A Green Light for Red Light Ramen in Nelson BC

Tucked away in a laneway above historic Baker Street, Red Light Ramen is a beautiful part of Nelson’s thriving culinary scene.

Owner Korina Langevin’s vision was to create a hub for the community, a place where food, drink, art and music come together. The result? This cozy restaurant serves up some mighty fine ramen and unique beverages in an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Nelson. The indoor communal wood tables and outdoor picnic tables encourages a social, laid-back vibe, while the rotating art displays celebrate Nelson’s reputation as a cultural hub.

Langevin notes that the local food scene is impressive despite Nelson’s relatively small size. Like other restaurants, Red Light Ramen works with local suppliers and producers whenever possible, while their talented team of chefs combine fresh ingredients to create beautiful and delicious meals.

The small menu features a selection of appetizers, including Langevin’s favourite, prawn gyozas. “Our gyozas are a labour of love, they’re all handmade in house with fresh herbs and are hand rolled.” She recommends pairing them with the scotch based Penicillin cocktail, made with fresh lemon juice and ginger to complement the malt’s peaty flavour. Follow it up with a bowl of tantan spicy pork ramen and you can’t go wrong.

Red Light offers a fine array of handcrafted cocktails using high quality spirits and in-house cordials and spirits. A curated selection of BC craft beers and international wines round out the beverage menu, providing plenty of options for guests to linger at the bar or by the cozy fireplace into the evening. Come for happy hour between 3pm-5pm for $4 beers, or check out the daily mixed drink feature for a taste of Nelson’s emerging cocktail culture.

Give the green light to this hip spot when you’re in Nelson; it’s well worth getting off the beaten path and discovering this hidden gem.

by John Bowden