.
Really really good flavours. The miso eggplant is absolutely to die for, beautiful texture. The flavours is delicate but not weak. Overall a lovely restaurant. Vegetarian options: There are plenty of vegetarian dishes, and a lot of the meat can be replaced with mushrooms.
Great little place, wish it was open more often
I love the atmosphere of this little restaurant, the food is good, attentive and good value for money.
Very good experience in this small restaurant, the atmosphere is very pleasant and what can we say about the food: a real treat!!
One of the best restaurants in Montreal. Best Japanese food I ve eaten in a long time.
Visited for the first time a few weeks ago. Long wait for lunch, but definitely worth the wait. Prices are reasonable and the food is very good and quite creative compared to other offerings in the city. Its popular for good reason and I will definitely be back.
Very tasty. Great discovery. I recommend!
Amazing food, cosy place and friendly staff! Maybe one of the best udon I had in my life! Its a small place, so come early :) Food
Both the salmon and ume rice balls here are the best in Montreal. The potato salad is also the quintessential Japanese style. Sometimes it gets pretty busy but its worth the wait.
100% recommend this place. Tiny restaurant (about 10 seats), with a limited menu. Had the Udon Noodles and Miso Soup and was blown away by the quality of the food. Will definitely go back.
I went there today after seeing the awesome reviews this little restaurant has. The sercice was friendly but I was really disappointed by the food. I ordered an Oden soup and the egg was overcooked to the point the inside was grey. I have been to Japan 2 times and even in comvenience stores you can get perfect eggs with creamy yolk. I asked the waitress if they had other eggs than this one and she said they are all the same.
amazing!!
Small restaurant with around ten seats. Delicious and very fresh.
elopement
Cozy, home cooked type of Japanese meals, everything felt like when I was in Japan. The place is really small with limited seating so if you happen to walk by and see a spot available definitely give it a go!
The food is excellent and the service is great! Difficult to get a place at lunchtime: arrive early, it s very small and therefore fills up quickly.
Loved the simplicity of the place. The food was innovative and yummy!
Excellent food, Japanese gastronomic immersion!
Tiny and cute place to eat. Food is delicious! The place has an unusual schedule so be attentive
Had a year of food discovery in Montreal, this is def my favourite spot when I was living in the plateau. Been to a lot of Japanese bistro in town but Noren still has my heart. Items on the menu appears to be stable every week but there are some seasonal specialties for sure. Also very surprisingly, the food has different and unique flavours in season s changement (but the food is always amazing whether it s a misty or sunny day
Good service and good, except the cooking smoke will leave a trail on your cloth, and not enough hanging place for cloth and umbrella
Rating to try it. I heard they make a really good eggplant
Little neighborhood secret for takoyaki, okonomiaki and dishes of the week! :)
Short: Delicious takoyaki, exquisite okonomiyaki. Worth it ! This is a long overdue review. I first came to Noren 2 years ago. I loved the coziness of the space and simplicity of the layout. Curiosity drew me in. The Takoyaki were unctuous. The gooey batter inside contrasting beautifully with the crispy shell. Bits of octopus gives the perfect level of chew. Classic is perfection but I enjoyed the ponzu and japanese curry variation. The Okonomiyaki is also a must try. I find the version with shiitake mushrooms the best. Interesting texture with some bite from the mushroom and lots of umami, sweet cabbage and dashi forward dried bonite flakes. Sweet sauce and japanese mayo seal the deal. I have also tried the sides including weekly special bento, marinated aubergines, etc. All delicious and fresh! It is easy for a restaurant to impress ones palate on a first visit. After all I didnt know what to expect and had little reference point on okonomiyaki and takoyaki. I do eat a lot of japanese food, at home and at restaurants. And I have made a point in the last two years of trying similar dishes at other japanese addresses (in NYC, Paris, etc). Noren serves the BEST takoyaki and okonomiyaki, hands down, and CONSISTENTLY. I have been impressed every time I have been (at least 20 visits) and that is no easy feat : having moved away from Montreal, I can only sparsely visit, my mind having embellished my souvenir of the taste everytime, yet I am positively impressed every time I go!! So dont hesitate, go enjoy succulent food there or grab to go and enjoy at nearby parc Jeanne mance. Bravo to the chefs and staff: every visit is a delight! Vegetarian options: Okonomiyaki (cabbage, mushrooms, ginger, mayo, dashi)
Everything was so yummy! Really enjoyed my time at Noren.
