Credit: Expressions Studios
Credit: Expressions Studios
Ann Chen, who owns the restaurant with Chef Jin (Allen) Li, said after opening Ozu at 852 Union Blvd. 10 years ago, their customers have become family. Through many conversations with their customers, Chen learned they were traveling throughout the area for ramen, prompting them to open a ramen restaurant within their community.
Ninja Ramen will have seaweed and squid salad in addition to a variety of appetizers like pork and chicken dumplings, calamari rings, edamame and much more. The restaurant has six different types of ramen featuring pork, grilled chicken, seafood, vegetables and beef. Customers can also add additional toppings.
Chef Li is known for being creative as well as picky about the ingredients he uses, Chen said. For example, the broth for the ramen is made from pork bone and other fresh ingredients that boils for several hours.
Paula Johnson, a longtime customer and former food critic for Dayton City Paper, first met the owners years ago when she wrote a review about Ozu and has been a loyal customer ever since. She said she can’t wait for their new restaurant to open.
“No one deserves it more than them,” Johnson said. “They are incredibly hardworking and the food is top-notch and wonderful.”
Johnson travels 45 minutes from Germantown weekly to get sushi from Ozu.
“Everyone who walks through the door seems to know Ann and Allen,” Johnson said. “One of the wonderful things about them is they are so open and welcoming that people immediately feel comfortable and want to come back.”
Credit: Expressions Studios
Credit: Expressions Studios
Since acquiring the former space of China Palace in August 2022, the owners have remodeled the restaurant. Ninja Ramen will also offer a full-service bar. The restaurant will seat 72 to 80 people.
Bill Singer, development director for the City of Englewood, believes Ninja Ramen will be a positive for the community.
“It’s exciting to have a different dining experience,” Singer said. “They’ve put a lot of work into this space.”
Credit: Expressions Studios
Credit: Expressions Studios
Ninja Ramen join several other establishments that have opened this year in Englewood including:
- Full Circle Brewgarden, a new brewery and kombuchery featuring a garden with around 300 different plant species, is located at 324 Union Blvd. next to JD’s Old Fashioned Frozen Custard.
- The Cookieologist and Slide Thru’s ghost kitchen concept at 322 Union Blvd., also next to JD’s Old Fashioned Frozen Custard.
- El Rancho Grande, a Mexican restaurant, located at 7712 Hoke Rd.
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