Real good Japanese food in Montreal at Restaurant NOREN

If you have a Japanese food craving and happen to be in Montreal rather than Tokyo, I have the solution for you and it goes by the name of Restaurant NOREN. Traditionally, noren is a piece of fabric used to divide rooms or used to mark the doorways and windows. That’s exactly how you’ll recognize and find the restaurant. Located on the western part of Rachel Street in le Plateau, the restaurant is so small you might even pass in front without noticing but once you’ve tasted their amazing food, you won’t have any issues going back as your senses will guide you directly to the location.

Jeff On The Road - Montreal - Food - Japanese - Noren — Jeff On The Road – Montreal – Food – Japanese – Noren – À l’extérieur on peut voir un noren, court rideau en tissu fendu que l’on accroche à la porte d’entrée des magasins, des restaurants ou des maisons au Japon – Toutes les photos sont sous Copyright © 2016 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. Pour utilisation des photos, me contacter au dezjeff@me.com

The story behind Restaurant NOREN

With all great restaurants come a great story. Restaurant NOREN recounts the meeting of Élyse Garand & Hidenori Tsuda, the masterminds behind this great Japanese location of Montreal. They met in Montreal while Élyse was working at one of my favourite coffee shop in Montreal, Café Falco, and they both didn’t really have any experience in the restaurant industry before that. They moved to Japan for a couple years and when they came back to Montreal, they realized the city was missing the small restaurants with a limited menu that we can find in Japanese cities.

The menu at Restaurant NOREN

Each week, there’s a new star dish on the menu and there are also a few classics that remain on the menu. I really like going to a place where I can have a new experience each time rather than a fixed menu that never changes and that’s what you’ll get at NOREN. I suggest going with a friend or two and order the entire menu because the okonomiyaki and takoyaki are so delightful as well as the weekly dish. You have to taste everything!

Jeff On The Road - Montreal - Food - Japanese - Noren - Udon Noodles — Jeff On The Road – Montreal – Food – Japanese – Noren – Nouilles udon froides – Toutes les photos sont sous Copyright © 2016 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. Pour utilisation des photos, me contacter au dezjeff@me.com

Jeff On The Road - Montreal - Food - Japanese - Noren - Takoyaki — Jeff On The Road – Montreal – Food – Japanese – Noren – Takoyaki beignet de pieuvre – Toutes les photos sont sous Copyright © 2016 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. Pour utilisation des photos, me contacter au dezjeff@me.com

Jeff On The Road - Montreal - Food - Japanese - Noren - Nouilles Udon froides — Nouilles Udon froides – Toutes les photos sont sous Copyright © 2016 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. Pour utilisation des photos, me contacter au dezjeff@me.com

Jeff On The Road - Montreal - Food - Japanese - Noren - Iced Tea — Jeff On The Road – Montreal – Food – Japanese – Noren – Thé glacé – Toutes les photos sont sous Copyright © 2016 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. Pour utilisation des photos, me contacter au dezjeff@me.com

The space at Restaurant NOREN

Like I always say, architecture and interior design is also a huge part of your experience when you’re going to the restaurant or a coffee shop. Élyse and Hidenori totally got that part and the space was beautifully designed by Atelier 3/4.

How to get there

Located near Station Mont-Royal and is also easily accessible with STM Line 55 or 80. No reservations and only open Wednesday (11:30AM – 4:00PM), Thursday & Friday (11:30AM – 3:00PM and 5:30PM – 9:00PM), Saturday (5:30PM – 9:00PM) and Sunday (12:00PM – 4:00PM)