Sushi Mon chef and co-owner Chris Lee is doubling down on noodles in Raleigh, opening Monya Ramen, a compact ramen bar and izakaya right next door to the popular sushi spot on Glenwood Avenue. The newcomer rolled out a soft-opening promotion that drew long lines, then followed it up with a formal grand opening on Sunday. Monya’s tight, focused setup pairs three broths with shareable small plates, geared toward quick lunches and laid-back dinners.
Soft opening drew long lines
Monya held its official grand opening Sunday after a two-day soft opening that saw the shop sell a total of 400 one-dollar bowls, a deal that pulled in long lines of diners. As reported by The News & Observer, the new concept is led by Sushi Mon chef and co-owner Chris Lee and follows the sushi bar’s move into Glenwood Place in 2021. According to the outlet, those one-dollar bowls sold out on both soft-opening days.
Where to find it
Monya is tucked inside the Glenwood Place retail development, which lists Monya Ramen & Izakaya among its dining tenants, according to Glenwood Place. The property directory shows the ramen shop positioned beside Sushi Mon, confirming the two concepts operate side by side in the complex. Sushi Mon’s website also lists its Glenwood Place location, underscoring just how closely the sister restaurants sit.
Menu and prices
Monya keeps its ramen lineup intentionally lean. The shop serves three bowls: a chicken-based tori, a pork-based tonkotsu and a vegetarian option, each priced at 18 dollars, per The News & Observer. Small plates are designed to round out a meal, with options like chicken karaage, gyoza, steamed pork buns and crispy shrimp meant to be paired with a bowl. The News & Observer also reports that Monya is open daily for both lunch and dinner.
What it means for Raleigh’s noodle scene
Monya’s arrival adds another chef-led ramen option to the Triangle’s steadily expanding noodle roster, a trend local food watchers have been tracking. NC Triangle Dining has already included Monya in its roundup of recently opened Raleigh restaurants, noting the ramen bar’s soft opening earlier this month. Diners looking for updates, specials or reservation info are being pointed toward Monya’s social media accounts, which have been used to promote soft-opening deals and announce service changes.
