There’s a new ramen house in town. JINYA Ramen Bar opened this week in the downtown space formerly occupied by Steel Pan PnP and Iron Bird Brewing. And the new restaurant brings a chic and savory experience that blends authentic Japanese cuisine with an elevated modern style reflective of its Tokyo-meets-L.A. roots.
“We are excited to open our first location in Colorado Springs,” said Founder and CEO Tomo Takahashi in a press release. “This city’s vibrant energy and growing culinary scene make it the perfect place for us to share our passion for authentic Japanese ramen.”
Takahashi opened his first JINYA Ramen Bar in Los Angeles in 2010. He had grown up in southern Japan, where his family owned a robatayaki restaurant serving slow charcoal-grilled skewered meats and vegetables. Takahashi studied culinary arts and opened seven restaurants in Tokyo. While spending time in L.A., Takahashi was unable to find ramen that satisfied his taste for traditional Japanese flavor and style, and he saw an opportunity to introduce authentic ramen culture to the U.S.
JINYA has since spread across the U.S. and Canada. The new Colorado Springs location is the chain’s 73rd outpost and its fourth in Colorado, following Denver, Fort Collins and Black Hawk. Takahashi’s portfolio also includes smaller concepts in Los Angeles and Honolulu, including LBD Japanese Bar & Lounge, Robata JINYA and Saijo.
JINYA preaches a focus on kaizen, the Japanese practice of continuous improvement and seems to exercise it through a meticulous focus on detail. Its most notable differentiator is its slow-cooked approach and its obsession with authentic Japanese noodles, which it ages for days.
“What is special for us is the way that we cook our broth,” says Oscar Eleir, director of new restaurant openings. “Our flavor is unique because we take our time to cook in the kitchen. The pork soups take us almost two days. We want to make sure that our broths reach that rich flavor. And for the chicken broth, it’s more than 6-7 hours that we cook it. You cannot find that flavoring any other place.”
He’s right about that flavor. In our sampling, we try the JINYA Tonkotsu Black, the Tan Tan Men and the Chicken Yuzu Shio Delight. Each is deliciously deep and rich, and each broth provides a distinct flavor. The Chicken Yuzu features a clear chicken broth, and its yuzu lends a bright citrus note. But it’s the Tan Tan Men that truly stands out. The pork dish is based in a chicken soy broth; its sesame essence and chili oil drizzle bring a subtle, simmering smokiness that shines.
Eleir tells us the most popular dishes are the Tonkotsu Black, the Spicy Chicken Ramen and the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen.
JINYA’s drink menu includes a wide range of Japanese and Colorado beers, 20-some sakes and a list of unique signature cocktails and mocktails. We stick to some brighter, summery options and are impressed with each. The Dragon Fruit Fizz features London Dry Gin and a delightful blend of floral flavors that sparkle with dragon and passion fruits.
Our nonalcoholic choices are equally balanced and refreshing. The Watermelon Delight is a kiss of summer you literally could drink poolside all day. And the Matcha Lychee Lemonade is the star of the show, with the matcha powder blended and poured at the table.
Matcha lovers should also not leave without trying the Matcha Tiramisu. Served in an artful Japanese wooden box, the dessert is a harmonious blend of light richness to send you on your way.
“We want people to come and enjoy lively interactions and enjoy the quality of the food and service that we provide,” Eleir says.
It seems like only yesteryear we were publishing a Love Letter to Ramen as the national noodle house trend finally reached Colorado Springs (it’s still an entertaining read for fans of the noodle house). Sadly that wave crested, sweeping away ramen upstarts like Rooster’s House of Ramen and Oka Ramen. But lovers of brothy bowls can rejoice over the new wave of ramen in the Springs that brought Night Ramen last fall and now JINYA Ramen Bar. With the two less than a mile apart, we can only hope that a rising ramen tide raises all broths.
Explore the full menu at jinyaramenbar.com.
And note that JINYA is partnering with Angels of America’s Fallen, a Colorado Springs nonprofit that supports children of fallen firefighters, military and law enforcement. For the first month, 10% of all gyoza sales will be donated to this cause.
