Shoku Club is my baby. After my first ever ramen pop-up, Satokei, that sold out at Royals Hot Chicken in 2016, I couldn’t quite curb the craving for homestyle Japanese food. Then I moved to my dad’s hometown of Saitama City, Japan, just outside of Tokyo from 2016-2020. There, I spent time with my grandfather before his passing, grew much close to family, and ate and drank my way through Tokyo. After moving back to Louisville, I knew I had to share what I just experienced. Two years and 24 pop-ups later, I found a lot more than just a satiated appetite.
I developed the brand, printed merch, designed & printed menus, prepped, cooked, served, scrubbed, everything. Then people showed up and kept showing up. It was my literal dream come true: serving my Japanese taste memories to our community. We came really close to opening a restaurant in 2024, but sometimes life has other plans.
While we were running, it was so much fun seeing people enjoy these flavors I got to grow up with and have been spending most of my life wanting to share.
Shoku Club, as it was, is on hiatus for now. But we’re always interested in fun opportunities.
Awards & Notables
- 2025 Bourbon Classic, People’s Choice Award for Best Small Bite
- Invitation from JASK (Japanese American Society of Kentucky) to prepare a special luncheon for the Japanese Ambassador to Kentucky, Yamada Shigeo.
- Special event partnerships with:
- Canary Club, Copper & Kings, Harrison-Smith House, KIWA Cafe, MeeshMeesh Mediterranean, Mr. Tubs, Pretty Decent, Renshoku Ramen, Retta’s Scoops, Shop Bar, Tartan House, West Sixth Nulu
Links & Media
