WOW! Series: Check out 100+ Types of Noodles @ Ramyun Zip Instant Ramen Bar!

Get ready to embark with us on an exciting culnary adventure with our new dining series WOW! (Whimsical, Outrageous and Wondrous :-D!). This is your chance to explore unusual bites and indulge in the latest food trends. Each event will showcase innovative dishes that push the boundaries of flavor and presentation, allowing you to experience the thrill of trying something truly unique. Join us as we celebrate creativity in the kitchen and enjoy memorable meals together.

# Ramyun Zip Has More Than 100 Types of Instant Ramen!

Washingtonian:

Yes, you could make instant ramen at home. But a new restaurant in Centreville has an entire library of noodle packs, a toppings bar, and special ramen-cooking machines for souped-up soups. The Ramyun Zip is building up a collection that will include more than 120 ramen flavors filling an entire wall of the restaurant.

Owner Chris Kim says instant ramen shops like this have taken off in South Korean, especially since the pandemic. When many restaurants shut down, “Hangang ramen” spots popped up across the Hangang parks that line Seoul’s Han River so that people could make themselves a hot bowl to enjoy al fresco.

For the last 20 years, Kim has operated an air cargo logistics company, shipping products between the US and Asia. Seeing the trendiness of instant ramen shops in Korea and also the rising labor costs, he saw the opportunity to bring more auto-cooking noodle machines to the States. Kim started a company in South Korea that manufacturers EZ Cook machines and has sold more than 15,000 such devices across the US to date. One of his first big clients was Samsung, which wanted the ramen machines for the cafeteria of its San Jose facility, and Kim now supplies them to dozens of other factories and manufacturers. (At the SK Battery factory in Georgia, employees consume 10,000 ramen packs a month, Kim says.)

The Ramyun Zip is a prototype of sorts for more instant ramen cafes, and Nongshim, the global South Korean food company that produces Shin Ramyun, provided branding for the noodle-cup-shaped tables that fill the store. The different types of noodle packs are organized on the shelves by category: mild, medium, spicy, extra spicy, halal, and vegan. The brands are primarily Korean, but you’ll also find options from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and beyond. While you will recognize some of the brands (Shin Ramyun and Buldak are popular), The Ramyun Zip will be directly importing about 30 percent of its collection, including rare options like duck noodles and horse meat ramen from Kazakhstan.

“We are a logistic company, so we know how to clear it and bring it in,” Kim says. “There’s a bunch that are very odd that you can’t find in the states.”

You can also buy cans of kimchi, packaged hard-boiled eggs, and plastic-wrapped sausages. The toppings bar—unlimited for $3.50—includes vegetables, cheese, fried tofu, fish balls, and more. Kim says he’s planning to eventually offer 24 different toppings, including heartier options like bulgogi and gochujang chicken.

It’s not all instant ramen either. The menu also features kimbap—Kim’s company manufactures a machine that precisely and quickly rolls and cuts the Korean-style sushi rolls. Another product in the works is an automated frying machine, which will be introduced to the shop next year for shrimp tempura and other fried toppings. The word “Zip” means “house” in Korean, and Kim envisions an entire “Zip” series of restaurants featuring his food robots, several more of which are still in development.

Come savor the flavors, mingle with fellow food lovers, and experience a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Don't miss out on this delicious adventure!

Check out the website at www.theramyun.zip (sorry - for some reason can't embed a hyperlink)

To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we would like to keep the group small. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 4 friends.

In the future, we will vary the days of the week, geography and the cost of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners.

WHEN YOU RSVP, please be sure you're ready to join us. We coordinate with these amazing restaurants ahead of time, and they can't wait to roll out the red carpet for us. Supporting these small businesses is a big deal, and we want to keep the good vibes going! So, if something comes up and you can't make it, just a heads up: no shows or last-minute cancellations could impact your ability to RSVP for future outings.

Thanks a million for your understanding! We're all about making this a fun and inclusive community, so feel free to share suggestions for future dining spots. Just a reminder, each diner will take care of their own tab.

If you are unable to join us in August, we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you at Ramyun Zip!