Jinya Ramen Bar

[MagzOK]

There's a sign out front of the old Panera on Western for Jinya Ramen Bar. It appears there is currently work going on inside the building. There is one in Tulsa.

https://www.jinyaramenbar.com

[chssooner]

Hopefully it doesn't take away from Goro or Tamashii! Both of those are in the top-tier of Ramen places in the southwest, in my opinion.

But I will definitely give them a try, since they are here.

[pickles]

Hopefully it doesn't take away from Goro or Tamashii! Both of those are in the top-tier of Ramen places in the southwest, in my opinion.

But I will definitely give them a try, since they are here.

Goro, in their Plaza incarnation at least, was easily among the best ramen places I've been in the U.S.

I went to that semi secret place in Seattle that food writers couldn't shut up about years ago, and it simply wasn't as good. I never had a better bowl in California either.

It's not on the same level now without the full time attention of their chef, but it's still very good.

Jinya is fine and I'll go from time to time because it's close by.

[shartel_ave]

Goro, in their Plaza incarnation at least, was easily among the best ramen places I've been in the U.S.

I went to that semi secret place in Seattle that food writers couldn't shut up about years ago, and it simply wasn't as good. I never had a better bowl in California either.

It's not on the same level now without the full time attention of their chef, but it's still very good.

Jinya is fine and I'll go from time to time because it's close by.

That is a bold statement to make about Goro. I love Goro but prefer Tamashii's tonkotsu/noodles over any ramen at Goro.

California has some of the best ramen in the world next to Japan and Vancouver BC Canada.

I've been trying to get Ramen Tatsu-ya to open a spot in OKC but I seriously doubt that as there is only one in Austin and was voted best ramen in the US a few years ago.

Jinya is amazing especially the ramen with the karaage chicken and the ramen with the dumplings! Jinya is constantly rated as one of the top ramen spots in the U.S. by chefs.

Either way I think it is great OKC is getting more quality ramen spots.

[PhiAlpha]

There’s one in the blue dome district in tulsa. I’d put it up there with giro and tamashi, maybe slightly below. Very good though.

[Pete]

Press release:

****************

JINYA Ramen Bar Prepares to Open in Oklahoma City
Award-winning Japanese ramen restaurant sets up shop in OKC metro

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 9, 2022) – Oklahoma City will soon welcome a new authentic ramen experience to Nichols Hills. JINYA Ramen Bar will open its doors this spring and offer perfectly balanced ramen bowls and Japanese cocktails for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.

Priding itself on its authenticity to culture, the ramen bar will serve traditional flavors of Japanese cuisine via small plates and its renowned ramen bowls that combine bold noodles, full-bodied broths that simmer for over 20 hours, and a wide array of authentic toppings. JINYA will also be offering a plant-based menu, emphasizing balanced ingredients without sacrificing flavors; and house a full bar with a drink menu highlighting sake flights, local craft beers, and a variety of Japanese whiskies. OKC’s JINYA will be one of selected restaurants in the country to feature Suntory Whisky Highball dispenser, serving optimally blended, carbonated, and chilled Toki Highball.

“JINYA has been a fan-favorite dining destination in Downtown Tulsa for the past five years, so we’re beyond excited to bring our authentic Japanese ramen and tapas to the OKC community,” said Oklahoma restauranteur Dave Sopark. “We’ve secured the perfect location on north Western Avenue near Classen Curve, and we look forward to providing JINYA’s exceptional experience in an upbeat and contemporary atmosphere. Our team can’t wait to welcome ramen lovers from throughout the area when we open our doors this spring.”

Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Sopark earned his MBA degree at the University of Tulsa, and held an internship in Oklahoma City. He took his Oath of Allegiance to become a naturalized U.S. citizen here in OKC. “It’s easy to tell that Oklahoma City is becoming more and more of an international city, and certainly has the Asian cuisine options to show for it,” Sopark said. “We look forward to becoming part of a rich and vibrant food scene in the capital city.”

The new 5,000-square-foot restaurant will be located at 6800 N. Western Ave., and will feature cozy industrial ambiance with wall mural and vertical greeneries, a bold outdoor fire pit table, and plenty of parking. There will be open kitchen seating for guests wanting to take in the full experience of ramen bowl assembly up close. OKC’s JINYA will mark the brand’s second restaurant in Oklahoma, and is expected to open in April.

