Inside Corktown’s New Noodle Shop

Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Just a few days shy of New Year’s a new casual spot, Ima, settled into the Corktown neighborhood. Now in the evenings, the small restaurant is filling up with diners hustling in from the cold for warm bowls of udon, curried rice, and refreshing goddess salads.

Chef/owner Mike Ransom began renovating the former Rubbed space last fall, stripping down the turquoise exterior to its original red brick and repainting the interiors in a flat white. Additional lighting was installed through the dining area, giving the space a brighter feel. Like its predecessor, Ima has limited space but the new layout has filled it out with more seating by utilizing several communal tables and countertop seating lining the West-facing wall and the front windows. Outside, a small patio area is lying in wait for warmer months.

Photographers Chris and Michelle Gerard recently took a peek inside Ima ahead of dinner service (lunch is expected to launch soon). Take a tour inside the new noodle shop.