Welcome back, ramen lovers across the country! In this edition, we’re continuing our deep dive into the U.S. ramen scene with a follow-up to our previous article, “Love Ramen? Meet the Most Influential Persons Shaping the U.S. Ramen Scene – Part 1: Ramen Chefs.” This time, we’re shining the spotlight on some of the most pivotal ramen influencers who’ve helped bring the ramen boom to life in America.

As we touched on before, the ramen craze sweeping the nation is more than just a trend – it’s a cultural movement fueled by many factors. But let’s be real: social media and the internet have supercharged the way people discover and share their love for ramen. Personally, we believe the buzz created online played a massive role in turning ramen into a nationwide obsession.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at four incredible influencers who’ve poured their passion for ramen into the digital world, helping to spread the joy of slurping one bowl at a time. From Instagram feeds packed with mouthwatering noodle shots to Youtube channels where broth is a star, these individuals have left a unique mark on the ramen boom.

 

• Index

• Mike Satinover / Ramen Lord
• Brian MacDuckston / Ramen Adventures
• Abram Plaut / ramen beast
• Hans Lienesch / The Ramen Rater
• Conclusion

 

■Mike Satinover / Ramen Lord

 

The first influencer to make a significant impact on the U.S. ramen scene is Mike Satinover, better known online as Ramen_Lord. Mike’s love for ramen was sparked during a study-abroad trip to Hokkaido, Japan, where he encountered an unforgettable bowl of Sapporo Miso Ramen. For those unfamiliar, Sapporo is considered the birthplace of miso ramen. You can learn more in our previous article, “HOW MANY DO YOU KNOW? THE PROFOUND WORLD OF REGIONAL RAMEN.”

After returning to the U.S., Mike dedicated himself to recreating that perfect bowl. Through countless rounds of trial and error, he refined his recipes and shared them on Reddit’s r/ramen community under his now-famous alias. His posts featured not only drool-worthy ramen photos but also incredibly detailed recipes, which quickly became the go-to resource for ramen enthusiasts. By 2020, he had compiled his extensive knowledge into an e-book, The Book of Ramen, widely regarded as a must-have guide for anyone serious about making ramen.

But Mike’s journey didn’t end there. While balancing his passion with a career as a marketing researcher, he continued his ramen experiments until, in 2023, he took the plunge and opened Akahoshi Ramen in his hometown of Chicago. The restaurant’s signature dish? Not the trendy tonkotsu, but the miso ramen that started it all. According to his friend and renowned ramen expert, Keizo Shimamoto (whom we featured in an earlier article), “This is exactly the taste of Sapporo ramen that I tasted there myself.”
Though miso ramen remains less mainstream in the U.S. than tonkotsu, its hearty, warming qualities make it a perfect fit for Chicago’s frigid winters – just as it does in Sapporo. The name “Akahoshi Ramen” pays tribute to both cities, as aka-hoshi means “red star” in Japanese, a symbol featured prominently on the flags of both Chicago and Sapporo.

If miso ramen is poised to become the next big thing in the U.S., Chicago—with its rich culinary culture and icy winters, might just lead the charge.

 

■Brian MacDuckston / Ramen Adventures

 

Japan-based Brian MacDuckston has made a name for himself as one of the standout figures in the Japanese ramen scene, all while being an American blogger. With a staggering 2,000 ramen shops under his belt, Brian has meticulously documented his ramen adventures across Japan on his blog, Ramen Adventures. This blog has become an invaluable resource for ramen enthusiasts worldwide, particularly in the U.S., serving as a comprehensive guide to the vast and varied world of Japanese ramen.

Originally from California, Brian studied computer science in college and began his career as a programmer. However, after growing weary of the stressful tech world, he pivoted, applying for a position as an English teacher in Japan. In 2006, he moved to Japan – and everything changed when he discovered the magic of tonkotsu ramen. This transformative experience inspired him to launch Ramen Adventures, a blog dedicated to showcasing the incredible diversity of Japanese ramen to a global audience.

In addition to his blogs, Brian launched a popular YouTube channel under the same name, further expanding his reach. While many American influencers share their ramen experiences in Japan, what sets Brian apart is his ability to engage directly with Japanese ramen fans. Through his appearances on Japanese television, contributions to local online forums, and his multilingual content, he offers a unique American perspective on Japanese ramen culture.

One of his most notable achievements is his book, BRIAN’S RAMEN ADVENTURES (Japanese title: 最強アメリカ・ラーメン男 東京 極ウマ50店を食べる), where he highlights 50 of Tokyo’s best ramen spots from an outsider’s lens. Written in both Japanese and English, the book serves as an excellent guide for both locals and tourists eager to explore Tokyo’s ramen scene.
Brian also takes his passion offline by organizing ramen tours for foreign visitors, guiding them to hidden gems that aren’t typically featured in guidebooks but are beloved by locals. If you are interested in exploring these hidden gems, please check here for more information.

Whether it’s through his blog, Youtube channel, or in-person tours, Brian continues to bridge the gap between Japanese and American ramen cultures, sharing the joy of ramen one bowl at a time. We’ll be watching closely as he continues his journey as a true ramen ambassador!

 

■Abram Plaut / ramen beast

Next up is Abram Plaut, another American-born influencer renowned for his deep understanding of Japanese ramen. Hailing from San Francisco, Abram’s fascination with Asian culture began early, sparked by an unexpected source: his love for the Wu-Tang Clan, a hip-hop group heavily inspired by Asian kung-fu films. This early interest eventually led him to major in Japanese in college.

During a study-abroad trip to Japan, Abram encountered ramen that left a lasting impression, igniting a passion that has kept him in Japan for nearly 20 years. Over the course of his time there, he has consumed more than 2,000 bowls of ramen – a feat that showcases his unrivaled dedication.

Recognizing his vast ramen knowledge, Playboy Japan invited Abram to co-author a ramen column titled Ramen Americans (Japanese title: ラーメンアメリカ人) alongside Brian MacDuckston, whom we introduced earlier. Through this column, Abrams’s unique perspective as an American with an encyclopedic knowledge of Japanese ramen quickly won over Japanese readers.

Abram’s journey didn’t stop at writing. In collaboration with renowned Japanese ramen chef Tomoharu Shono, he co-founded MENSHO TOKYO in San Francisco, bringing authentic Japanese ramen to his hometown. While Mike Satinover, another influencer mentioned earlier, used his expertise to become a ramen chef and open his own restaurant, Abram played a different but equally vital role. He leveraged his knowledge and cultural insights to support Shono in establishing a ramen shop that set new standards for authenticity.

Since its successful launch, MENSHO TOKYO has expanded internationally, further cementing Abram’s influence in the global ramen scene. His deep understanding of Japanese ramen, combined with his familiarity with the U.S. market, makes him a key figure in shaping the future of ramen in America.

Abram also created the Ramen Beast app, a must-have tool for first-time visitors to Japan seeking the best ramen spots. By providing detailed reviews and recommendations, the app helps users navigate Japan’s vast ramen landscape.

Despite his busy schedule, Abram remains as passionate as ever, frequently visiting ramen shops and sharing his discoveries on Instagram. His account is a treasure trove of ramen insights, offering a constant stream of appetizing finds. As Abram continues to bridge the gap between Japanese and American ramen cultures, we’ll be watching closely to see where his ramen journey takes him next.

 

■Hans Lienesch / The Ramen Rater

 

Our final influencer, Hans Lienesch, brings a fresh perspective to the ramen world. Unlike the others we’ve covered, Hans focuses on instant ramen – the kind you find in supermarket aisles rather than specialty ramen shops. Through his blog, The Ramen Rater, Hans delivers daily reviews that have captivated not only ramen fans but also major instant noodle manufacturers. Covering products from around the globe, his blog has become a gold mine of instant ramen knowledge. As of December 2024, Hans has reviewed an impressive 5,000+ varieties since launching the blog in 2002, making it a historical archive for an ever-evolving industry.

