Largest Ramen Event in the US Coming to San Jose!

The largest ramen event in the country is coming to the San Jose Convention Center on October 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. Given that we have one of only three remaining Japantowns in the country and a large population that enjoys Japanese cuisines, San Jose is a logical destination for this event.

9-10 Ramen Shops will be participating each day, and the food looks awesome! Have a look at the press release below and a few photos from the participating eateries.

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Ramen Yokocho festivals by the Ramen Yokocho Association (RamenyokochoUS.com) have been hugely popular, attracting over 100,000 ramen lovers throughout the last 5 events in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

The next Yokocho will take place at the San Jose Convention Center's (www.sanjose.org) South Hall in downtown San Jose on October 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11, 12 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). This Japanese noodle festival will feature the best ramen from Japan and the US. From America, the original ramen burger creator will unveil a new dish. Two of the best ramen shops from Kyushu, where tonkotsu ramen was born, will present their special bowls. From ramen hot spots, Tokyo and Osaka, renowned ramen chefs will bring both traditional and innovative dishes. 10 ramen shops are scheduled for the first week, and 9 are scheduled for the second week.

Some of the notable ramen shops include: Kohmen from Ikebukuro, Tokyo where many ramen shops are competing to be the best. They are known for its slow cooked tonkotsu and chicken blend soup (they call it “jyukusei soup”). Kohmen has nearly 20 years of history in Ikebukuro. Chanpon-Tei offers ramen noodle soup topped with pork, seafood and vegetables, called “chanpon ramen”. Tonkotsu has been the popular broth in the U.S. Chanpon-Tei’s seafood broth is unique and gives Ramen Yokocho attendees an option to try something different. There’s also beef based Kamitoku Ramen from Ginza, Tokyo. Pioneer in beef based soup, Kamitoku Ramen’s soup is often compared to French oxtail soup. Keizo Shimamoto of ramen burger fame just announced that he’ll be joining Ramen Yokocho, and bringing “Burger Ramen” (a soupless noodle dish, not his usual ramen burger).

For all ramen line ups, please see the attached poster.

Dates: Friday-Sunday; October 3-5 and 10-12, 2014
Time: Fridays: 4PM-9PM; Saturdays and Sundays: 11AM-9PM
Venue: San Jose Convention Center South Hall
Address: 435 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Price: Admission $5/person (children 12 and under are Free); ramen $8/bowl **Cash Only
VIP ticket $60 (presale on website; includes admission, 2 ramen, souvenir, ramen express lane)

Ramen Yokocho Association was established in Southern California in 2013 to promote the understanding of the delicious Japanese noodle soup, Ramen. “Yokocho” means alleyway in Japanese. When you visit Japan, you will see small alleys filled with a variety of shops. Following that tradition, Ramen Yokocho Association is eager to please ramen enthusiasts and ramen novices alike by bringing different styles of ramen noodles to events. There are many kinds of noodles, toppings, and soups depending on the region. Ramen Yokocho is planning to bring the event nationwide.