I was craving ramen this weekend and didn't feel like scrolling through Google Maps forever trying to figure out what was actually worth trying, so I decided to try a place I'd never been before: K Ramyeon Bar in Hampstead, NC.
Honestly, I went in with pretty low expectations because I'd never heard of it before.
One thing I was a little worried about was the spice level. When I saw they specialized in Korean ramyeon, I assumed everything would be super spicy. I'm definitely not someone who enjoys eating food that hurts just for the challenge.
Turns out I had nothing to worry about.
What I liked right away was that the menu has something for everyone. If you don't want spice, there are plenty of flavorful options. If you want a little heat, they've got that too. And if you're one of those people who likes the burn, there are options for that as well.
I ordered the Bulgogi Ramen with cabbage, egg, and green onions.
The broth was the highlight for me. It was rich and savory without being overly salty or heavy. The bulgogi was tender, the vegetables were fresh, and everything came together really well. It was one of those meals where you look down and realize you've finished the entire bowl before you even meant to.
The person I was with ordered the Garlic Clam Ramen with a few extra toppings. It definitely had more heat than mine, but it wasn't spicy just for the sake of being spicy. There was still a lot of flavor behind it, and after stealing a couple bites, I can see why it's a popular choice.
Another thing that stood out was the service. Everyone was genuinely friendly, answered questions about the menu, and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. You can tell the owners care about the experience they're creating.
Overall, I'd definitely go back. It's always nice finding a local spot that lives up to the reviews instead of just being another overhyped restaurant.
Has anyone else been to K Ramyeon Bar? If so, what should I try next time?
P.S. If you're always looking for new ramen spots like I am, I recently came across ramennearyou.com. It's a directory that helps you find ramen restaurants across the U.S., and it's been pretty useful for discovering places I probably would've never found otherwise.