East Village restaurant Cho-Ko comes back into view on 1st Avenue

After nearly three months, workers have removed most of the plywood from outside 59 First Ave., just south of Fourth Street. (We wrote about it on Aug. 16.)

The plywood completely obscured the two storefronts here... Giggles Convenience, an unlicensed cannabis shop, which was already closed.... and the very-much-open Cho-Ko, a homey Japanese restaurant serving a variety of ramen and gyoza. 

Several people we spoke with figured the place was closed... would-be diners had to navigate a plywood tunnel to enter during the sidewalk repair work.

You can find the Cho-Ko website here. They offer delivery via the usual platforms. Phone: (212) 388-0885.

Their listed hours are noon to 2 a.m. daily, with an 11 p.m. Sunday close. 

Despite being surrounded by plywood, this East Village Japanese restaurant is very much open

Photos by Stacie Joy 

For the past six weeks, a section of sidewalk and two storefronts have been behind plywood on First Avenue just south of Fourth Street.

There are posted DOT notices, though it isn't immediately clear what workers are doing here.

And a plywood tunnel leads into the residential entrance at 59 First Ave.

At first glance, you'd assume the two businesses at the address are shuttered. Well, Giggles Convenience, an unlicensed cannabis shop, is closed — complete with NYPD stickers on the rolldown gate. 

However, Cho-Ko, a homey Japanese restaurant serving a variety of ramen and gyoza, is very much open... and they could use some business while obscured behind the sheets of plywood...

The employee on duty was grateful that we stopped by and expressed frustration over the construction out front that they have no control over ...

You can find the Cho-Ko website here. They offer delivery via the usual platforms. Phone: (212) 388-0885.

Their listed hours are noon to 2 a.m. daily, with an 11 p.m. Sunday close.