A real favorite.
I do not indulge in excessive superlatives to avoid emptying my criticisms of their substance. My desire is to provide an authentic description of my experience. Therefore, believe me when I tell you that at the time of writing these lines, I felt shivers of joy when thinking about what I experienced at Noren. Truly, I experienced perfect happiness as soon as my steps crossed the threshold of the door. Its 11:30 a.m. and dust, the weather is nice, the restaurant has just opened and already, the few places available have almost all been taken. Luckily, two stools standing very close to the door await us. In the small kitchen which takes up about a third of the space, the two chefs are busy around the stove. They work quickly, but with dexterity. We look at the menu and, immediately, my eyes start to water: the prices are all low (from $2 to $16, but most of them are $10 and less!), which means that we will be able to make testing of numerous preparations. Very quickly, the choices are made: the takoyaki ($10) - a real revelation, the undisputed champion of the day -, the chicken rice bowl ($16) - we could have had more of this succulent chicken! - the pretty onigiri ($7), the okonomiyaki ($13), two ajitama for $4 (excellent pleasure/price ratio) and finally, mochi ($3), all accompanied by one of the best lattes I have I tasted of my life (no joke): the hojicha latte ($7). In short, a real feast, for three twenty notes for two heads. Perfect execution, impressive attention to detail, richness of flavor and practically unbeatable prices: Noren is one of the restaurants in town that is truly worth the detour! As a bonus, the service is very friendly. Vegetarian options: A tofu dish Parking: Very few places nearby Kid-friendliness: Nobody likes Japanese food Wheelchair accessibility: No automated doors, but at ground level, limited space.
Great little spot! Just the right ambience, without trying to be too much. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food was very good, though limited in options - they excel at what they do!
I got a recommendation to go here and it did not disappoint
The Okonomiyaki was to die for!! I can t wait to come back and try the rest of the menu
Authentic Japanese cuisine with good value for money. I highly recommend!
Everything is delicious! Very good service too! A little lack of ventilation on a hot day, but the quality of the dishes was worth it! Dietary restrictions: There were egg free options if allergic.
Love that its authentic Japanese food but the place is very small, its hard to get inside when theres many people in the restaurant.
Adorable little restaurant with an authentic and warm vibe. The dishes are simple, tasty and fresh. The dish of the week is filling. The matcha and mochi for desserts are not to be missed.
Easily one of my favourite places in Montreal. Be sure to take some sake with your lunch and finish it off with a sakura mochi!
Perfect and comforting.
I love this little 12-seat restaurant. The flavors are sweet, subtle, in short delicious!
The dishes are so exquisite!!
The food and service was amazing, the only problem I can think of is how TINY the place is and it can get a bit hot at times, but thats not a big deal and definitely worth how delicious and authentic the food was. :)
Noren is this kind of place where the owners put their heart and passion into what they do. You can feel it. Thank you!
Quaint spot for a quick bite. Soft intro to Japanese cuisine, lots of room for improvement.
The food is good, thats undeniable. But the place is a lot smaller then I expected. When I arrived, I was told no seat was available so I had to wait outside and someone would tend to me shortly. Well, nobody ever did. Then they let some people who came after me sit down first because apparently those people put their names down already. In addition, if you come later during their opening hours, some items will be sold out. I dont recommend this place for a quick bite or a place to sit down to enjoy a relaxing meal. Would be better to order to go as soon as theyre open.
This place is a thing of beauty. Little hole in the wall with a couple teaming up to bring one of the most unique quick eat dining experiences in the city. The menu is very simple, but the few things they do, they do exceptionally well. They re famous for their Ikonomoyaki, and for good reason. That s the must try. Octopus balls are good too!
