Jack Benchakul's Endorffeine Replaces Cognoscenti Coffee in Chinatown

After years of popping up all over Los Angeles (Culver City, Highland Park, Chinatown) with various coffee outfits as barista, ex-biochemist Jack Benchakul is finally completing his career switch in the form of a brick and mortar shop named Endorffeine.

The new shop will be located next to Scoops in Chinatown — where he was previously working the mod bar cart under the Cognoscenti Coffee name — inside the already bustling Far East Plaza. The plaza is also home to Ramen Champ and Pok Pok Phat Thai. The 495-square feet space, which is exactly the same floor plan as Scoops Chinatown, will feature a U-shaped bar, dressed in white, with a setup similar to the one currently found at Bar Nine Collective, offering both espresso and drip coffee.

Benchakul will continue to utilize Portland's Heart Coffee Roasters as the foundation for his coffee program, but a secondary roaster will go into the rotation as well. Seating will be plentiful in the ground level courtyard of Far East Plaza, where one can enjoy Endorffeine's signature vanilla pandan-infused cold-brewed ice latte next to hawkers of Chinese good luck charms. "I want to provide Chinatown guests with a place of respite from the hustle and bustle of Far East Plaza," Benchakul says, "And by extension, from the fast pace of the outside world."

The painstakingly-made cold brew, potent after a 48-hour, two stage brewing process, will be the only drink on the menu not made-to-order. Beyond the Asian-inspired ice latte, continue to look for makrut lime (from Benchakul's backyard) and Malbec cold brew, Willett Whiskey cold brew, crazy affogatos, and curated pastries as well as teas.

Soft opening is set for the evening of August 22 during the final Chinatown Nights of this summer, with more concrete (and earlier) hours to follow.

Endorffeine
727 N Broadway #127
Los Angeles, CA 90012