The number of Lexington Japanese restaurants associated with a prolific local family has dropped by one.

Ichiban Japanese Express, which replaced Taipo Ramen House in the Topspin Plaza shopping center at 5431 Sunset Blvd. following a rebrand back in May, closed permanently Oct. 29, according to a sign posted to the door. As of Nov. 6, the sign for the restaurant was removed from the marquee above its now former location.

“Thank you very much for your visit and love of Ichiban Japanese Express over the past many months and thank you for giving us this opportunity to serve you,” the sign reads. “During this time, we gained a lot of advice, which is very important to us.”

Ichiban — which took the place of Taipo, which briefly became the second ramen restaurant in Lexington when it opened in February — was a sister establishment to the town’s remaining spot specializing in the traditional Japanese noodle soup, Hokkaido Ramen House (which opened in August 2022), along with stalwart local favorite Ganbei.

The closed express restaurant served sushi rolls, hibachi-style steak, chicken and seafood entrees, yakisoba (a Japanese fried noodle dish), fruit teas, boba, Japanese soda and more.

The note doesn’t cisclose any specific reasons for Ichiban’s closure.

“Thank you for your understanding!” the note closes. “Thanks again!”