Pensacola

Japanese Ramen and Sushi Concept Debuting in Pensacola

Momotaro Ramen and Grill is planning a first week of March opening in Pensacola, serving ramen, sushi, and boba drinks.

Image from Momotaro Ramen and Grill on Facebook

PENSACOLA, FL - Momotaro Ramen and Grill is targeting an opening the first week of March at 640 E. Nine Mile Road, Suite 100, Pensacola, FL 32514. Owner Chuck Hsu told Business Debut the full-service Japanese restaurant will bring ramen, sushi, and boba drinks to the growing Nine Mile Road corridor, about a block from the new Costco.

Hsu, who has operated restaurants in Pensacola for more than 36 years, said this opening represents both a continuation of his work in the community and a personal milestone as he looks ahead to retirement.

What to Expect

Momotaro Ramen and Grill will offer full-service dining with beer and wine, along with a boba menu featuring tea-based drinks in multiple flavors. The 2,250-square-foot space will seat about 69 guests, with a layout designed to feel open and comfortable.

Hsu said the goal is to create a welcoming environment for families and regular customers alike, something he has focused on throughout his decades in business locally. Over the years, he has opened and later sold multiple restaurant concepts in the Pensacola market.

“I’ve been here 36 years,” Hsu told Business Debut. “The community supports me, and I always appreciate that.”

The menu will center on traditional Japanese ramen, including tonkotsu, seafood, and beef ramen. Hsu said the restaurant will also feature specialty bowls such as mapo tofu ramen and sweet-and-spicy dumpling ramen, along with brothless noodle options during warmer months.

In addition to ramen, guests can expect a full sushi program with nigiri and maki rolls, as well as dishes like gyudon, tempura, teriyaki, yakisoba, and udon. Hsu, who has worked with sushi for decades, said experience remains a key differentiator.

“We do sushi for 40 years, so we are very good at sushi too,” he told Business Debut.

The restaurant is a family effort. Hsu credited his wife, Anna Hsu, as an essential partner in the business. While he leads the kitchen, she will oversee the dining room and bar operations.

“She’s my right hand, my left hand,” Hsu told Business Debut.

Hsu said he hopes Momotaro Ramen and Grill reflects both authenticity and the relationships he has built in Pensacola over nearly four decades. “Just before I retire, I try to create a real good restaurant in Pensacola,” he told Business Debut. “And today people remember me... that’s the most important thing.”