Jinya Ramen Bar has recently opened their third DMV location at the ever-expanding shopping center of Pike & Rose located at 910 Prose Street, North Bethesda, Maryland. Having frequented Jinya’s first location in Mosaic District (Fairfax), Virginia, I had high hopes for their soft opening at their newest spot. From taking the first few steps into the Burbank-California based ramen restaurant, it was clear this was no replica of Mosaic’s setup. It was much brighter, with far more exposed windows revealing plenty of natural sunlight, with dangling mini pendant lights twinkling from the ceiling.

Brussels Sprouts Tempura.

The most delectable Small Plate item of the night was hands down, the Crispy Chicken. The temperature, the batter texture, the juiciness, everything was just right. Not too salty, not too garlic’y. Just right.

My second and third favorite Small Plate items were the Pork Gyozas (fried handmade potstickers), and the Brussels Sprouts Tempura (crispy/fried with white truffle oil). The Takoyaki (battered Octopus Balls) was my least favorite due to its creamy texture (thanks to the kewpie mayonnaise) but if creamy is your thing, you’ll probably enjoy it much more than I did.

Pork Gyoza.

Now, for the main attraction, the ramen. The ramen sampling feast kicked off with the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen. The tofu cubes had a perfect balance of creamy while holding its solidity. The thick noodles were a plus and being a huge fan of chili oil, its presence was much appreciated. To be honest, I wish I could have added in more chili oil.

Next up, the Jinya Chicken Ramen. Now in this bowl, the noodles are thin, swimming in both chicken broth and chashu. It seemed a bit bland for my taste buds, but perhaps it is due to the fact that I typically do not choose chicken as my choice of ramen protein. Give it a shot if you prefer leaner protein in your bowl.Last but certainly not least, my personal favorite, the Jinya Tonkotsu Black. Served with thin noodles in pork broth, the contrast of the seasoned egg with its runny yolk is magical alongside the fatty pork chashu, garlic oil, green onions, kikurage, and fried onion, topped off with nori dried seaweed and garlic chips. Like I mentioned, it was my favorite but next time, I will be sure to ask for extra spicy sauce or chili oil. Yes, I like my ramen SPICY.

The soft opening eventually wound down and came to an end with samples of green tea Mochi Ice Cream. These cold nuggets of pure joy were so heavenly and savory that I forgot to take photos because I was too busy asking for seconds (possibly thirds). The green tea Mochi was the perfect palate cleanser after indulging in all things salty, sweet, fried, and mouthwatering goodness. Jinya at Pike & Rose also offers outdoor seating for a maximum capacity of 18 guests out in the front patio, along with a communal fire pit. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by for dinner, drinks, or both! They are open Sunday – Thursday, 11AM to 10PM, and on Fridays and Saturdays, from 11AM to 11PM.

Cheers!

-EHY (Elina)