<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1nmSdB_0wFGBF2m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1nmSdB_0wFGBF2m00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>The front banner of The new restaurant Ramyun Studio is seen outside the storefront on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 in State College, Pa. Ramyun Studio is a restaurant where you have the ability to make your own ramen noodle soup. Esteban Marenco</figcaption></figure>Don Kim, who spent seven years managing the Penn State Cold Stone Creamery, has ventured into new territory by opening his own restaurant, Ramyun Studio, located at 208 E. Calder Way in downtown State College. Ramyun Studio offers a self-service Korean ramyeon experience that allows customers to build personalized bowls, which Kim said is a unique concept in the U.S.Drawing on his experiences in both South Korea and the U.S., Kim created a unique dining experience that connects the two places. “I like to combine the cultures,” Kim said. “To introduce American culture to people back home and bring our Korean culture here, it’s something I always wanted to do.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0TMuQf_0wFGBF2m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0TMuQf_0wFGBF2m00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>A wall of ramen noodle packets is seen inside Ramyun Studio on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 in State College, Pa. Ramyun Studio is a restaurant where you have the ability to make your own ramen noodle soup. Esteban Marenco</figcaption></figure>Upon entering, guests are greeted by walls adorned with a colorful array of ramen packages, accompanied by K-pop music in the background. The eatery features various soup bases including beef, chicken and potato, and a variation of spice levels ranging from mild to very spicy. Customers can personalize their dishes with toppings and use an instant ramen cooking machine to cook their ramen creation.Originally coming to the U.S. as a corporate officer for SK Group, Kim eventually settled in State College. He was offered a role as the manager of Cold Stone Creamery, and he fell in love with the local community. “I realize this is a very nice town; it’s my second home,” Kim said. When SK called him back to South Korea, Kim made the life-changing decision to stay in the U.S., prioritizing his family over his corporate career.“The company called me back to South Korea, but I wanted to raise my kids here,” Kim said. “So, I stopped working for the company, got U.S. citizenship and decided to live here.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0pix5k_0wFGBF2m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0pix5k_0wFGBF2m00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>A wall of ramen noodle packets is seen inside Ramyun Studio on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 in State College, Pa. Ramyun Studio is a restaurant where you have the ability to make your own ramen noodle soup. Esteban Marenco</figcaption></figure>Kim now officially runs two businesses. As the owner of the new Ramyun Studio, he focuses on blending tradition with innovation, aiming to bring authentic flavors and joyful experiences to the community. Joseph Kueon, Ramyun Studio’s manager, has worked at the studio since its opening. He said he was attracted to the restaurant due to its unique concept, which differs from other local dining options. “This kind of restaurant is not in State College. It's a self-serve restaurant with instant ramen, and we cook it ourselves,” Kueon said. Kueon said he appreciates how the job has helped him engage with the local community. “Though I'm an introverted person, this job helps me communicate with customers. I can teach them how to use the machine,” Kueon said. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2pIiH0_0wFGBF2m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2pIiH0_0wFGBF2m00" width="1920" height="1080" ><figcaption>A sign announcing that the new restaurant Ramyun Studio is now open sits outside the storefront on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 in State College, Pa. Ramyun Studio is a restaurant where you have the ability to make your own ramen noodle soup. Esteban Marenco</figcaption></figure>For incoming customers, he recommends the Tangle ramen.Anastasia Burgerhoff, a returning customer, shared her excitement about visiting Ramyun Studio and said she was drawn to the establishment with her interest in Korean convenience culture.“I get a lot of Korean convenience videos on my feed, especially ramen content, and I’ve been eager to find a place like this,” Burgerhoff, a third-year studying film production, said. Burgerhoff said she initially heard about the restaurant from friends and then closely followed updates on social media leading up to its opening. “It’s a lot cooler than other places in State College, especially since we don’t have many ramen spots,” Burgerhoff said. “It’s a fun experience with friends, and the toppings are great.” MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE</div></body>

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Ramyun Studio combines Korean, American culture in downtown State College

Don Kim, who spent seven years managing the Penn State Cold Stone Creamery, has ventured into new territory by opening his own restaurant, Ramyun Studio, located at 208 E. Calder Way in downtown State College. Ramyun Studio offers a self-service Korean ramyeon experience that allows customers to build personalized bowls,...