go rakken ramen
California-based ramen restaurant chain spices up Katy with third Houston-area location
Rakkan Ramen has arrived in Katy.
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.
