Zen Ramen & Bento has been open in Dahlonega for about one month and locals have been enjoying the new restaurant. 

Their menu includes tonkotsu ramen, shoyu ramen, bento boxes, vampire ramen and boba tea. The restaurant also plans to add sake to the menu once they acquire a pouring license. 

Each type of ramen has a few different varieties in the toppings and protein added. Tonkotsu ramen is pork and chicken based while shoyu is soy based. Between the two, I personally preferred the shoyu ramen because the broth isn’t as heavy, and I like the flavor more. The vampire ramen is for only the bravest of souls. Each bowl is served in “vampire sauce” and is quite spicy.

“It was my first real ramen experience and it was great. The food itself was very good and so was the service. My only complaint is that the restaurant felt a bit tight. Other than that it was great, and I will definitely be going back,” says University of North Georgia communications major Cannon Crompton. 

One aspect of Zen Ramen & Bento I really liked is how they package the ramen for to-go’s. The broth is kept in a separate container to ensure that the toppings and fried proteins don’t get too soggy before you get to enjoy it. 

Zen Ramen & Bento is located in the downtown Dahlonega square next to Canopy and the Roots, and they are open Wednesday through Sunday.