Artist Conversation: Chef Ivan Orkin

Ivan Orkin’s story is one of legend in the food community:

A self described “Jewish Kid from Long Island”, Ivan realized his dream of cooking while doing it in Japan on his terms.

Armed with a degree in Japanese from the University of Colorado Boulder, Ivan immediately moved to Japan upon graduating and cemented his love of everything Japanese.

He returned to the US in 1990 and after some career experimentation, found his way to the Culinary Institute of America where he finally found his calling.

Upon graduation from the CIA, and stints at Mesa Grill, Lutece and Restaurant Associates, Ivan returned to Tokyo to rediscover his Japanese “roots”. While putting his time in as a stay at home dad, Ivan realized it was time to combine his love for Japan and cooking, and in 2007 the first Ivan Ramen was born.

This move seemed destined for failure in a country where ramen

enjoys a cult-like status. Incredibly, Ivan not only succeeded but, became one of the top ramen shops in Tokyo, an unheard of accomplishment for a foreigner. In 2010 a second shop, Ivan Ramen Plus, was opened. In 2012, Ivan returned to NY with the hopes of opening a business back home, while continuing to operate his two shops in Tokyo.

His first venture in the US, Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, opened at the Gotham West Market on 600 11th Avenue in November of 2013 to huge crowds and critical acclaim. Soon after, his 50-seat US flagship, Ivan Ramen opened at 25 Clinton Street on New York’s Lower East side. In 2014 Ivan Ramen was named the best new restaurant of the year by multiple publications, including The New York Times, New York Magazine, Eater, Travel&Leisure and Food&Wine. New York Magazine also named Ivan as one of the best new chef of 2014.

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