The owners of Pedestrian Coffee and the BánhMi Spot are launching a new pop-up in Logan Square that will serve coffee-infused ramen bowls. The collaboration, called Masaka Ramen, brings together Le Trinh Hien, co-owner of the BánhMi Spot at 2631 N. Kedzie Ave., and Tim Taylor, owner of Pedestrian Coffee at 2642 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Le Trinh Hien is known for experimenting with different flavors and decided to introduce ramen with a coffee twist to support Pedestrian Coffee, where he is a frequent customer. He approached Tim Taylor about the idea, and together they created Masaka Ramen using coffee beans from Pedestrian Coffee and ramen from the BánhMi Spot kitchen.
“You want that smoky taste. We are making non-traditional Japanese ramen,” said Trinh Hien.
Taylor explained how the broth is prepared: “The ramen broth is warmed up and then brewed with whole coffee beans in Pedestrian’s coffee siphon.”
Trinh Hien clarified that while the broth gains a smoky flavor from the process, it does not have much caffeine or taste strongly of coffee.
Masaka Ramen will offer two types of shoyu ramen bowls featuring either bone or vegetable broth infused with coffee. Customers can select bases such as shredded beef brisket, shredded chicken, tofu, seitan, or mushrooms for vegetarian options; vegan customers can opt for no egg. Bowls can be pre-ordered for pickup or enjoyed in person during the weekly event.
Additionally, matcha, coffee, and Hōjicha green tea ice cream made by Taylor and his son will be available at the pop-up. The event will take place every Thursday evening going forward.
Both business owners hope this initiative will increase visitors to Pedestrian Coffee following recent declines in sales. Taylor noted that since their café closes in the afternoons but features bar seating similar to Japanese ramen shops, opening during evenings was a practical decision.
“We may expand into not just the evening ramen, but other things throughout the day,” Taylor said. “It’s an … opportunity to test a new concept, and if it takes off, we’ll run with that energy.”
Following last year’s closure of Furious Spoon’s Logan Square location, Trinh Hien saw an opportunity to offer more local ramen choices. If successful, there are plans for Masaka Ramen to operate on additional nights or potentially become its own brand with a dedicated location.
With help on digital business aspects from Sidney Romero—a resident of Logan Square—the team named their project Masaka after a Japanese phrase meaning “No way!” or “Unbelievable!”
“That’s what we want our customers to say at the end of the day. ‘Holy s—, that was unbelievable,’” Romero said.
