Ippudo enters the US (2008)
Ippudo, a Fukuoka chain, opened its first US shop on Fourth Avenue in New York's East Village. Lines stretched down the block, and its tonkotsu ramen became a template for American ramen shops.
Ramen demand exploded, and Japanese chains plus local imitators opened across the country.
Ramen moved from cheap college food to a culinary category, with beer and sake service standard.
Ramen An taps this same market; its beer-and-wine license matches how US ramen shops are built.
