After many months of anticipation, Kato Ramen is officially open! Downtown Toledo is now the home to authentic, Japanese ramen as Chef Kengo Kato cut the ribbon for his second area restaurant, Kato Ramen today. Mirroring the feel, ambiance, and size of his flagship restaurant, Kengo Sushi & Yakitori, which opened in 2015. Kato Ramen is located immediately next door and will feature a simple menu of traditional ramen noodles.
Guests can expect dishes like Tonkotsu, a creamy, pork-based broth highlighted by chasuhu (roasted pork); Shoyu, a delicately clear chicken broth enhanced by flavors of soy and jammy egg; Miso, a rich and spicy broth with vegetables; or the signature Vegan Bowl, a cashew-based broth brought to life by hints of garlic and ginger. All bowls will feature noodles custom made for the restaurant by longstanding Japanese noodle masters. Guests can opt to select additional Chef recommendations like “spice bombs” for an extra kick or “kaedama” for extra noodles.
“It’s been my dream since I was young to open a ramen shop,” Chef Kengo Kato said. “Toledo has shown my family and me so much love over the past 15 years, and I hope that Kato Ramen will be a place where guests can sit at our table and feel the love I’m sending back in each bowl.”
Kato Ramen’s “Slurp Loud, Eat Fast” motto pays homage to the traditional way of eating Japanese ramen. Not only is slurping your noodles a nod of approval to the chef for the delicious dish, slurping loudly brings air into the mouth to cool the noodles, allowing you to eat the ramen while hot and fully enhance the flavors. The “Slurp Loud, Eat Fast” logo was hand-drawn by Kengo’s father, esteemed NYC restaurateur Isao Kato. It follows his fish artwork creation featured on the back of all Kengo Sushi & Yakitori and Shobu by Kengo uniforms.
The 28-seat restaurant will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be open from 11 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Guests are encouraged to follow Kato Ramen’s Facebook and Instagram pages for the most up-to-date information; links to both profiles can be found by visiting katoramen.com.
*Official Press Release
*Photo Credit: Sage Price
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