Japanese ramen restaurant specialist Ichiran has taken its first step offshore.

Ichiran has opened its first overseas outlet in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. The shop will follow most of its Japanese operating style, and trade 24 hours a day.

“As Hong Kong people generally love Japanese food and culture and given the increasing number of visitors the city receives every year, I think our decision to land in Hong Kong is a right move at a right time,” said CEO Manabu Yoshitomi.

With a history of over 50 years, Ichiran operates more than 40 restaurants within Japan and it says it plans to expand into other parts of Asia.

With 48 million visitors last year and growing, Hong Kong creates huge demand for food and beverage products and services.