Pan-Asian street food cafe set to open in Greenock

24 May 2023

*Update*

Umami by 17Ngon opened its doors August 30.

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A chef’s dream of opening his own establishment is on the brink of coming true as he prepares to breathe new life into a popular former cafe in Greenock.

Food blogger and cook Ben Egan is set to put his own spin on the former Massa’s Cafe on Argyll Street by reopening it as a pan Asian street food café called ‘Umami by 17Ngon’.

The 36-year-old, who is trained in French classical cuisine and has worked at Michelin star restaurants and high-end hotels, hopes to serve up a variety of tasty and healthy meals to local people.

Originally from Birmingham, Ben has travelled extensively through Asia, where he developed a love of the cuisines of countries such as Japan and Vietnam.

He is aiming to open the new cafe at the start of July, subject to the availability of contractors to renovate the interior.

The premises have lain empty since Massa’s closed in October of last year after decades operating in the town centre.