I can be myself in the kitchen

A new Ramen Restaurant opened in Oberägeri on 11th December. Poonim, from Thailand, combines Japanese noodle soups with local produce and Thai flair.
 

Up to the time of the coronavirus pandemic, the building at Poststrasse 3 in Oberägeri housed the Post Office; the municipality later made it available as a co-working space. But a new chapter has begun since the beginning of December: Poonim – whose real name is Wanwipa Schum – has been running her first restaurant, “Ramen am See,” there since the 11th December. “People call me Poonim because it’s easier,” says the 42-year-old Thai woman.

Poonim gained experience in the restaurant industry from an early age. In Thailand, she initially worked at a hotel reception and later as a cooking instructor – she was also responsible for menu planning and ensuring smooth operations in the kitchen. The idea of owning her own restaurant slowly took root during this time. After a stay in Canada, she moved to Switzerland with her husband about ten years ago, and worked in various Zurich restaurants. "I could be completely myself in the kitchen," she says, looking back. She felt more comfortable there than in front of the camera.

Now, for the first time, she's at the helm of her own business. "At the beginning, I'll be involved in both the kitchen and the front of house," she explains. But her main focus will clearly remain the kitchen and experimenting with recipes. She had originally planned to offer Thai cooking classes after moving to Switzerland, but legal requirements forced her to postpone the project.

"If the location isn't right, we don't want to start."
Finding the right location was crucial for opening the restaurant. "I knew: If the location wasn't right, I didn't want to start at all," says Poonim. But when the former co-working space became available, the decision was soon made. Its proximity to the Aegeribad swimming pool and the bus stop was a major advantage. "Guests can enjoy a bowl of ramen after swimming, in both summer and winter."

Poonim, from Thailand, has opened her first ramen restaurant in Oberägeri.          Photo: Matthias Jurt

Ramen are Japanese noodle soups, and Poonim offers ramen favourites in the traditional way – "just as you know them from Japan." At the same time, the Thai native wants to add her own personal touch. "Some dishes combine Japanese ramen with my Thai culinary tradition. That's intentional – it’s a fresh addition to the Japanese classics." For the past five years, Poonim worked in a Ramen Restaurant in Zurich, and noticed how popular this noodle soup has become in Switzerland.

From food truck to restaurant
Before opening the restaurant, Poonim ran a food truck. This wasn't originally planned, however. A colleague encouraged her to try a pop-up to test the waters, and the response was surprisingly positive. “Perhaps also because my expectations weren’t high,” she says with a smile. Space in the truck was limited, yet they were still able to offer a wide variety of ramen. The restaurant had already been serving as a storage area during this time. The selection will now be even larger.

“Ramen am See” isn’t meant to be a fast-food joint. “We want to create a warm, cosy atmosphere. Guests should feel at home and not rushed,” says Poonim. There are 15 seats inside. Whether outdoor seating will be added in the future is still undecided, and will be discussed with the neighbours.

The drinks menu includes sake, wine, and craft beer, as well as Japanese-inspired beverages such as yuzu lemonade. An online ordering platform will be available on their website, allowing customers to order dishes for pickup.

Local ingredients and homemade noodles
Local suppliers are especially important to Poonim: The meat comes from a butcher in Oberägeri, the drinks from a distributor in Unterägeri, and the eggs from a regional farmer. Fresh produce is sourced from the surrounding area, while other ingredients are imported from Japan. She makes the ramen noodles herself.

In addition to various ramen soups, there are rice dishes, and gluten-free options are also in development. Her signature dish will be her own recipe: Curry Ramen – a blend of Thai Khao Soi and Japanese noodles.

Poonim is currently assembling her team with employees from the neighbourhood, and some former colleagues will also support her during the initial phase. With her restaurant, she wants to awaken a desire for new experiences and bring a piece of nostalgia to the Aegeri Valley – for everyone who already knows and loves ramen.

"Ramen am See" is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Further information and the option to order online can be found on:
ramenamsee.ch.