Evolution happened to sushi. When sushi arrived to America, new ingredients joined in the American sushi kitchen. Avocado, cream cheese, smoked salmon, tempura shrimp,…few to name. The technique of making a roll has also changed. In order to satisfy American customers who are unfamiliar with black sheet of nori, inside-out roll was born. Now what is happening to Okonomiyaki is worth to pay an attention. I have Okonomiyaki recipes in my two books; The Japanese Kitchen...
Read MoreIvan Ramen Part II
When I arrived at the restaurant I saw a line of people waiting outside for a seat at the small counter that seats about 12 customers. The customers ranged in age from high school students to 80 year old ladies. Just outside of the door there is a fun sign board that says “eat here” in English with an red arrow pointing into the restaurant. This is the only English sign all others are in Japanese. The menu is, acknowledging his background, bilingual, but...
Read MoreTokyo Ramen Shop Owner-Chef, Ivan: an American in the World of Japanese Ramen
Ivan Orkin, a New Yorker and graduate of CIA, once worked at the legendary Quilted Giraffe and other popular New York restaurants such as Mesa Grill. But he was never happy in those positions. Shortly after his college graduation he went to Japan and fell in love with Japanese ramen and later a Japanese woman, Mariko, now his wife., and he did something no foreigner has ever done. Soon after marring Mariko, Ivan moved to Japan and opened his own unique ramen resturant...
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