Ramen By Ra Introduce
In a city where countless restaurants vie for attention, some establishments stand out not just for their food, but for the unique and personal experience they offer. Ramen By Ra is one such place, a true gem in the heart of New York City that is redefining what a ramen shop can be. Tucked away on the Bowery, this intimate spot is the brainchild of Chef Rasheeda Purdie, a visionary who has created what is known as the city's first Black and female-owned ramen shop. The space itself is a key part of the experience. Designed to mimic a cozy, traditional Japanese food stall, it offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts guests at ease. The small, five-seat counter creates an intimate setting where diners can watch Chef Ra at work, a testament to her passion and skill. What truly sets Ramen By Ra apart is its groundbreaking approach to the dish. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Asa-Ramen (breakfast ramen) and fused with classic American brunch concepts, the menu features innovative bowls that are both comforting and surprising. Think "Steak and Soy Egg" ramen or "BLT" ramen, unique creations that blend the soulfulness of Southern food with the rich flavors of Japanese broth. This creative fusion is a reflection of Chef Ra's own journey from the fashion industry to the culinary world, and her dedication to honoring tradition while pushing boundaries. The reviews from customers speak volumes about the quality of the food and the exceptional experience. Diners consistently praise the "amazing and unique" taste, the "wonderful energy" of Chef Ra herself, and the intimate, conversational atmosphere. The fact that the entire experience is pre-booked and pre-paid in advance is a forward-thinking system that eliminates any awkwardness over money and allows guests to simply "come and enjoy good food and great vibes." For any New Yorker looking for a truly one-of-a-kind meal, Ramen By Ra is not just a place to eat; it's a destination that promises a memorable and heartwarming culinary journey.
Ramen By Ra is located at 348 Bowery, New York, NY 10012, USA, placing it in a prime and easily accessible location. The restaurant is situated within the Bowery Market in the vibrant NoHo neighborhood. This area is well-known for its eclectic mix of businesses, from art galleries and unique shops to other food stalls, making it a bustling hub for both locals and tourists. The location is highly convenient for those traveling by public transportation, with numerous subway stations and bus stops within walking distance. For those who drive, the area offers both free and paid street parking, which, while not always easy to find in Manhattan, provides options for guests. The unique setting within the market adds to the cozy and intimate feel, creating a sense of discovery for first-time visitors. While the space is small, with only four or five seats, this intentional design choice is a major part of the experience. It allows for direct interaction with Chef Ra and fosters a sense of community among guests. The space is carefully curated to feel like a "Japanese food stall," which transports diners away from the noise of the city and into a personal, focused culinary environment. The entire experience is built around this physical space and its location, making it a cohesive and thoughtfully designed destination. The convenience of being centrally located on the Bowery, combined with the aformentioned availability of parking, makes it a spot that is easy to get to, while the intimate setting makes it a place you won't soon forget.
Ramen By Ra offers a highly curated and unique set of services designed to provide a seamless and exclusive dining experience. These services are a key part of the restaurant's innovative business model. The services offered include:
- Takeout: While the main draw is the dine-in experience, the restaurant also offers takeout for those who want to enjoy the food at home.
- Dine-in: This is the core service, providing a cozy and intimate experience at the restaurant's five-seat counter.
- Brunch and Lunch: Ramen By Ra focuses on serving meals during the day, specializing in a "breakfast-brunch ramen experience."
- Reservations required: Due to the limited seating, reservations are mandatory and must be booked in advance. This ensures a spot for every guest and minimizes food waste.
- Accepts reservations: The reservation system is a key part of the business model, allowing guests to book and pay for their meal ahead of time.
These services highlight the restaurant's focus on quality over quantity. By controlling the number of guests and managing reservations in advance, Chef Ra can ensure every bowl is made with precision and care, providing a consistently high-quality experience for every single customer.
What sets Ramen By Ra apart are the exceptional features and highlights that make it a truly one-of-a-kind dining destination. These key aspects define the experience and have earned the restaurant its loyal following:
- An intimate, five-seat counter that creates a personal and interactive dining experience with Chef Ra.
- An innovative menu that blends traditional Japanese ramen with American breakfast and brunch concepts, resulting in unique creations like Steak and Soy Egg ramen and BLT ramen.
- The restaurant is the first Black and female-owned ramen shop in America, a significant and celebrated achievement.
- The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, designed to mimic a traditional Japanese food stall, transporting diners to a different world.
- The food is consistently praised for being "amazing," "unique," and "full of flavor," with customers claiming it's some of the "best ramen" they've ever had.
