Alvarado Ramen aims to give Monterey County a trendy treasure it lacks.

Hank Kim is about his customers.

Look no further than his habit of giving everybody in the spacious Soban Korean Restaurant a sake bomb at 5pm—for free—because he felt like sharing. (He sold that spot, which is now Namu.)

Over on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey next to Golden State Theatre, he names specials after his customers, and so many of their faces adorn the walls of his cozy Sushi Moto (626-1109) that you feel a lot like family before he starts showing you attention to match.

His sushi deserves attention itself.

On a recent visit his lunch special of the moment impressed with three pieces of nigiri—maguro, salmon and sublime torch-seared albacore—plus two four-piece rolls, a fat tobiko piece, miso soup and bigger-than-expected salad for $12.

As good as that was on the palate and the pocket, the best part of the meal was a peek at the plans for Alvarado Ramen just up the block.

That will be Kim’s best gift for his people yet, as it will give his customers and the area something they have long missed.

Don’t get me wrong.

Monterey County enjoys a lot of things few places do, including world-class wines, produce and seafood.

But it lacks plenty, and has yet to find itself a ramen joint, even as the cuisine's popularity explodes in foodie circles.

What Kim has planned for 487 Alvarado looks and sounds well-considered.

“No one does ramen here,” he says. “It's not easy, but it’s good.”

He plans on doing his ramen broths with traditional Japanese style, with 11 long hours simmering pork bone and chicken and later adding onion, green onion, ginger, seaweed and katsuobushi, or fish flakes.

He’s also plotting his very favorite dish on the planet, a spicy seafood noodle dish with his own secret recipe.

"I really like it," he says, smiling despite himself.

The noodles, for now, will come daily from a San Jose company he's reluctant to name to keep his competitive edge. But he also hopes to find a local company to replicate his recipes.

Basic veggie ramen will start at $5.50 with lunch specials running $9.50 with a choice between two noodle bowls, three-piece gyoza dumplings or karagi fried chicken and pick of sides (kimchi or yellow pickled radish), with a bottle of water.

The open kitchen will face 11 seats at the bar and approximately seven two tops. 

Rodney Hernandez of CCCX Cycling is partnering on the operation.