A little over 2 years after opening, a popular ramen spot has closed its doors. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai opened its doors at 267 Amsterdam, between 72nd and 73rd Streets, in October 2019, and the landlord is now seeking a new tenant.
The space is on the market with commercial real estate firm Walker Malloy. Asking $15,000 per month, it comes with 650 square feet of interior space plus a basement.
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The loss of Kitakata also means the loss of Curry Mania, a Japanese curry and sandwich offshoot launched by the same owners in April 2021. Curry Mania received great accolades for its “sandos,” having been featured by Eater NY food critic Robert Sietsema, who in June wrote that its Potato Croquette Sando was the best sandwich in the city.
via @currymaniausa
Both Curry Mania and Kitakata drew crowds and became quick favorites, ranking up lots of positive reviews during their short tenures on the Upper West Side.
The store that really serves the best sandwich in NYC would be thriving, not closing.
There’s a sign in the window saying a new noodle shop is opening in the same space.
They started closing the shop at like 6pm before most people get dinner. I can’t imagine they were pulling in much revenue with those kinda hours.
I finally went there after dine-in restrictions eased up 6 months ago and the service was HORRIBLE. I was like one of 5 people there and they abandoned my outside and I had to keep getting up to ask for more water.
You. Only. Had. One. Job.
The Ramen wasn’t that great, Zurutto is much better. The sandwiches were good (I only had the pork and maybe chicken, not the potato), but took 20-30 minutes for takeout.
The curry was yummy but their hours were strange. 50% of the time I would stop by or call to order, they were closed.
I tried its ramen once. Very disappointing experience. Never went there again. Was busy when first opened, then looked rather empty. So not surprising its run has ended.