Leading U.S. ramen chain expands beyond dining with plans to scale premium matcha concept nationwide.

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 13, 2026 / Kyuramen Group today announced that it has acquired Aokō Matcha, a New York-based specialty café known for its matcha tasting experience.

This acquisition advances Kyuramen Group's broader strategy to diversify and build a multi-concept platform beyond its core ramen business, reinforcing its broader mission to introduce Japanese culinary culture to U.S. audiences in approachable formats.

With the addition of Aokō Matcha, Kyuramen Group will support and scale the growth of the brand across the U.S. Aokō Matcha will operate both as a standalone café and as a complementary offering within select Kyuramen locations.

"We are excited to welcome Aokō Matcha into the Kyuramen portfolio," said Gary Lin, Founder of Kyuramen Group. "Aokō Matcha is a natural extension of our platform as we continue to grow beyond ramen and deepen our commitment to Japanese culture and craftsmanship. The brand has already built a strong foundation, and we see a significant opportunity to scale the concept nationwide while preserving the quality and experience that make it special."

Originally launched in Manhattan's West Village in 2025, Aokō Matcha has built a following around its signature multi-grade matcha tasting experience, featuring a curated progression of gelatos ranging from mild to bold, ceremonial-grade intensity. The lineup spans grades #1 through #5, and its standout #8, positioned as one of the richest matcha gelato available in the U.S., showcasing the depth and complexity of ceremonial-grade matcha.

The acquisition is rooted in a shared commitment to Japanese craftsmanship, or the "Takumi" spirit, with both brands focused on delivering high-quality, culturally grounded experiences to North American consumers. Kyuramen Group was particularly drawn to Aokō Matcha's innovative approach, which reimagines traditional matcha through a customizable, multi-level tasting format that allows guests to explore varying intensities and find their preferred profile.

Kyuramen Group plans to open 30 Aokō Matcha locations over the next year through a mix of standalone cafés and co-located concepts within Kyuramen restaurants. The first locations under Kyuramen Group soft opened in Bayside, Queens and Cherry Hill, NJ in May 2026, with additional locations in the pipeline for Wall Street (New York), Toms River (New Jersey), and Burlington (Boston).

About Kyuramen Group
Kyuramen Group is the parent company of Kyuramen and a growing portfolio of Japan-inspired dining concepts focused on introducing a broader spectrum of Japanese culinary culture to North American audiences through immersive, experience-driven dining. Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Takumi craftsmanship, Kyuramen Group emphasizes quality, authenticity, and continuous refinement across every guest experience.

The company's portfolio includes Kyuramen, one of the largest growing ramen chains in the U.S. with over 50 locations; TBaar, a premium tea brand specializing in customizable, tea-based beverages; and Aokō Matcha, a specialty café known for its multi-shade matcha tasting experience. In 2026, Kyuramen Group will also launch two new concepts: Super Kyuramen, a ramen-and-izakaya restaurant, and Kyuramen Express, a fast-casual format. For more information visit www.kyuramen.com.

Media Contact
Yvonne Lo
Nu Media
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SOURCE: Kyuramen