Round Rock Edition | July 2025

Dining

BY DACIA GARCIA

After working for over a decade in the software engineering industry, Mike Ng decided to pivot in his career path and follow his passion for cooking. With years of cooking experience and life-long admiration for the craft, Ng opened Misaki Ramen and now serves authentic Japanese and Korean meals to the Round Rock community. The inspiration Despite his long career outside of the restaurant world, Ng was no stranger to the kitchen. As a child, he found his love for cooking by preparing dishes such as rice, stir fry and ramen. While living in Seattle, Ng worked as a sushi chef in several Thai, Japanese and Korean restaurants throughout his college years. In 2017, Misaki Ramen opened across from the Dell campus in Round Rock and served ramen and sushi before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ng reopened the restaurant at its current location in The Shops at Legends Village, where it now focuses on ramen, bowls and appetizers. “I’m really passionate about the restaurant and the ramen, so we downscaled a little bit and tried to keep the business running instead of just giving up on the passion I have,” Ng said. Must-try menu items What makes the eatery stand out from other ramen restaurants is its healthier version of ramen broth that originates from a Japanese town, Ng said. “Our broth is dierent from other ramen restau- rants in that we don’t make it really creamy,” Ng said. “Our start comes from a town in Japan called Nagahama, so the broth is a little lighter and the noodles are thin noodles.” The most important aspect of the restaurant is the quality control of the dishes, Ng said. As a former sushi chef, he said it’s key to be consistent in the food being served to the customers. “I want to make sure the dishes are going to be made exactly the same every time,” Ng said. “It’s a high-quality experience for the food and we make sure every day it’s the same thing every time.” Another detail Ng designed the restaurant with various sce- narios in mind from catering for a celebration to smaller parties wanting an intimate experience. “It makes us really happy and it’s a good place in Round Rock, and we really appreciate the local A lifetime of passion served in a bowl: Round Rock’s Misaki Ramen

Mike Ng reopened the restaurant in 2022 after its closure during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Customers can nd authentic ramen dishes as well as bowls like the Chashudon for $17.95.

The restaurant serves appetizers, ramen, bowls and tea.

COURTESY MISAKI RAMEN

support because they come here and enjoy the food and they can relax,” Ng said. “That makes me happy and is the reason why I’m here basically everyday.” The future He said the restaurant is focusing on prioritizing quality over quantity at its current location, but if he were to open another location in the future, he said it will likely be in South Austin.

JOE DIMAGGIO BLVD.

3001 Joe Dimaggio Blvd., Ste. 1200, Round Rock www.misakiramen.com

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