WHEN I SAY SAKA, YOU SAY BA

Montreal may have a booming food scene, but stellar Japanese eateries are few and far between.

Frankly, we’ve been jealous of Vancouver and Toronto’s sushi offerings. Now, thanks to Chef Junichi Ikematsu (of Laurier Avenue’s Juni Restaurant), Montreal’s finally stepped up its ramen game. Say hello … er, "konnichiwa" … to Mont-Royal Ave.’s Saka-Ba.

Menu items in this funky, ’70s-in-Kyoto-inspired spot include oodles of homemade ramen (local pork and soy-based “shoyi,” or lobster-based “ebi,” from $10), and a smattering of shareable izakaya plates (from $4).

Just add sake (bombs).

—Christine Laroche

Saka-Ba, 1279 Mont-Royal E., 514-507-9885