Nisu Ramen
Ramen arrives in Osoyoos!
For years, 8323 Main Street in Osoyoos was home to O’Delights Asian Fusion Restaurant. So, imagine my surprise when I drove down Main Street and saw that the sign had changed and a brand new restaurant had opened in its place.
Nisu Ramen officially opened on June 7, and judging by the number of people I spoke to afterwards, many residents still have no idea that the business changed right under their noses and despite that customers were coming in and out like a revolving door.
Every broth is made from scratch using recipes he developed and perfected during his years in Japan.
Miso Pork Ramen created from broth made from scratch.
Sheldon Herman photo
Behind Nisu Ramen is owner, chef, and operator Suresh Pant. Born in Nepal, Suresh spent years working abroad before eventually finding himself in Japan, where he would spend seven years immersed in Japanese culture and cuisine, with a particular focus on ramen.
While some people spend seven years perfecting their golf swing or trying to figure out Facebook Marketplace, Suresh spent seven years learning how to make authentic ramen. That’s a commitment and passion only fellow chefs can understand.
His love of Japanese food, culture, and the respect Japanese chefs have for ingredients eventually led him to Richmond, where he worked as a head chef for six years, further honing his craft and expanding his knowledge of Asian cuisine. But the dream was always to open his own restaurant.
Looking around British Columbia, he saw what many locals have known for years – there are plenty of places to find burgers and pizza, but authentic Japanese ramen in the South Okanagan is about as common as finding a parking spot downtown on Canada Day. He saw an opportunity in Osoyoos and decided to bring his dream here.
Japan’s answer to fried chicken – chicken karaage (KAH-rah-ah-geh).
Sheldon Herman photo
The first thing Suresh wanted me to understand was that his ramen is not made from packaged mixes or pre-made bases. Every broth is made from scratch using recipes he developed and perfected during his years in Japan.
After trying the Miso Pork Ramen, I can confirm this is the real deal. Rich, flavourful broth, noodles with proper chew and texture, and all the balance and depth you would expect from a traditional Japanese ramen shop. There are no shortcuts hiding in these bowls. This is authentic ramen prepared by someone who genuinely understands and respects the craft and ingredients.
I also sampled the Chicken Karaage, Japan’s answer to fried chicken. Light, crisp, fresh, and wonderfully seasoned, it delivered exactly the texture and flavour fans of Japanese cuisine hope for. Unlike some fried chicken that leaves you feeling like you’ve swallowed a bowling ball of batter, this was clean, crispy, and dangerously easy to keep eating.
The portions are generous and filling, and the menu offers plenty of options worth exploring.
More importantly, Suresh has accomplished something impressive. In a remarkably short time, he has made people forget about the restaurant that previously occupied the space and introduced a fresh menu built around quality ingredients and authentic flavours.
In my opinion, Nisu Ramen raises the bar for what we should expect from ramen and all future Asian cuisine in Osoyoos.
Perhaps my favorite part of the visit wasn’t even the food. Between preparing orders and looking after customers, Suresh took the time to share stories from his years living and working in Japan.
Listening to him speak about the Japanese respect for food and ingredients, and how different that philosophy is from what we often see in Canada, made me appreciate the meal even more. When someone puts that level of care, pride, and passion into what they serve, you can taste it.
Nisu Ramen has brought something new and exciting to Osoyoos. If you’ve ever wanted to experience authentic Japanese ramen without flying to Japan, you will be happy to know that your passport is no longer required. Just bring your appetite, and when you do, tell them Sheldon sent you.
Sheldon Herman is the author of the multi award-winning, international best-selling book “The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived the Worst Vacation Ever,” and has eaten his way through over 60 countries. This review was written independently and without compensation. Have a restaurant you’d like featured? Email [email protected].
