Afuri
A Japanese ramen restaurant brand recognized for clear broths, yuzu shio ramen, and an expanding international footprint.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Afuri is a Japanese ramen restaurant chain based in Tokyo and associated most closely with clear, delicately seasoned broths and yuzu shio ramen. The brand takes its name from Mount Afuri in Kanagawa Prefecture, linking its identity to the mountain, water, and natural landscape associated with the area. Its best-known ramen combines a salt-seasoned broth with yuzu citrus, producing a lighter and more aromatic profile than the rich pork-bone broths commonly associated with other ramen styles. The original Afuri noodle shop opened at the foot of Mount Afuri in 2001. The concept subsequently developed into a broader restaurant brand, with a strong presence in Tokyo and additional locations in Japan and overseas. The menu has included yuzu shio ramen, other shio and shoyu ramen preparations, dumplings, izakaya-style dishes, and, at some locations or periods, plant-based offerings. Menu composition is not necessarily identical across markets, particularly where the brand operates through franchise or local partners. Afuri’s restaurant format has expanded beyond Japan into the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Portugal, and Singapore. In the United States, Afuri USA is associated with Taichi Ishizuki, who partnered with founder Hiroto Nakamura to open an Afuri location in Portland, Oregon, in 2016. The Portland operation later included restaurants in southeast Portland, downtown or central Portland, Northwest Portland, and Beaverton. Ishizuki has also been associated with franchised locations in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver, as well as co-ownership of two locations in Portugal. The international network has included two Hong Kong restaurants and one in Singapore, according to the referenced Wikipedia account. The brand’s positioning is built around a clean, modern interpretation of ramen rather than maximal richness. Clear soup, citrus fragrance, thin noodles, and carefully balanced salt or soy seasoning are central to its differentiation. Afuri has also used varied restaurant formats, including Afuri Izakaya and Afuri Ramen + Dumpling, allowing the brand to combine ramen with small plates and dumplings in selected markets. Publicly documented milestones include the opening of the original noodle shop in 2001, the Portland launch in 2016, an announced plan for a Northwest Portland restaurant in 2020, and the opening of that restaurant in the Slabtown area in 2022. One Portland location, Afuri Kara Kurenai at 50 Southwest 3rd Avenue, closed permanently in January 2025. This closure does not indicate that the overall brand has ceased trading. Afuri’s Portland restaurants received the Best Ramen award in Willamette Week’s Best of Portland readers’ poll in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
History
Afuri began as a noodle shop opened in 2001 at the base of Mount Afuri in Kanagawa Prefecture. The mountain provides the brand’s name and an important part of its natural, regional identity. From its early restaurant concept, Afuri developed a recognizable ramen style built around clear soup, salt seasoning, yuzu citrus, and relatively light flavor balance. Yuzu shio ramen became the brand’s signature offering and its principal point of distinction from heavier ramen formats. The brand’s later development included restaurants in Tokyo and an international expansion program. A significant overseas step came in 2016, when founder Hiroto Nakamura partnered with Taichi Ishizuki to open an Afuri restaurant in Portland, Oregon’s Buckman neighborhood. Afuri USA subsequently operated several Portland-area formats, including Afuri Izakaya in Southeast Portland and Afuri Ramen + Dumpling restaurants in Northwest Portland and Beaverton. Ishizuki has been identified as the owner of Afuri USA, while other overseas sites have operated through franchise or co-ownership arrangements. Afuri’s international footprint has included the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Portugal, and Singapore. The documented network has included franchised or partner locations in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver, two locations in Hong Kong, one in Singapore, and two co-owned locations in Portugal. These arrangements indicate that the brand has used a combination of corporate operation, franchising, and local partnership rather than relying on one uniform ownership model. In Portland, expansion plans for a Northwest location were announced in 2020. The restaurant opened in the Slabtown district in 2022, extending the local presence beyond the earlier Southeast Portland operation. Afuri Kara Kurenai, located at 50 Southwest 3rd Avenue, closed permanently in January 2025. The closure was a location-level development and does not establish that the broader Afuri brand became inactive. Afuri’s menu has remained centered on ramen but has also incorporated dumplings, izakaya-style dishes, and selected plant-based ramen options. The exact menu varies by restaurant and market. Its public reputation in Portland was reinforced by Willamette Week readers’ poll results, with Afuri receiving the Best Ramen award in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Available reference material does not establish a complete corporate history, total worldwide location count, or a single parent company for every Afuri-branded restaurant.
