JINYA Ramen Bar Brings Big Flavor to Georgetown

By Mia Pech

JINYA Ramen Bar has added a new location to its roster with the opening of its Georgetown restaurant at 1525 Wisconsin Avenue NW. The Georgetowner was invited to a reservation-only media preview one day before the grand opening, offering an early look at what the popular ramen bar is bringing to one of Washington’s most historic neighborhoods.

The restaurant is laid out across two levels. Downstairs, there’s a bar and seating that give the space a lively, social feel. Upstairs is quieter and more spacious, with additional tables and a smaller private dining room. That room includes its own bar and several tables, making it well suited for group dinners or more intimate gatherings without feeling cut off from the rest of the restaurant. A live DJ played softly in the background throughout the restaurant, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

The menu centered, naturally, on ramen. JINYA’s signature broth that’s been simmered for more than 20 hours was rich and deeply flavored without feeling heavy. The noodles held their texture and it’s easy to see why the restaurant has built such a loyal following. There’s also plenty of options to customize a bowl, from choosing your noodle type to adding extra toppings. Beyond the ramen, the crunchy cucumber salad was a personal favorite and highly recommended to order as an appetizer.

Drinks were part of the experience as well. I tried a cocktail with dragon fruit that was bright, lightly sweet and easy to drink, one of those orders you’d happily come back to. Around the room, a matcha-based mocktail caught attention when it was mixed tableside.

The preview was hosted by local restaurateur Sam Shoja of Harvest Eats alongside JINYA founder Tomo Takahashi, who was named among the most influential restaurant CEOs in the country in 2022 by Nation’s Restaurant News.

With its latest location, JINYA brings what it does best to Georgetown, adding a comfortable new spot to the neighborhood.

Photos below by Mia Pech.

tagsfoodFood & Winefood reviewJinya Ramen Barramen