Cup Ramen Nights — Community, Warmth, and Wheels in Winter
Summary
In the colder months, when most outdoor car meets go dormant, Daikoku NYC launched Cup Ramen Nights— a low-key, high-comfort winter activation. Using a mobile setup from the back of an SUV, we served elevated instant ramen to car owners and creatives gathered in a street-lit lot. It was simple, delicious, and deeply rooted in the communal values that define Daikoku NYC.
The Challenge
Winter in NYC makes traditional meets and events less feasible — colder temps, fewer safe venues, and less organic community activity.
I wanted to:
Keep our community active and visible during the off-season
Create a cozy, affordable, and nostalgic experience
Use the minimal tools we had — a trunk, some heat, some bowls — to make it happen
My Role
Created the concept of elevated instant ramen meets
Outfitted an SUV with a mobile service setup: hot water station, serving station, cup ramen crate
Curated toppings and garnishes to upgrade instant ramen (e.g., soft eggs, nori, scallions, sesame oil)
Picked meetup locations in low-traffic, low-visibility street lots across the boroughs
Promoted on social subtly — using IG Stories and text group chats, not public flyers
Process Overview
1. Prep & Setup
Stored ramen, water tanks, and toppings in the SUV
Used propane heat and electric kettle system powered from car battery/portable station
Served from the hatch with ambient lighting for mood
2. Community Coordination
Invited smaller crews (10–20 cars) to keep the vibe tight
Treated it like a “pull-up” — no RSVP, just good energy
Made it accessible, welcoming, and a warm pocket of joy on cold nights
3. Cultural Details
Integrated flavors inspired by Japanese konbini and Hong Kong-style instant upgrades
Played curated ambient or instrumental hip-hop from the SUV
Shot street-lit photos of steam and ramen under car hoods and lightposts
Impact
Maintained momentum and presence during off-season months
Reinforced Daikoku NYC’s brand as thoughtful, intimate, and seasonally adaptive
Built a new tradition around cold-weather hospitality
Delivered a memorable, multi-sensory experience using minimal resources
Reflection
This wasn’t about scale — it was about staying warm, literally and culturally. Ramen Nights reminded us that Daikoku NYC is more than an event series — it’s a family, and we show up for each other even when the engine’s off.