MICHAEL SHORTINO IS THE CHEF AND FOUNDER OF FUTO BUTA. A THIRD GENERATION CHEF RAISED IN NY, SHORTINO HAS TRAVELED ACROSS THE POND AND THROUGHOUT THE U.S. TO HONE IN ON HIS CRAFT FOR ASIAN FARE. IN 2006, SHORTINO OPENED THE FIRST U.S. LOCATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING LONDON- BASED RESTAURANT ROKA AKOR IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ., AND IN 2013 BROUGHT THE ROBATA TECHNIQUE TO CHARLOTTE, N.C.
FINDING A HOME IN THE CAROLINAS, SHORTINO HAS NOW MADE IT HIS M.O. TO SHOWCASE THE UNIQUE UNION OF JAPANESE CUISINE IN THE SOUTH. STARTING WITH HIS ROCK N’ ROLL RAMEN SHOP, FUTO BUTA.
OPENING ONE OF THE FIRST RAMEN SHOPS IN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE SPRING OF 2015, THE MENU DISPLAYS A TRUE HOMAGE TO THE HISTORY OF RAMEN AS A REGIONALIZED DISH. FROM LOCALLY SOURCING THE “FAT PIG” FROM THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS TO THE BOWLS MADE FROM CAROLINA CLAY. IN THE SPIRIT OF ROCK, HIS TOUR IS CONTINUING WITH SHORTINO’S SECOND LOCATION WHICH OPENED IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE IN 2019.
📸:Futo Buta
