GenZ Ramyun brings Korean DIY ramen experience to Visakhapatnam

GenZ Ramyun: a Korean self-cook cafe brings convenience-store culture to Visakhapatnam

A slice of Seoul’s bustling convenience-store culture has arrived on Visakhapatnam’s shoreline. At GenZ Ramyun, the newly-opened Korean self-serve café on Beach Road, diners do more than order a meal: they create it. Inspired by the grab-and-cook ramen bars popularised through K-dramas and social media, the café recreates the experience of picking up a packet of instant noodles, cooking it on the spot and enjoying it with a chilled drink.

Bowls of ramyun served at the newly-opened restaurant Genz ramyun, a self serve Korean ramyun bar, at Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak

Located diagonally opposite the Kursura Submarine Museum, the compact space is already drawing steady footfall, especially from college students and young professionals. Built-in shelves stacked with colourful ramen packets line one wall, offering over 15 varieties. Popular choices include spicy Nongshim Shin Ramyun, fiery Samyang Buldak noodles and milder, cheesy options. From kimchi to seafood flavours, the range is impressive for a niche concept café.

The format is simple but interactive. Customers pick their preferred ramen packet and beverage, collect a tray and proceed to the billing counter. Noodles are priced between ₹200 and ₹270. Add-ons — both vegetarian and non-vegetarian — are available for ₹20 each, including dumplings, cheese slices, sweet corn, baby corn, paneer, cabbage and spring onions.

People making their ramyun at the newly-opened restaurant Genz ramyun, a self serve Korean ramyun bar, at Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak

Once billed, the cooking begins. Each customer is handed a steel pan and directed to automated electric cooktops fitted with hot water dispensers. The noodles are emptied into the pan, hot water added, seasoning stirred in and within three to five minutes, the bowl is ready. The machines are efficient, though first-timers may find the self-service process slightly confusing. A little more proactive guidance from staff would make the experience smoother.