Chapter 2 The Journey Behind Our New Concept
In my last post, I introduced our newly adjusted ramen concept. Today, I want to share some insights into what led to this decision.
This journey started as a humble pop-up at the former Markthalle Pfefferberg, growing into what it is today. Running a business comes with challenges, and how you navigate them—whether by reading trends or numbers—shapes the future. At its core, my job is simple: to fulfill your culinary cravings. Ideally, it’s a fair trade—you leave satisfied, and I can pay my rent without worry.
But in today’s social media-driven world, serving great food isn’t always enough. You need visibility, engagement, and maybe even a viral moment. These weren’t things I considered when I started; my focus was entirely on the craft itself. And honestly, that passion still drives me. From earning a degree in food technology to studying scientific papers and culinary literature, I’ve always been obsessed with understanding every aspect of what I serve. To this day, I believe chefs should know their menus and share their knowledge with those who are curious.
That said, I overlooked something crucial—the bigger picture. Did you know "Kuma Ramen" was never visibly spelled out anywhere? It took stepping back to realize that from the outside, our identity was almost invisible.
One of my goals with this rebranding is to make Kuma Ramen stand out—to catch your eye. Maybe you won’t notice us the first time; maybe something else grabs your attention. But the idea is to plant a seed of curiosity that grows until you finally try something from our menu.
And once you’re hooked? You might find yourself joining our monthly Supper Clubs—a key part of sharing our original vision. These events will push culinary boundaries while mixing techniques from various cuisines to create something new and exciting.
Ramen will always be at the heart of what we do, but with greater flexibility in pricing and availability, we can source high-quality ingredients that truly make a difference. This evolution allows us to continue crafting bowls that surprise and delight while staying true to our roots.
