Ramen is having a decade.

The number of ramen restaurants in America has exploded in the past five to 10 years, and it’s become such a big deal here that the largest ramen event in Japan is hosting its 10th annual Ramen Expo in the U.S. this year, and the organizers picked Austin as the host city. (I can’t find a larger ramen expo out there, so I’ve decided it’s probably the world’s largest, too. LMK if you know otherwise.)

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On Oct. 9 and 10 at the Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Lane, in East Austin, a few thousand distributors, buyers, manufacturers, markets, restaurant owners and more from all over the world will gather for the convention that is hosted, in part, by the Japan External Trade Organization. According to the website, “This event is aimed to help build future business opportunities for ramen industry companies from Japan, by introducing them to those who are already established in the United States, and to others who are looking to start.”

The event is mostly business-to-business, but they are selling a public tickets online for $40 (or $50 at the door, if not sold out) that will let you tour the exhibit hall from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. If you are involved with the restaurant/catering industry as a distributor, owner, purchaser,

member of the media or a food blogger, the event is free to attend if you register online.

You can check out their Instagram @ ramenexpousa for updates and find more info at ramenexpousa.com.