Quality and speed don’t always go hand in hand, but Richard Milana is determined to marry the two at his new concept in Mount Pleasant. Hachiya Ramen , coming to the Publix -anchored Queensborough Shopping Center at 996 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., will serve up quick lunch offerings with a limited menu.
Think three varieties of ramen and complementary sides. Recipes will be as authentically Japanese as possible, with two types of homemade noodles. "Our goal is to have food out in three minutes once you order it," Milana said.
The timing will make Hachiya Ramen an ideal destination for lunchtime diners who don’t have the luxury of waiting 20 minutes for on-the-spot orders. Milana and business partner Yuichiro “Junior” Takebata have spent years honing their chef skills at West Ashley's Hachiya Kyoto Steakhouse and Sushi Bar . In the last four years, they’ve been cooking up ramen and testing out recipes to perfection.
Takebata, known best for his sushi offerings, has spent time traveling to Japan to learn the basics and how to meld the best flavors. "We did small portions (at the steakhouse) because we weren’t sure if people would like it, but it did really well," Milana said. He and Takebata received permission to use the already established Hachiya name as they set out to start their own restaurant , noting it’s not a second location for the steakhouse but still in the family.
Hachiya Ramen is expected to open in August in the former Maple Street Biscuit space. If you'r.