Ima Is Now Serving Udon Noodles in Corktown

Forget January. Get ready to slurp noodles ahead of the New Year. Corktown’s anticipated restaurant, Ima, arrived on Wednesday evening with a full list of soul-satisfying Japanese udon noodle and rice bowls. The restaurant is located within the former Rubbed space on Michigan Avenue.

A Michigan native, chef Mike Ransom is behind the project. As Ransom recently returned to the Detroit area after 10 years working in restaurants on the East and West Coast. Although he’s trained in French cooking, the chef says that Japanese food has always been his go-to comfort meal.

Ransom snatched up the Corktown space this fall and has been working to redevelop the interior with a fresh coat of paint and new furnishings. The restaurant is set up for table service but will eventually offer a carryout component. Ima won’t initially offer alcohol but Ransom hopes to secure a liquor license by spring.

Ransom’s menu is expected to change seasonally. The opening menu features dishes like “Ima tacos” (shaved jicama shells with wakame slaw, green chili sauce, shisho, and optional proteins), garlic chicken udon, and golden curry rice. There’s also a small kids menu featuring noodles, rice, veggies, and orange slices.

A representative for the restaurant tells Eater that Ima will be open now through December 31 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will return with regular hours after the holidays. Lunch service will be added in early 2017. Reservations are not required.

Ima is located at 2015 Michigan Avenue. Beginning in 2017 the restaurant will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Call 313-502-5959.

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