Why paying a Living Wage matters at Nikkei Ramen-ya 

Nikkei Ramen-ya is a scratch-made Japanese ramen shop in Courtenay, in the heart of the Comox Valley. Alongside our restaurant, we make frozen ramen bowls and meal kits that are now carried in grocery stores across British Columbia. We’re a team of around 15 people, and our mission is simple: to nourish our community with heartfelt, scratch-made Japanese comfort food and reliable, family-supporting jobs. 

We have been a Living Wage Employer since 2019.  When we first certified, we were the first restaurant in BC to do so in five years, and to this day we remain the only Living Wage–certified restaurant in the province. We did it for a straightforward reason: the Comox Valley has become an expensive place to live, and we believe the people who make our food should be able to afford to live in the community they serve. 

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we’ve noticed real, positive changes in our workplace. 

“Paying a living wage isn’t a marketing line for us, it’s a necessity for our staff to make ends meet. When we started out in 2016 our wage was $12.95 an hour; today it’s $25.35. Housing in the Comox Valley has climbed about 120% since then, far faster than in the rest of BC or Canada. Committing to a living wage is how we keep good people, build a stronger food-safety and quality culture, and prove that doing right by your team and running a healthy business aren’t at odds.” – Greg Masuda, Founder/CEO 

Paying a Living Wage doesn’t just benefit our team, it strengthens the local economy and helps families thrive. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a difference across the Comox Valley. As a small, locally owned business, we’re proud that the wages we pay stay right here, supporting families and circulating through the Valley’s local economy. 

We encourage others to join us in becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone. 

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are now over 500 Living Wage Employers across BC. 

The living wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to pay for basic essentials like food and rent, it doesn’t include paying off debt or saving for retirement. The Living Wage for the Comox Valley is now $25.35 an hour. 

Find out more about Nikkei Ramen-ya on their website: realramen.ca