Otaku Ramen Will Start Slinging Noodles This Saturday in the Gulch

After getting its first taste of ramen with chef Sarah Gavigan's Otaku South pop-up, Nashville won't have to wait much longer to experience her permanent noodle shop, as Otaku Ramen will open this Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Gulch.

Announced via press release, it's the culmination of a nearly three year journey for chef/owner Gavigan, who launched the frequent pop-up in 2013 and then took it semi-permanently to her East side spot POP Nashville (also home to Little Octopus) last year.

The kitchen menu will be familiar to Otaku fans, offering a number of different ramen styles including paitan, shoyu and Tennessee tonkotsu, along with hot chicken buns and okonomiyaka, but a major new addition is the restaurant's beverage program. Featuring a Japanese whiskey bar, the cocktail program, which will have a focus on sakes and shochu as well, will be headed up by No. 308 owner and barman Ben Clemons.

According to the release, the interior, "inspired by the Japanese ramen shops of the 1970's and pop culture of today," was designed by Los Angeles firm Design, Bitches, and seats 85, including an enclosed patio.

Otaku Ramen will be open for both lunch and dinner, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with no reservations accepted, walk-ins only.