Hulu is developing Gaijin, a drama series centred on Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, an American who relocates to Tokyo following his wife's death and pursues his longtime ambition to open a ramen restaurant. The project is produced by Lionsgate Television and comes from Shannon Goss, a writer and co-executive producer on the Emmy-winning Shōgun, with Gordon-Levitt also serving as executive producer.

Drawn from the experiences of chef Ivan Orkin, who founded successful ramen shops in Tokyo before expanding internationally, the narrative traces the protagonist's efforts to build a business whilst living with his young son and his wife's family in Japan. The series frames his journey around cultural adaptation, family dynamics, and personal rebuilding amid the challenges and humorous moments of navigating a foreign environment.