Osaka Ramen Shuttering After a Decade in RiNo

Osaka Ramen's last day will be February 23. Osaka Ramen

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The hits keep coming. Over the past week, there has been a slew of closure announcements as restaurants, particularly small, independently-owned operations, continue to struggle with rising costs during the slowest season of the year.

Last weekend, restaurateur Jared Leonard shuttered all but one of his Colorado eateries. Eat'Ya Pizza is out on the 16th Street Mall after just ten months. This Friday is the final day of service for Comal Heritage Food Incubator in RiNo, while Lao Wang on South Federal Boulevard will serve its last dumplings on Saturday.

The latest restaurant to say farewell is Osaka Ramen, which opened in a basement space at 2611 Walnut Street in 2015. It's won several Best of Denver awards during its run, including nabbing Best Ramen honors in 2019.

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Osaka Ramen was our pick for Best Ramen in 2019.

Osaka Ramen

Last year, owner Jeff Osaka shuttered four of the five locations of his conveyor belt sushi concept Sushi-Rama, leaving just one on Larimer Street in RiNo. It will remain open, but Osaka Ramen's last day will be February 23.

The news was announced in a statement: "The decision to close comes amid significant challenges facing Denver's restaurant industry, including rising ingredient costs, an evolving economic landscape, and the mandated tip credit on top of a high minimum wage. Despite these challenges, chef Jeff Osaka remains immensely proud of the culinary community he has built and the memories shared with loyal customers and members of the food scene."

Fans are encouraged to stop in to slurp one last bowl.

Osaka Ramen is located at 2611 Walnut Street and will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through February 23. For more information, visit osakaramendenver.com.