We were lucky to catch up with Hiroaki Takeda recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hiroaki, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I operate Japanese food truck: Ninja is from Japan and everyone knows the name of Ninja.
I thought it would be easy for people to remember the name

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

We serve authentic Japanese food. But we needed to modify little flavor for American taste and mile high elevation. It can’t be too salty or spicy. It was so many hours of research and sampling for sales we have today.
It’s worth it now but wasn’t easy looking back those days.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I was working for Japanese Tour Company before I start my food truck business. I didn’t know many people in Denver.
But my desire to live here and start my own business was getting bigger every day.
I was scared but I wanted to do it!
Start my Own business.
I wanted to introduce authentic Japanese cuisine to people in Colorado.
My desire was bigger than any other feelings.
It took about 60 days to make my food truck and get all paperwork.
Finally started going to some Breweries.
Some places we did ok but some place wasn’t enough sales for the day.
I paid off my food truck,
My saving was going down every week.
I remember that I had only $600 in my bank account.
But I wanted to believe it wold be ok soon.
It took about 1year to start making profit.
II though now we are good then Covid came in.
Then I didn’t think too much about anything.
I just kept doing my business.
I couldn’t stay home mentally and financially.
I had a few places where I can go with my food truck.
They appreciated us.
Someone have to cook.
Everyone need to eat.
Those people supported my business.
Most important thing I learned is Don’t Quit.
I’m on the process of getting new bigger food truck now.
I’m so glad that I didn’t quit.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I was not spending the money much over all. Money was started saving by itself lol

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.ninjaramenmobile.com
• Instagram: Ninjaramenmobile
• Facebook: Injaramenmobile@denverfoodtruck

Image Credits
Personal photo by Nikolai’s Zuchowski