Vegetarian options: Plusieurs plats végétaliens savoureux sont disponibles. Food
Rly tasty food and rly kind staff! We waited around 30 min to be seated on a Saturday so y good considering the small size of the place!
Authentic, delicious and well priced!
Love this little authentic Japanese place. Great food, family owned.
The closest thing you ll get to authentic japanese food in Montreal.
Otherwordly in all aspects
great classic japanese. Wonderful counter experience, similar experience to the tiny counters in Japan. Best authentic flavours for lunch in Montreal! Lovely team Food
Small restaurant, an hidden gem in Montreal if you like takoyaki and authentic japanese food. Fell like in a manga movie scene when you open the door.
Excellent small family-run restaurant with a friendly, clean vibe. The food is carefully prepared, quite unique, and truly beautiful. I will definitely come again.
New favourite spot in mtl! Loved everything from the very good food, affordable prices and the mood of the restaurant. Loved that everything was home made and that the mochi was not artificial
Restaurants with small menus like this are the best! Focused on the quality of ingredients. I particularly like their rice bowls with raw fish and shiso leaves. The takoyakis, okonomiyakis and eggplants are also delicious. Delicious.
Love Noren! Such awesome japanese food, but their hours absolutely suck! So creative and delicious. The weekly menu changes make each experience awesome and new. Good vegetarian options.
I would love to comment about the Chanko Udon, however after leaving the store I slipped on ice and dropped the food it looked good though . The only thing saved was the Sakura mochi, that was really good
Noren is absolutely fantastic. Every single thing they prepare is remarkably fresh. It s truly like walking into an open kitchen in Japan. This place is an absolutely Montréal CAN T MISS.
delicious!
Honestly the best Japanese place Ive had so far up here! When I came thru, it was just two amazing people running the shop, handling orders and preparing grubs. The prices were very fair for the amount of food and quality, so no complaints about that! Fellow English speakers, do not despair: like most of this city, it was easy to communicate in English or French (and I heard at least one other person use Japanese). The customer service was incredible but THE GRUBS... YUM! Ive never had such solid takoyaki or okonomiyaki outside Japan before. Next time Im here, Ill definitely be trying to onigiri. Easy 5 malcolms out of 5
Best place for takoyaki in Montréal
Small dishes just like tapas style
Amazing food! Everything was super yummy, I ll be going back here for lunch on every trip to Montreal. If you re in a rush make sure to order ahead for take away because there s limited seating. We waited for a seat, it was well worth it. You know this place is good because there s always a line of happy customers during lunch.
Amazing little hole in the wall place on Rachel. The menu is small but everything on it is good. Cant believe this place has been here for years and Ive only just now found it. Highly recommend.
Great experience! Came for lunch - its a small place that packs a big punch. Constantly rotating menu keeps things exciting, this weeks bento special was delicious. Highly recommend!
Great ambiance . Bring me back to last trip
This is the cutest little lunch spot! Highly recommend the okonomiyaki omelette.
Really good. Friendly service and fresh ingredients and prepared to perfection. Im going back there for sure.
So amazing. A true gem!
First time and not the last the dishes are tasty and simple. It s comforting and without fuss!!!
Ordered 4 items to share as a family of four. They were all amazing.
Absolutely amazing experience! The food was on point and the service was amazing. I ll be coming back the next time I am in Montreal!
Most authentic classic Japanese food in Montreal by a mile! They even have sakura mochi and namasake! Wow! Love it.
If you want takoyaki, noren is the only place in town where youll get the real deal and not some frozen dough balls. With its cozy izakaya style in a simple but trendy decor, noren makes you feel closer to Kansai while you eat delicious food prepared with the love of Japanese cuisine. Youll get classics, like okonomiyaki and takoyaki, but also a rotation of weekly specials ranging from raw fish to hot noodles. Complete with a glass of sake, some plum wine or an asahi beer and youre in for a short trip across the Pacific ocean. Love the place, love the people.
