San Diego's culinary scene is set for a revolutionary shake-up as celebrity chef and Food Network star Lauren Lawless prepares to unveil the nation's first-ever self-serve ramen restaurant, aptly named RAMEN WORLD, as she announced on social media Thursday. Aimed to hit Mid-City by next summer, the concept is drawing buzz, though no precise location has been released yet. Lawless, known for her culinary accomplishments, including a win on "Supermarket Stakeout" and strong showings on "Hell’s Kitchen" and "MasterChef," is introducing a fast-paced, interactive dining experience with this venture.
Lawless' revelation, detailed on her social media accounts and Instagram, describes RAMEN WORLD as a place where patrons will be able to select from a variety of ramen options off a wall before dressing their noodles with over 100 available toppings, including pork belly, spam, and a diverse array of vegetables, after which the carefully crafted bowls undergo cooking in bespoke machines, and then weighed for payment.
Reflecting on the historical context, instant ramen came to prominence after its 1958 invention by Momofuku Ando following World War II during Japan's food shortages, and self-serve ramen outlets are already a fixture in Japan and other Asian nations. By bringing this model stateside, Lawless seeks to eliminate the dreaded queue times synonymous with traditional restaurants, promising a “fast, fun, delicious and interactive” meal as reported by FOX 5 San Diego.
Additionally, Lawless has broader ambitions for RAMEN WORLD, eyeing a potential franchise model should her inaugural endeavor in San Diego succeed in the competitive food market. These details were gleaned from the announcement on her social media and local news outlets.
