JINYA Ramen-Charlotte located at 601 S. Tryon St. — the first location in North Carolina.
Q. The Black presence in the restaurant industry is very small, especially in regard to ownership. There really aren’t many Black woman-owned restaurants in Charlotte, especially uptown. What is it like for you being in this space, industry wise?
JF: It’s exciting. I appreciate all the love and support I’ve received. I didn’t know how big of a deal it might have been. My focus was just the passion…I knew it was a great product and a great brand, and we knew it needed to come here. Honestly, it just makes me feel humbled to have the opportunity and to be a light to some people. My heart is just full. I’ve had moments where I’m just like, wow, I’m blown away. I’ve even cried with some of the guests here, unfortunately, because I’m at work and I hate to have my emotions show a little bit. But they touched me to tears.
Q. What’s your advice to someone who wants to be where you are one day as far as restaurant ownership?
JF: Number one is self-help. Don’t wait on anybody to teach you anything. Unfortunately, there are people out there who don’t want you to surpass them, because they can see your work ethic and your drive. Use the resources that you have that are free. Put your foot in the industry. Start as a host, start as a server, learn every role in the restaurant, because it’s going to fulfill your knowledge. You’ll also be able to manage well that way, once you understand all the challenges in every position. And just go for it. This is not easy. I don’t know the last time I really got good sleep. I’m exhausted, but my passion drives me, and the support that I’ve received from the people here in Charlotte and my phenomenal staff.
Q. Speaking of staff, many restaurants are struggling with finding staff. As a new business opening during the pandemic has that been a challenge for you all as well?
JF: Absolutely. When me and my managers were doing the hiring for this location, I told them to put aside experience; let’s focus on human beings, let’s see if they’re a good person, if they’re a team player. We did a lot of advertisements, saying “no experience needed.” And honestly, for any business owner, sometimes that’s better because you get to mold them into how you want them to work for your brand versus possibly them bringing bad habits. And then for people who do have experience, they know things already, which is super helpful.
Inside JINYA Ramen Bar in uptown Charlotte on Sept. 23. Photo: Sarafina Wright
Q. With ramen, it is a craze in a sense. There are some who’ve known about it forever, and now many people in Charlotte will be introduced to it for the first time. What is about this dish that makes it so loved? And is there a difference from the packaged ramen noodles many people grew up eating?
JF: Almost everybody in the world has been exposed to pack ramen, and I lived on them while I was at Alabama State University. I still have a pack in my pantry now. But what we do here at JINYA is just on a whole other level. This is a genuine scratch Japanese kitchen. The food is amazing. We cook the broth for over 18 hours. We cut, slice and dice everything. It’s absolutely fresh. I think it opens the mind to the true authentic ramen that we really can’t find here in the U.S. And Jinya has done a fantastic job creating and bringing it from Japan to L.A., launching ten years ago. And now allowing us to open in North Carolina. We are store number 40, and we’re going to keep going.
Q. And there are already a few ramen eateries in Charlotte. What’s the difference between JINYA Ramen Bar and those places?
JF: We do of course have other restaurants in Charlotte in this category. But JINYA is set apart because we have the most variety. I think JINYA has put an amazing focus on the vegan options — we have the vegetable, chicken and pork broth. The vibe and atmosphere is untouched. We love to have fun here. The food, music, the decor, atmosphere, that’s what sets us apart.
