Ramen Kazama is Minnesota's first ramen specialty restaurant. The owner, Yuichiro Matthew Kazama, was born in Hawaii and raised in Japan. He moved to the United States a few decades ago and started learning about Japanese cuisine at various restaurants in town. His background is not only food-related but also music; he is a drummer, and his band, Birthday Suits, actively toured around the nation. He met many people through touring, including other Japanese restaurant owners in different cities, and he decided that his home Twin Cities needed a ramen shop. In 2015, he opened Ramen Kazama, and his restaurant has been featured in Star Tribune, Bon Appetite, CityPages, and more. He believes it would be a dream come true not only if his restaurant could introduce great foods to people but also because his restaurants could be a part of the community and help people connect.