Also known as Ivan Ramen, he’s a professional chef who has made a name for himself by specializing in ramen-based dishes. Over the years, Ivan Ramen has built a solid reputation in the culinary world, running two successful restaurants in Japan. In addition to that, Ivan Ramen also brought his passion overseas, opening Ivan Ramen Slurp Shops—first at the Gotham West Market on 11th Avenue in New York, and later on the Lower East Side. His unique approach to ramen earned him widespread recognition, including a feature in an episode of the popular Netflix series Chef’s Table, which further elevated Ivan Ramen’s profile in the global food scene.

Before all the fame, though, his journey began in Long Island, New York, where Ivan Ramen was born and raised. He got his start in the restaurant industry at just fifteen years old, working as a dishwasher at a sushi bar—an early experience that sparked his interest in Japanese cuisine. From there, Ivan Ramen went on to study Japanese at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Afterward, he took time to teach abroad before returning to the U.S. in 1990 to pursue his culinary dreams at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Interestingly, the idea to open a ramen shop in Japan actually came from his wife—a suggestion that would go on to shape Ivan Ramen’s entire career path.