ST. LOUIS — Based on reviews and ratings, Yelp has created a list of the Top 100 U.S restaurants for foodies to visit in 2024.
Menya Rui, nestled in south city at 3453 Hampton Ave. in St. Louis, ranked number two on the list.
The restaurant owner, Chef Steven Pursley, is a native of St. Louis. The word "Menya" means noodle shop, and "Rui" is the owner's given name. Pronounced like, "Men-ya Roo-e."
The casual restaurant has been outranked by only one other restaurant in the U.S.: Tumerico, a Tuscan, Arizona restaurant that serves plant-based Mexican food has come in first place.
Menya Rui's Japanese noodles are "cooked to perfection," according to Yelp.
Pursley owns the 24-seat restaurant which, at times, has a line wrapped around the outside of the building.
According to the website, there is a one-hour limit for each table during this dining experience.
"The average Japanese person eats ramen in 5-10 minutes," the site said.
Pursley trained at a Japanese ramen shop for three years, he also hosted ramen pop-ups out of his apartment before opening his shop in 2022.
Menya Rui does not have vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options. The restaurant also does not have a takeout or delivery option.
"To-go ramen is virtually non-existent in Japan, as it does not carry well," the site said.
Yelpers said they love the menu.
"As long as I can pay my bills and my staff, I will keep serving food this way," Pursley said.
Pursley even gained recognition in 2023 earning the title of Food and Wine's Best New Chef.
5 On Your Side asked Pursley his accomplishments, and he said " I was confident when I opened, but it's exceeded my expectations."
Pursley's plan for the future of Menya Rui is to open a second location.
No other St. Louis-area restaurants made it on Yelp's list.