Been driving across Boise for this ‘delicious’ food? New, 2nd restaurant to open soon

A fledgling Idaho chain plans to enlarge its Boise footprint soon.

Nara Ramen & Izakaya, which debuted its first Japanese restaurant at 7610 W. State St. one year ago, is set to open another location in early 2023.

Owner Johnny Deng has signed a lease at 3110 S. Bown Way, he said. Nara Ramen will take over the former home of Locavore, which closed at Bown Crossing after a 12-year run last May.

Since opening its first store during Christmas week of 2021 in Boise, Nara Ramen has grown steadily. It now also operates in Twin Falls and in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Boiseans — “so many,” Deng said — drive from the southeast part of the city “all the way” to Nara Ramen on West State Street. A downtown expansion was considered, but “we can’t find a good spot,” he explained.

“We think Bown Crossing will be a good spot (where) we can service all the customers,” Deng said. He expects the new restaurant to open by late February or in March, he said via email.

A counter-service operation, Nara Ramen on State Street is built around more than a dozen ramen choices ranging from $11-$14.75. They include gluten-free and vegetarian options. The restaurant also features Asian steamed (bao) buns and several boba teas.

In Bown Crossing, Nara Ramen will get more ambitious — with sushi on the menu, additional appetizers and alcohol service.

The State Street restaurant is rated 4.4 stars out of 5 stars on Google and 4 out of 5 on Yelp.

“Best freaking ramen I’ve had in a while,” a Yelp reviewer wrote days ago. “Definitely would recommend! Just delicious cuisine.”

The restaurant’s hours are 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays.

Check out the menu at nararamen.com, and order online for takeout and delivery.