- The pre-booked and pre-paid model simplifies the dining experience, eliminating the awkwardness of handling money and allowing guests to focus on the food and conversation.
- Chef Ra herself is a major highlight, with reviews describing her as "nice and sweet," having "wonderful energy," and being a "stellar chef."
- The food is made with a high level of passion and care, with Chef Ra's background as a stylist turned chef adding a unique artistic touch to every bowl.
- The restaurant accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, which is convenient for modern diners.
These highlights, from the personal touch of the chef to the groundbreaking menu and streamlined business model, all contribute to Ramen By Ra's status as a must-visit spot in New York City. The experience is not just a meal; it's a curated event that leaves a lasting impression on every guest.
For inquiries or to make a reservation at Ramen By Ra, you can use the following contact information:
Address: 348 Bowery, New York, NY 10012, USA
Phone: (212) 677-4579
Mobile Phone: +1 212-677-4579
These contact points provide a direct line to the restaurant and are essential for securing a spot at this exclusive establishment. Given that reservations are required and often booked a month in advance, planning ahead and using these numbers to book is highly recommended. The clear and professional nature of the contact details reflects the high-end service that the restaurant provides. For a place that values a personal and seamless experience, having these direct lines of communication is crucial for guests to plan their visit properly. The fact that customers are willing to book so far ahead is a testament to the positive reputation and quality of the dining experience, which all starts with a simple phone call or a booking on their online platform.
When it comes to deciding what makes Ramen By Ra worth choosing, the glowing customer reviews paint a vivid picture of a truly exceptional dining experience. The food itself is a major draw. The innovative menu, which features unique dishes like the "Steak and Egg" and "BLT" ramen, provides a fresh and exciting take on a beloved classic. Customers consistently rave about the "amazing and unique" flavors, with one declaring it "undoubtably some of the best ramen I've ever had." The "Steak and Soy Egg" ramen, in particular, is highlighted as being "AMAZING," with tender steak slices and a perfect soy egg. The intimate and cozy atmosphere is another compelling reason to choose Ramen By Ra. The small, five-seat counter creates a personal and private setting where diners can converse with the chef and other guests, making the experience feel more like a supper club than a typical restaurant. As one customer noted, the limited seating made for "great conversation with fellow guests and Ra." This personal connection is a major highlight and something that can't be found at larger, more impersonal establishments. The pre-booked and pre-paid model is a game-changer for many diners. It takes the stress out of the dining experience, allowing guests to "just come and enjoy." This efficient system is appreciated by customers who want to focus on the food and the company, and it also demonstrates Chef Ra's smart and sustainable business practices. Finally, the personal touch of Chef Ra herself is the heart of the experience. Her "wonderful energy" and attentiveness are frequently mentioned in reviews, and her passion for her craft is evident in every bowl. For those looking to support a Black woman-owned business and experience a truly innovative and heartwarming culinary journey, Ramen By Ra is an unparalleled choice. It’s a place that feels foreign yet comforting, intimate yet welcoming, and it is absolutely worth booking a spot to experience it firsthand.
Ramen By Ra Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Reservations required
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Ramen By Ra Photos










Ramen By Ra Location
Ramen By Ra Reviews
steakatmospherebaconchimichurriegg ramenpassionblack womanchatginger teacheesy ramen
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Had a wonderful dining experience. I came with my best friend and had a blast. The space transports you to a cozy Japanese food stall. The smell upon sitting down was beautiful. I had the steak and egg ramen and my bestie had the BLT ramen. The taste was so amazing and unique. It felt so foreign yet so comforting all at once. Ra was so nice and sweet. We chatted and then she allowed us to enjoy our meal together while still being attentive. I asked prior to recording if she was comfortable with it ( because I always ask ) and she kindly said yes. we loved the experience and will be back with more people.
April 06 · Sparkels SugarRamen by Ra was such a great experience, booking a month in advance was fully worth it! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, Ra is a stellar chef with wonderful energy and the FOOD?! Undoubtably some of the best ramen I've ever had. I got the Steak and Soy Egg (with an extra egg because I love them!) and it was AMAZING! Full of flavor, I promise you would rather eat than talk, but the intimacy of having only 4 seats made for great conversation with fellow guests and Ra. I came happy to support a Black woman-owned business and left happy and rejuvenated.I loved that everything was booked and paid for in advance so all you had to do was come and enjoy good food and great vibes. No awkwardness surrounding money, no paper and pens flying back and forth. The sit down time of 45 minutes was more than enough time. I look forward to coming back to NYC just to have this experience again! Seriously, invite a friend (or go by yourself!) and BOOK THAT SPOT!
