1822 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214 (503) 894-7612 hello@showakayou.com Open this evening
The warm dining room at Shōwa Kayō
· The People

Our Team

Home/Our Team
Behind the Counter

The crew that keeps the broth on

A ramen counter is only as good as the people leaning over it. From the first stock pot at sunrise to the last highball at close, these are the folks looking after you.

Hiroshi Tanaka, Founder & Executive Chef at Shōwa Kayō

Hiroshi Tanaka

Founder & Executive Chef

Grew up in his grandmother’s Osaka noodle shop and opened Shōwa Kayō in 2013. Still tastes every batch of tonkotsu before the doors open.

Mika Tanaka, Co-Owner & General Manager at Shōwa Kayō

Mika Tanaka

Co-Owner & General Manager

Hiroshi’s daughter runs the floor and the record crate. If the room feels warm and the night runs smooth, that’s Mika’s doing.

Daisuke Oshiro, Head Ramen Chef at Shōwa Kayō

Daisuke “Dice” Oshiro

Head Ramen Chef

Our noodle master. Pulls the day’s noodles, dials in each tare, and will absolutely judge you for adding too much garlic (then do it anyway).

Kenji Mori, Izakaya & Robata Lead at Shōwa Kayō

Kenji Mori

Izakaya & Robata Lead

Commands the charcoal grill and the small-plates line. Twelve years of skewers means he times the whole counter by feel.

Daniel Brandt, Bar Director & Sake Sommelier at Shōwa Kayō

Daniel Brandt

Bar Director & Sake Sommelier

Keeps forty-odd labels straight and builds the flights. Ask him one question about sake and settle in for the good answer.

Hannah Vogel, Pastry & Sweets at Shōwa Kayō

Hannah Vogel

Pastry & Sweets

Makes the yuzu pudding, the sesame gâteau and whatever cold, just-sweet-enough thing ends your night. The affogato was her idea.

Want to put faces to the counter? Book a seat and meet the crew in person.

Pull Up a Stool

Come eat with us

Reserve a table or walk up to the counter — we’ll introduce you to a bowl you’ll be back for.