Everything started in 1998, when Mr. Machida, a man of driving ambition, participated in a well-known ramen competition in Japan called ‘Ramen Touryuumon.’ He competed against 344 veteran ramen chefs where he received recommendations and nominations from food critics and well-known ramen shop owners. It was at this competition that inspired Mr. Machida to follow his passion for ramen and opened his Tokyo-based restaurant, called Kyouka.