We're thrilled to announce a culinary collaboration with Ivan Orkin, the celebrated chef behind the renowned Ivan Ramen in the USA. Ivan will debut an exclusive ramen menu at Kaia in The Ned City of London, launching on 20 January 2024, and available for two months only.
Jack Cohn, our Food & Beverage Director says “we are so excited to bring Ivan Orkin’s ramen to the UK. This collaboration will create a unique guest experience like no other. Ivan is the singular most authoritative voice on ramen, and we think our guests will relish the opportunity to sample his incredible menu.”
Ivan’s journey to ramen stardom is as inspiring as his dishes. Starting at a sushi bar at age 15, he developed a lifelong passion for Japanese culture and cuisine. After earning a degree in Japanese language and literature, Ivan moved to Japan to teach English, deepening his connection to the country’s traditions. Returning to the USA in 1990, Ivan graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and honed his craft at iconic restaurants like Mesa Grill and Lutèce before heading back to Japan to follow his dream of opening his own ramen shops.
Today, Ivan is celebrated as the American authority on ramen, seamlessly blending Japanese authenticity with American innovation. Fluent in Japanese and deeply immersed in its culture, Ivan brings a unique perspective to his craft, bridging two culinary worlds.
Ivan says "with the impending opening of Ivan Ramen in the UK, my love affair with London only deepens. The extended pop-up with The Ned allows me to start cooking in London before our restaurants open and present fun riffs on our menu, especially those tailored to the guests at Kaia."
Guests at Kaia can look forward to savouring four of Ivan’s exclusive creations, which include:
🍜 Tori Shoyu Wonton Men: clear heirloom chicken, pork, and dashi broth seasoned with soy tare and shrimp oil, featuring shio koji marinated chicken breast “chasu” and delicate chicken wontons, topped with menma, and our signature thin rye noodles.
🦞 Lobster Mazemen: thick rye noodles coated in a rich lobster broth, topped with lobster meat poached in ginger-scallion butter and shrimp & katsuobushi salt, and finished with house-made XO sauce, scallop floss, and mentaiko crème fraîche. (optional caviar add-on available).
🥩 Iberico Pork Collar Tsukemen: a rich suckling pig pork broth served alongside thick rye noodles for dipping. It is topped with binchotan-grilled maitake mushrooms, pickled spring greens and succulent grilled iberico pork collar. A soft egg adds velvety richness to this bold and satisfying dish.
🍄🟫 Truffled Shoyu Ramen: truffled vegetable and mushroom broth layered with the depth of grilled maitake mushrooms, roasted tomato, yu choy, and fresh scallions. This comforting, aromatic bowl offers a sophisticated plant-based ramen experience (optional shaved truffle add-on available).
Get down to Kaia to experience Ivan's delicious dishes before it's too late!
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