Afuri (also known as Afuri Izakaya)[1] is a chain of ramen restaurants, based in Tokyo, Japan. There are locations in Oregon, California,[2] Canada, Hong Kong, Portugal, and Singapore.[3][4]
History
The original noodle shop opened at the base of Mount Afuri in 2001. Founder Hiroto Nakamura partnered with Taichi Ishizuki to open a location in southeast Portland's Buckman neighborhood in 2016.[5] Since then, three additional locations have opened in the Portland metropolitan area, in downtown and northwest Portland as well as Beaverton. Afuri USA operates Afuri Izakaya in southeast Portland, Afuri Ramen + Dumpling in Northwest Portland, and Afuri Ramen + Dumpling in Beaverton.[3] Afuri USA is owned by Taichi Ishizuki. According to Portland Business Journal, the Portland locations are corporate-owned by Ishizuki, who has franchised outposts in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver and co-owns two locations in Portugal. There are two locations in Hong Kong and one in Singapore.[3]
In 2020, plans were announced to expand into northwest Portland.[6]
Reception
Afuri Izakaya won in the Best Ramen category of Willamette Week annual 'Best of Portland' readers' poll in 2022,[10] 2024,[11] and 2025.[12]
See also
- List of Japanese restaurants
- List of restaurants in Tokyo
- List of restaurants in Vancouver
External links
- (United States)
References
- Katherine Chew Hamilton. 11 Must-Try Portland Sushi Spots Portland Monthly, 2021-10-19, retrieved 2021-10-28^
- Luke Tsai. Afuri Brings Its Acclaimed, Citrus-Scented Ramen to Cupertino Eater SF, 2019-11-04, retrieved 2021-10-13^
- Downtown Portland ramen restaurant closes