On Sunday, December 7th, we gathered for a cozy Ramen NYC holiday meetup at Jin Ramen in Hamilton Heights — and it ended up being one of those afternoons that reminds you why you build community in the first place. From 2:30 to just after 6pm, fifteen of us shared bowls of ramen, stories, laughs, and a surprisingly large amount of yuzu lemonade.
A Room Full of Strangers (At First)
One of my favorite things about Ramen NYC events is watching a room slowly warm up. This group was a mix of solo diners, two couples, and one group of three, spanning students, professionals, and folks in their 50s. Some people came from uptown, others from Queens — which is part of why Hamilton Heights felt like the perfect middle ground. Most ramen shops tend to cluster in Lower Manhattan, so this location made the event more accessible for everyone. By the time the first bowls hit the table, the room already felt relaxed. By the time the second bowls arrived, it felt like friends.
The Space, the Staff, and the Story
Jin Ramen gave us the entire upstairs, set the tables beautifully, and even prepared name tags so everyone could easily get the right dishes. It sounds like a small thing, but it made the whole Hamilton Heights ramen meetup feel thoughtful and seamless. The staff truly set the tone — and they did it with warmth, clarity, and a real love for ramen. Carlos took time to walk us through the Japanese artwork and historical photos lining the walls, explaining what they meant and how they tied into the restaurant’s story. Throughout the afternoon, the team patiently answered questions — not just about the menu, but about ramen itself: broths, styles, and how everything comes together in the kitchen. Ricky was incredible to work with while coordinating the event, and he also jumped in to explain the ramen styles and ingredients alongside Carlos. You could feel how intentional they were about hosting us. If you want more from the shop, follow @jinramennyc.
Carlos and Ricky walked us through the artwork and history that shape Jin Ramen’s story.
The Food (and the Friendly Challenge)
We started by sharing shishito peppers and passing around bites of chicken nankin, which quickly became a group favorite. People were happily trading tastes and reactions across the table — exactly the kind of casual sharing I love seeing. For ramen, I went with tonkotsu first, followed by the pollo encebollado ramen. That contrast captured the vibe of the afternoon: classic, familiar bowls alongside New York–style riffs that felt creative without losing the ramen backbone. Across the table, there was a lot of praise for the green coconut Thai curry ramen, which surprised more than a few people in the best way.
Jin intentionally makes their event portions about 20% smaller, and we even had reduced noodle servings — and yet, by the second bowl, almost no one could fully finish. It became a lighthearted challenge, with plenty of laughs and raised eyebrows as people tried their best. And then there was the yuzu lemonade. Easily the drink of the day. So refreshing that a few people accidentally started filling up on it before realizing they still had ramen to conquer.
Shared plates, two rounds of ramen, and that unstoppable yuzu lemonade.
Classic vs New York–Style Ramen
Classic ramen felt like the anchor. It was balanced, comforting, and immediately recognizable — the kind of bowl that reminds you why ramen became a go-to in the first place. As people ate, the conversation turned to favorite broths, neighborhood staples, and the small details that make a traditional bowl feel complete. New York–style ramen felt like the conversation opener. The bowls still honored the structure of ramen, but they leaned into creativity — brighter flavors, unexpected pairings, and a little extra personality. It wasn’t about replacing the classic experience; it was about expanding what a ramen night can be in a city that loves to remix.
The prix-fixe menu highlighted both classic ramen and New York–style bowls.
What Made This One Special
What stood out most wasn’t just the food — it was the energy in the room. There was a lot of knowledge sharing: favorite ramen spots, preferred broths, hidden gems around the city. People compared what makes a bowl feel classic versus distinctly New York–style, and how both can belong at the same table. There were also conversations about careers, life paths, and what brought people to NYC in the first place. Watching strangers connect so easily over something as rich as ramen and Japanese culture was genuinely reassuring. Jin Ramen also sent everyone home with a thoughtful gift: a ramen ladle and a pair of chopsticks. It was a small touch, but it made the afternoon feel even more special. My favorite moment came early on — the first bowls hitting the table, followed by Carlos explaining the artwork and history behind us. You could feel everyone settling in, fully present. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was smiling. A little full. Very happy.
Why This Fits the Bigger Picture
This event fits perfectly into my broader vision for Ramen NYC — something I talked about in our recent post, State of Ramen NYC 2025. It also reflects the Ramen NYC mission: document the city’s ramen culture and bring people together around a shared bowl. For more community moments and meetup updates, follow @bestramennyc. I’d love to see ramen experiences become even more communal: festivals where people can try different broths side-by-side, maybe even in tasting portions or shot-glass-style pours, and where strangers come together without pressure. Seeing this group connect made me want to do more of these. If there’s one thing I hope, it’s that attendees keep in touch with the friends they made — and keep sharing great ramen spots with each other long after the bowls are gone.
