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Findlay’s first ramen restaurant offers tasty dishes, affordable prices and a warm place to be
By Elina Ivanova, IvanovaE@Findlay.edu
A steaming bowl of ramen, bursting with flavor, is now within reach for Findlay residents and University of Findlay students. Nara Ramen, the town’s first dedicated ramen restaurant, recently opened its doors in downtown Findlay.
Nara Ramen isn’t just serving food, it’s adding diversity to Findlay’s restaurant scene, offering a healthier alternative to fast food. With its signature ramen options, bubble tea and cozy atmosphere, the restaurant quickly won over locals, University of Findlay students and visitors from out of town. Manager Reyna Li and her team hope to make Nara Ramen a go-to place for comfort and connection in the community.
Li, a ramen lover herself, shared that her personal experiences visiting ramen restaurants in Columbus played a big role in opening Nara Ramen.
“Ramen has become more and more popular in the United States over the past few years; and we saw this as the right time to bring it to Findlay,” Li said. “About 10 years ago, there were only two ramen places in Columbus, and I went there every time I visited. Now there are over 10 restaurants. We felt Findlay could benefit from this trend.”
But it’s more than just following a trend. According to Li, Findlay was missing a dedicated spot for noodle-based dishes, so the team seized the opportunity.
“Noodle soup is a wide category, and everything we serve is made in-house,” Li said. “We want people to know this is authentic, quality ramen.”
The restaurant’s signature tonkotsu ramen is already a fan favorite.
“Our tonkotsu ramen is a must-try,” Li said. “We also serve Takoyaki, which is made from wheat batter and filled with octopus. Our bubble tea is another big hit. We put a lot of effort into perfecting the flavors.”
Lidia Laskova, a senior international student and student assistant at the University of Findlay’s International Admissions Office, shared her excitement after visiting Nara Ramen for the first time.
“I found it by accident; my first impression was great,” Laskova said. “It was full of people talking and having fun. I ordered ramen and gyoza dumplings. The food was just amazing.”
Laskova emphasized how important it is for international students to have diverse dining options.
“I’m happy there’s more variety in Findlay now,” Laskova said. “This place helps international students feel a bit of home. Even though it’s not my home cuisine, it feels warm and comforting to be there.”
Li shared that the restaurant has already exceeded their expectations.
“We didn’t expect such a warm welcome,” Li said. “We’re located on a smaller street downtown, but people still found us. We even had someone drive an hour from Lima just to try our ramen.”
Some UF students find it affordable as well.
“I think the pricing is good compared to other places in Findlay,” Lidia said. “It would be great if they accepted Derrick Dollars; but even without that, I plan to eat there every other week.”
Li noted that the restaurant focuses on creating a casual, low-pressure dining experience.
“We don’t want customers to feel pressured about tipping,” she said. “We offer fine-dining elements, but with affordable prices. Ramen is comfort food, and we want people to feel that comfort when they visit us.”
Li says it’s not just about food.
“We’re here to make ramen more than a meal,” Li said. “It’s an experience.”
