8th Street Market in Bentonville welcomes new ramen shop

CO-OP Ramen opened a new eatery in the 8th Street Market near downtown Bentonville on Monday (Nov. 4). The restaurant is owned by Ropeswing Hospitality Group and is a sister concept to Bentonville venues Pressroom, Preacher’s Son, Undercroft, Record, The Holler and Louise.

Chef Justin Walker and Sous Chef Nicole Craig are in charge of the kithchen that serves traditional style ramen utilizing southern ingredients.

“We wanted to pay our respect to the broth — these traditions are centuries old, so it was important to us to create authentic recipes while still using local ingredients,” said Walker, who’s conducted extensive research on the culinary tradition of ramen and staged at the renowned Ramen Lab in New York during an educational, pop-up collaboration.

“We want CO-OP fully immersed within the NWA community by utilizing as many locally sourced materials as possible, and by partnering with our local farms, ranchers and other community members.”

The restaurant was inspired by the Ropeswing team’s travels and love for ramen, according to a news release.

“CO-OP is a space that’s social and comfortable, a place to end your day over a great meal with family and friends. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the building’s agricultural roots and encompasses the notion of working together to become one — just like a slow-simmered broth,” said Chad Williams, executive general manager of CO-OP.