The original 30-seat ramen shop was located in Union Way,[2] a multi-use retail "alleyway project" in the space formerly occupied by Red Cap Garage,[3] in downtown Portland's West End.

[4] It was described as a "sister restaurant" to Boxer Sushi, opened by Micah Camden in southeast Portland's Hawthorne district in 2012 and closed in September 2014.

[2][5][6] Portland Monthly said of the original location's atmosphere and interior: "Micah Camden's neo-pop noodle house looks like a ramen shop designed by Lucky Peach magazine.

Wu-Tang Clan bumps from the sound system and an entire wall is clad in a mural of three cute but devilish Japanese girls hovering over a chicken, pig, or tuna leaping from a ramen bowl.

[13] Within a year, two additional ramen options were added: shiitake, featuring a mushroom-pork bone dashi, and vegetarian yellow curry, with coconut milk, corn, stock, and tofu.

[14] Rotating side dishes included Japanese pickles, ohitashi spinach salads, okonomiyaki tater tots, pork belly buns and pot stickers.

[10][13] Mochi ice cream shipped from Bubbies in Honolulu was available for dessert; flavors included passion fruit.

[7] The fourth Boxer Ramen location added a bowl with short ribs to the menu, along with cocktails, including a Moscow mule and yuzu-infused gin and tonic.

[14] Boxer Ramen opened a second location in northeast Portland's Vernon neighborhood, at the intersection of 21st Avenue and Albert Street in the Alberta Arts District,[10] in January 2015.

When the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Governor Kate Brown to close indoor dining, Camden gave teams at all restaurants the choice of temporary closure or continuing as a take-out service.

"[31] The Burnside location had closed by August,[32][33] and was converted into Rock Paper Fish, a seafood chain by Camden, Craig Peterson, and Ndamukong Suh.

[39] Two months later, Camden announced plans to close all Boxer restaurants permanently after service on April 28, citing the pandemic and inflation as reasons.

[12] Portland Monthly said the spicy red miso ramen "has addictive potential" and recommends the passion fruit mochi, described as "creamy and softly fruity, a Dreamsicle reborn".

Chris Onstad of the Portland Mercury recommended the tonkotsu-shio ramen in his 2014 review, and complimented the service staff for being "quick, remarkably knowledgable, and friendly to the point of actual charm".

He did, however, criticize the restaurant for accepting cash only, and wrote: It is claimed the noodles are brought in from a vaunted purveyor, but I would still like them to be a little more toothsome when first set down.

Furthermore, he opined, "Camden's little big touches remain deft, even as he makes Portland look increasingly like a cartoon.

[53][54] Portland Mercury's Jenni Moore wrote in 2019, "Boxer Ramen's cool little space on Alberta has purposely exposed-but-glossed-over plywood walls, some pleasant mural art, and an only slightly alarming taxidermy raccoon riding in a canoe...

"[55] Fodor's has described the original location as "often crowded and convivial",[56] and Thrillist said: "This place is all about creating a dish, executing it well, and selling it for a decent price in a good environment.

The guide said, "Fans find extreme umami at these no-nonsense Japanese from Micah Camden ... that offer a simple menu of great, rich ramen plus a few side dishes; the compact spaces are not a place to go with groups, but speedy, solicitous service ensures a noodle-icious experience that hits the spot.