Authentic Japanese *craft Ramen Pop-up
(currently finalizing locale)

“The Japanese food my parents and grandparents would cook when I was growing up in Colorado, to living on the West Coast for the last several decades, and my experiences traveling throughout Japan has all led up to now.”  – Greg Taniguchi

*I can’t stand the word craft, but in this case, I have to use it because it truly is a craft ramen (made from scratch)” – Greg T.

Panel 1

About

Greg Taniguchi started off as an industrial design student to owning and operating one of the first import tuner shops in the S.F. Bay Area, but that was him just getting started.

Continue reading “About”
Panel 2

Japanese Ramen

Food + Culture

The popularity of ramen is partially fueled by some of the famous ramen chains from Japan The popularity of ramen is partially fueled by some of the famous ramen chains from Japan opening locations in the coastal cities. On the West Coast, you have Santouka, Ikkousha, Tatsunoya, to Mensho. While on the East, in New York (Ichiran to Ippudo). These infamous chains have set a high benchmark for ramen in the U.S. for good reason.

Unfortunately, none of them are currently in Colorado, and Greg can’t live without ramen. Not having that level of ramen is why Greg decided to take on the challenge with his humble and earnest attempt (not a smart move to use your surname when you run the risk of sucking) to present ramen that reflects the level of craft and focus only found in an authentic Japanese ramen shop. #thestruggleisreal

ramen-types-in-japan

These regional varieties of ramen are just like the regional styles of a thin crust or deep dish pizza, a creamy clam chowder versus tomato, or the type of cheese used in a Philly cheesesteak. None of the variations are the right way, but each style reflects the culture,  history, and tastes of each region. (BTW, the answers: clearly NY, New England, and provolone when sober and Cheez Whiz after a night of drinking).

600x400-ramen-lab-5-elements

Each Japanese style of ramen comprises of these five elements, and they are essential to producing the same flavors and experience found in Japan. These details are what gives each ramen ya (ramen shop) their distinctive edge over the guesstimated 6-10k in Tokyo, to an overall number of 50,000 plus ramen shops throughout Japan.

Illustrations are by WAttention Los Angeles. Bottom illustration is by the Ramen Lab, NY.
Panel 3

Menu

TONKOTSU RAMEN

(TON=”PORK”, KOTSU=”MARROW/STOCK”)

The stock in ramen is a labor of love, and preparing the ingredients and the actual cooking is a time intensive process which on top of all of that, also includes the preparation of the toppings, flavoring, and aromatic oils.

We are currently the only ones that serve Hakata style noodles.

All of the ingredients involved are locally sourced from Colorado producers wherever possible while key Japanese ingredients are used to give our ramen broth that distinctive and authentic Japanese taste.

Perfect for the summer, tsukemen “dipping noodles”

TWO TYPES OF PORK CHASHU

A slow-roasted and braised cuts of mouthwatering tender pork, like buttah!

IMG_0759
Sous vide pork that we utilize for our Hakata style tonkotsu ramen.
Our braised pork belly utilized for our tsukemen.

“AJITAMA” (ajitsuke tamago)

A tasty soft-boiled egg in a soy-based marinade with a lava like yolk.

taniguchi-ajitama-egg
Each one of the these eggs are hand peeled and marinated in a special soy sauce based marinade.

Spicy Miso McVeganFace Ramen

A totally animal free ramen that will not be pretentiously priced (under $10).

miso-vegan-ramen-mcvegan
Not an afterthought
*Actual product details may vary although imagery will be updated as frequently as possible.
Panel 4

Pop-Up Events

When or What is a “Pop-up?”

A restaurant pop-up is our way of introducing ourselves to Colorado. The pop-up only takes place for a limited time and will occur throughout the greater Denver metro area (and eventually beyond).


FEBRUARY 4th-9th 2020

This time around we did not promote or announce where we would be popping up, so that we would have time to work out every possible bug such as learning about what a NEMA 6-20R/P is to working out our product quality within the restrictions set out by city codes/requirements. Now that we have a sold out night under our belt, along with a number of generous compliments, we think it is time to announce that we intend on making it out on this Sat/Sun (2/8 to 2/9) if the weather eases up. If not, it’s snowman making time.


WINTER 2019

Due to the overwhelming number of people a one-day event attracts, everything has to go smoothly just for that one day (from staffing an event just for one day to getting the correct product in). Unfortunately, with a product that is made from scratch and that requires upwards of 20+ hours to produce (vs. the instant ramen stock used in a lot of restaurants), we have decided to only do multi-day events. We are currently in the process of looking for a venue where we can operate from for consecutive days at a time, a minimum of 3 days to 2 weeks.

“Finding and experimenting with an alternative to a food truck or a typical brick’n’mortar is really killing the experience and quality of product I set out to do, but I know this is the direction I have to take. – Greg Taniguchi”


Summer/fall 2019

Click the image for more information about our upcoming event on October 6th and 7th (Sunday and Monday).


our last event ON 8/7/19

We kicked off Taniguchi Ramen at Prost Brewery in the Highlands.

Picture yourself here eating ramen or on a yacht eating shrimp, your choice.

If you by chance have a yacht, invite Taniguchi Ramen and it’ll be a win win. If not, see you on Wednesday, August 7th at 5:00pm at:

  • Prost Brewery Co. and Biergarten: 2540 19th St, Denver, CO 80211

Be sure to follow Prost Brewery at @prostbrewingco


SIGN UP TO OUR EMAIL LIST

We are currently in the works on planning our next pop-up, so be sure to sign-up to our email list or connect with us on Instagram to stay informed.

Even if you are second to last to try our ramen, your support will still be very much appreciated.

Q&A with Greg Taniguchi about the Pop-up

A PR friend of Greg’s had helped to conduct a recorded interview with him which was to be used to create a write-up, but due to his long and drawn out responses (*yawn* only 10% joking), it was decided to transcribe and post almost everything in its entirety.

So why are you doing a ramen pop-up versus coming straight out with a restaurant?

“To determine the market demand, size, and receptivity to authentic Japanese food/ramen. If that sounds cautious, it is due to my marketing background although I am also going about it this way because I still have my training wheels on (as a restaurateur)… till they wobble and break off.”

What if it doesn’t meet expectations, did you have other places or states in mind?
Continue reading “Pop-Up Events”