Something Worth Uncovering
Kozan means "mine" in Japanese — dig deep, bring something hidden to the surface. Tony and Wall built this Cedar Mill shop around that philosophy, one slow-simmered bowl at a time.
Kozan Ramen | Our Story
A Name Rooted in Philosophy
"Kozan" — 鉱山 — is the Japanese word for mine: a place where something precious is drawn from the earth through patience and labor. The name isn't flashy; it's a commitment.
Tony, Wall, and Cedar Mill
Tony and Wall opened this small shop in Cedar Mill — a quiet, tree-lined corner of northwest Portland — where a bowl of something warm and honest became a neighborhood ritual. Their regulars still know them by name.
Bones, Water, and Time
Every broth starts with bones, water, and hours — simmered low and slow until the liquid carries a layered depth that can't be rushed. That patience is the whole point.
Four Broths, One Kitchen
Clean shoyu, earthy miso, creamy tonkotsu, bold spicy tantanmen — each broth is a distinct world, each bowl made with the same intention as the last.
A Place to Come Back To
Guests have been returning since opening day — for the broth, yes, but also for the warmth at the door and the owners who remember your order.
