Small Plates, Big Personality
In Japan, ramen is rarely the whole story.
Walk into an izakaya or a ramen shop and you’ll see it immediately — a few small dishes on the table before the main event arrives. Something sharp. Something smoky. Something that wakes up your appetite without stealing the show.
That’s the spirit behind our seasonal sides menu. Four dishes, each one rooted in Japanese home cooking and izakaya culture, each one priced so you can add one to your bowl without overthinking it.
They’re meant to be shared — or kept entirely to yourself. We won’t judge.
New
チャーシュープレート
Our signature homemade cha-shu, sliced and served with marinated bean sprouts.
雷神ポテサラ
Japanese-style potato salad topped with smoked beef, soy-marinated egg, and crispy fried onions.
Seasonal
ラー油豆腐
Silky tofu, homemade spicy sauce, cilantro, fried onions, and black pepper. Bold and vegetarian-friendly.
炙りしめ鯖
Classic shime saba, lightly torched. Clean, savoury, and unmistakably Japanese.
Raijin Cha-shu Plate — $7.00
New
New · Signature · Homemade
Raijin Cha-shu Plate
チャーシュープレート
$7.00
What’s on the plate
Homemade Raijin cha-shu · Marinated bean sprouts
This is the dish we’re most excited about right now — and the newest addition to our sides menu.
Our cha-shu isn’t an afterthought — it’s the backbone of our ramen. Slow-braised, deeply savoury, with that melt-at-the-edges texture that regulars come back for.
The Cha-shu Plate lets you enjoy it on its own terms: sliced thick, served alongside marinated bean sprouts that soak up every bit of flavour from the braising liquid. Think of it as a preview of your bowl — or a second round after you’ve finished the noodles.
* Contains pork.
Potato Salad with Smoked Beef — $7.00
雷神ポテサラ · Comfort Food
Potato Salad with Smoked Beef
雷神ポテサラ
$7.00
Toppings
Japanese-style potato salad · Smoked beef · Soy-marinated egg · Crispy fried onions
Japanese potato salad (ポテサラ) is not the same as the Western version. It’s creamier, slightly sweeter, and usually made with partially mashed potatoes so the texture stays interesting — a little chunky, a little smooth.
Our Raijin version (雷神ポテサラ) is built in layers: a generous base of Japanese potato salad, then smoked beef for depth, a soy-marinated egg for richness, and crispy fried onions for the crunch that every good side needs.
It’s comfort food with ambition — the kind of dish that disappears from the table faster than you expected, and leaves everyone wondering who finished it.
Spicy Tofu — $6.50
Seasonal
Seasonal · Vegetarian Side
Spicy Tofu
ラー油豆腐
$6.50
What’s on it
Tofu · Homemade spicy sauce · Cilantro · Fried onions · Green onions · Black pepper
A seasonal favourite that keeps coming back for a reason. This is our answer to the question: can a side dish be exciting without meat? Yes — emphatically yes.
We start with soft tofu and layer on a homemade spicy sauce built around chili oil (ラー油) — not just heat for heat’s sake, but depth, aroma, and a slow-building warmth that lingers.
Fresh cilantro cuts through the richness. Fried onions add crunch. Black pepper ties it all together. Available for a limited time — order it while it’s on the menu.
Torched Vinegared Mackerel — $7.80
Classic Izakaya · しめ鯖
Torched Vinegared Mackerel
炙りしめ鯖
$7.80
Preparation
Vinegared marinated mackerel · Lightly torched
Shime saba (しめ鯖) is one of those dishes that separates a good izakaya from a great one. Mackerel marinated in vinegar — firm, clean, slightly tangy — is a staple of Japanese drinking culture and a perfect opener before ramen.
Ours is finished with a light torch pass. That moment of heat brings out the natural oils in the fish and adds a subtle smokiness that vinegar alone can’t give you.
It’s elegant, it’s honest, and it pairs beautifully with a cold drink and a lighter broth bowl. If you’ve never tried shime saba in Toronto, start here.
Contains fish. Please ask staff about allergens when ordering.
Which Side Goes with Your Ramen?
There’s no wrong combination — but we did think about these pairings when putting the menu together. Here’s where we’d start.
| Side | Best Paired With | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Raijin Cha-shu Plate | Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen — extra pork for the pork lovers. A natural add-on to Raijiro Ramen. | $7.00 |
| Potato Salad with Smoked Beef | Raijiro Ramen or Miso Ramen — creamy side, rich bowl. Perfect as a starter before any tonkotsu. | $7.00 |
| Spicy Tofu | Spicy Shio Tanmen — the tofu’s heat echoes the bowl without doubling down. Also great with Vegan Spicy Miso. | $6.50 |
| Torched Vinegared Mackerel | Yuzu Shio Ramen — clean broth and clean fish, a classic izakaya balance. Lovely with Umami Shoyu too. | $7.80 |
“A bowl of ramen is a meal. A bowl of ramen with a side on the table — that’s an evening.”
Why Sides at a Ramen Shop?
Fair question. You came for noodles.
But ramen culture in Japan has never been just about the bowl. The best ramen shops understand that the experience starts before the noodles arrive — with something small on the table, something to share, something that sets the tone.
At 24 Wellesley, we’ve always wanted Raijin to feel more like an izakaya than a fast-food counter. A place where you sit down, order a side, maybe a drink, and let the meal unfold at its own pace.
These four dishes are our way of saying: take your time. Toronto evenings are worth savouring — one small plate at a time.
FAQ — Seasonal Sides 2026
What sides are on the menu at Ramen RAIJIN Toronto in 2026?
Our sides menu includes Raijin Cha-shu Plate ($7.00, new), Potato Salad with Smoked Beef / 雷神ポテサラ ($7.00), seasonal Spicy Tofu ($6.50), and Torched Vinegared Mackerel / Shime Saba ($7.80). All are available for dine-in at 24 Wellesley St. West Rear, Toronto.
What is shime saba (しめ鯖)?
Shime saba is mackerel cured in vinegar — a traditional Japanese preparation that firms up the fish and gives it a clean, tangy flavour. At Ramen RAIJIN, we serve it lightly torched (炙り) for added aroma. It’s a classic izakaya dish on our sides menu.
Is the Spicy Tofu vegetarian?
Spicy Tofu is a plant-based side made with tofu, homemade spicy sauce, cilantro, fried onions, green onions, and black pepper. As with all menu items, please inform our staff of any dietary requirements or allergies when ordering.
What is Japanese potato salad (ポテサラ)?
Japanese potato salad (poteto sarada) is creamier and slightly sweeter than Western versions, often made with partially mashed potatoes for a chunkier texture. Our Raijin version (雷神ポテサラ) tops it with smoked beef, a soy-marinated egg, and crispy fried onions.
Can I order sides for takeout or delivery?
Sides availability may vary for takeout. For the most up-to-date menu and ordering options, visit our online order page or dine in at our Toronto location.
Available Now · Dine-In
Come Build Your Table
Four seasonal sides. All on the menu now at ramen RAIJIN Toronto.
Add one to your bowl — or make a meal of the small plates themselves.
📍 24 Wellesley St. West Rear, Toronto, ON · ☎ 647-348-0667
