JINYA Ramen Bar Opens First New York Location In Lake Grove

LAKE GROVE, NY — A ribbon cutting Wednesday morning marked the official opening of JINYA Ramen Bar, the restaurant’s first New York State location, at 3176 Middle Country Road.

The Lake Grove restaurant is operated by Doherty Enterprises and owned by Ed Doherty and his family, whose portfolio includes national restaurant brands such as Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, and Chevys Fresh Mex. JINYA Ramen Bar operates dozens of locations across the United States, with a strong presence in states including Texas, California, and Georgia, as well as locations in Washington, D.C., and Hawaii.

James Burgstahler, JINYA’s area director, said Lake Grove quickly stood out as the right place to introduce the brand to New York and, more specifically, Long Island.

“First of all, it’s a beautiful space — it’s hard to find space like this,” Burgstahler said. “Second of all, we have other concepts in the Lake Grove community, and we’re really appreciative of all of the feedback and the support from the community.”

For diners unfamiliar with JINYA, Burgstahler said the restaurant stays rooted in traditional Japanese ramen while offering a more elevated overall experience. Employees greet customers with "Irasshaimase" — the Japanese greeting that translates to welcome or come in.

“It’s a traditional application of Japanese ramen,” he said. “But where our differentiator is, is an elevated service experience along with handcrafted cocktails.”

The menu centers on the brand’s signature Tonkotsu ramen, but Burgstahler said the offerings go well beyond one bowl.

“Our Tonkotsu ramen specifically is the signature for the brand,” he said. “But we also have Japanese-style fried chicken, takoyaki, and our bao buns, which are a slow-braised pork bun. There’s something for everybody.”

Burgstahler said the Lake Grove location was designed to feel accessible while still serving as a destination.

“You’re able to bring your kids in — we have a wonderful kids’ meal,” he said. “But you’re also able to come in on a date or a special occasion. It’s equal parts accessible after a baseball game and also for a first date, second date, or an anniversary.”

Lake Grove Village Mayor Robert Scottaline said the opening reflects broader changes underway in the village.

“The community, in the last several years, is getting more upscale types of retail and restaurants, and this definitely is the icing on the cake,” Scottaline said. “It’s a beautiful restaurant. It’s high-end. To me, it just adds to Wegmans and all the other high-end things that have been coming into the village.”

Scottaline, who has served as mayor for nearly two decades, said that projects like JINYA don’t happen overnight, crediting village staff alongside his administration. The mayor said new businesses contribute more than tax revenue, helping reshape how the village is perceived.

“It just brings in a different culture of people,” Scottaline said. “Hiring brings in a different culture of people, and to me, it puts the village on the map. We don’t want to have our nose in the air — we’re just proud of where we live.”

He added that restaurants and retailers benefit one another through increased foot traffic, pointing to the impact of recent anchor businesses.

“When you get a good anchor, they feed off one another,” Scottaline said. “Bringing Wegmans in was a nice anchor for us, and as you see, it’s drawing a lot of other high-quality businesses into the area.”

Maintaining the village’s appearance, he said, is part of that strategy.

“We don’t allow temporary signage — all these things that blow in the wind to get your attention,” Scottaline said. “If you go a few miles down the road, you leave the village, and it’s a different environment. We don’t like those things because it just makes it look nicer at the end of the day.”

Looking ahead, Burgstahler said success would be measured both immediately and long-term when asked what he hopes to see a year from now.

“We’re going to be super busy, with lines outside the door — and then opening up many, many more on the island,” he said.

Scottaline said the focus moving forward is less about expansion and more about preservation.

“We’re pretty much built out,” he said. “Now it’s just maintaining it and keeping things nice.”

More information about the menu and the company is available at jinyaramenbar.com.