GenZ Ramyun brings Korean DIY ramen experience 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

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.

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

The beverage section mirrors a Korean convenience store shelf — iced hazelnut coffee, green grape drinks and juice pouches are among the options. For dessert, the trending filter coffee soft serve, served in a metal tumbler, adds a local twist to the otherwise Korean line-up.

Seating is informal. Counter-style arrangements encourage quick dining rather than lingering conversations. The vibe is casual and functional, with the focus clearly on the novelty of cooking one’s own ramen rather than ambience. The café turns a simple bowl of instant noodles into an experience.

Taste-wise, the classics hold up. The Shin Ramyun delivers a robust, peppery broth with satisfying heat, while the Buldak is unapologetically fiery, appealing to those who enjoy a challenge. The ability to customise toppings allows diners to balance spice levels and add texture.

GenZ Ramyun’s location works to its advantage. Situated along the city’s busiest stretch and tourist spots, it taps into the growing appetite for global food trends among Visakhapatnam’s youth.

Cost of two ₹600Location: Beach Road