After working for over a decade in the software engineering industry, Mike Ng decided to pivot in his career path and follow his passion for cooking. With years of cooking experience and life-long admiration for the craft, Ng opened Misaki Ramen and now serves authentic Japanese and Korean meals to the Round Rock community.

The inspiration

Despite his long career outside of the restaurant world, Ng was no stranger to the kitchen. As a child, he found his love for cooking by shaping items such as rice, stir fry and ramen.

While living in Seattle, Ng worked as a sushi chef and in several Thai, Japanese and Korean restaurants throughout his college years.

In 2017, Misaki Ramen opened across the Dell campus in Round Rock and served ramen and sushi before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Ng reopened the restaurant at its current location where it now focuses on ramen, bowls and appetizers.

“I’m really passionate about the restaurant and the ramen, so we downscaled a little bit and tried to keep the business running instead of just giving up on the passion I have,” Ng said.

Must-try menu items

What makes the eatery stand out from other ramen restaurants is its healthier version of ramen broth which originates from a Japanese town, Ng said.


“Our broth is different from other ramen restaurants in that we don't make it really creamy,” Ng said. “Our start comes from a town in Japan called Nagahama, so the broth is a little lighter and the noodles are thin noodles.”

While the most popular ramen on the menu is bulgogi ramen, Ng said his personal favorite is the oishi. The dish features tonkotsu broth with house-made black garlic oil, pork belly, ajitama, nori, wood-ear mushrooms, green onions and fried minced garlic.

While diners enjoy their orders, they can simultaneously have handcrafted teas with toppings including boba.

The most important aspect of the restaurant is the quality control of the dishes, Ng said. As a former sushi chef, he said it’s key to be consistent in the food being served to the customers.


“I want to make sure the dishes are going to be made exactly the same every time,” Ng said. “It’s a high-quality experience for the food and we make sure every single day it’s the same thing every time.”

Another detail

With lanterns hanging from the ceiling and fresh-cut flowers from Ng’s personal garden displayed on every table, the restaurant cultivates a warm atmosphere for all diners.

Ng designed the restaurant with various scenarios in mind from catering to larger groups dining for a celebration to smaller parties wanting an intimate experience.


“It makes us really happy and it’s a good place in Round Rock, and we really appreciate the local support because they come here and enjoy the food and they can relax,” Ng said. “That makes me happy and is the reason why I'm here basically everyday.”

The future

Customers from all over the state have asked Ng to open locations closer to them including San Antonio, Waco, Temple and Houston.

He said the restaurant is focusing on prioritizing quality over quantity at its current location, but if he were to open another location in the future, he said it will likely be in South Austin.