Jin Ramen is a chill, casual ramen restaurant located in Hamilton Heights, Harlem. It’s a popular lunch and dinner spot in the area, with reasonable amount of seating. The food is always on point, but the wait can be a little long during the rush. Further, it can get cramped because of seating that impedes on narrow walkways.

Here’s what I would keep in mind if you are looking to dine there.

seating

There is enough seating for approximately 46 people. The breakdown comes down to:

20 seats outdoor.

8 tables for two.

2 booths for four.

1 booth for two.

Alternatively, since the tables are along one long booth, you can comfortably fit a party of about 10 in the booth seating area.

I’d like to add that the chairs aren’t particularly comfortable, which can be up to preference, but I’ve never liked small chairs.

Amenities

There is adequate A/C, but I wouldn’t say it’s a freezer. Just right for the summer time.

There were no outlets within sight, so if you needed to charge your phone or laptop in a pinch, this is probably not the right place.

There is a Wi-Fi visible, but it is for establishment purposes only.

They do have a gender neutral bathroom. It was pretty clean the last few times I went.

Dining

The pricing is on par with casual ramen places. For the amount of food, the value is quite good however. Dinner for two will cost about $50 without extra toppings and soft drinks, not including tip.

Technically they don’t offer reservations, but they do offer event hosting in their private dining room, so it’s kind of like a reservation.

They offer delivery with $0 fees at the moment of writing this article.

Jin Ramen also offers pickup.

Transportation

The best line to reach Jin Ramen is the 1. In a pinch, the A/B/C/D will do.

atmosphere

Jin Ramen is definitely not a place to do work or read, but it’s not trying to be. It is, on the other hand, a great place to catch up with friends or catch dinner with coworkers.

The music isn’t too loud, and I didn’t identify any particular speakers that could be annoying to be seated next to.

The lighting is soft and warm, inviting guests to unwind. Sunlight also streams in during the day through the large windows.

One of my biggest pet peeves is feeling like I have to make something smaller or squeeze in while I’m sitting down, which unfortunately, can be the case for some of the seating options.

There are only a handful of tables that are inconveniently placed, but everyone has to walk through a narrow walkway to get to the rest of the seating, including the waiters. My fiance almost tripped one of them.

If it’s busy, the line blocks your way to the restroom as well.

Summary

Overall, I highly recommend Jin Ramen during non-peak hours for the fastest and most reliable service. This is a great spot to spend a lengthy dinner at. The portions are plentiful, and the atmosphere is charming enough for guests to linger and mingle.