A piece of Seoul’s bustling convenience-store culture has come to Visakhapatnam’s shoreline. At Jenjad Ramyun, a recently opened Korean self-serve café on Beach Road, diners do more than order food: they make it. Inspired by grab-and-cook ramen bars popularized through K-dramas and social media, the café recreates the experience of picking up a pack of instant noodles, cooking it on the spot, and enjoying it with a cold beverage.
Ramyun bowls are served at the newly opened restaurant Genz Ramyun, a self-service Korean ramyun bar on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Courtesy: KR Deepak
Located on the diagonal of the Kursura Submarine Museum, the compact space is already attracting frequent visitors, especially college students and young professionals. Built-in shelves lined with colorful ramen packets line one wall, offering more than 15 varieties. Popular choices include spicy nongshim shin ramyun, spicy samyang buldak noodles, and lighter, cheesy options. From kimchi to seafood flavours, the range is impressive for a niche concept café.
Format
The format is simple but interactive. Customers choose their favorite ramen packets and beverages, grab a tray and proceed to the billing counter. The price of noodles ranges between ₹200 to ₹270. Add-ons – both vegetarian and non-vegetarian – are available at ₹20 each, which include dumplings, paneer slices, sweet corn, baby corn, paneer, cabbage and spring onions.
People preparing their ramyun at the newly opened restaurant Genz Ramyun, a self-service Korean ramyun bar on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Courtesy: KR Deepak
Once the bill is paid, the cooking begins. Each customer is given a steel pan and directed to an automatic electric cooktop equipped with a hot water dispenser. The noodles are emptied into the pan, hot water is added, seasonings are added and within three to five minutes, the bowl is ready. The machines are efficient, although first-time visitors may find the self-service process a bit confusing. A little more active guidance from staff would make the experience easier.
Filter Coffee Softy is served at newly-opened restaurant Genz Ramyun, a self-service Korean ramyun bar on Visakhapatnam’s Beach Road. | Photo Courtesy: KR Deepak
The beverage section mirrors a Korean convenience store shelf – iced hazelnut coffee, green grape drinks and juice pouches are among the options. For dessert, the trending filter coffee soft serve, served in a metal glass, adds a local twist to the otherwise Korean line-up.
Sitting is informal. Counter-style arrangements encourage quick meals rather than lengthy conversations. The atmosphere is casual and functional, with a clear focus on the novelty of cooking your own ramen rather than ambiance. The café turns a simple bowl of instant noodles into an experience.
Taste-wise, the classics hold up. Shin Ramyun offers a strong, spicy broth with satisfying heat, while Buldak is extremely fiery, appealing to those who enjoy a challenge. The ability to customize toppings allows diners to balance spice levels and add texture.
GenZ Ramyun’s location works to its advantage. Located in the city’s busiest areas and near tourist destinations, it takes advantage of the growing appetite for global food trends among the youth of Visakhapatnam.
Price of two is ₹600Location: Beach Road
