Muchnick's 'Best Thing': Ramen restaurant brings Japanese noodle shop vibes to Mamaroneck

Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·2 min read

Nothing beats a bowl of ramen, especially when its cold out and all you want is some slurping comfort. It's why the Gyu Beef Ramen at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck is the best thing I ate this week.

Though there are lots of ramen varieties here, this one features thin sliced beef and onions stir-fried, roast corn, scallions, red pickled ginger, chicken broth and shoyu tare.

Lohud food and dining reporter Jeanne Muchnick enjoys a bowl of Gyu Beef Ramen at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck Jan. 31, 2024.
Lohud food and dining reporter Jeanne Muchnick enjoys a bowl of Gyu Beef Ramen at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck Jan. 31, 2024.

I'm also a fan of the hot oil chicken dumplings with sweet soy, hot chili oil and crispy shallots.

Chef/Owner Gene Lum grew up in the restaurant business — his parents owned the now-closed Lum Yen Restaurant which existed down the street for 45 years (he worked there for 21 years). And though at one point he worked in banking, it's clear being in the food business is his passion.

His 12-seat spot is all about serving comfort food amidst a fast casual setting. You can either sit at the counter and order, or order from the kiosk in the front for takeout or eating in.

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Lum's goal when he opened in December 2022 was to create a counter service layout reminiscent of small ramen shops in Japan, where you can see the cooks preparing your food.

"I personally like it because it allows me to talk to guests and get their feedback," he said (Lum studied Japanese language in college and spent four months in Osaka).

Making the place more fun: The comic-book-like illustrations that line the walls, including a colorful mural featuring Lum and his business partner Rob Marinelli, who owns First Choice Plumbing in Mamaroneck. The cartoon characters were done by an Italian artist Marinelli found on Instagram — the two sent him photos and the result is a colorful anime depiction of the owners in a ramen bowl.

Lohud food and dining reporter Jeanne Muchnick and Chef/Owner Gene Lum at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck Jan. 31, 2024.
Lohud food and dining reporter Jeanne Muchnick and Chef/Owner Gene Lum at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck Jan. 31, 2024.

I'm also a fan of the black and white mural that lines the right wall from the Japanese manga series “Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles."

And stay tuned for more of Lum's cooking. Along with Owner Lynn Lee, Lum will be in the kitchen at Saigon Table, a Vietnamese restaurant coming soon (think mid-March) to Rye.

Gyu Beef Ramen at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck Jan. 31, 2024.
Gyu Beef Ramen at Duke's Ramen in Mamaroneck Jan. 31, 2024.

If you go

Address: 154 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-315-6020, order.toasttab.com/online/dukesramen

Hours: noon to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday; to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; to 8 p.m. Sunday

Fun to know: Duke was the nickname Lum's parent's good friend used to call him whenever he'd go to his house. "I always thought it was a strong, cool name," said Lum.

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Have a 'Best Thing I Ate' suggestion?

Have a fave spot you want me to check out? Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Duke's Ramen in Westchester NY has Jeanne Muchnick's 'Best Thing I Ate'