“I’m born in Vietnam, but I always worked in Japanese restaurants here in Utah.” Ken Cuong Gip’s story begins in Ho Chi Minh City, in a family that ran an ice cream shop. He remembers the rhythm of school days, soccer after class, and the occasional help at the shop packing kilos of ice cream for street sellers and loving the daring flavor of durian, a fruit native to Southeast Asia. At home, he cooked now and then with his mom and great-grandmother, and he taught himself fried rice just because he loved it. That simple plate became his first signature dish on his way to becoming the chef and owner behind the Japanese restaurant, Shinobi Sushi Bar & Grill.

"Ramen was born in China, grew up in Japan, and died in America." Hiro Tagai chuckles as he recalls a conversation with his cousin that has stuck with him ever since. But for Hiro and Felipe Oliveira, ramen is very much alive, and they have made it their mission to share its true essence with the world through Koyote, their dream restaurant.