New York, NY (Top40 Charts/Zen Box Izakaya) We're celebrating the unique combination of Japanese and Twin Cities food and culture and our favorite food, ramen. The chefs are the best in the world and it's fun to be able to bring them here to our friends and community - and for a great cause.
Celebrity chefs from around the world and the Twin Cities will come together with John Ng from Zen Box Izakaya, the Minneapolis restaurant knows for it's craft ramen, to host this year's Ramen Attack, Artisan Edition - one of the biggest ramen festival in the Midwest - at the Mill City Museum Sunday,
September 25 from noon - 5:00 PM.
The impressive list of chefs - ramen artisans - includes Ivan Orkin, Shono Tomoharu, Abram Plaut, Gavin Kaysen,
Christopher Nye,
Christina Nguyen, and John Ng.
Ivan Orkin of New York's Ivan Ramen NYC:
Ivan Orkin is widely recognized as the American authority on ramen and all things Japanese. His first restaurant became one of the top ramen shops in Tokyo - a city where ramen enjoys a cult-like status. He then opened Ivan Slurp Shop and Ivan Ramen in New York, both of which have received critical acclaim.
Shono Tomoharu and Abram Plaut from Mensho Tokyo SF, Tokyo and Japan:
Shono Tomoharu opened his first ramen shop in 2005 and now owns seven shops in Tokyo, all with unique and original themes, menus and homemade noodles. In 2016 he and Abram Plant, ramen consultant, critic, and producer - and known for having eaten at more than 1,500 ramen shops - opened Mensho Tokyo SF in San Francisco where lines form early and wrap around the block.
Gavin Kaysen and
Christopher Nye of Minneapolis' own
Spoon and Stable:
Gavin Kaysen, was named one of Food & Wine magazine's best new chefs in 2007, has earned the
James Beard Rising Star Chef award, and has a coveted Michelin star. In 2015, a year after opening,
Spoon and Stable was named a 2015
James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant.
Chris Nye, who's worked in more than a handful of award-winning restaurants on the East Coast has worked with Kaysen to create
Spoon and Stable's regular ramen features and is known for taking top ingredients, presenting them in a stunning way, and for emphasizing flavor and balance.
Christina Nguyen of Minneapolis' Hola Arepa:
Christina Nguyen and her husband started the Hola Arepa food truck in 2011. Christina, her truck, and her brick and mortar restaurant of the same name are known for Latin street food, and fresh, vibrant, and bold flavors with Vietnamese influence.
John Ng of Zen Box Izakaya:
John Ng (@ramenarchitect), Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Zen Box Izakaya, is the brainchild behind the Ramen Attack festival. John was trained in traditional Japanese cooking for seven years - while getting his Bachelor of Architecture degree - and is inspired by travel, a wide variety of Asian cooking styles, structure and beauty. John is known for his unique take on ramen and for adapting fresh, local ingredients to create - or build - ramen dishes that look as amazing as they taste.
This year's festival will also feature performances by Mu Daiko drummers, Japanese sword art by Kai Shin Dojo, Sansei Yonseikai dancers, and music as well as cocktails, street food from Hola Arepa, and FrioFrio artisan Ice Lollies.
Drink partners include Asahi Beer USA with traditional Japanese beer, Bitter Cube with cocktails, and Surly Brewing Co. serving three tap beers including their Ramen Attack special and fan favorite, Umami.
Mill City Museum doors will open at 11:00 the day of the event. Food will be served from noon - 5:00. Admission to Ramen Attack, Artisan Edition is free. Food and drink passports can be purchased online in advance for $45. Each Ramen Attack, Artisan Edition Passport includes:
2 ramen tickets
1 street snack ticket
2 beverage tickets (soda for all, alcoholic beverages for 21+ / must show valid ID)
Up to 2 alcohol wristbands for 21+ attendees / must show valid ID for wristband
1 dessert ticket
Ramen Attack prize giveaway entry form
Purchase Ramen Attack, Artisan Edition Passports at ramenattack.eventbrite.com.
"We're celebrating the unique combination of Japanese and Twin Cities food and culture and our favorite food, ramen. The chefs are the best in the world and it's fun to be able to bring them here to our friends and community - and for a great cause. Net proceeds from the festival benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund and we've raised more than $10,000 to-date! A big thanks to the 2,000+ people who came out to join us last year, and here's to an even bigger and better party this year!"
- Lina Goh, Zen Box Izakaya owner and event organizer
Ramen Attack, Artisan Edition sponsors include Artisan Beer Company, Asahi Beer, Bitter Cube, Delta Dental MN, FrioFrio, J. J. Taylor, Johnson Brothers, Kai Shin Dojo, Mill City Museum, Mu Performing Arts, Sansei Yonseikai, Sun Noodles, Surly Brewing Co., and Wells Fargo.
Net proceeds from Ramen Attack, Artisan Edition will benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund.
Watch the Zen Box Izakaya website, and Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts for more event details and announcements:
zenbox.com
facebook.com/zenboxizakaya
instagram.com/zenboxizakaya
twitter.com/zenboxizakaya
About Zen Box Izakaya:
Downtown Minneapolis restaurant Zen Box Izakaya was started in 2011 by husband and wife team John Ng - @RamenArchitect - and Lina Goh and is known for inspired weekly ramen specials, cocktails with a Japanese twist, an extensive Japanese beer, sake, and shochu selection, and comfort food favorites.
