During the Entrepreneurial Elite Awards 2026 on August 28, 2026 in Dubai. SUPPLIED
IchiRyu Ramen House has been named Ramen House of the Year at the Entrepreneurial Elite Awards 2026, adding another award to the Dubai-based brand’s growing list of industry recognitions.
The award was presented on Friday (August 28) at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where IchiRyu was the only Filipino-owned group recognised at this year’s ceremony.
Founded by Filipino brothers Raul “Chef Touru” De Guzman, Karl De Guzman and Nicolai “Nico” De Guzman, IchiRyu has grown from a Dubai-based ramen concept into a brand with operations in the UAE and Japan.
Chef Touru De Guzman, the restaurant’s executive chef, has been making ramen since 1989. Karl De Guzman serves as president and chief operating officer, while Nico De Guzman is chairman and chief design officer.
“This recognition means so much to all of us at IchiRyu. Ramen is a craft that demands patience, discipline, and respect for tradition, so to be named Ramen of the Year is an affirmation of everything our team has worked for,” Chef Touru said.
“From Dubai to opening our doors in Japan, we have always believed that good ramen has no borders. This award inspires us to keep improving, stay true to our craft, and serve every bowl with the same passion we had from day one,” he added.
IchiRyu first established its presence in Dubai with its Wasl Port Views branch in Jumeirah 1. The restaurant became known for introducing the Japanese Bocchi Seki solo dining concept to the UAE, with semi-private booths designed for individual diners.
The brand expanded in September 2025 with a second branch at Marina First Building in Dubai Marina, which is set to mark its first anniversary in October. The company is set to expand its Dubai footprint again in September, with a third branch scheduled to open at Westview Terrace in Jumeirah Village Circle.
In June 2026, IchiRyu reached another milestone with the opening of its first Japanese location in Chichibu, Saitama. The move brought the UAE-born, Filipino-owned brand to Japan, the country whose culinary traditions inspired its ramen concept. ICA/Expat Media
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