- 2025
Afuri Kara Kurenai closes
[1]The restaurant at 50 Southwest 3rd Avenue in Portland permanently closed in January.
- 2022
Slabtown restaurant opens
[1]The planned Northwest Portland location opened in the Slabtown district.
- 2020
Northwest Portland expansion announced
[1]Plans were announced for an additional Afuri restaurant in Northwest Portland.
- 2016
Afuri enters Portland
[1]Hiroto Nakamura partnered with Taichi Ishizuki to open an Afuri location in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood.
- 2001
Original noodle shop opens near Mount Afuri
[1]The original Afuri noodle shop opened at the base of Mount Afuri in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Products and positioning
A modern Japanese ramen brand centered on clear, balanced broths, yuzu citrus, lighter flavor profiles, and selected izakaya or dumpling offerings.
Ramen
Yuzu Shio Ramen
Afuri’s signature ramen combines a clear, salt-seasoned broth with yuzu citrus aroma. The style is designed to taste bright, clean, and relatively light while retaining savory depth. It is the offering most closely associated with the brand and its differentiation from richer tonkotsu-oriented ramen.
Ramen
Shio Ramen
A salt-seasoned ramen format emphasizing the clarity, umami, and balance of the broth. Shio ramen provides a foundation for Afuri’s lighter culinary positioning and may be offered with variations in toppings or aromatic ingredients depending on the restaurant.
Ramen
Shoyu Ramen
A soy-sauce-seasoned ramen option that gives the broth a deeper color and more pronounced soy aroma than the shio preparations. It broadens the menu while remaining within Afuri’s Japanese ramen format.
Ramen
Plant-based Ramen
Afuri has offered plant-based ramen options at some locations or during certain periods. These products address alternative dietary preferences, but recipes and availability are market-specific and should not be assumed to be uniform throughout the chain.
Side dishes
Gyoza and Dumplings
Dumplings and gyoza form part of the broader menu in selected Afuri formats, particularly restaurants operating under the Afuri Ramen + Dumpling name. They complement the ramen-focused offer and help extend the brand into a wider casual Japanese dining occasion.
Japanese small plates
Izakaya Small Plates
The Afuri Izakaya format includes small dishes and Japanese restaurant fare alongside ramen. This format gives the brand a broader evening and group-dining proposition than a noodle shop focused solely on a single bowl.
Brand decisions
2020
Northwest Portland expansion planStrategyBackground
Afuri’s Portland operation pursued further local growth after establishing its initial restaurant presence.
Action taken
Plans were announced for a restaurant in Northwest Portland’s Slabtown district.
Aftermath
The planned restaurant opened in 2022.
2016
Launch of the Portland operating partnershipStrategyBackground
Afuri sought to establish a presence outside Japan through a partnership between founder Hiroto Nakamura and Taichi Ishizuki.
Action taken
The partners opened an Afuri restaurant in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood, creating the basis for Afuri USA’s subsequent local operation.
Aftermath
The Portland business later expanded to additional locations and the brand developed a wider network of franchised and partner-operated overseas restaurants.
Recent events
- 2025
Afuri Kara Kurenai in Portland closes permanently[1]
Other
The Afuri Kara Kurenai restaurant at 50 Southwest 3rd Avenue in Portland permanently closed in January 2025.
- 2025
Afuri receives a third documented Best Ramen recognition[1]
Other
Afuri was again recognized in the Best Ramen category of Willamette Week’s Best of Portland readers’ poll.
- 2024
Afuri again receives Portland readers’ Best Ramen recognition[1]
Other
Afuri was named in the Best Ramen category of Willamette Week’s annual Best of Portland readers’ poll.
- 2022
Afuri opens a Northwest Portland location in Slabtown[1]
Product launch
A location planned for Northwest Portland was opened in the Slabtown area after expansion plans were announced in 2020.
- 2022
Afuri wins Willamette Week’s Best Ramen readers’ award[1]
Other
Afuri Izakaya was selected in the Best Ramen category of Willamette Week’s Best of Portland readers’ poll.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/afuri · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled