Reservations Now Open - The Legend of Ramen FeeL Arrives in NYC on May 12. Chef Hiroki Odo Presents: "The Pinnacle of Ramen Gastronomy"
The Protégé of Japan’s Greatest. A New Chapter Begins in New York.
In the Japanese culinary world, Iida Shoten is the ultimate temple of ramen, known as the most difficult reservation to secure in the country. Chef Daisuke Watanabe stands as the first and only protégé ever officially authorized by the legendary Shota Iida to carry on his lineage.
After shaking the industry with his own award-winning shop, Ramen FeeL, Chef Watanabe made a bold decision in January 2026: he closed his doors at the height of his success to evolve further. Now, this "impossible-to-find" flavor arrives in New York for a historic residency.
This landmark collaboration is orchestrated by Chef Hiroki Odo, the visionary behind the 2-Michelin-starred Odo. Together, they transform ramen from a simple staple into "The Pinnacle of Ramen Gastronomy"—a refined experience blending Michelin-starred aesthetics with precision craftsmanship at THE GALLERY by Odo.
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Event Details
PART I — LAUNCH EVENT: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The project kicks off with an exclusive opening night. In partnership with Marukome—Japan’s leading fermentation master since 1854—Chef Watanabe will unveil his latest masterpiece: the Artisanal Miso Ramen, developed specifically for New York.
Known globally for his mastery of Shio (Salt) and Shoyu (Soy Sauce), this marks Watanabe’s first foray into the depths of fermented miso. Be among the first in the world to taste this "new work of art" that has never been served in Japan.
Reservations open on April 28. Seatings are offered across lunch and dinner service, and each time slot can accommodate up to 25 persons max:
Lunch: 12:00 PM · 1:15 PM · 2:30 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM · 6:00 PM · 7:00 PM · 8:00 PM · 9:00 PM
* Price: $45 per person, inclusive of the exclusive Artisanal Miso Ramen, a beverage, an additional dish by Chef Watanabe, and a small gift.
* The featured bowl, the Artisanal Miso Ramen, has been developed by Chef Watanabe exclusively for this collaboration with Odo and does not exist on any existing menu. In collaboration with Marukome’s fermentation heritage, Watanabe has crafted a miso blend married to the robust heartiness of Hokkaido-style miso, resulting in a bowl of profound umami depth and aromatic complexity.
* Each time slot is 1 hour in duration. As seating turns over promptly between slots, we kindly ask guests to please arrive on time to make the most of their experience. Late arrivals may result in a shortened dining time.
Location: THE GALLERY by Odo (17 West 20th Street, New York)
PART II — LIMITED RESIDENCY: May 15 – June 13, 2026
Beginning May 15, Chef Watanabe’s residency at THE GALLERY by Odo opens to the public. For four weeks, three distinct bowls are on offer at $25 per bowl — Miso, Shio, and Shojin. Each is a separate expression of Watanabe’s craft. To experience all three requires three visits:
Artisanal Miso Ramen — The Marukome collaboration bowl, carried forward from Opening Night. The product of 170 years of fermentation expertise meeting one chef’s relentless precision
Signature Shio Ramen — The bowl that defined Watanabe’s legendary status as a ramen master. His salt ramen is widely considered the pinnacle of his craft
Shojin Ramen — A plant-based bowl developed in collaboration with and supervised by Chef Hiroki Odo of 2-Michelin-starred Odo, drawing on the Buddhist Shojin Ryori tradition of purity and seasonal ingredients. A bowl that exists nowhere else.
Location: THE GALLERY by Odo (17 West 20th Street, New York)
The Only Disciple of the Ramen King, Now in New York
In Japanese ramen culture, lineage and pedigree carry real weight. Chef Watanabe’s distinction is straightforward: he is the first and only chef ever authorized by Shota Iida, widely regarded among ramen devotees as one of Japan’s most revered masters, to operate independently under his tutelage. That authorization does not exist anywhere else. For the duration of this residency, Odo and THE GALLERY by Odo present this lineage to New York for the first time.
The Artisanal Miso Ramen served during the residency is made with miso developed in dialogue with Marukome, established in 1854 and Japan's foremost authority on fermentation.
