Noodles no More: 88 Lan Zhou Closes on October 31
Photo: Sara Graham
For Chinatown favorite, 88 Lan Zhou, the brief reprieve is up. Closure is happening at month’s end. Despite a recent surge in sales and support.
“With a heavy heart, we’re announcing that our final day of operations will be October 31,” the handwritten sign at 40 Bowery reads.
The closure was also announced on Instagram – “We tried everything we could to stay afloat, but in the end, it was just too difficult to just survive in these current conditions.”
Ownership blamed the coronavirus pandemic for destroying the hand-pulled noodle business, and originally announced an August end date. However, they worked with the landlord of 40 Bowery to remain for these intervening months. The local group Send Chinatown Love reported that the restaurant had been a one-woman operation of late, with an outstanding rent balance dating back to February.
Meanwhile, dumplings will be sold until the bitter end. So, it’s probably wise to start stockpiling. Winter is coming.
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