The Chicken Cartel x Tondou Ramen Collaboration

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: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-chicken-cartel-x-tondou-ramen-collaboration-tickets-1693574610249?aff=oddtdtcreator 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.

For chef Donnie Gomes, 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, 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.

Who is it for?

All ages

Tickets : $15.00 plus tax and purchase fees

$15.00 plus tax and purchase fees covers the Okinawa Chicken Sandwich and a Housemade Shikuwasa Lemonade.

How to get tickets?

Buy online

 

Date: Friday October 3, 2025 to Saturday October 4, 2025

Friday, October 3rd 5:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday, October 4th 5:00pm-9:00pm

Venue & Address

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

Wheelchair accessible