Ramen royalty arrives in Farringdon as Ivan Orkin opens long-awaited London restaurant
Ivan Ramen opens its first permanent UK restaurant in Farringdon on November 19, bringing cult bowls, bold new dishes and the celebrated story of chef Ivan Orkin to London.
London’s ramen scene is about to get a serious shake-up.
On November 19, Ivan Ramen will officially open his first permanent UK restaurant at 98 Farringdon Road, following a sell-out pop-up that left Londoners begging for more in 2023.
Behind the counter is star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Ivan Orkin, the legendary chef whose bowls have earned near-mythic status in both Tokyo and New York. Now, he’s ready to add London to his noodle empire.
Diners can expect all the icons: rich Tonkotsu, silky Tori Paitan, the fiery Spicy Miso Red Chilli, and Ivan’s beloved Karaage. But there’s a London-only exclusive making its debut too - the Salt Beef Bun.
Inspired by the flavours of an East End bagel shop, it’s stuffed with warm salt beef, pickled cucumber and a punchy karashi mustard mayo. Consider it a love letter from Tokyo via NYC, with a pit stop on Brick Lane.
Inside, the 26-seat space seamlessly blends Japanese minimalism with the energetic vibe of a New York ramen joint. Designed by Harrison, the interior pairs clean lines and natural textures with bold manga artwork and glowing lightboxes.
Look closely and you’ll spot reclaimed furniture and lighting nodding to Ivan’s original NYC shop, alongside photography charting his journey from ramen obsessive to culinary icon.
A theatrical open kitchen sits front and centre, where diners can watch bowls crafted with the precision, passion and playfulness that made Ivan a global name.
The launch has been made possible through a partnership with Sessions, the UK's leading platform for top-tier food creators to scale nationwide.
The Farringdon site is the first step in wider plans to bring Ivan Ramen to more locations across the country.
“I’ve always loved London, and I’m beyond thrilled to finally be a part of it,” said Ivan Orkin. “Tokyo, New York… and now London!”
Dan Warne, Founder and CEO of Sessions, added: “Bringing Ivan Ramen to the UK is a milestone — and just the beginning.”