At Seamless, we’re pretty obsessed with knowing everything about popular NYC restaurants—including the people who run them. With our Couch Convo series, we sit down with the people behind the most delicious local spots. Next up: Jun, one of the owners of Jun-Men Ramen.
Seamless: So Jun, can you tell us why you decided to open Jun-Men Ramen?
Jun: I wanted to create a space where good people and good food could come together for a great time. I love to eat a good bowl of hearty broth and it seemed like it was missing in Chelsea at the time.
Seamless: There are tons of ramen spots in NYC. What makes Jun-Men Ramen stand out?
Jun: We are constantly thinking of ways to improve. Creating the perfect broth is an art. The entire staff takes pride in each bowl and enjoys watching our guests slurp until the very last drop.
Seamless: Let’s pretend it’s our first time ordering, what should we get?
Jun: This is one of the toughest questions we get. The Pork Bone Ramen is a classic, but we have a huge following for our Veggie Ramen and Uni Mazemen. I would also recommend our chicken wings, shiitake bun and fried rice. Some of our guests think they’re better than our ramen.
I wanted Jun-Men Ramen to be more than just a ramen bar. I wanted it to be a fun place for people to come and enjoy a nice meal with great company. Some of our customers say our chicken wings are best in the city, so we know adding them to the menu was the right decision.
Seamless: On your website, it mentions that you offer unique ramen flavors—outside of traditional flavors. Can you tell us more?
Jun: It was really in response to our guests. Some of our guests are vegetarian or did not eat pork but really wanted the hearty broth experience. We were able to expand our broths to include miso vegetable broth and chicken-based broth.
Plus, we also have something from my Korean roots—the Kimchi Ramen. It’s a tribute to my heritage.
Seamless: How has the coronavirus impacted how you operate Jun-Men Ramen?
Jun: Like many restaurants, we are prioritizing the safety of our customers, staff and delivery partners. We provide masks to our employees, ensure they wear gloves and operate with minimal staff to maintain social distancing. Our staff is continuously sanitizing throughout the day to make sure we maintain a clean workspace.
Seamless: What about the management of your food?
Jun: We chill and package our noodles separately with a bit of oil so that the noodles don’t get soggy and they maintain their texture until our customers are ready to devour them in the comfort of their homes.
Seamless: How do you hope people feel when Jun-Men Ramen arrives at their door?
Jun: I hope it gives them a bit of comfort during this time. Like receiving a big, warm hug.
Seamless: If Kimchi Ramen and Veggie Ramen had a wrestling match, which would win?
Jun: Kimchi Ramen would carry a mean, spicy punch but Veggie Ramen wouldn’t go down easy with its fried maitake mushroom. It would be a close match.
Seamless: Can you share the most memorable moment you’ve had with a loyal fan?
Jun: When we first reopened after about a month and a half, one of our customers let us know that they left their apartment for the first time in over 50 days to pick-up our food. I was floored.
Seamless: Yeah, your ramen is worth it! And we’re sure that was a mood-booster. How else are you staying positive during this time?
Jun: Trying to be creative. I’m actually thinking of ways to expand the menu—especially during the summer months when ramen might not be on the top of cravings. Stay tuned, it’s going to be exciting!
