Chamber Welcomes Ippin Ramen To Community

(KNSI) — Ippin Ramen has opened its first location in Minnesota with its restaurant in Waite Park.

Restaurant staff and members of the St. Cloud Chamber held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday for the new authentic Japanese ramen restaurant. The company was started by Chinese immigrants who opened their first location in Oklahoma and saw a need for ramen in the midwest.

General Manager Chad Schwinghammer told KNSI News that the owners picked this area because there wasn’t another ramen place within 50 miles.

He says the most important components are the base and the noodles. “Picking a good quality noodle is very vital because when you get a big bite of noodles, you want it to be soft and spongy. When you slurp it, you want all the flavor of the soup. So it’s just that combination of those two ingredients that really make ramen.”

He says their broth is made in-house, and the fresh ingredients of meat, vegetables and seasoning are steeped for eight to ten hours.

The restaurant opened on January 22nd, and Schwinghammer says they’ve had an overwhelming response. “When people walk in the restaurant, and they see the atmosphere, and they taste the food, I think they say, ‘wow, this place is incredible.’ If we are here, providing good food from good people, that usually creates a good community. So that’s what we’re here for.”

They serve ten different ramen choices, including the crispy chicken, which according to Schwinghammer, has been the most popular. There are also several appetizers and sides on the menu.

Ippin Ramen, 601 2nd Street South in Waite Park, is looking to open a third store in northern Minnesota.

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