Travel Muse Magazine

When I think about a comfort restaurant in Ann Arbor, my mind dashes to the Tomukun Noodle Bar. It is a must-visit restaurant and a place I return to multiple times a semester. The warmth of this place begins before the food even arrives, it’s where conversations spark beneath the soft white fairy lights near the entrance. 

Tomukun Noodle Bar is not just one of my all-time favorite places, but also an Ann Arbor local favorite, voted in CommunityVotes Ann Arbor 2025 as the “Top Pick” for Asian Restaurants. Additionally, it was a runner-up in the 2019 Dining Guide Awards for noodles.

During my most recent visit, I ordered the kimchi ramen. It’s huge! I almost always take leftovers home here (which I love!). When the bowl arrived at our table, steam was rising beneath the low white light. A pungent but pleasant sour smell rose to my face. The noodles were slimy, silky, and bouncy as I slurped them up. The crunch from the kimchi adds texture and spice to the soft ramen. Tomukun’s noodles remind me of walking into a warm home after standing outside in the snow for too long. It’s a comforting feeling.

That comfort comes from the dish’s food history, in part. Kimchi is a staple of Korean cuisine and has a rich history dating back 2,000 years. Wang Ramen says kimchi came from the practice of fermenting vegetables “like napa cabbage and radishes with a mixture of salt, spices, and seasonings” in order to preserve food during the harsh Korean winters. Kimchi has gained popularity for its ability to offer a unique experience and taste – a slice of spice, and everything nice, if you will – making the dish feel layered and savory!

Tomukun opened in 2010 under owner Thomas Yon. According to The Michigan Daily, Yon worked in finance, not really enjoying what he was doing. In 2005, he got inspired when his “old Michigan State University roommates opened No Thai! — another now-popular Asian restaurant in Ann Arbor — so he decided to try out the restaurant business himself.” It went well, so in 2014, he opened the now-sister restaurant Tomukun Korean Barbecue, where Yon “combined all the familiar foods of our childhood and brought them here to you.” This connects with what Yon told The Washtenaw Voice in 2021, “noodles have always been a comfort food in the Asian community, much like mac-n-cheese for many others.” This restaurant was built on the goals of bringing together Asian foods from childhood into a shared space that people can enjoy and connect to.

That’s been my experience here too. In fact, on a recent visit, I happily gave my recommendation to customers seated at the table next to mine when their eyes lit up watching my order arrive. As they enjoyed their own bowls later, taking bites between sentences, enjoying both the food and the conversation, I wondered if this could become their place too? Tomukun doesn’t simply serve food, but also creates a welcoming space where comfort, culture, and conversation meet in one bowl.