Ivan Orkin Ivan Ramen

Ivan Orkin fell in love with Japanese cuisine while working as a dishwasher at a sushi bar at age 15. After culinary school and jobs in some of NYC’s top kitchens, he moved to Japan full-time, and at the suggestion of his wife, he opened a ramen shop. This move seemed destined for failure in a country where ramen enjoys a cult-like status. Incredibly, Ivan not only succeeded, but it became one of the top ramen shops in Tokyo. In 2012, he made a triumphant return to New York, and the following year he opened Ivan Ramen there to huge crowds and critical acclaim.

As opposed to the more common, ultra-rich tonkotsu ramen, Ivan’s ramen is based on a blend of rich, clear chicken broth and golden dashi. It’s light and deeply complex with the chicken broth being made from whole chickens instead of just chicken bones, and the umami-rich dashi made from ingredients imported from Japan. This version of Tokyo-style “double soup” ramen is light, bright, and clean, with incredible depth and richness without being overly fatty.