The Headliner: Who Is Chef Daisuke Watanabe?
In the rigorous world of Japanese ramen, lineage is everything. Chef Watanabe spent over four years training under Shota Iida of Ramen Iida Shoten, eventually earning an honor unprecedented in the history of the “Iida” name: the title of its first, and only, officially authorized independent disciple. No other chef holds this distinction. Since opening Ramen FeeL in Ome, Tokyo in 2021, Watanabe has built a devoted following with a consistency and craft that speaks for itself:
TRY Ramen Award (2021–2022): Grand Prize winner for Newcomer of the Year, which is the ramen world’s most prestigious new talent recognition.
Tabelog Score 4.02 & The Tabelog Award: Ranked in the top 0.1% of tens of thousands of ramen shops across all of Japan.
Daily Sell-Out: Ramen FeeL sells out within minutes of opening every day. Devoted regulars factor travel time and early arrival into their plans. A walk-in seat is rarely possible.
Heritage Meets Innovation: The Marukome Partnership
At the heart of our "Artisanal Miso Ramen" lies a partnership with Marukome, a producer with over 170 years of history. Chef Watanabe has crafted a unique blend based on robust Hokkaido-style miso, dialoguing with ancient fermentation techniques to create a bowl with unparalleled depth, aroma, and soul.
Experience the intersection of two masters—Odo and Watanabe. We invite you to witness the new frontier of Ramen Gastronomy.
About Odo Hospitality
Odo Hospitality is a constellation of intimate dining and drinking concepts anchored in New York's Flatiron district, created by Chef Hiroki Odo. At its heart is Odo, a two-Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant recognized by The New York Times as one of New York's best, offering a multi-course journey rooted in Japanese tradition and reimagined for the modern era. The Odo universe extends across Odo Lounge, a hidden speakeasy offering premium Japanese mixology; HALL, a convivial neighborhood bar celebrated for its Japanese-influenced burgers and elevated cocktails; THE GALLERY by Odo, an art-forward culinary space pairing elevated Japanese small plates and sake with rotating art exhibitions; and Odo East Village, home to Chef Odo's original "Kaiseki Izakaya" concept blending technical precision with the warmth of a neighborhood izakaya. Rounding out the portfolio are Odo Lab, an evolving platform for culinary innovation and cultural programming, Sushi Muse, a luxury sushi delivery concept, and Odo at Home, a digital boutique offering artisanal tableware and Japanese lifestyle objects. Together, these concepts reflect Chef Odo's abiding commitment to Japanese craft, cross-disciplinary creativity, and quiet luxury.
For more information, visit www.odo.nyc
About THE GALLERY by Odo
Founded by Hiroki Odo in 2021, THE GALLERY by Odo is a hybrid restaurant, cultural venue, and creative space located in New York City’s Flatiron District at 17 West 20th Street. Built on Chef Odo’s lifelong passion for the arts, THE GALLERY regularly hosts exhibitions, culinary collaborations, and curated dining events that highlight cross-disciplinary creativity. Managed in the spirit of Odo’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, the space serves as a platform for innovation in both the culinary and cultural realms. For more information, visit www.odogallery.nyc.
About Ramen FeeL (Chef Daisuke Watanabe)
Ramen FeeL was opened in Ome, Tokyo in 2021 by Chef Daisuke Watanabe, the first and only officially authorized independent disciple of Shota Iida of the legendary Ramen Iida Shoten. Within its first year, Ramen FeeL was crowned the Grand Prize winner for Newcomer of the Year at the TRY Ramen Awards (2021–2022) and earned a Tabelog score of 4.02, placing it in the top 0.1% of all ramen shops in Japan. The shop sells out daily within minutes of opening. Ramen FeeL closed in February, 2026.
For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/ramen_feel/
About Marukome
Established in 1854, Marukome is Japan’s leading miso and fermented food producer, with over 170 years of unbroken tradition in the art of Japanese fermentation. As both a custodian of ancient fermentation culture and an innovator driving its future, Marukome collaborates globally to bring the depth and versatility of miso to new audiences and new contexts. This partnership with THE GALLERY by Odo marks Marukome’s debut in New York’s high-end culinary scene.
For more information, visit https://www.marukomeusa.com/
