Ramen Reviews NYC

How Ramen Made Me a Better Marketer

Before TikTok virality and creator marketing became mainstream, I built a niche audience of 24K+ followers as @ramenreviewsnyc — documenting my obsession with ramen from Japan to New York. It started as a side passion and turned into a live experiment in content strategy, brand voice, and audience growth.

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Over time, I learned what builds trust and engagement at scale: consistency, cultural fluency, and storytelling that resonates within a community. I shot and edited all content, tested hashtags, collaborated with chefs and creators, and drove engagement rates that outpaced branded campaigns. I also learned the risks — like pausing content during COVID to avoid harming local businesses — and the personal curveball of being diagnosed with celiac disease, which reshaped how I approached my audience.

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This project taught me more about digital marketing than any course could. From creative direction to influencer partnerships to platform algorithms, I’ve carried those lessons into my work with global brands — and still use them to help clients navigate content, voice, and community strategy today.