Hiring of staff will begin mid-March. To apply, visit www.jinyaramenbar.com/recruit or email your resume to jinyaOKC@gmail.com.


To learn more about JINYA’s full menu, visit jinyaramenbar.com.

About JINYA Ramen Bar

Founded in 2010 by Tomo Takahashi – who was named among the most influential restaurant CEOs in the country in 2020 by Nation’s Restaurant News – JINYA Ramen Bar has 40 restaurants with multiple new locations in the pipeline. JINYA’s focus on kaizen – the Japanese practice of continuous improvement – means its guests will always experience the best ramen out there. From the water used to prepare its broth to the special aging process that its noodles undergo, JINYA pays meticulous attention to everything that goes into its guests’ bowls. JINYA also operates bushi by JINYA and JINYA Ramen Express. For more information, visit jinyaramenbar.com and follow JINYA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

[OKCRealtor]

Heck yea, I love both Goro and Tamashii but location wise this will be much more convenient for me as I'm close by nearly every day. I haven't been to the one in Tulsa but will be excited to try it out.

[jbkrems]

Heck yea, I love both Goro and Tamashii but location wise this will be much more convenient for me as I'm close by nearly every day. I haven't been to the one in Tulsa but will be excited to try it out.

They have a location in Tulsa? Do you know where in Tulsa?

[BG918]

They have a location in Tulsa? Do you know where in Tulsa?

Downtown - 2nd & Frankfort

[Plutonic Panda]

Is this the same Jinya they have in LA? If so they are VERY good. Usually has lines constantly wrapped around the restaurant at least the one on Melrose.

[Timshel]

Have been to the one in DC. It was definitely solid, but I'll continue to make Goro my ramen spot (while always wishing 84 Hospitality brings Gun back in that space and re-open Goro in another close by space.

[soonermike81]

Been to the one in Tulsa and enjoyed it. We like Tamashii better but will probably choose Jinya over Goro. It’s more convenient for us as well, so we definitely welcome this addition.

[soonerguru]

Some local muckety mucks were dissing this announcement on FB yesterday because it is a chain. So what? Wasn't this Panera Bread location part of a chain? Should OKC be mad that an empty former Panera location is being repurposed into something different for the area? Of course not. People are idiots.

I don't know if the food is great, and although I've eaten ramen in Japan, I'm not a ramen expert. But it's hilarious how bent out of shape some people get about relatively trivial matters.

[Pete]

Half the time, these "chains" have a local franchisee. That is the case here, and the founder is from Oklahoma.

And many "local" places have out-of-state owners and/or landlords.

What about places from OKC that open lots of locations, often not in this area? What about all the places here that are almost carbon copies of original concepts from Dallas or L.A.? What are the ostensible rules that establish if someplace is 'local' and who makes them?

These issues are not at all simplistic or black & white.


As if any of this matters anyway. People vote with their wallets and reward the businesses that are worthy.


Carping about this on social media is usually a lame attempt at superiority by people who don't even understand what they are trying to be superior about.

It's nothing more than virtue signaling for the sake of attention.

[soonermike81]

Yeah I get really annoyed by those that complain about chains. Been going on here for a long time as well.

[Pete]

Almost every 'local' place has multiple investors. Where do they live and what percentage do they own? Where did their money come from and where is it going? There is simply no way to know.

A good case in point is the fuss made about First National Center having a 'local' owner. The primary owner lives in Texas and there are a bunch of investors.

The Oklahoman is always playing the local card yet they are owned by a huge national conglomerate and all the editing, layout, and most of the content is provided by people not living in Oklahoma.


'Local' and 'chain' are just buzz words most often used by people who have no idea what they are talking about and often looking to manipulate public sentiment and/or trying to appear superior in some way.

[TheTravellers]

...
'Local' and 'chain' are just buzz words most often used by people who have no idea what they are talking about and often looking to manipulate public sentiment and/or trying to appear superior in some way.

Or sometimes "local" is actually used properly, as in "We went to Burger Punk, then shopped at Flora Bodega, and got coffee at Classen Coffee on the way home, and they're all local places". Pretty sure all those are truly "local", with owners/etc. that all live here in the OKC metro, but correct me if I'm wrong.

[soonermike81]

Or sometimes "local" is actually used properly, as in "We went to Burger Punk, then shopped at Flora Bodega, and got coffee at Classen Coffee on the way home, and they're all local places". Pretty sure all those are truly "local", with owners/etc. that all live here in the OKC metro, but correct me if I'm wrong.

