Ivan Orkin is in studio with host Akiko Katayama this week for Japan Eats!  Talking how this self described “Jewish kid from Long Island” fell in love with the cuisine and culture of Japan to becoming a renowned and respected chef, Ivan shares what specifically attracted him to refining his own style of ramen.  Discussing the evolution of ramen’s popularity in the Japan and the United States, Ivan also relays the importance of observing Japanese customs and traditions, details from his cookbook “Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo’s Most Unlikely Noodle Joint,” and what’s trending in ramen today.

“One of the reasons I chose ramen was because I felt it was the only food stuff in Japan that didn’t have any rules.” [11:00]

“Ramen shops used to be like a gangster shop, kind of like an old Irish pub!” [18:50]

–Ivan Orkin on Japan Eats