Manar Elbaz
DUBAI: Dubai’s award winning Japanese resturant IchiRyu Ramen House has opened a second branch on Wednesday in Dubai inspired by the streets and architecture of Kyoto, bringing an authenic version of the Japanese city to the heart of Dubai.
Located in Dubai Marina, the 3,000 square feet branch can host over 100 guests and it pairs traditional Japanese artistry with a welcoming autumnal charm.
The new branch offers a private tatatmi room that hosts around 10 guests, providing an intimate space for guests similar to the one in Japan.
This new branch builds on the success of their Tokyo-inspired branch at Wasl Port that became renowned for introducing the concept of solo dining in the UAE. The Marina branch offers solo dining in a sepearte area from the restaurant, making it convenient for guests to access the area.
The interior features various Japanese culture pieces, such as a two-meter statue of a Japanese military commander and a torii gate inspired by the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, as well as a dedicated area to anime-related merchandise items that the owners personally collect.
The menu offers 12 types of ramen as well as exclusive items unique to this branch, such as Japanese fried rice, sashimi, tartare, temaki, and matcha-related drinks and desserts.
Karl De Guzman, president and chief operating officer, and Nicolai De Guzman, chairman and chief design officer, told Arab News Japan that the first branch at Wasl Port was so well received that it inspired them to open the Marina branch to cover a bigger area in Dubai.
“We had customers who came from Oman and Saudi Arabia so we opened this branch to cater to more people,” they said. “We wanted this branch to be by the water since water represents the life of everything in Japanese culture.”
The Filipino owners hired a Japanese advisor to make sure that they are correctly representing Japanese culture in the region, giving the restaurant more authenticity.
“Growing up in Japan, I knew from the start what is authentic, but even for me, I can’t forgive something that isn’t authentic,” Karl said. “When I came to Dubai, I knew it was a multinational place and we wanted to serve something 100% authentic.”
They added that they want to create an enjoyable experience that makes customers return.
“Our vision has always been to create more than just a restaurant. We want every guest to feel truly welcomed and valued from the moment they step through our doors. It’s important to us that the entire experience, from the atmosphere to the service and, of course, the food, reflects the care and dedication we put into IchiRyu,” they said.
The soft opening ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, was attended by IMANISHI Jun, Japanese Consul General to Dubai, and Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Consul General to Dubai, as well as various ministers and VIP guests.
The founders are already planning to open a third branch in Dubai next year, inspired by Osaka.
IchiRyu Ramen House’s newest branch is open daily from 11AM.
AloJapan.com