Hans grew up in Seattle, Washington, where his love for instant ramen began during childhood visits to the Japanese supermarket Uwajimaya. There, he was mesmerized by the vibrant packaging and foreign labels on rows of instant noodles – a fascination that would later inspire him to create the world’s premier instant ramen review site.

 

 

The Ramen Rater offers more than just reviews. The blog features curated Top 10 rankings by country and spiciness level, making it a go-to resource for ramen lovers seeking their next favorite bowl. However, the “Meet the Manufacturer” section stands out as a highlight. In this series, Hans conducts in-depth interviews with industry leaders, including household names like Nissin and Nongshim. These behind-the-scenes insights give readers a unique look at the instant ramen industry, from product development to global distribution.

In fact, we at Myojo USA have had the pleasure of being featured in The Ramen Rater’s Meet the Manufacturer series. If you’re curious, you can check out that interview here.

Han’s dedication to documenting instant ramen from every corner of the world has not only enriched the ramen community but has also helped shape the public’s perception of this humble yet diverse food. Whether you’re a seasoned instant noodle aficionado or a casual eater, Hans’s reviews offer something for everyone.

 

■Conclusion

Continuing from our previous article, we’ve highlighted some of the most influential figures shaping the U.S. ramen scene, particularly those with a strong online presence. What do you think? Including those mentioned in the previous article, all the individuals introduced here have, in some way, played a significant role in driving the ramen boom in the United States. But what’s even more remarkable is how they continue to hold significant influence, playing a key role in establishing ramen as a staple on American tables-beyond just a passing trend.

While researching, we came across a quote from one of the featured individuals, Shigetoshi Nakamura, that really struck a chord: “Steak in New York is delicious because there are so many steak geeks. That is what makes the steak culture. Just like in Japan, ramen developed because there are so many ramen geeks.” Indeed, the creation of a culinary boom is not only due to the quality of food – it’s the passionate community behind it. These are the fans who obsess over every detail and the influencers who meet that hunger for knowledge with their expertise and insights.

The ramen boom is a perfect example of this synergy: the inherent allure of ramen itself, the fans who celebrate it, and the chefs and influencers who constantly push the boundaries to satisfy their expectations. Together, they’ve created a vibrant, ever-evolving ramen culture that’s sure to keep inspiring new trends. And honestly, we can’t wait to see what comes next.

That’s all for this issue! Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll dive into another exciting topic to feed your curiosity.

 

Reference links:

Obsessed: We Talk to Reddit’s /u/Ramen_Lord
The Ramen Lord – Chicago Magazine
Akahoshi Ramen, Now Open in Logan Square, Is Chicago’s Toughest Reservation – Eater Chicago
ABOUT ME – THE RAMEN RATER
The Ramen Rater Is Your Guide to the Tastiest Ramen Noodles Available | Lifehacker
Hans Lienesch – Serious Eats
INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN MACDUCKSTON (RAMEN BLOGGER)｜experience SUGINAMI
“うどん”のように太い麺!? 「約2,000店舗」のラーメン店を巡った“アメリカ人YouTuber”が衝撃を受けたラーメンとは？ | apollostation Drive Discovery PRESS | TOKYO FM
世界が注目するラーメンブロガー | November 2016 | Highlighting Japan
ラーメン―その深淵なる魅力 2｜家庭画報 International Japan Edition
書籍も出版！ ラーメンに本気過ぎる米国人・ブライアンインタビュー おすすめのお店も聞いてきた | ダ・ヴィンチWeb
How Two US Noodle Fiends Infiltrated the Inner Circle of Tokyo Ramen
Mensho Tokyo To Debut Authentic Japanese Ramen In The Tenderloin This
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: TOKYO RAMEN WITH RAMEN BEAST | END. (US)
NO RAMEN NO LIFE – A CONVERSATION WITH THE RAMEN BEAST — SABUKARU
EXPLORING RAMEN AND BRINGING IT TO THE WORLD: THE RAMEN BEAST — SABUKARU