Ramen eatery to open 2 local sites, and Tenino distillery opens a spot in town
Zen Ramen Sushi & Burrito has plans for not one but two new locations in Thurston County.
The business, which operates restaurants in Tacoma, Lakewood and Parkland, expects to open in Lacey toward the end of August and the Tumwater store might open before then, said Caleb Kim, who described himself as a friend to business owner Eul Jung Lee. Kim sometimes speaks on behalf of Lee because of a language barrier, he said.
The Olympian reached out to Kim to talk about the Tumwater location at 3238 Capitol Blvd. SE., which used to be Elyse’s Catering, and then he disclosed the plan to fill the spot left vacant by Osaka Restaurant in Tanglewilde, at 7265 Martin Way E.
So what exactly does the restaurant mean by “burrito?” It’s not the kind you might find at a Mexican restaurant, but instead it’s an Asian-style burrito. Kim described it as similar to a poke bowl but in the shape of a burrito.
And the firecracker sushi burrito is one of the most popular items on the menu, Kim said. According to the menu, it contains sushi rice, spicy tuna, crab salad, avocado, cream cheese, spicy mayo, and sriracha and then it’s deep fried.
Other business happenings
Dutch Bros Coffee is exploring a new setup its site at 5210 Capitol Blvd. SE in Tumwater, according to city information.
The business wants to build a 950-square-foot drive-thru.
The Olympian reported in March that the coffee chain also was exploring a new location in Olympia at 2124 Pacific Ave. SE, according to city of Olympia information.
Sandstone Distillery, which has been creating its spirits for years on Wright Road in rural Tenino, will celebrate its new tasting room in Tenino next week. Lacey South Sound Chamber is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the distillery at the new location at 297 Sussex W., Tenino, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27.
InGenius! Local Artisan Gallery & Boutique in Yelm is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday, July 30.
InGenius started with 10 local artists when the gallery opened last summer and has grown to more than 40.
“People here are hungry to experience art on a regular basis whether learning or shopping or sometimes just coming in to feel the beautiful energy the space holds,” said artist and owner Andrea Levanti in a statement.
InGenius is in the former JZ Rose location at 207 First St. S., across from Yelm City Park. It’s open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
