Chef Josh Reisner, who first hit TV screens as a kid on MasterChef Junior and now cooks in the West Village, is gearing up to open Kuro Neko, a chef-driven ramen shop in the East Village. The restaurant is planned for 218 E. 10th St., between First and Second Avenues, with a tentative opening set for June.
What to expect at Kuro Neko
Reisner says the menu will lean into contemporary takes on ramen built around fresh-made noodles, with a small-plates lineup that includes crudos, ceviches and classic dim sum, plus a bar program focused on small-label wines and sustainably sourced spirits, according to What Now New York. The name Kuro Neko, which means “black cat” in Japanese, is intended as an homage to people Reisner has lost, the outlet reports.
His culinary backstory includes a childhood appearance on MasterChef Junior, with season credits listed on IMDb, and early kitchen work that a profile at Fatherly says included time at Momofuku.
CB3 hearing and stipulations
Manhattan Community Board 3 reviewed a State Liquor Authority application for the space and ultimately recommended denying a full on-premises liquor license unless the applicant agrees to a set of signed stipulations covering hours, noise and operations, according to the board's April vote sheet. Manhattan Community Board 3 asked that the business operate as a Japanese restaurant with narrowed evening hours, avoid outdoor commercial seating, keep the façade closed at night and provide a resident complaint phone line as conditions for approval.
The filing lists Sous Vide Panda LLC as the applicant, with principal Serena Reisner, and describes a capacity of roughly 74 people with counter seating and a private dining area.
Neighbors and the space’s past
Local coverage of the CB3 agenda highlighted how closely neighbors are tracking the project. EV Grieve reported that 164 nearby residents signed a petition in support of the proposal and noted that the storefront previously housed Rai Rai Ken, which closed in December 2024 after a long run. The site also pointed to the application questionnaire and community meeting materials filed with the liquor license request.
Where Kuro Neko fits the neighborhood
Kuro Neko is set to enter an already packed New York City ramen landscape that features established Manhattan destinations and plenty of late-night noodle options across the boroughs, according to the local ramen guide Ramen NYC.
Reisner has said that his recent stint as executive chef at Do Not Disturb in the West Village helped push him toward opening his own place and shaped both the timing and the concept. He told What Now New York that the West Village operation did roughly $1.5 million in food sales last year.
Before Kuro Neko can debut, Reisner and his team still need to finalize stipulations with CB3 and complete the SLA process. Neighbors and ramen fans will be watching that June target closely as the license review and buildout move ahead.
