Columbus is cooking up the Korean convenience experience of your dreams. Ever see videos of people grabbing their favorite Korean snacks at their local convenience stores and think you’d like to try some? Well, you’re in luck with Ramyun EZ, K-Food Cafe.

“It was actually an idea that had formed between my dad and me around seven to eight years ago. We had this idea of making a hole-in-the-wall restaurant and cafe where we would sell trendy Korean drinks and traditional street foods,” says Saejin Chong, manager of Ramyun EZ, K-Food Cafe.

Saejin is the son of owner Joe Chong, a local legend who has spent decades serving delicious food to Columbus. Chong previously owned Poong Mei Asian Bistro on Reed Rd. for over 10 years until COVID-19 hit, and he had to tragically close the doors in 2020.

That didn’t stop Chong, as he opened Don Pocha Korean BBQ next door in 2021.

“We pride ourselves on being one of the first authentic Korean barbecue restaurants (in Columbus),” says Saejin Chong. “We serve real, authentic Korean-style barbecue with real flavors.”

After closing Poong Mei, the father-and-son duo focused all their efforts on Don Poncha after it opened. It wasn’t until last summer that the two finally sat down to conceptualize what would become Ramyun EZ.

“Korean culture has always been growing here in Columbus, but in recent years, with things like K-Pop Demon Hunters, it’s at its peak right now.”

With Korean BBQ gaining popularity, the Chong family wanted to focus on an area of Korean culture that hadn’t yet been explored. The concept evolved from a hole-in-the-wall spot to a traditional pyeonuijeom (편의점), or Korean convenience store.

“We still wanted to go with the idea of trendy street foods and drinks that are inspired by Korean flavors,” says Saejin Chong.

Saejin says they began working on the idea around the fall of 2025, with their official opening being April 10th of this year.

“We expected to get some attention, considering this is a new and unique concept, but we didn’t expect this much attention.”

This build-your-own ramen concept offers a hands-on approach to what is usually a cheap, late-night bite when you’ve got nothing else in the pantry. Imagine a dine-in convenience store with some of the freshest food and, of course, plenty of ramen options.

Editor's Eats

“We wanted to bring the trendy Korean street foods that were common in Korea, but also popular among locals here in Ohio, as well,” says Saejin Chong.

Ramen is top of mind here, what with the colorful wall of seemingly endless brands, but the kitchen is cooking up some traditional Korean street food that you have to try. When we stopped in, we couldn't help but order a little bit of everything.

We started our meal with a helping of fried pork dumplings and a kimchi pancake, both of which were fantastic. The juicy pork paired with the reasonable kick of spice in the kimchi pancake definitely began our meal on a very, very high note.

Now, some may believe that "convenience" suggests low-quality or "heavy" food, but the dishes at Ramyun-EZ are anything but. The kitchen masterfully prepared us the beef bulgogi kimbap next, and it was fresh, filling, and full of the most delightful flavor. This is what sets Ramyun EZ apart from other concepts: truly convenient bites that are still light and clearly prepared with good ingredients.

And, of course, we had ramen.

Sticking with trends, we selected the Buldak carbonara flavor, topped with cabbage, eggs, and bean sprouts to keep it simple. It took some self-restraint, what with the plethora of delicious toppings they offer, but it was delicious nonetheless.

The process of cooking the ramen was easy: select your flavor from the wall, top it with whatever you’d like from the cold toppings bar, place it under the hot-water burner, and follow the instructions provided.

If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask for help! The Ramyun EZ staff was extremely helpful during our first visit.

We recommend browsing their extensive ramen collection on their website before your visit to familiarize yourself with the flavors.

And, make sure to order a drink! We had the Blue Lemonade, which offered just the right amount of zest and sweetness to round off the meal, and the Iced Dalgona Latte had such a wonderfully rich taste.

Beyond prepared food, half the shop is dedicated to groceries imported from Korea, including some of the same ramen you eat in the shop! You’ll see trendy items like Korean sweet corn ice cream sandwiches or Buldak sauce, as well as handcrafted trinkets like keychains by Korean artists.

It’s nearly impossible to leave without taking a treat or two home, whether it be a bag of chips or another order of kimbap, but you won't regret it. Ramyun-EZ, K-Food Cafe is something special, and we are happy to have it in Columbus.

Visit Ramyun EZ, K-Food Cafe!

5025 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH

Website, Instagram

Make sure to stop into Ramyun EZ! They are open:

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.