In this episode, we interview Miki & Jared Ferrall, co-founders of Crafty Ramen, a dynamic ramen soup company, with both restaurants, and a growing line of soup meal kits, available via online order, or at groceries. 

We talk about the growing influence of Asian and Japanese cuisine in North America, from sushi to ramen and beyond. Miki and Jared share about their backgrounds before they meet, and how together they found a shared passion for food. From Vancouver, to Japan and now in Guelph and beyond, Crafty Ramen integrates their philosophy of kaizen, a Japanese concept of continual improvement. We learn about the tradition of Kaiseki cuisine, which is an artful and detailed presentation of food. 

Ramen is national and regional dish across Japan with different ingredients, from meat or fish or variations in the type of miso used. 

Miki and Jared share about the uniqueness of their brand, and Crafty Ramen’s use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Their thinking was to fit ramen for a local, audience wherever they are. Some of the playful names of their ramen dishes include: The Northern Warmer, Tokyo Salary Man, The Kaizen Warrior, Gryphon, and My Cold Seoul. 

We learn about Crafty Ramen’s experience in coming through the Covid pandemic, and how that strengthen them with a need for adaptation and pivoting to e-commerce, and other options to reach their customers. 

In 2022, Crafty Ramen had the opportunity to present their company for an investment on the CBC Canadian TV show, Dragon’s Den. 

We finish with some of their ideas for the future.