The Ramen Empire
Updated: May 10, 2009
Not to be confused with the ubiquitous meal of undergrads and bachelors, authentic Japanese ramen is made with hand-crafted noodles and rich, flavorful broths, which are topped with fresh veggies and savory proteins. The result is a dish that's cheap, filling, delicious and loved by foodies and novices alike--so it's not surprising that ramen restaurants are popping up all over New York. But not all ramen is created equal; get the scoop on six of our favorite spots.
(Photo: Momofuku noodles by Noah Kalina)
Use Your Noodle
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Ippudo
Read Reviews65 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)
Ambience is usually an afterthought at noodle bars, but this East Village resto's beautiful, sprawling dinning room is tastefully adorned with cherry blossoms and giant calligraphy murals. Not to be outdone by the aesthetics, the al dente noodles and shiomaru broth are marvels of texture and flavor. From soup to nuts, this restaurant is outstanding.
Menchanko 55
Read Reviews43-45 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019 (map)
Japanese businessmen, expats and in-the-know foodies flock to this midtown eatery looking to indulge in the house specialty (and namesake dish), Menchanko: thick ramen noodles made with chicken, seafood, tofu and vegetables, cooked in individual cast-iron bowls. An additional tapas-style menu of small plates (grilled beef strips, sashimi and fried chicken) are available, but be sure to leave room to enjoy every last slurp of your noodles.
Minca
Read Reviews536 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009 (map)
This noodle joint's authenticity is undeniable: Like most of the original traditional ramen spots in Japan, Minca is tiny, sparsely decorated and the menu is almost exclusively comprised of ramen. Diners construct their own noodle dishes by selecting from four different broths (basic, wahoo, minca or shoyu) and three different toppings (pork, veggie and experimental). It's a true escape to Tokyo in the heart of Alphabet City.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
Read Reviews171 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)
Like most of the trendy places in New York, if you want in, there's a good chance you'll have to wait in line. David Chang's East Village tour de force is packed every night and does not accept reservations. The top ramen here combines succulent Berkshire pork with locally sourced greenmarket veggies. Sure, it may be difficult to differentiate the hipster waiters from the hip clientele and getting a table might be difficult, but Momofuku's noodles live up to the hype and then some.
Rairaiken Inc
Read Reviews214 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003 (map)
This tiny East Village noodle bar has all the charm and breathing room of a 19th century dining car on the Nippon Railroad. But one bite of the shoyu, shio and miso ramen is proof that size doesn't matter--at least not when it comes to noodle houses. In addition to the usual choices, Rai Rai Ken offers refreshing chilled noodle dishes that make a perfect warm-weather snack.
Ramen Setagaya
Read Reviews34-A St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10003 (map)
Flat-screen TVs on the wall display the painstaking process Ramen Setagaya undertakes to create its exceptional noodles, captivating hungry patrons as they await their food. The standout signature broth is complex: the addition of shellfish and anchovy lend an amazing seafood flavor. The space is loud and cramped, elbow room is minimal and service is almost non-existent, but the no-frills atmosphere reinforces the fact that the only concern is a delicious bowl of ramen.
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