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Ramen Shack to open in Long Island City next month

Ramen Burger (source Eater.com)

Ramen Burger (source Eater.com)

Aug. 29, 2016 Hannah Wulkan

Foodies who put the now-famous Ramen Burger on the map a few years ago will now be able to experience the Smorgasburg phenomenon year-round, along with more traditional ramen dishes, at the new Ramen Shack opening in LIC in September.

The Ramen Shack will be based out of owner Keizo Shimamoto’s central kitchen in Long Island City at 13-13 40th Avenue. He has already been using the kitchen for his wholesale business, where he has also prepared food for Smorgasburg. Shimamoto decided to expand to a full restaurant as his next step on his ramen journey.

“I’m sort of coming full circle of what I want to do, which is introduce traditional Japanese ramen to America,” Shimamoto said, while acknowledging the irony that his Ramen Burger idea is what allowed him to reach this point.

Though he is planning another trip to Japan in the coming weeks, Shimamoto plans to open the Ramen Shack as soon as he returns, aiming to begin serving his famous ramen burger, as well as his other original ramen creations, the week of September 26.

Shimamoto took an unusual path to find success in the restaurant business. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he quit his job as a computer programmer in 2009 and headed to Japan to study ramen. He worked at three different ramen shops in Japan over four years before bringing his new ramen knowledge back to America.

Shimamoto opened up a traditional Japanese “yatai,” or food stand, selling Ramen at the Smorgasburg Queens, though he quickly became most famous for his signature Ramen Burger, or a hamburger with ramen on either side of the patty instead of a bun.

Working out of a real kitchen rather than a food stand will allow Shimamoto to be more creative and flexible with his creations. His restaurant will seat about 10 people.

I’m not sure what people would want to expect, but this has kind of been where I can be the most creative because it is my kitchen, so they can look forward to special creations, and if something comes to me that day I can just make it, so people can try something new every time they come in,” he said.

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15 Comments

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THE REAL MR LIC

Ive lived in the hood for over 16 years. These 2 clowns that just moved to lic from minessotta or Milwaukee or where ever the hell their white asses came from can gtfo. Now back to the shop it’s Cool and delicious ramen.

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QueensNative

Across the street from QueensBridge…no bike parking for the Brooklyn yuppies, and the robberies will be comical in the first two weeks!

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MRLIC

If this wasn’t served in a bowling alley when I was a sepia-toned kid, it shouldn’t be allowed in this neighborhood. Just more HIPSTER junk.

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Ashley

Believe it or not there are a bunch of new residential buildings around there as well as LIC Beer Project one block away.

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shazam!

doesn’t mean a thing if you’re directly across from the projects. hopefully their price points cater to everyone and they have a great security system and gun license.

Reply
MRLIC

I am not challenging anyone to anything. I had the MRLIC handle first and you came and HIJACKED it. Something is wrong with that picture, isn’t it. Prove to me you had it first and I will alter my MRLIC with another letter or number, which you will probably HIJACK anyway. The post on August 30, 2016 3;37 am post is the REAL MRLIC just as this one is.

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Harry Simmons (MRLIC)

The post on August 30, 2016 | 3:37 am by the FAKE MRLIC is once again an amatuer attempt to being funny. I am challenging the fake mrlic to a bowl off, the winner keeps the handle MRLIC. You are being challenged you bugger, hail before your god and take your place behind me. #BowlingBada$$

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MRLIC

The August 29, 2016 9:32 pm post was by the FAKE MRLIC. He (I guess his name is Harry Simmons ) which he has posted before ,just doesn’t get it.

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