You ever feel like you’re stuck in a Chicken katsu curry world when you should be more ramen?

No, I’m not talking about that $750 plate of fancy food at Masa, NYC (though when you know, you know). I’m talking about Wagamama in Essex. It’s simple, affordable, and exactly how I like it. Why drop a fortune when you can get something just as good for £15?

Let’s talk katsu curry for a second. Wagamama’s biggest seller, 2.5 million of these bad boys are served up every year. It’s tasty, sure. But let’s be honest, it's not exactly the healthiest choice. High calories, carbs, fats, and sodium—you’re not exactly getting a balanced meal. So while it's safe, it’s not really moving the needle, is it?

Now, enter ramen. It’s lighter, more interesting, and healthier. But here’s the kicker—it’s also trending. Gen Z’s got it locked in, and some retailers have seen ramen sales jump by 50% year on year. This is what I’m talking about.

So what’s the point? In a world that’s obsessed with katsu curry, sometimes you’ve got to be ramen to stand out. You need to take the road less travelled. Do something that breaks the mould. And if you’re in the coaching business, this is where it gets real.

The katsu curry approach in coaching

Too many coaches are stuck in their katsu curry world. They’re doing the same thing over and over, recycling the same generic posts, following the same old "safe" routine. It's familiar, it’s comfortable, but it’s not setting you apart.

I had a chat with a US-based doctor recently. He’s trying to break into the coaching world and said, “I can’t get any clients.” So I asked him, “What makes you different from all the other coaches out there?” His answer? “I’m a doctor.” Great... but so what? There are millions of life coaches out there, and having a degree isn’t exactly unique anymore.

So I said, “Let’s stop with the mountains, inspirational quotes, and generic Canva posts. Let's think more like ramen. What’s trending? What’s buzzing? What’s relevant now?” We dug into what people are really interested in—Bryan Johnson on Netflix, longevity, life hacks to look and feel younger. That’s where he could differentiate himself.

Instead of just being another generic coach, he could market himself as an “Ex-Doctor Who Will Coach You to Look and Feel 5 Years Younger.” That’s niche. That’s specific. That’s ramen. And guess what? He’s now booking discovery calls.

The ramen approach to coaching: stand out, don’t fit in

Here’s the thing: if you want to build a successful coaching business, you’ve got to carve out something unique. You need to offer something that no one else is offering. Forget about the katsu curry approach where you blend in with the crowd, serving up the same old bland advice everyone else is doing.

So, how do you make the shift from katsu curry to ramen?

  • Niche down: identify what makes you unique. Get specific. Find that one thing people are genuinely searching for.

  • Stay trendy: pay attention to what’s buzzing. What’s the conversation in your industry right now? What’s new? What’s getting attention?

  • Be consistent: show up with fresh, exciting content regularly. People don’t buy from the same-old, same-old. They buy from what feels new and different.

  • Offer real value: people are sick of generic advice. Give them something that actually helps. Don’t just add to the noise.

Don’t fall for the trap of “doing what everyone else is doing.” In the coaching space, the katsu curry approach is everywhere. It’s comfortable, it’s predictable, but it’s not going to get you to the top. You need to innovate, differentiate, and provide value that no one else is.

Want to break away from the crowd? Start thinking like ramen. Stand out. Offer something that resonates with people right now. Tap into trends, carve out your niche, and then keep showing up. Consistently.

If you’re still not sure how to make that shift, message me and Dan. We’ve helped countless coaches trend like ramen, and we can help you do the same.

Stop blending in with the katsu curry crowd. Be the ramen.

Get creative. Get specific. And most importantly, get noticed.