Last week, when I visited Hapa Ramen to help break down a whole pig, Richie let me in on a new project he’s working on.  He was at first a tad bit reluctant to let the cat out of the bag, but with a bit of coaxing, he’s onboard to let you, loayl Beer & Nosh reader, on on what the next big thing for Hapa Ramen is.

And it’s not Ramen.

It’s cupcakes.  But not just any cupcakes: Hapa Cupcakes.

Richie is, to put it mildly, excited abut cupcakes. “I used to be a cupcake hater” he explained, “but I’ve really come around, and learned to see the cupcake for all of it’s amazing culinary potential. It’s a vessel that can carry anything.  ANYTHING!”

 

So what are the flavors we can expect from the all new “Hapa Cupcake”?

Of course, it can’t just be a straight forward cupcake.  Richie has been working on a “Ramen Stock Infused” cupcake, that captures the flavors and textures of his pork ramen stock, but contained in the form of the cupcake.  He’s been developing special “seasonal, organic, farm to table, hand-made, modernist cuisine sprinkles” that have the flavors he’s interested, innocuously hidden in sprinkle form.  I asked to see how they’re made, but he’s cagey about his secret processes.

Then he showed me his newest trick:

 

By torching the top of the cupcake, he can pull out all of the carmel flavors that are so important to his ramen.  ”This is way, ay easier than deep frying it” he claimed.  ”Is this the end of doing ramen” I asked?

“Of course not” he explained, although he’s not sure which business will make it for the long term.  As he investigates opening a physical location, going the route of a bakery with a ramen sideshow is certainly on the table.

You don’t see a lot of bakeries that get deliveries of pig blood.

So, want to try Richie’s Cupcakes?  He’s starting selling them at his Ferry Building stand, but you won’t find them on the menu.  If you want to try one, just ask for the secret code word “linecook’s linecakes” to get a sample.  He’s looking for feedback now, as he prepares to jump into the cupcake game full time.

For now, it’s all about getting those great ramen flavors hidden under a pillow of sweet frosting.

Update: Happy April Fools Y’all

This entry was posted on Friday, April 1st, 2011 at 9:18 am and is filed under Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.