Ippudo Chef to Debut Cozy ‘Ramen Diner’ in Cobble Hill

As the ramen master at cult favorite ramen chain Ippudo, Fumihiro Kanegae created more than 600 types of ramen, and helped the Japanese chain establish its first location outside of Japan, in the East Village, in 2008. Since then, Kanegae has been at forefront of the chain’s international expansion with several locations now spread out over the West Coast, South East Asia, the UK, and Australia among others.

Now, more than a decade since the international push, Kanegae is ready to branch out on his own. Karazishi Botan, at 255 Smith Street, between Douglass and Degraw Streets, in Cobble Hill, is his first solo venture, and he describes it as a “ramen diner.”

Ramen, of course, is the focus at Kanegae’s newest venture, but all of his dishes are served with a twist. Chef Special Iron Men has 16-month dry-aged pork, a technique Kanegae learned from his visits to NYC’s steakhouses, he tells Eater. Ti Amo features a chicken and oyster soup base, chicken chashu instead of the traditional pork topping, and mashed potatoes along with crispy bacon. Misopresso Botanical Ramen has a porcini miso soup base that’s steamed with an espresso machine to make it extra creamy, and then served with thin brown rice noodles.

Botan wings Paulo Chan/Karazishi Botan [Official]

This kind of experimentation translates to the rest of the menu as well in preparations like an okonomiyaki that’s brought to life in a waffle maker; and a bao that’s offered with pork, croquette or falafel fillings and topped with a spicy mayo sauce. A few traditional preparations are also on the menu including a fried chicken dish that’s native to the island of Hokkaido, in Japan, and a rice dish topped with pork chashu and a poached egg.

Botan pork spare ribs Paulo Chan/Karazishi Botan [Official]

The drinks too will veer more toward the typical with several sake cocktails, Japanese whiskies, and shochu all on the menu.

Karazishi Botan takes over from the space left vacant by neighborhood darling Battersby. The new American tasting menu restaurant shuttered at the end of 2018 when owners Walker Stern and Joe Ogrodnek decided not to renew the lease. That barebones vibe still remains with the exposed brick walls, the wooden tables and chairs, and an intimate setting with eight seats at tables, and 10 seats at the counter.

“I’ve tried to create a relaxed and low-key environment where everyone feels welcome,” says Kanegae, through a translator.

Kanegae began working with Ippudo in 1999 and is credited with catapulting it into a global brand in the following decades. The ramen master decided to part ways with the chain last summer to focus on his own venture, and he’s now ready to debut it.

Karazishi Botan will open its doors on February 27 and be open everyday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The restaurant plans to open for lunch sometime in March.

The restaurant seats 18 at the counter and tables Paulo Chan/Karazishi Botan [Official]

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255 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231