As of early November, Kyushu Ramen has opened a third location, and it offers a special menu item available only at the new spot.

Nestled in Olentangy Square, at 784 Bethel Rd., is the new Kyushu Ramen Bar storefront. The restaurant's timid exterior gives way to its signature look, featuring bar seating in front of the chefs and booth seating along the opposite wall. 

Naming Kyushu Ramen as a local favorite is humble, to say the least. With two other locations, 1280 W. Fifth Ave. in Grandview and 6418 Pullman Dr. in Lewis Center, Kyushu Ramen has earned an admirable reputation for its well-executed, well-served ramen.

The Bethel Rd. location held its grand opening on November 11th and has, unsurprisingly, seen a steady stream of business since. We stopped in one evening for a quick chat with owner Leon Zhu, between peak hours.

While many know and love Kyushu Ramen for its delicious ramen and sushi (not served at the Fifth Ave. location), Zhu walked us through an updated menu featuring special dishes exclusive to the new location.

Of course, you can still find hits like gyoza, rice bowls, and Kyushu Classic Tonkotsu on the menu, but Zhu has been perfecting a special menu item for years, which debuted at the new location.

Zhu prepared us this special vegan and gluten-free Tonkotsu Ramen, featuring a rich, white vegetable soup base topped with tofu, sweet corn, wood ear mushrooms, green onion, bamboo shoots, asparagus, and nori. You can order this vegetarian style as described, or vegan and gluten-free, which features a special rice noodle.

Zhu, who holds certifications as a professional “Ramen Sommelier” from schools in Osaka and California, has mastered this vegan and gluten-free dish, making it as flavorful and hearty as your typical Tonkotsu ramen.

The rice noodles are a spectacular alternative, with a slightly softer texture that absorbs the broth's flavors well. The broth has a lighter taste since you’re without the fatty content of the traditional pork or chicken toppings, but it is delicious and complex in its own right.

Right now, Zhu is testing this vegan and gluten-free Tonkotsu exclusively at the Bethel Rd. location, but plans to bring it to Lewis Center in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for it in Grandview as this special dish makes its way across Columbus!

Additionally, we tried the Kyushu Classic Tonkotsu with pork, one of the most popular items on the menu. There’s a good reason for the popularity, as the ramen was packed with flavor and toppings, including an expertly jammy egg.

We paired both ramen dishes with a Rainbow Roll, California Roll, and pan-fried pork gyoza. With this location being one of two serving sushi, it was exceptional and fresh. Everything we ordered was phenomenal; it’s evident that Zhu and his team of chefs have a love for the craft.

If you haven’t stopped into a Kyushu Ramen location yet, you’re certainly missing out. The Bethel Rd. location is currently open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

 

 

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Stop by the new Kyushu Ramen Bar!

784 Bethel Rd, Columbus

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