Consider the red light back on.
Two years after closing up shop on Farwell Avenue, Red Light Ramen is making its return to the space where it all started — for one night only.
On Nov. 28, chef Justin Carlisle will bring his Red Light Ramen concept to Purslane, 1751 N. Farwell Ave., the eastern Mediterranean restaurant that moved into his former Ardent space in June (Ardent closed in December 2024).
The pop-up experience will begin at 10 p.m., following Purslane’s regular dinner service.
Purslane and Carlisle announced the plans in a social media post.
According to the post, both mushroom miso and pork belly tonkotsu ramen will be served, plus “all your favorite late-night bites” and boozy slushies.
As for snacks, its popular whipped Spam with nori and Japanese curry will be on the menu. More Red Light Ramen snack classics like tinned fish, takoyaki waffle and chawanmushi custard and could be there, too.
Red Light Ramen began as a late-night pop-up after Ardent dinner service concluded on Friday and Saturday nights. Lines would form down the block, filled with folks angling for a spot in the 20-seat space that was a true party till close.
Expect those lines to form again on Black Friday.
In 2016, Red Light Ramen moved in next door, with its own dedicated space and extended hours. It closed in 2023, with Carlisle citing rising prices as the reason.
The Nov. 28 pop-up will not take reservations, so get in line early if you’re craving the Red Light special.
“When we’re out, we’re out!” the social media post read.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Red Light Ramen pop-up is back on Milwaukee’s east side
Reporting by Rachel Bernhard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
