Tampa’s Ichicoro Ramen, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, is closed

Eight years after changing the Seminole Heights dining scene, Tampa’s Ichicoro Ramen has closed, according to a now-former employee.

Lex Rosario—who worked front of house at Ichicoro when they first started in November 2021 before moving to back of house—told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay they were at their other job on Friday, March 31 when they got word of the closure from co-workers.

Rosario contacted a kitchen manager to confirm the closure, and he only replied with a crying emoji.

Ichicoro’s Google listing  now says “Permanently Closed,” and a sign on the front of the building says “Ichicoro Ramen will be closed today. Thank you so much for you understanding, and we apologize for any inconvenience.”

The sign has remained on its door for over two weeks.

As he and other workers loaded a van outside the week after the closure, Ichicoro owner Noel Cruz told CL that his other concept, Korean fried chicken joint Gangchu is still open.

Contacted again by CL, Cruz would not comment on the status of his other ventures, like Corners Pizza, which has been listed as “coming soon” on Water Street Tampa’s website since its opening announcement over two years ago.

Records at the City of Tampa show that an “Ichicoro 2.0” was underway across the street at 5246 N Florida Ave, but the last update for that concept happened in December 2022. It’s unclear what is happening with that property.

Without a doubt, Ichicoro ushered in a new era for Tampa’s dining scene. While other local ramen spots existed and still do, none were as hip as Ichicoro, which put a Tampeño spin on golden strands of Sun Noodles made in New York, included citrus in its rich broths, and presented curated cocktails in a fast-paced modern dining room.

Last summer, Ichicoro was one of just three Tampa restaurants to earn a Bib Gourmand when the Michelin Guide made its first foray into Florida.

Multiple calls to Cruz have not yet been returned. 

This article appears in Apr 13-19, 2023.