I think you're missing the point of his post. "Keeping it local" has turned many people into snobs that may not see or understand the overall picture. Many local chains may have outside influences/investors. Lots of successful national chains must've started from a smaller place somewhere, and had food good enough to get to and maintain a level of success. Sure, quality can and will often suffer when restaurants expand. But it irritates me when everyone thinks they're professional food critics these days and turns their nose in the air when the idea of a chain opening in their neighborhood. And a lot of these chains are franchised by local people. So while a small percentage of your dollars are possibly going out of state, you're still supporting an Oklahoma resident. "Local" and "chain" have definitely become buzz words used by many who wish to separate themselves from people they think are beneath them.

[TheTravellers]

I think you're missing the point of his post. "Keeping it local" has turned many people into snobs that may not see or understand the overall picture. Many local chains may have outside influences/investors. Lots of successful national chains must've started from a smaller place somewhere, and had food good enough to get to and maintain a level of success. Sure, quality can and will often suffer when restaurants expand. But it irritates me when everyone thinks they're professional food critics these days and turns their nose in the air when the idea of a chain opening in their neighborhood. And a lot of these chains are franchised by local people. So while a small percentage of your dollars are possibly going out of state, you're still supporting an Oklahoma resident. "Local" and "chain" have definitely become buzz words used by many who wish to separate themselves from people they think are beneath them.

Nope, not missing the point at all, just offering a different perspective on Pete's quote. I fully realize what has been discussed about "local" and "chain", but not everybody that uses "local" has no idea what they're talking about or is trying to manipulate public sentiment, some actually talk the talk and walk the walk.

[soonerguru]

Nope, not missing the point at all, just offering a different perspective on Pete's quote. I fully realize what has been discussed about "local" and "chain", but not everybody that uses "local" has no idea what they're talking about or is trying to manipulate public sentiment, some actually talk the talk and walk the walk.

You don't always have to be contrarian do you? Of course we know those places are local, and we (I) support them. Clearly you didn't see the social media posts associated with this conversation. Had you, you may not be trying to be contrarian.

Another point Pete made that I agree with is people here copying ideas they have seen elsewhere and deploying them here. Totally OK in my book. There are some unbelievably good local joints, but there are others that kinda suck, or at least could be much better. People shouldn't have to feel guilted into supporting something just because it's local.

I want to live in a city with so many diverse options that we have owners of establishments from all over the planet. Not just a city where we have four or five local restaurant groups dominating every culinary genre.

Again, I'm one of the last people here who has any interest in chains, I just found it amusing that people are bemoaning a ramen chain setting up shop in what was a boarded up former Panera Bread. Pretty craptacularly dumb take.

[soonerguru]

It's interesting and somewhat amusing that you mention chefs specifically vouching for Jinya while a local "food blogger" was totally trashing it on social media. I'm here for the chef's opinions, not people who self categorize as food critics (unless they have specific culinary education and experience). I realize Jinya may be a chain, but I'm not a fundamentalist for a reason, so, if it's good, it's good, and it's destined to be more interesting than a shuttered Panera Bread location.

[shartel_ave]

It's interesting and somewhat amusing that you mention chefs specifically vouching for Jinya while a local "food blogger" was totally trashing it on social media. I'm here for the chef's opinions, not people who self categorize as food critics (unless they have specific culinary education and experience). I realize Jinya may be a chain, but I'm not a fundamentalist for a reason, so, if it's good, it's good, and it's destined to be more interesting than a shuttered Panera Bread location.

Yep, I'll take a chef's word over a food bloggers word any day of the week

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation...-ramen-noodles

https://www.tastingtable.com/788506/...ts-in-america/

[Pete]

People here trying to claim superior knowledge by bashing other restaurants drive me completely crazy.

Hating on anyone trying to make an honest living is the surest sign of rampant insecurity. And the oldest trick of the wannabe pretentious.

Stick to what you like and why without all the snarky judgment.

[shartel_ave]

I completely agree

I love Goro and Tamashii, especially Tamashii. Honestly I prefer Tonkotsu ramen to any other style and that is what Tamashii specializes in.

Jinya has a great history and started in Japan.

The OKC metro has some really good ramen like Jiro, Mizu, Masa, Yuzo and some I can't think of at the moment.

[Pete]

They are spending a ton of money on this operation: