#FOOD: CHICKEN CARTEL X TONOU RAMEN COLLABO

On October 3 and 4, 2025 chef Donnie Gomes of The Chicken Cartel and Kota Uechi, owner of Tondou Ramen will team up for a two-night pop-up at Tondou Ramen in the heart of Toronto’s Little Italy, serving an exclusive creation they call: Okinawa. With Donnie’s fried chicken sandwiches known to go viral for their over-the-top deliciousness, and Tondou’s Nanban Fried Chicken drawing thousands of followers overnight on social media, the pairing brings together two cult favourites for what might be the most epic chicken collaboration yet.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite HERE for $15 plus tax and purchase fees.

The sandwich is anything but ordinary: a crispy, golden chicken breast glazed in sweet-sour Nanban sauce, paired with a refreshing tangle of chilled Okinawa soba noodle salad, layered with a velvety soy-marinated egg, a kick of spicy sprouts, and finished with a rich swipe of Taru Taru mayo, all tucked into a soft, toasted brioche bun. Each order comes with a glass of Tondou’s house-made Okinawa Shikuwasa Lemonade. Shikuwasa, Okinawa’s signature citrus, is as refreshing as it is invigorating. Naturally rich in vitamin C and nobiletin, it’s not only delicious but also packed with feel-good benefits.

Collaboration Event details:

Location: Tondou Ramen, 596 College St. Toronto ON M6G 1B4

Tickets: Purchases can be made on Eventbrite HERE. Tickets are $15 + Tax and Purchase Fees.

Dates and Times:

Friday, October 3

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 4

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For chef Donnie Gomes (right in above photo), whose Chicken Cartel has gone viral in Toronto for its globally inspired sandwiches, including the recent Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich, a Thai-inspired creation, this collaboration marks another chapter in his eventful career. Donnie has also served as private chef for Saudi royalty, competed on Food Network’s Food Truck Face Off, and helped his team claim victory at the Battle Mokable Cooking Competition.

Kota Uechi (left in above photo), meanwhile, has built a reputation for bringing the flair of Okinawa to Toronto through his ramen shop at Tondou, where bowls of broth and noodles carry the taste of his Okinawan roots. Beloved as a go-to spot among chefs and industry insiders, Tondou is more than a ramen shop, it reflects Kota’s island mentality, where everyone is welcome and hospitality knows no bounds. As a community leader in Little Italy, his warmth and generosity have made him a fixture in the neighbourhood, so it’s only fitting that he’s hosting this pop-up, lending his signature spirit to an international twist on a chicken sandwich.

More than a pop-up, the collaboration is a showcase of culinary skill and culture, marrying the bold, inventive style of The Chicken Cartel with the dynamic flavours of Okinawa. Those who secure a ticket will experience a unique opportunity to watch two chefs with very different backgrounds bring their skills together in one irresistible sandwich. Tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly, reserve yours now through Eventbrite HERE.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Cross
Account Executive at Milestones Public Relations
E. oliviac@milestones-pr.com

The Chicken Cartel

Website: chickencartel.com

IG: @thechickencartel_to

Tondou

Website: tondoutoronto.com

IG: @tondoutoronto