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Chef Jeff Osaka, who closed his first restaurant, Twelve, last August, is working on building a bit of a ramen empire. Osaka Ramen, the chef's first venture since Twelve, is in the final construction stages in RiNo at 2611 Walnut Street. He anticipates opening during the last week in March. A second location will occupy a Cherry Creek space that formerly housed Ay Caramba, at 2817 E 3rd Avenue.
Before he serves any tonkotsu anywhere, Osaka has his eyes on opening a third ramen shop in the DU area. Yesterday, he asked his Facebook friends if the DU area would be a good fit for his noodles. Some 57 comments followed, enthusiastically suggesting additional locations from Highlands to Stapleton and Longmont.
The chef is also working on a conveyer-belt-centric sushi spot, Sushi Rama, set to open in August, as well as a food hall, H.H. Tammen Building located at 2669 Larimer Street, which is slated to open in May.