March 20 · O. Deborah AfolayanWhat an honor it was to sit at Chef Ra's counter! What an experience. I watched her prepare our food with such care and reverence for the ingredients. She was prepared for our visit which made the wait time short from the time we sat down until the time we were eating. Her kitchen was pristine and every touch had meaning. She was personable and kind. She shared her story with us. We learned about her journey and how her mother collected glassware in anticipation of her daughter's dream being realized.I had the bacon, egg and cheese ramen. The broth had a slight creaminess that came from the cheese but still retained the brothy nature of ramen. Every bite was soulful and delicious. She refreshed our hot green teas and took pictures with us.If you can get a reservation, get it. And if you can't, request a notification. That is how we got ours. What a blessing!
March 03 · Dr. Catherine CushinberryThere are not enough stars to express how DIVINE my experience was today!Nestled in the back of The Bowery Market at a stand that seats five, it created a cozy and inviting atmosphere, that prompted you to want to break bread with your fellow diners over how special this dining experience is!I had the steak & fried egg ramen & the Mister had the bacon, egg & cheese ramen. Let me say this: from the deeply flavorful broth to the delicate noodles to the well-seasoned steak/pork belly, everything was PERFECTION. Five- stars-PLUS-perfection!The yuzu and ginger drinks were also the perfect citrusy accompaniments!This beautiful meal was made even more so amazing by the lovely Rasheeda, who was so attentive, and SO DANG WARM & FRIENDLY, it made it so that I felt like I was over at my sister's house having Sunday dinner. She's bringing THAT kind of LOVE & VIBE that my ramen-loving soul needed!Thank you for this uniquely lovely dining experience!
March 17 · Vanessa GamarraI’m not sure I can adequately express how much I enjoyed dining at Ramen By Ra this past Sunday, but I will try. I’d heard of this spot either late last year or early 2024 and wanted to try it since then (I also wanted to meet a new name twin doing great things). I’d wanted to go for my birthday weekend back in November, but hadn’t fully researched the location and didn’t understand what I was getting in to.I was a bit confused as my friend was making the reservation when she texted me the menu and asked me to choose what I wanted to eat and drink. When we arrived early for our reservation, I completely got it. I knew the space was going to be small from what I’d read prior, but I was pleasantly surprised when we got to Bowery Market which I had never been to before. This area was my favorite stomping ground from the late 90s to around 2005, but I’ve only really driven through the area in the last 5 years. Anyway, the market is super adorable with Ramen By Ra nestled neatly in the rear right corner. I was really impressed with the set up and decor of her tiny space which is perfect for this concept.We were very early for our reservation, and I didn’t want to interrupt the 4 guests prior to us. When they left, I introduced myself and let her know we were next, and Ra assured me she’d be ready for our 2pm reservation. When we came back around 10 to 2, we were greeted by a gorgeous set up of crystal wares as she began preparing our meal. I’m all about efficiency, and her kitchen is the perfect set up for one person to work in. I enjoyed watching her work and was in awe as Ra meticulously constructed our dishes which I can tell she does with love, care and passion.I had the gravlax ramen with a sparkling ginger drink, and my friend had the steak and egg (which I will be trying next time). Though I love ramen, I’m not huge on broth by itself. I tried the broth first, and I don’t think my taste buds could comprehend what was happening for a few minutes. This is hands down the best broth I’ve had in any soup dish ever! The combination of the gravlax, soy egg, fried capers and pickled onions along with the broth was the fix I didn’t know I needed since lox bagels are in my top 3 favorite breakfast items. I savored every single bite of this dish, and the ginger drink was the perfect pairing in my opinion. The flavor stayed on my taste buds after I finished my meal way longer than I expected. For me, Ra is the master of umami! I will admit that I got a bit alarmed (it’s a texture thing for me, and I hope she couldn’t tell! 😩) when she started whipping up and adding the foam to my dish as I’m generally not a fan of foam (not even on my lattes!) but chose to trust the process and was pleasantly surprised at what it added to the dish. My friend enjoyed her dish and drink immensely as well.Aside from the phenomenal food, Rasheeda is a very pleasant person to talk to and very open with sharing about who she is, how she got into making ramen and how she turned it into the business Ramen By Ra is today. This isn’t simply a yummy bowl of ramen but a soul satisfying experience that I highly recommend for those who are into ramen as well as those who are not. I can’t see how anyone could be disappointed by this top notch experience!
December 10 · Rasheeda Johnson
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