JINYA Ramen Bar - Royal Oak — Restaurant in Royal Oak

So hear me out. The people leaving the negative reviews aren't telling the whole story. But that also goes to the glowing positive reviews, either. There are people out there who think they know what good ramen is, and punish with a bad review when it tastes not to their liking. There are people out there who are grown children who punish with 1 star reviews because they couldn't tolerate a long wait at a brand new hyped restaurant. Boo hoo. Cry me a river. With that said, some of these are spot on and not wrong at all.

I came here last week with my friend. I initially called earlier in the afternoon to inquire about a reservation. This was 1pm on a wednesday, we planned to come at 430pm. The guy on the phone mumbled, then said no reservations. So I'm like ok, any idea of a wait time? And he said I don't know. Really! How do you say that? Reading the horror stories of wait times, and figuring we might not be the only ones to be smart to come on a weekday, I was wondering about the wait. It ended up being slow when we came in.

The manager/hostess made us wait a few minutes initially when we first entered. They didn't even acknowledge us right away either. She was busy figuring out something on her tablet with an associate. There were plenty of open tables, they weren't taking reservations, so why didn't she immediately seat us? Strange and not a good immediate first impression.

Our server seemed newish to serving or to the service industry, but was friendly and helpful. I originally had Jinya in Santa Monica and was impressed after having the Tonkotsu Black. I wanted to try the Red as Spicy Tonkotsu is all the rage now (and I love a good one). Man, theirs is WAY spicy - I got a 5 out of 10 and that is already tasting like mostly spice. I couldn't eat it, sent it back. Our server did goof though - he suggested I pay for both bowls (!!!!), meaning the one I was returning and the replacement one I wanted (the tonkotsu original). Like, no that's not how it works... so again maybe he's new to restaurants. I got the correct bowl which tasted fine but was on the saltier side. The bowl I was sending back sat on my table for ten minutes - should have taken it away (and out of my sight) right away. The manager seemed initially apprehensive (yes I am actually returning a full bowl of ramen) but agreed to do it and seemed understanding in the end. I know it's a thing at some places around the world to do crazy hot spice levels, and maybe that's what this was, so be forewarned, but if I ever got it again I would get a 2 and I can handle a decent amount of heat.

In any case we also got the Takoyaki which weren't that great. Too much softness. Too much dough and sauce. The friend brussel sprouts were great. My drink came out after the appetizers - at least 15 minute wait for the drink, there was 2 bartenders and the restaurant was NOT busy. Our server said they were backed up. How? Why? The drink also had maybe an ounce of vodka in it (the matcha cocktail) and I didn't feel anything at all.

I'm impressed with everything else, restaurant design is great too. I like Jinya's style of Tonkotsu so I see no reason I wouldn't be back again. Get the fresh garlic, though when I was in Santa Monica they brought it out automatically, this time I had to ask for it.

For all those folks reading and leaving reviews - give the place a chance, sure but also don't be a toddler and throw a tantrum if it's less than you expect. Some of these folks have valid concerns and that's a problem with a brand new business like this. But those people leaving 1 star reviews because "instant ramen tastes better" or you had to wait an hour at a trendy new restaurant... get over yourselves, you're wrong and we need a solid ramen restaurant in Royal Oak again after City...

Update: November 1st. Decided to return since we enjoyed our last visit and made reservations for two at 745.pm. And crossed from Windsor Ontario. Welp I felt like I walked into a while different establishment. Warmly greeted by hostess and then that’s where it stopped. Server came by gave us menus told us about the rewards program. Ordered 2 drinks and then we ordered our meal, server explained some menu items and away she went. We watched the same server seat 2 other couples at different times. Not once asking how we were doing. Then we proceeded to watch BOTH couples get food. She finally came to the table and said “Did you order??” ……… like we didn’t have a very thorough conversation about what we ordered. She then said “oh it didn’t go through, I can put it through again” mind you we have been waiting 45 minutes and now want us to wait 45 more?! We politely expressed our frustration and disappointment. She offered NOTHING not even the bare minimum of kill rush your order. No manager came by this visit unlike last time. She was inconsiderate and ruined a trip all the way from Canada. Her repeated sorry was not good customer service. I wonder if we looked liked the other couples she served if we would have been able to eat. Coming from a hospitality background this experience was disgusting and wasn’t worth the $30 US we spent for 2 drinks.

I DO NOT recommend this establishment any longer. What a 180 from a few months ago.

I choose this spot for date night with the hubby after seeing a couple TikTok’s. We arrived on a Saturday with reservations for 730pm. The host greeted us promptly and sat us without any wait. Our server followed shortly after. We ordered the Lycheetini and the Smoky Wokashi Old Fashioned. But arrived in true TikTok fashion with all the bells and whistles. Not just fancy also tasted good and definitely not strong drinks. I ordered the Birrira Ramen and the hubby got the Tonkotsu Black Ramen. The manager came by when we were being served and asked if it was our first time dining with them, which it was. He gave pointers on how to stir from the bottom to make sure we mix up all the delicious ingredients. Both of the ramen were well made and a decent size for a dinner meal. They do have loads of extra toppings you can choose from. Everything was very prompt and fast. My husband loved it stating “Wow in and out in a hour! That’s great” We did take our time and relaxed while we finished our drinks and never felt rushed not once. Fun and inviting decor and great staff! Would definitely return and...

Visited this place midweek for lunch with a friend. Greeted and seated within minutes. We started off with a specialty drinks (Malibu Sunrise and lycheetini) and some appetizers (house salad, jinya bun, spicy tuna taco, chicken salad and salmon roll); my friend ordered the the tonkotsu black Ramen.

Good: The charsu bun was very good - a stand out dish, along with the special chicken salad. The fresh garden salad comes with a delicious sweet daikon radish dressing, and I also ordered the creamy sesame dressing on side. I tried the tonkotsu ramen… and enjoyed the noodle texture and the toppings. For me the broth was missing the savoriness and porky mouthfeel I like.

Bad: It’s a chain restaurant so some items are shipped in and not prepared fresh or unavailable. Unfortunately I had just taken an amazing sushi making class and so I was super disappointed by the aburi oshi salmon sushi - the rice texture & flavoring were off. First bite was mush and honestly hard for me to swallow. Drinks took a bit to arrive and were just ok; my lycheetini was prepared at the take and smelled/looked beautiful but the actual drink was meh.

I was so excited to try this spot, especially after seeing highlights on social. Overall it was an ok meal. I thought the staff were very attentive, friendly. After reading “mediocre” reviews, I disagree and think that this place deserves a second chance to do some refinement since they just opened.

Update: went by on a Saturday evening (5pm) and wow there was hour wait (though many seats appeared open). Since the bar was first come, first served, we sat at two open spots. It got really crowded very quickly and we sat for quite a while before being acknowledged/ given a menu.

The bar staff was very over overwhelmed, and they were out of a lot of the menu items. The drinks are pretty but nothing outstanding. I ordered the spicy tuna tacos, jinya and steamed bun; hubby ordered tuna tacos and tonkotsu black. We waited a longggg time for the Ramen and the notes are the same. It needs more oomph and salt. Toppings like the egg/charsu & the noodle texture are great… they just need to refine their broths. I don’t know what they can do about wait but I know you can up inventory so you’re not constantly out of core menu items.

Had a lively time at the bar but I don’t think the food/drink are...