Midtown Sacramento ramen house closes permanently, citing ‘extenuating circumstances’

Ramen House Raijin drew its name and ethos from the Shinto god of thunder and lightning. But 2020 was just too strong a storm.

The Japanese restaurant in midtown Sacramento has closed permanently after five years, according to a typed letter on its door Monday.

“Dear valued customers, it is with sincere regret that we inform you, due to extenuating circumstances, we have decided to close Ramen House Raijin,” the note read. “It has been a great pleasure serving you for the past few years.”

Sacramento restaurateur Sai Wong closed Izakaya Daikoku and opened Raijin at 1901 S St. in 2015. It sat across 19th Street from sister restaurant Ryujin Ramen House, which will remain open, according to the letter.

Ryujin’s glass walls and outdoor patio offer natural light and a view of the neighboring shopping center’s parking lot. Raijin’s interior was darker and full of spicier soups.

Indoor dining restrictions tied to the coronavirus pandemic likely hurt business, and an unusually warm October might have contributed as well, thought Raijin cooks churned out Japanese dishes such as karaage, donburi and okonomiyaki in addition to ramen.

This story was originally published November 2, 2020 at 4:23 PM.