Client Story -
Rakuzen Ramen House
Rakuzen Ramen House: A Story of Passion, Perseverance, and Community
When the founder of Rakuzen Ramen House first arrived in the United States, she had no culinary experience, no business background, and no clear roadmap. At the time, there were few Asian restaurants in the area, but she was determined to introduce Asian flavors to the local community by starting a business of her own.
Like many first-time small business owners, the early challenges were significant—limited capital, no marketing experience, and intense competition from well-established chains. Navigating complex licensing and regulations as a female Asian immigrant entrepreneur only added to the difficulty. Despite these barriers, she remained committed to her passion for creating warm, heartfelt meals that reminded people of home.
After years of saving and hard work, she was finally able to open a restaurant. However, with no formal experience and limited credit, securing a location or business loan was nearly impossible. As a stepping stone, she opened a burger franchise. Unfortunately, the franchiser went bankrupt just six months later, and soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic brought even more disruption.
Those years proved to be the most difficult. Without franchise support, she took on multiple roles, overcame language barriers, and worked tirelessly seven days a week. Despite her dedication, the restaurant struggled financially. What kept her going was the unwavering support of her customers, husband, and son, and her original dream never faded.
Eventually, she made the bold decision to close the burger operation and return to her true inspiration—ramen. Drawing from childhood memories of eating instant noodles as comfort food, she began developing authentic Japanese ramen recipes. Her goal was to transform that nostalgia into a rich, flavorful dining experience served in a welcoming space. Rakuzen Ramen House emerged from that vision, built on passion, perseverance, and a journey shaped by both setbacks and resilience.
Flavors of Memory and Care at Rakuzen
Determined to ensure a different outcome, the owner of Rakuzen Ramen House dedicated herself to creating a memorable experience for every customer. To drive success, she implemented a more efficient ordering system by introducing self-service kiosks and online ordering in addition to traditional service.
She thoughtfully enhanced the overall dining experience—refining food presentation, designing an inviting menu, and elevating the restaurant’s atmosphere with music and decor. Most importantly, she let the food speak for itself. Customer feedback became central to the menu’s evolution, with each dish undergoing careful refinement to achieve the best possible flavor.
Rakuzen Ramen House soon became more than just a place to dine—it emerged as a cultural gathering space where every bowl of ramen reflects resilience, heritage, and heartfelt care. Embraced by the community, the restaurant steadily grew into the realization of a long-held dream.
Turning Failure into Flavor: The Business Revival of Rakuzen Ramen
One of the greatest challenges faced in building Rakuzen Ramen House was overcoming the financial and emotional toll left by a previous business endeavor. After the burger franchise went bankrupt and the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the food industry, the owner was left with significant debt, no support system, and years of exhaustion from managing a struggling restaurant alone.
Transitioning to Rakuzen brought a new wave of challenges—completely transforming the space, developing a fresh concept, and shouldering the high costs of renovation, equipment, and staff retraining, all while still grappling with existing debt. Rising ingredient prices, increased labor costs, and inflation added further pressure. Yet, through every obstacle, the owner remained committed to the vision. Each step forward required sacrifice, strategic budgeting, and steadfast resilience to keep the dream alive.
Empowered by Community: Rakuzen Ramen Journey with CACCWA
In 2024, we were introduced to CACCWA through a friend from the local Cambodian temple, and it marked a pivotal turning point for our business. The CACCWA team provided invaluable assistance with translation, guided us through the grant application process, and helped us navigate complex licensing requirements. Thanks to their support, we were able to secure a small business grant that alleviated payroll challenges, funded essential new equipment, and enabled us to hire two part-time employees to meet the growing demand for our services. This partnership played a crucial role in our continued success and growth.
Empowered by Community: Rakuzen Ramen Journey with CACCWA
In 2024, we were introduced to CACCWA through a friend from the local Cambodian temple, and it marked a pivotal turning point for our business. The CACCWA team provided invaluable assistance with translation, guided us through the grant application process, and helped us navigate complex licensing requirements. Thanks to their support, we were able to secure a small business grant that alleviated payroll challenges, funded essential new equipment, and enabled us to hire two part-time employees to meet the growing demand for our services. This partnership played a crucial role in our continued success and growth.
Rooted in Culture, Growing in Impact: Rakuzen’s Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the vision for Rakuzen Ramen House includes opening a second location to share its beloved dishes with an even broader audience. The long-term goal is to expand Rakuzen into a multi-location brand, while remaining grounded in its core values of family, culture, and community. One day, the hope is to franchise the business and empower other immigrant and Asian entrepreneurs—just as the journey was supported by the guidance and resources provided by CACCWA.
Business's Quote
“We are deeply grateful to CACCWA for being a lifeline when we needed it most. They saw us not just as business owners, but as people—with stories, challenges, and dreams. We look forward to continuing this journey with their help and hope to see more events and programs that bring small business owners together.
To other aspiring entrepreneurs: There is light at the end of the tunnel. Seek out support systems like CACCWA. With passion, perseverance, and the right community behind you—your dream is possible.”
Business's Quote
“We are deeply grateful to CACCWA for being a lifeline when we needed it most. They saw us not just as business owners, but as people—with stories, challenges, and dreams. We look forward to continuing this journey with their help and hope to see more events and programs that bring small business owners together.
To other aspiring entrepreneurs: There is light at the end of the tunnel. Seek out support systems like CACCWA. With passion, perseverance, and the right community behind you—your dream is possible.”