go rakken ramen

California-based ramen restaurant chain spices up Katy with third Houston-area location

Rakkan Ramen has arrived in Katy.

Courtesy of Rakkan Ramen

Katy has a new option for hearty bowls of noodles. Rakkan Ramen, a California-based restaurant with locations in the Heights and Tomball, has opened its third Houston-area location at 1321 N. Westgreen Blvd.

Traditionally, ramen restaurants serve a pork-based tonkotsu broth, but Rakken Ramen's vegetable broth gets its umami punch from a combination of kombu (edible algae), mushrooms, carrots, onion, ginger, and garlic. Rakkan has five ramen bases: Amber (soy), Pearl (salt), Garnet (miso), Spicy Garnet, and Quartz (creamy). They can be paired with one of three kinds of noodles, a vegan noodle made with whole wheat, a gluten-free noodle, or vegetable noodles made with kale.

Diners may satisfy their carnivorous cravings by adding pork chasu or chicken to their noodles. The menu also includes an extensive selection of appetizers and small plates such as gyoza, shumai, karaage, hand rolls, and steamed buns.

Franchisee Chris Lav opened the first Houston-area location in the Heights in 2021. Tomball followed earlier this year. He has plans for at least two more locations in the months to come.

“We are excited to continue expanding the Rakken Ramen brand in the greater Houston area,” Lav said in a statement. “We look forward to being a part of the Katy community and continue to grow this year with more locations coming.”

After beginning a soft opening last weekend, the new Rakken Ramen will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, June 24. The first 50 diners at lunch and the first 50 diners at dinner will receive a free bowl of ramen. It opens daily at 11 am.

Founded by Ryohei Ito in Tokyo in 2011, Rakken Ramen came to America in 2017. Currently, the restaurant has 11 locations in six states.

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.