July 19, 2023

A new locally owned restaurant coming to the east side of Sioux Falls will feature Japanese ramen and Korean fried chicken.

IchiFuji is the latest restaurant from Leon Teng of Ramen Fuji and Oppa Chicken.

“Basically, we will combine the two restaurants, the most popular items, combine them together,” Teng said, noting that the other two also will remain open.

IchiFuji will be in the former Taco Johns building at 1609 E. 10th St., which most recently was the home of Kabab King.

In addition to some of the ramen favorites from Fuji Ramen, which opened in 2018 at 2300 S. Minnesota Ave., IchiFuji will offer new flavors, including a vegan version of  tonkotsu ramen. That type of ramen typically is made with a pork broth, but the new restaurant’s vegan offering will have a plant-based both, Teng said. He’s also envisioning a special tonkotsu ramen on the weekend.

He and partner Ricky Ou brought Korean fried chicken to Sioux Falls late last year. At Oppa Chicken, 3412 S. Western Ave., chicken wings come in seven flavors, and diners can pick from traditional or boneless. Korean-style wings are thin-battered and fried twice to give them a light crispiness. The sauce is brushed on by hand, so it’s not too heavy. IchiFuji will offer new flavors, Teng said, adding that he’s not ready to unveil those details yet.

Teng and his family will remodel the interior of the building, giving it a new look. They also need to add equipment.

He doesn’t know when it will be ready to open but is hoping for late fall or winter.

Teng said he’s excited to see all the new restaurant concepts coming to town, including Korean barbecue.

“It’s offering more choice for people going out. I think it’s good. It’s making Sioux Falls better.”

And IchiFuji, Fuji Ramen and Oppa Chicken are part of that, he said.