Introduction to Ramen Alley
Located at 9798 Bellaire Blvd, Ramen Alley brings a first-of-its-kind Korean convenience store experience to Asiatown. For years, Korean food has dominated social media feeds, with visions of convenience store drinks, cup ice, and DIY-ed instant ramen garnering thousands of likes and taste tests. Even globally famous K-pop stars have gotten in on the trend, demonstrating their own ramen hacks for fans to try out. Now, in Houston’s Asiatown, a new restaurant promises the closest thing to an Instagrammable Korean convenience store experience.
The Ambiance of Ramen Alley
Walking into Ramen Alley feels like an international trip. Diners are welcomed by a giant shelf stocked high with nearly every Korean ramen brand in existence. Plastic tables and maroon stools evoke a roadside dining experience—casual and devoid of pretension. The back wall of the small restaurant is adorned with vintage posters, ranging from faded advertisements for ramen to posters of K-pop stars. The scent of spicy instant noodles lingers in the air, as excited customers flitter back and forth between toppings, snacks, and pouches of fruit-flavored drinks.
The Concept Behind Ramen Alley
Owner Stacey Shin and her family, who run Myung Dong Kyoja Noodles, the popular Korean noodle spot next door, are behind the latest ramen craze. The Shins opened the Korean restaurant in 2020, hoping to expand the area’s Korean offerings. But after a few years, they realized the space for MDK Noodles was too large. The solution? Carve out a corner for ramen. Shin was inspired by the automated ramen machines that use induction heating to cook ramen in bowls, creating a no-mess, no-fuss dining experience.
The Experience of Ramen Alley
But Shin didn’t just want it to be a spot for instant noodles. She wanted her new shop to elicit the feel of South Korea’s 24-hour convenience stores; places like CU, GS25, and Asia-owned outposts of the American chain 7-Eleven are renowned for their high-quality food offerings and ready-to-eat meals. These convenience stores are so popular that CNN Travel reported in 2023 that the country operated an estimated 55,200 convenience stores—an average of one store for every 950 people. Online, influencers have gained followers by sharing the convenience experience.
The Menu and Prices
At Ramen Alley, a ramen bowl with three toppings will run diners just under $9—a decent deal in today’s economy. It’s also easy to score a variety of Korean snacks and drinks, ranging from shark-shaped popsicles to the crunchy, multilayered Turtle Chips. Packs of ramen cost $6 each and feature popular flavors and Korean classics. Toppings range in price from $0.25 to $0.75 and include bulgogi beef, kimchi, cooked bok choy, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and even milk.
How to Dine at Ramen Alley
To dine at Ramen Alley, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Pick Your Base
Choose from a variety of ramen flavors, including spicy Shin Ramyun, Jin Ramen, seafood soup–flavored Neoguri, and viral tear-inducing spicy Buldak ramen.
Step 2: Choose Your Toppings
Select from a range of toppings, including bulgogi beef, kimchi, cooked bok choy, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and milk. Diners can opt for the bundle deal and choose three toppings for $2.
Step 3: Cook Your Ramen
Place your bowl onto the machine stovetop, add the raw ramen, and hit start. When everything starts to bubble and boil, add in your toppings and wait for everything to warm up.
Step 4: Enjoy
Take the bowl out to the cashier counter and pay for your meal. Don’t forget to take a photo of your creation before you dig in – the camera eats first!
Conclusion
Ramen Alley is a unique and exciting addition to Houston’s Asiatown, offering a first-of-its-kind Korean convenience store experience. With its automated ramen machines, vast selection of ramen flavors, and variety of toppings, Ramen Alley is the perfect spot for anyone looking to try something new and exciting. Whether you’re a fan of Korean food or just looking for a fun and affordable dining experience, Ramen Alley is definitely worth checking out.
