Golden Pork Ton-Kotsu Ramen Bar to Open March 29

 

Black Garlic Ramen

IKKA Dining International, the Hawaii subsidiary of Japan-based IKKA Dining Project which owns and operates 21 Italian restaurants, izakaya, and restaurants specializing in Kyushu cuisine, is opening Golden Pork Ton-kotsu Ramen Bar at 1279 South King Street on March 29, 2015.  This will be the company’s first venture in the Hawaii market, as well as its first endeavor in the ramen business.

IKKA Dining Project saw the need for a ramen bar in Hawaii, as most ramen shops serve a modest selection of beers and wines to complement the noodle-based dishes.  When it opens to the public, Golden Pork will serve several varieties of the popular tonkotsu ramen and tsukemen (dipping noodles)—which utilize pork in the soup bases—along with a selection of izakaya-style dishes, all executed by Grand Chef Masahiro Endo.  Equal emphasis will be placed on the selection of alcoholic beverages with a fine selection of beer, wine, shochu, and an impressive array of sakes to complement the cuisine.

Golden Pork’s stylish interior is tastefully appointed.  Tokyo-based interior design firm Spice Works seamlessly integrates traditional iconic components with a refined sense of modernity.  Serving as the focal point of the dining space, a kinbyoubu (adorned folding screen) has been transformed into a lantern-styled lighting fixture that hangs over the central ramen counter and bar.  Matching wooden tables crafted the same creamy wood tones surround the counter bar, while a dichotomy of faux leather chairs in red and in white add splashes of color.  Dramatic black walls are counterbalanced by a mosaic of blue tiles in the form of Mount Fuji on one surface, vented lights in the form of seigaiha (Japanese ornamental pattern depicting blue waves of the sea) cast onto another wall, and large Japanese kanji calligraphy for kaze (wind) and kaminari (thunder) written on the two panels adjacent to the main entrance.

“We are excited to establish our first restaurant in Hawaii, while sharing an authentic Japanese ramen bar experience with the residents of our favorite island retreat,” says Taro Takenaga, the 37-year old president of IKKA Dining Project in Chiba.

Golden Pork Ton-Kotsu Ramen Bar will be open seven days a week, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  For more information on IKKA Dining Project, please visit www.ikkadining.co.jp.  For more information on Golden Pork please call (808) 888-5358.