Momo Ramen & Poke Lands in the Riverbend Next Month

Momo Ramen & Poke, a new restaurant bravely combining some of the nation’s trendiest foods, will hop into the spot that was formerly and briefly Batture in the Riverbend. Owner Tony Zheng, who previously operated Sake Cafe locations in Metairie and Uptown, plans to open Momo Ramen & Poke next month, according to a report by Helen Freund.

O’Henry’s, which occupied the space for decades before it became Batture, closed both of its locations in mid-December 2016. Henry Rosenblat, who opened the first O’Henry’s in 1982, sold it in 2008.

No official word yet on the reason for Batture’s closure, though NOLA.COM reports that owner and chef Willie Haddad denied it was closing just a few days before an eviction notice was posted on the door. Eater NOLA has reached out for comment.

Though New Orleans was slow to join the nation’s ramen craze, Momo Ramen & Poke will already be the second ramen house to open in New Orleans this year. Ramen Ya’ll, the popular, “new-school” ramen noodle pop-up that has been moonlighting at the Freret Beer Room and Barrel Proof, will move into permanent digs inside soon-to-open bar CBD Social on January 18. Last year saw the addition of Nomiya to the dining scene. Kin, another restaurant dedicated to ramen, has been delighting New Orleanians for a few years now.

Likewise, poke fever hit New Orleans last year with the addition of several locations of New Orleans poke mini-chain Poke Loa, plus Poke-Chan sliding onto St. Claude Avenue at the tail end of the year.

MORE READING

Batture on S. Carrollton Ave. Closes; New Poke and Ramen Joint Coming to Riverbend [GAMBIT]

Momo Ramen & Poke Will Replace Shuttered Batture Restaurant on Carrollton Avenue [NOLA.COM]

Batture Restaurant Replaces O’Henry’s on Carrollton Ave Next Week [E]

Where to Slurp Ramen in New Orleans [E]

Ramen Y’all Pop-Up Finds a Permanent Home [E]