Hapa Ramen may be long gone, but the former restaurant's founder and chef Richie Nakano isn't done with ramen yet. Nakano casually announced on Twitter over the weekend that he's bringing a ramen pop-up to Alta CA this Sunday night.
Oh btw I’m doing a ramen pop up next Sunday late night at Alta if you’re into that sort of thing
— Richie Nakano (@linecook) July 6, 2015The announcement was so understated, it seems his followers didn't quite believe him.
Yes the @AltaCAsf late night ramen pop up this Sunday is real you guys geez
— Richie Nakano (@linecook) July 7, 2015We checked in with both Nakano and Alta CA, and the Mid-Market restaurant's general manager Ben Hetzel confirms that the Sunday night pop-up is no joke. Hetzel also shed some light on what Nakano has been up to since Hapa Ramen's abrupt closure — besides slinging tacos in the Lower Haight.
"Richie helped us out after our opening chef, Yoni Levy, left to pursue other opportunities. It was great to have him here, and we were very grateful for his help," Hetzel said via email. "During this period, he developed a friendship with Chef Goody, and they developed the plan to host a pop-up here at Alta."
The pop-up runs from 11pm to 2am Sunday night. During that time, the restaurant will only offer Nakano's menu, Hetzel said, along with a selection of special cocktails, Japanese whiskey and wines by the glass chosen to pair by the Alta CA team.
Licking your lips already? Here's an advance look at Nakano's menu:
- Slow cooked pork ramen, summer vegetables, chashu, slow egg ($17)
- Miso corn ramen, summer vegetables, slow egg ($14)
- Uni, koshiikarii, sake cured ikura, chicken skin ($12)
- Pacific halibut, avocado, black garlic aioli, crisp nori ($11)
- Dessert — soft serve ice cream sundaes with flavors TBD (in the style of The Malted, Alta's branded dessert sundae)
