This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
Ramyun Studio, a new Korean ramen restaurant, is getting ready to open its doors in downtown State College this September. The noodle bar’s concept will allow customers to choose their own ramen to be cooked with the toppings they pick out.
Don Kim, owner of the new restaurant located at 208 E. Calder Way, termed the noodle dish “the soul food of South Korea.”
According to Kim, ramen noodles originated in Japan, but the Korean style of instant ramyun rose to popularity following the Korean War in the 1960s.
“It began as a salvation food for the poor and became popular even to the middle class in the 1960s and 1970s,” Kim explained. “This instant version falls into a different category than traditional Japanese ramen and even has a different spelling — ramyun or ramyeon.”
Kim noted that after the war, the South Korean economy began to boom, leading to an increase in the quality and options of the popular dish.
Many may be familiar with Japanese ramen, but Kim is looking to bring the South Korean comfort dish to Happy Valley, which he explained is a relatively new concept in the United States in general.
“We believe that food is one of the best ways to share and celebrate culture. By introducing Korean noodles, especially our own unique take on ramyun, we hope to provide the State College community with a taste of Korean tradition,” Kim said. “State College is a diverse town with a vibrant mix of international students and locals, and we see an opportunity to create a space where everyone can come together and experience something new.”
Kim emphasized that some of the keys to Korean cuisine include bold flavors, comfort and connection.
“For first-timers, we recommend starting with a classic like Jin Ramyun — it’s packed with flavor and offers a perfect balance of spice. In fact, you can actually choose between two options: mild and hot,” Kim explained. “We will offer a variety of other toppings such as egg, green onions, Spam, dumplings and more.”
Ramyun Studio will also debut a newly innovative ramen cooker currently popular throughout South Korea and the rest of Asia: the Hangang Ramyun Cooker. The Hangang Ramyun Cooker allows customers to create their own hot meals in-store in just minutes.
“It is a new model for a fast and convenient instant ramyun service facility where customers can cook their own instant ramyun according to their liking with minimal preparations,” Kim highlighted.
Kim noted that as the technology is in the early stages of development in the United States, Ramyun Studio will be one of the only places in the country with the concept.
Guests can expect a high-energy atmosphere with the hottest K-pop hits while they enjoy the Korean comfort dish. According to Kim, customers will order from the menu at a kiosk or on a mobile device, staff will then give the customers a tray with all their ordered items. Guests will then cook their own ramyun dish to their liking.
“If you need help or want to have one of our staff cook your raymun, you can always ask our staff members,” Kim emphasized. “If you are totally new to this, just ask our staff for help.”
Kim, originally from South Korea, moved to the United States due to his job relocating in 2000. He has a master’s degree in science and a love for Happy Valley that began when he started running the Cold Stone Creamery in downtown State College seven years ago.
Kim has a personal interest in introducing American and South Korean cultures to one another. As the restaurant opens later this month, he expects interest from both local residents and Penn State students as he hopes to create an opportunity to bring K-culture to State College.
“For international students, especially those from Korea, we hope our restaurant feels like a comforting piece of home. At the same time, we are excited to introduce locals to the depth and variety of Korean noodles, from spicy broths to savory toppings,” Kim explained. “We want people to walk away from their meal feeling both satisfied and curious about Korean culture. Whether it’s their first time trying ramyun or they’ve been enjoying it for years, we aim to create a memorable dining experience that brings people together through food.”
