Jules DeBord, owner of Lunchbox Pickles and Port City Farmer’s Market Kitchen To-Go, will soon launch another venture, Ramen a Go Go, a food truck featuring southeast Asian cuisine prepared with southeastern North Carolina produce.  
 
DeBord said much of her training was under the direction of a Thai chef who exposed her to not only Thai cuisine, but also Vietnamese, Malaysian, Korean and Japanese.
 
“Asian food has always been my go-to as far as my favorite food to cook, and I love putting a twist on it with Southern ingredients,” DeBord said. “And I think people really enjoy that style of fusion.”
 
Ramen a Go Go will serve create-your-own ramen, with a choice of three broths options, two types of noodles, and plenty of local veggies. Ramen bowls can also be topped with Yakitori chicken or Bulgogi beef. One of the broth options, the green tea and herb, is vegan, and is prepared with green oolong tea and a variety of green vegetables. There will also be a special ramen bowl each day, with some of the initial specials being bowls that customers responded well to at Port City Farmer’s Market Kitchen To-Go, located in the food court at Independence Mall.
 
“With all the different options, and a rotating selection of vegetables to top the bowls, there tons of possible combinations to create, allowing customers to create something new every time,” DeBord said.
 
Spring rolls, samosas and other specialties will also be available, and DeBord makes all of the marinades, sauces and broths from scratch.
 
DeBord is also a primary organizer of the Port City Farmer’s Market, which takes place 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Waterline Brewing Company. Each week, local farmers and artisans gather at the brewery to sell produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, art, jewelry, pet products and more.
 
“Pretty much everything I’ve done has been an offshoot of the connections I’ve made through the farmer’s market,” DeBord said. “When we all work together, we all win.”
 
DeBord said she plans to conduct a soft opening for Ramen a Go Go in conjunction with Walking Tall, a local organization that helps to support community members living in poverty.
 
“I see this as a great opportunity to provide a meal to people within our community that might not have one otherwise,” DeBord said. “And I would certainly challenge other restaurant owners to do the same. If the goal is to get the process down and get community feedback, why not support those in need.”
 
DeBord said Ramen a Go Go will be hitting the streets next week, making stops in all areas of town, and serving late night downtown on weekends.

Check out the truck’s Facebook page for details on when and where it will be.
 
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