When Hiroaki Mitsui first came to DC to play semi-professional basketball, he couldn’t find the Japanese comfort food that he craved. Seeing this culinary void, he decided that he would take it upon himself to bring his hometown favorites like okonomiyaki, curry rice, and chicken bone broth ramen to the DMV.  Ramen by UZU began as a small pop-up in February 2016 inside of Union Market, later becoming a permanent vendor. Ramen by UZU has since been named one of the Best Ramen Restaurants in the DC Area by The Washington Post.