WA Ramen, from the folks behind Casselberry’s WA Sushi, opens next month in Lake Nona

The neighborhood of Lake Nona bills itself as a “modern mecca for technology, innovation and community,” and while that may be true, it certainly hasn’t been a mecca for gastronomy. Sure, the Tavistock Group has thrown its money around with such corporate-run outfits as Chroma, Canvas and Boxi Park, not to mention such star-chasers as Bacán and Nami inside the development company’s Lake Nona Wave Hotel.

Independent restaurants, however, haven’t really held much influence, but that could be changing.

Piazza Italia, one of the finest Neapolitan pie houses in the state, is a draw for any pizza lover, while the recently reviewed Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar lends an elegant and sophisticated Latin flair to the exurb. Now WA Ramen, a sister concept to Casselberry’s WA Sushi, promises to bring a legit ramen experience to the affluent and rapidly growing community.

In addition to classic shio, miso and shoyu ramen, WA will offer signature slurps ranging from soy-milk tonkotsu and tomato tonkotsu tsuke-men to black sesame tantan-men and yuzu shio ramen.

“Our focus is on serving authentic Japanese ramen, featuring both classic and signature flavors,” says owner Hong Wong. “There will be nine in total, along with a variety of small Japanese dishes.”

Given WA Sushi is one of finest, and most underrated, Japanese restaurants in Central Florida, WA Ramen should please the noodle-loving hordes in the city.

But why Lake Nona?

“As a Japanese restaurant, our goal is to make Japanese food that Japanese people will actually enjoy,” says Wong, “and I don’t see anything like this in Lake Nona. And I live in Lake Nona, so I chose Lake Nona. It’s as simple as that.”

WA Ramen will seat 35 guests in a “cozy, minimalist Japanese ambience” and take over the space that previously housed Plum Tree Chinese Restaurant in the Publix plaza at 10627 Narcoossee Road.

The restaurant is planning a Nov. 2 opening, but be sure to follow @waramenlakenona for all the latest updates and info.

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This article appears in Oct 18-24, 2023.