Perhaps you've noticed the national trend of ramen shops bleeding fast into the Twin Cities.
Restaurant veterans Chris Corlett and Tryg Truelson have, too, and they're making a bet that the noodle-and-broth movement is about to go mainstream.
The pair, who worked together at Truelson's former Tryg's restaurant in Uptown, plan to debut Rah'mn — a fast and casual build-your-own ramen eatery — in St. Paul in February.
"I think we can expand to a broader audience," said Corlett, a Minneapolis native who most recently worked in high management roles at luxury hotels in Southern California. "I think the hallmarks of our brand are really the trends that are going to push through this industry and make restaurants relevant for the next 10, 20 years."
Those trends include speed, convenience, value, the ability to customize orders and the use of fresh, healthful ingredients, according to Corlett, who will be directing the menu.
Rah'mn (300 S. Snelling Av., St. Paul, rahmn.online) will feature a format similar to that of Chipotle, where customers walk through a line at the counter and choose their ingredients. The casual restaurant will offer a variety of eight-hour broths, including vegan options, for ramen bowls — but Corlett is careful not to label it "Japanese food." Gluten-free noodles are available, as well. And Rah'mn will also be serving noodle salads and green salads with kale, spinach and romaine on hand.
"We're not compromising quality at all," Corlett said. "All of our broths are going to be made fresh … all of our ingredients are going to be prepared fresh — none of this is pre-prepped, none of this is stock cubes. This is purely quality through preparation and time."
Rah'mn will offer online ordering and takeout and serve its dishes in eco-friendly disposable containers, but Corlett and Truelson are also hoping to cater to eat-in customers. The dining room seats 30, and beer and wine will be available.
