What?! Are the Japanese Ramen Gods Coming to Portland?

Credited with bringing "fish into the ramen fold" by Lucky Peach magazine and for reliably long lines even after more than a decade in operation, Japanese ramen franchise Afuri has filed for a Portland liquor license at 921 SE 7th Ave. (near The Commons Brewery), WWeek reports. This is just more proof Japan and Portland's love affair grows more sultry (and umami-ny), and according to the liquor license, the forthcoming restaurant intends to operate seven days a week and stay open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The license also says there will be indoor and outdoor seating, with the main dining room seating 92 and the bar accommodating 13. In addition to seafood preparations, Afuri is known for its pork ramen, in which pork is grilled before diner's very eyes, and its broths with a hint of citrus. When it opens, it will join other Japan-based ramen chains operating in Portland, Shigezo and Marukin.