The Ramyun Zip in Centreville is a ramen lover’s paradise.
Upon entering the restaurant at 14215T Centreville Square, customers are greeted by a floor-to-ceiling selection of nearly 100 different types of sealed noodle packs, ranging from mild to extra spicy.
The vast selection — which owner Chris Kim estimates is just a sampling of the more than 10,000 instant noodle options available worldwide — is just one of the reasons why he opted to open the eatery last fall in Centreville Square.
“A lot of people think that it’s just one of those cheap meals that you eat during college, but it’s not that anymore,” Kim said. “There are people that eat it every single day because they just love it.”
After selecting their noodles of choice, diners who want to make the noodles in the store will pay $5.50. Toppings can be added for $1 each, or an extra $3.50 for an unlimited selection, including vegetable dumplings, tempura, rice cakes, fish balls and more.
Customers are given a bowl, which they then take to one of the restaurant’s EZ Cook machines. After placing their noodles and toppings in the bowl, a click of a button will dispense hot water.
In only a few minutes, the ramen is ready to be eaten — made-to-order, exactly how a diner wants them.
“Today’s world is not just about the food, it’s the whole experience — the fun way of doing things,” Kim said.
So far, the concept — which grew in popularity in Kim’s native South Korea before he opted to bring the idea stateside — has drawn intrigue from locals, and not just the Asian American community.
Kim estimates that no more than 10% of the restaurant’s customers are of Asian heritage, with large portions coming from the Latino community and those seeking halal options.
“We see that this is not about just Asian food, that Asian people like this more,” Kim said. “It’s for everybody now.”
The positive response has led to expansion plans, with Kim eyeing an additional 30 locations worldwide by the end of 2025. One of those targeted locations is in Annandale, with Kim telling FFXnow that many customers have been asking for a location in the neighborhood.
“We haven’t finalized yet, but most likely we’re going to get it,” Kim said of an Annandale location.
The Centreville restaurant is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with hours extending to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
