Qui Tran, owner of Mai Lee and Nudo House, counts Shigetoshi “Jack” Nakamura as one of his mentors and friends. Known as one of the four “Ramen Gods” in Japan, Nakamura will host a one-day pop-up at the Creve Coeur location of Nudo House (11423 Olive) tomorrow, October 20, from noon–8 p.m.
The menu will include several varieties of ramen, vegetarian lo mein, a handful of Nudo classics, an assortment of Japanese inspired pickles, and a Japanese parfait for dessert.
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Because October is a month filled with homecomings and Nakamura has visited St. Louis in the past, Tran dubbed last year’s event the “Nudo Homecoming.” This year, Nudo House will become “Naka House” for one-day-only. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Backstory
Nine years ago, as Tran and his partner, Marie-Anne Velasco, prepared to open Nudo House, they realized their ramen was good but lacked something. “There are so many variations; we had to figure out what we liked and how to get there,” Tran told SLM at the time.
That’s when they sought out chef Nakamura, one of Japan’s four Ramen Gods. In 2016, after spending a week with him in St. Louis, Tran and Velasco honed their vision and refined the subtleties of ramen preparation. “We wouldn’t have been as successful without his guidance,” Tran says.
Nudo House opened its flagship location in Creve Coeur in 2017, followed by a second spot on the Delmar Loop in 2021. “In 2019, when chef Nakamura opened his first restaurant in the U.S.—Nakamura in New York City in 2019— Marie-Anne and I were honored to help him,” Tran adds.
Last year’s pop–up event began an annual tradition with chef Nakamura returning to St. Louis. “Nakamura was so impressed with St. Louis’ food scene, the “world-class” food culture, the community’s energy, and especially the pho,” Tran says, “that we’ll see him once a year, and maybe more often. “When he gets off the plane from Tokyo, the first thing he has to have is a bowl of pho and some ribs from Pappy’s.”
“St. Louisans have a chance to meet and greet one of the most famous ramen chefs in the world, and experience first hand why that’s so,” Tran says.
The Menu
“We’ve always done broth-based ramen,” Tran says, “but last year, we wanted to do something different and unexpected. I’d wanted to put mazemen on the menu before, but out of respect for chef [Nakamura], we waited for him to introduce it here. His offerings last year were so popular, only minor tweaks were necessary this year.” See complete menu below.
The Format
The Creve Coeur Nudo House, typically closed on Sundays, will host the event assisted by staff from the Delmar location, which will close that day. The parking lot in Creve Coeur is almost empty that day, Tran notes, and with it being a non-ticketed event, people can decide if they want to go last minute and be assured of a parking space.
Like previous pop-ups, service is dine-in only, though to-go orders can be made in person. Tran advises that lines are longest at opening but should move quickly due to the limited menu and fine tuning the concept. He adds that there will likely be “party favors” for guests standing in line as well as a special “nudo” photo op.
