Downtown St. Pete’s first ramen restaurant, Buya Ramen, will close its doors this Sunday in the EDGE District | Buya Ramen

After nearly a decade of dishing up ramen and Japanese-inspired dishes in the EDGE District, Buya Ramen will close its doors for good this weekend.

The izakaya-style eatery, located at 911 Central Avenue, will serve its final bowls of ramen this Sunday after the restaurant and its landlord could not come to terms on a lease renewal.

Buya Ramen first opened on August 10th, 2016, at a time when the EDGE District was just beginning to take shape.

Back then, Green Bench Brewing, Red Mesa Mercado, Hawkers, and Bodega were among the few neighborhood anchors. Today, the district is home to an array of popular destinations like Intermezzo, Grassroots, Bavaros, and Sweetgreen.

Buya was among the early pioneers that helped spark the area’s transformation.

The closure marks another recent change in the district, joining No Vacancy and Machine Shop Barber Company, which both closed last month, and The Wayward Goose, which closed in April.

The 104-seat restaurant introduced locals to ramen, gyoza, and an extensive Japanese whiskey collection, all within a modern-industrial space.

Its design included salvaged American elm community tables, a 32-foot concrete bar, and an eye-catching mural by local artist Michael Vahl featuring a longhorn bull and a Japanese bantam rooster.

Menu favorites like the Crispy Duck Ramen, Mushroom Ramen, Tuna Crispy Rice, Volcano Shrimp, and Crispy Karaage Rice Bowl became popular among regulars.

Beyond food, Buya cultivated one of the largest Japanese whiskey collections in the region.

Although the EDGE District location is closing, Buya may not be gone for good. Owner Michael Sponaugle is exploring opportunities to reopen elsewhere in downtown St. Pete.

Until then, diners have just a few days left to enjoy one last meal.

Buya is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday until 9 or 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Locals are encouraged to stop by this week to give Buya Ramen a proper sendoff.