Afuri opens spicy ramen restaurant Kara Kurenai in Old Town-Chinatown

Tokyo-based ramen chain Afuri has opened its first U.S. location at Kara Kurenai in Old Town-Chinatown. The restaurant’s spicy Yakuzen-style ramen is inspired by Japanese cuisine that combines Chinese herbal medicine with food.

Kara Kurenai’s sharp-sour citrus flavor is carried over into dishes like spicy tori karaage, Kara Kurenai tsukemen and a spicy blackberry margarita. The menu offers customizable levels of spiciness, from not at all spicy to very spicy. The restaurant will offer $10 ramen bowls at its grand opening on August 22. Afuri Kara Kurenai is located at 50 SW 3rd Avenue, in the space that formerly housed Afuri’s ramen and dumpling restaurant.

Veganizer launches a new vegan food and drink festival

Circle V, a new chef-led vegan food festival from event producer Veganizer, will hold its inaugural event at Castaway on Sunday, September 22. Featured restaurant collaborations include Boxcar Pizza x Rad Magic Subs, Cultured Kindness x Obon Shokudo, Mama Dut Foods x Plant Based Papi, Mirisata x Speed-O Cappuccino, and Kate’s Ice Cream x Orange & Blossom. Tickets are on sale now, with a portion of proceeds going to food justice organizations Growing Gardens and Urban Gleaners.

Portland Knifemaker Showcase showcases the city’s knifemaking industry

Portland-based knife brands Benchmade, CRKT, Gerber Gear, Leatherman and Steelport Knife Co. have joined forces to create the Portland Knife Center for Excellence, highlighting the concentration of knifemakers in the city. The organization’s first Portland Knifemaker Showcase will feature a live knifemaking demonstration, an exhibit on Portland’s knifemaking history and more. The event will take place Saturday, August 24, in Steelport’s factory parking lot at 3602 NE Sandy Boulevard.

Disclaimer: Veganizer organizer Waz Wu was previously a staff writer at Eater Portland.