Small place, all the options look magical. We had miso soup, marinated egg and marinated eggplant.. incredible! We took out and ate at Parc Jeanne Mance. Im going back as soon as possible.
Original and good
Delicious Okinomyaki
Weathers nice? Then its Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki to go and eat in the park nearby. Delicious. Great service. Our favorite place so far for a Saturday lunch. Careful though, theyre small, often have a line up, and can get sold out while you wait. But definitely worth it :)
An adorable lunch place with excellent japanese staples. The okonomyakis are exquisite and filling
Everything is excellent and tasty. Ultra-friendly owners, what a pleasure to renew
True Japanese hole in the wall. What a gem
Very very nice place !must come.
Great food! Would go again!
I loved it here! I tried takoyaki and it was very tasty. Great and friendly service I experienced :)
Loved this quaint, cozy little restaurant. Takoyaki was piping hot and delicious, onigiri was good too.
Best Takoyaki i have had. Nice and fresh. Udon curry was also fantastic.
This place brings us back to Japan. Everything tasted amazing including the Takoyaki and marinated eggplants. We also ordered the yuzu lemonade and hojicha au lait which were delightful. A must try when in Montreal.
Very authentic Japanese food from Kyoto KwanTung region.
Warm and delicious! The octopus fritters are a must!!
Noren is just perfect. Small lunch restaurant with some seating in the Plateau with the best okonomiyaki, onigiri, and weekly specials. I love their bento boxes and all the winter noodles. Had the tsukimi soba today, so nice in the cold weather.
Cant make it to Japan? Dont worry... noren is the closest experience you can get in Montreal. The people are lovely, the food is affordable and absolutely incredible. One of my favourite spots in the city!
It is excellent!!! I ordered ahead online and picked it up. Its a small Japanese place. The staff is friendly. I would recommend the Okonomiyaki, a staple Japanese food. The price is a steal! I also tried the oden. Its quite good, a little small. So take a side dish too!
First time. I ll go back. Great quality, love the eggplant.
Tiny joint right out of Tokyo. Seating is very limited but intimate. Small grill where most is done . Meal of the day is premade but nonetheless delicious every time. Simple but succulent dishes. The mainstays on the menu are Japanese appetizers that keep you coming back.
The food was delicious! The shitake okonomiyaki was perfect even after the short commute home. Takoyakis were great and the chiriashi special was very good (the tamago was perfectly sweetened). Highly recommend it, look forward to getting take out for a picnic on the park.
Disappointment does not exist in this restaurant. Delicious in all its forms
One of my favorite go to to get authentic Japanese food !
Thank god I found this place. I was very surprised of the quality of food here. The tataki salad and the curry udon were so delicious. I am coming back for more.
This is by far the greatest restaurant Ive eaten at. Theyre charging half of what they should be for the quality of meals they put out!
Delicious okonomiyaki (a discovery) and friendly service! Have a nice day to your whole little team!
First impression of this restaurant is so so. Tiny place, kind of hidden, not a lot of space and opening hours are not normal. But I decided to take out based on people suggestion and I have a blast !!! I took a pork bento, an Okonomiyaki and 2 sides dishes (eggplants and cucumbers) and I loved it !! I think this place is one of the most surprising and best Japanese restaurant in Montreal. Food tastes great. Services and staffs are super nice and professional, and quick. I will definitely come back.
Stopped by to try the pork Okonomiyaki, that was SO good ! Will def be back to try some more dishes on the menu! Service was super friendly!
Excellent ! One of my favorite addresses in Montreal!
Sur ma liste depuis un moment, je my suis enfin rendu aujourdhui. On ne peux pas manger sur place et le menu nest pas très varié mais il y a un parc pas loin et malgré le peu de choix.... cétait délicieux ! Nous avons pris la boite bebto et sincèrement jai été très agréablement surprise ! Elle était très bonne. Leur limonade au Yuzu également ! Belle adresse de take out.
