Restaurant Porn is a regular column of daydreams presented as a means to introduce Vancouver diners and designers to concepts, looks, and fully-formed ideas that they might draw an inkling of inspiration from. We do our best to pair the foreign rooms with local addresses so as to let everyone in on the fantasy.

(via) I have a thing for long, thin, galley-style restaurants, preferably with booths on one side and a lengthy banquette on the other. I’m also fond of indigo, high quality ramen and good branding, so a place like this feels exactly right.

WHAT IT IS: Tonchin New York, a Japanese restaurant that specialises in tonkatsu ramen and nambutekkiyakki, “a unique style of Japanese cuisine named for the 17th century-style nambu tekki iron griddle in which it is prepared and served.” Designed by Brooklyn-based creative studio Carpenter & Mason, it looks like a casual, stylish cross between a simpler Kissa Tanto and a more refined Ramen Butcher. Dig those postered booths and the short bar!

WHERE IT IS: 13 West 36th Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The thick of it — not far from the Empire State Building.

WHERE WE WISH IT WAS: The heart of Commercial Drive, ideally on the same strip as Merchant’s Workshop — a good block with consistent traffic in a neighbourhood that appreciates good food.

WHY WE WISH IT WAS THERE: East Vancouver in general would benefit from more ramen restaurants, and a little elevation in restaurant design wouldn’t hurt The Drive.