A culinary legend from New York has found a new home in London’s vibrant food scene. Ivan Orkin, a native New Yorker who achieved the remarkable feat of opening a successful ramen shop in Tokyo in 2006, has now brought his celebrated noodles to Farringdon.
Ivan Orkin brings his Tokyo-tested, New York-approved ramen mastery to London’s bustling Farringdon neighborhood.
After earning global acclaim in Japan and returning to New York in 2011 to open two Ivan Ramen locations, Orkin’s newest venture marks an exciting chapter for London’s ramen enthusiasts. Orkin gained widespread recognition after being featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table in 2017.
The permanent restaurant, which opened on November 19 at 98 Farringdon Road, follows several successful pop-ups in Islington and The Ned during 2023. Located just a 10-minute walk from Farringdon Station near Exmouth Market, the intimate space seats 26 diners and operates in partnership with Sessions for both delivery and eat-in service.
The interior design reflects a thoughtful blend of Japanese aesthetics and New York energy. With simple clean lines and textures inspired by Japanese design, the space creates a calm counterpoint to the hustle typically associated with New York ramen shops. Reclaimed furniture and lighting from Orkin’s original New York establishment add authenticity, while photography throughout the restaurant narrates Ivan’s remarkable culinary journey.
Signature dishes include the chicken paitan ramen, spicy miso red chilli ramen, and kara-age chicken. London diners can also enjoy an exclusive salt beef bao with pickled cucumber and karashi mustard mayo.
The menu features various ramen styles, including tonkotsu, shio, shoyu, miso, and chicken shoyu, with prices for NYC ramen bowls starting at $20. Customers can customize their ramen with add-ons like minced garlic chicken, glazed pork chashu, or grilled oyster mushrooms. The restaurant serves its home-made noodles with a softer texture than some traditional versions, creating a distinctive eating experience. Additional options include ramen eggs, tenderstem broccoli, roasted tomato, and chilli oil.
The restaurant operates Monday through Wednesday from 12:00 to 22:00, Thursday through Saturday until 23:00, and Sundays from 12:00 to 20:30.
Visitors can watch their meals being prepared in the theatrical open kitchen at the front of the restaurant, adding to the authentic ramen shop experience that has made Ivan Orkin a global culinary star. Before his culinary career, Orkin trained at the Culinary Institute of America and gained experience at prestigious establishments like Mesa Grill and Lutèce.