The place to go to if youre missing Japan. From the cozy setting to the outstanding food, this is my favourite Japanese restaurant in town, been here countless times. I first tried it shortly after a trip to Japan and was struck by how close the flavours and dishes are to what I was served there.
I love this mini Japanese restaurant. The cuisine seems authentic to me and the prices reasonable. This is the only place I know where I can replace octopus with konyaku (vegetarian variation) in takoyaki. Also try their okonomiyaki, they are definitely worth the detour! In addition to their basic menu, each week they offer a different dish. Follow their Facebook page to be informed. A real delight every time!
I only had an opportunity to go right before they closed and WOW. The quality of the food does not disappoint. Worth going for round 2
They don t respect their opening hours!
Covid protocol in place - seats for only 4 people - but omg the food is so good - lots of take away traffic, which makes sense given the cuisine.
Very unique experience... I felt like I was in Japan while dining. Definitely an awesome twist to Japanese cuisine. The octopus balls were my favorite... fresh and delicious.
My island of Japanese comfort food in Montreal. I highly recommend the okonomoyaki.
Noren offers authentic Japanese home cuisine. They change their main dish every week. Check their Instagram for the menu of the week!!
Cosy lunch spot, if you wanna grab quick delicious bite by yourself.
Delicious. Menu that varies every week. Limited places. Incredible experience.
Excellent little Japanese restaurant
Super cute store with good food and nice staff
Totally delicious!
This restaurant is super small but jammed packed with flavor and culinary discovery. It can be tricky to get a table, especially for dinner on a Friday night so, its best is to go early to be sure to have enough choices on the menu as they can run out by the end of the night. The must order is the omlette with mushrooms and cabbage. Though the menu does change daily. Wash everything down with a beer/saki.
Amazing food, and just such a good price relative to the quality with fresh ingredients, interesting flavours, and a nice balance of innovation and tradition (yuzu lemonade! Litchi Green ice tea!) The service was lovely and fast and such a good dynamic! Looking forward to eating here over and over again :)
We tried okonomiyaki, takoyaki, yuzu lemonade and iced green tea. Everything was very good!
Best traditional japanese food!!!!
The perfect formula for a restaurant. A well curated menu, very affordable, authentic recipes, great service, and a good location. I cant make one specific recommendation because everything has been great.
Delicious!
I was really looking forward to trying this little restaurant as it was recommended by many people, but what I ate, Bibim Udon, was disappointing. Everything was banal and banal. Vegetables didnt go well with noodles and sauce. I find it too expensive for its poor toppings and lack of flavor.
Brilliant, traditional Osaka style Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki! Great friendly staff. 1000% recommend this lovely little spot!
Ive been waiting to go there for 6 months and with their daytime schedule, its not always easy! It was well worth the wait!!! Simple and super well balanced. The dishes are fresh and generous. Without forgetting the homemade drinks that can easily be diluted in water for less sweet tooths. I cant wait to go back!
Glad I found an authentic Japanese restaurant
This is the best Japanese restaurant in Montreal.
One of the best okonomiyaki and takoyaki in Montreal. Love this place.
great experience
My favorite MTL restaurant, delicious food and a new option every week!
Absolutely amazing! A must for any Japanese foodie in Montreal. The menu changes every week and the food is just amazing!
Amazing Japanese food in MTL! The takoyaki and buta kimchi don were delicious. Reminds me of home
Tasty AF
In take-out mode There were several things missing from their menu on Saturday lunchtime. Otherwise what I chose was excellent Simmered daikon, onigris and takoyakis Pleasant service Private import sake I cant wait for the restaurants to reopen so I can go back and have the real experience
So thankful to be able to enjoy authentic street and home Japanese cooking. The okonomiyaki was off the chain, chock full of fresh ingredients, didnt mind dusting it off standing in the park on a cold day. They know what theyre doing, love that its family run, local, and a small shop too. Im going to try some of their Katsu, curry, and omurice when I get the chance.
The most cozy and warm Japanese restaurant and bar run by a lovely, welcoming couple.
