Rairaiken Inc

(212) 477-7030

214 E 10th St
New York, NY 10003 40.7293 -73.9861

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Price:

$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Catering Services:

Restaurant Management

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Late Night Dining, Food Delivery

Cuisine:

Japanese

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Rairaiken Inc

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

This micro-spot in the East Village reclaims ramen from dorm rooms everywhere and puts the noodles back where they belong: in huge bowls of earthy broth. The chefs move in a coordinated two-step in the galley-style kitchen, focusing intently on the bubbling vats and country music on the stereo. They won't tolerate any shenanigans from the diners at the fourteen stools facing their workspace, even as dawn approaches. Order one of the noodle soups, such as the soy-sauce based shoyu ramen, the soy bean-based miso ramen, or the seafood shio ramen, and do a little dance of your own.

Editor's Tips

Look Good:
Leave the prom dresses, puffy coats, and bulky bags at home. You have to hang your stuff in the tiny aisle behind you and keep your purse between your knees while you eat at the counter.
The Extras:
The kitchen stays open late every night except Sunday, perfect for a hearty nightcap.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “love this place, it's cozy, friendly, and it has a true japanese feel, the kind of place you would see on a side street in japan.”
  2. “The space is pretty cozy and suggests a no-nonsense noodle shop.”
  3. “It is a small place so it can be hard to get a seat, but it has a nice atmosphere so it's worth the wait.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Order a ramen, the gyoza and a beer and you are set for a good, fast and economical meal.”
  2. “Dumplings, Noodle soups, small entrees make up the food, while it has beer, and a cool Blade Runner-like feel to it, that make it a neighborhood favorite.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The noodles are good, the broth better and there is even a dish for vegetarians (miso chicken, sans chicken), whereas most noodle shops will only have pork or seafood based soup.”
  2. “The noodles were good, the broth not so special.”
  3. “nice little restaurant with tasty noodles and great kimchi.”
  4. “Order a ramen, the gyoza and a beer and you are set for a good, fast and economical meal.”
  5. “The food is delicious and cheap.”
  6. “the soup is delish, the noodles a perfect al dente.”
  7. “Low maintenance, low-fi, low key attitude of RaiRaiKen makes it a great place, the best noodles in town makes it a great noodle shop.”
  8. “This is definitely the best and most authentic ramen shop in NYC.”
  9. “The noodles are amazing, very eggy indeed!”
  10. “The shio ramen was a delicious, pale broth.”
  11. “Rarely a line to get in, great spot to pop in and have get some yummy noodles”
  12. “The noodles are tasty, the service is fast, and it's very cheap.”
  13. “RaiRaiKen consistantly delivers delicious ramen soups, that are created right before your eyes.”
  14. “Very good, very fresh authentic ramen.”
  15. “10, so far; the best japanese food I had in NYC!”
  16. “Dumplings, Noodle soups, small entrees make up the food, while it has beer, and a cool Blade Runner-like feel to it, that make it a neighborhood favorite.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “nice little restaurant with tasty noodles and great kimchi.”
  2. “great place to go to grab dinner and spend about twenty minutes.”
  3. “Low maintenance, low-fi, low key attitude of RaiRaiKen makes it a great place, the best noodles in town makes it a great noodle shop.”
service
75.0% positive
  1. “love this place, it's cozy, friendly, and it has a true japanese feel, the kind of place you would see on a side street in japan.”
  2. “The wait can be annoying and the counter-style seating makes it not such a great choice for more than a few people.”
  3. “The staff is incredibly friendly and they make a mean broth.”
  4. “The noodles are tasty, the service is fast, and it's very cheap.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “It is a small place so it can be hard to get a seat, but it has a nice atmosphere so it's worth the wait.”
  2. “Location is decent and is worth the short walk from wherever you are.”
  3. “The food is delicious and cheap.”
  4. “The noodles are tasty, the service is fast, and it's very cheap.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “great place to go to grab dinner and spend about twenty minutes.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/01/10

Cute Little Ramen Place

by BusyLittleBee

The ramen were delicious, service and prices were good. (I'm craving for some now.) I have tried the Shio Ramen, Curry Ramen and their summer special Hiyashi Chu-Ka. They were all yummy but my favorite is the Curry Ramen. The Hiyashi Chu-Ka was light and refreshing, great for the summer heat.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/03/08

Great ramen and value!

by rosebud158

It's a little tight but staying true to the noodle shops in Tokyo, it's fast, delicious and well priced. I recommend the miso ramen and the gyozas are a great starter. Rarely a line to get in, great spot to pop in and have get some yummy noodles

  • Pros: Well priced and always good
  • Cons: Slightly narrow
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/27/08

Best Miso Ramen

by Audela

I strongly recommend this place. It's kinda like a Japanese fast food since you eat fast and don't hang out there because there is always a line outside. The food is delicious and cheap.

Try the Miso Ramen with Butter an Corn!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/19/08

Nice Hideaway

by tantrum999

A nice little restaurant with tasty noodles and great kimchi. It is a small place so it can be hard to get a seat, but it has a nice atmosphere so it's worth the wait.

3 Star Rating: Average

12/18/07

I dont get the fuss

by akma7777

Im a true ramen fanatic, have eaten at all the ramen shops here and in Japan. Maybe it was all the reviews but I was very disapointed. The noodles were good, the broth not so special. We tried one of each, and none of them blew us away. They were about as good as all the other ramen shops and even Japanese places that dont specialize in ramen. Pork appetizer was good and you could tell the dumplings were frozen from looking at the edges and how they are brittle. Overall average, I would come in for a bowl if you find a seat right away and were passing by but if you have to wait go down the block and go to any other Japanese place for ramen.

  • Pros: fast service, reminds you of a Japanese noodle house
  • Cons: not as great as others proclaim, didnt meet expectations

The Details on Rairaiken Inc

Place Categories:

  • good noodles
  • great place
  • best chicken miso ramen
  • delicious japanese food
  • authentic ramen shop
  • fast meal
  • delicious soup
  • decent location
  • order gyoza
  • annoying wait
  • fast service
  • incredibly friendly staff
  • order beer
  • great spot
  • fantastic rai ken
  • delicious broth
  • pretty cozy space
  • nice atmosphere
  • friendly cozy
  • great auroma
  • nice little restaurant
  • cool blade runnerlike
  • very good authentic ramen
  • great job rairaiken
  • good pork appetizer
Advertisement

Featured In

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Curry Dream

66 W. 39th St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Libation

137 Ludlow St., New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

245 E 55th St, New York, NY

1 Star Rating: Poor

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

99 7th Avenue South, New York, NY

Advertisement