A Vancouver ramen restaurant known for its famous "dipping" noodle soups has announced it is closing permanently soon, marking a withdrawal from the Canadian market.
Menya Itto, which opened on March 16, 2022 at 1479 Robson St, came to Vancouver by way of its native Tokyo.
The brand had intended to open in Vancouver in 2020, however, the pandemic caused a two-year delay in the restaurant getting its doors open.
That timing proved fatal for the business, according to Menya Itto's closure announcement, shared on Instagram on November 1, 2024.
Tokyo ramen brand came to Canada in 'a wrong period and dark economic period'
"We would have loved to have stayed, however, everything is about timing and introducing a cult ramen brand to the Canadian market occurred simultaneously in both a wrong period and dark economic period as we were unable to maintain the minimum volume required for renewal."
The business operators continue: "Menya Itto will be pulling out from the Canadian market. We will comment on this issue no further."
Founder, master, and owner of Menya Itto, Yukihiko Sakamoto, trained under “Son of Ramen God” Koji Tashiro, a disciple of the legendary “Ramen God” and tsukemen inventor Kazuo Yamagishi. He travelled to Vancouver in 2022 to ensure the broth, handmade thick and thin noodles, and garnishes met his exacting standards.
Menya Itto was an immediate standout on Robson's "ramen row," thanks to its focus on tsukemen, the "dipping" style of ramen where your cold noodles arrive in a separate bowl from the broth, and you take those chewy, slippery, snappy strands for a gratifying dunk at your own pace. (This is what Menya Itto categories as a "cult ramen" concept.)
The tsukemen broth at Menya Itto is also a standout, thanks to its thicker consistency and rich, nuanced, multi-layer flavours with a fish-forward bite.
'We hope to see you one last time'
Vancouover's Menya Itto is hoping customers will return a final time to experience its tsukemen ramen.
In the caption of the Instagram post announcing the upcoming closure, Menya Itto adds: "It has been a wonderful journey serving you delicious ramen and creating unforgettable memories. We are incredibly grateful for your support over the years."
"Thank you for being part of our ramen family. We hope to see you one last time before we say goodbye!"
Menya Itto's final day will be November 15.
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