Ashland's local ramen hotspot Doragon Ramen is getting a makeover and shifting gears from classic noodle bowls to an array of comfort foods. The eatery, which first opened in the fall of 2018, is set to close its doors this weekend only to be reborn as Doragon Eatery – Comfort Kitchen come March 5, according to a Boston Restaurants blog post.
Behind this transformation are the culinary duo, partners and co-chefs Paponake MacIntosh and Alan MacIntosh, who impart their gastronomic flair into the new venture. The two met back in 2015, at an authentic Thai dinner, and bonded over their shared love for Asian cuisine. They then joined forces with restaurateur Mayra Ramirez to open Noodle City, which positioned itself as the pioneer in authentic Asian noodle dishes in Massachusetts. Despite their dedication to the craft, the couple's journey took a turn when, shortly before their noodle venture's first anniversary, they took over Ramirez's share and transitioned their venture, first to Dragon Ramen, now evolving further into a comfort-centered eatery, as noted on Doragon Ramen's about page.
The new menu features a diverse array of options. Patrons can expect dishes ranging from fried pickles to beef short rib poutine, lamb meatballs, and a variety of handhelds such as wings, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. Seafood lovers will be tempted by roasted miso salmon and green curry prawns, while devotees of classic comfort will find solace in macaroni and cheese and vegetarian shepherd's pie. Sides like handcut fries and coconut jasmine rice will accompany these mains.
Alan MacIntosh emphasizes a sustainable footprint in their food practices, favoring locally sourced ingredients and avoiding the typical trappings of frozen or microwaved fare. "You won't find big freezers or microwaves at Noodle City," he confirmed. Chef Paponake, hailing from Thailand, brings a lifetime of culinary experience to the table, drawing from recipes learned from his mother and imbued with stories of his years in Japan, China, and Vietnam, before laying roots in the United States. Patrons of the soon-to-open Doragon Eatery can anticipate these global influences interwoven within the soul-warming comforts of their new kitchen.
Located at 1 W Union Street, the Ashland community bids their goodbyes to the bowls of ramen that defined Doragon Ramen, making room in their hearts, and stomachs, for the upcoming Doragon Eatery – Comfort Kitchen.
