Momofuku Noodle Bar

(212) 777-7773

171 1st Ave (10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 40.7299 -73.9842

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Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

momofuku.com

Hours:

Mon-Thu 12pm-4:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm

Fri 12pm-4:30pm, 5:30pm-2am

Sat 12pm-4pm, 5:30pm-2am

Sun 12pm-4pm, 5:30pm-11pm

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.05.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Asian, Noodle Shop

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Momofuku Noodle Bar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Though this hectic noodle nook has moved down the block, the airy space retains the unified light-wood walls and counter seating of the old location, and a larger capacity helps ease waits for a table. Chef David Chang strikes some of his most vibrant notes in the openers, such as pork buns whose sweet dough plays off the flavor of the tender, luxuriantly fatty meat. Tart accents add snap to fresh oysters with pickled lemon, and smokiness has its day in the fantastic, Southern-tinged dish of full-bloomed shrimp, creamy grits and bacon. By comparison, the enormous ramen bowls taste subdued but…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Among the small selection of sakes, Masumi is an exceptional, dry but rounded variety that can be ordered by the glass ($11).
Local Favorite:
No reservations are taken and the space fills up early, so you may need a drink around the corner at Company.
Know Before You Go:
There's only one nonmeat noodle dish--so this isn't the place for your veggie date.
The Extras:
Visit Chang's spin-off, the more experimental Ssam Bar.
ambiance
62.5% positive
  1. “would say it's best for a small group of people who really, really like pork and don't mind waiting to be seated or being in a very loud atmosphere.”
  2. “However, if all you care about is modern decor, you may enjoy this place.”
  3. “Poor food, good location”
  4. “The service was adequate and the decor was pleasing.”
  5. “love the decoration in this tiny place.”
  6. “The stools for chairs were not exactly comfortable because they did not have any backs to them.”
  7. “boring cafeteria atmosphere expensive raman.”
  8. “ambiance was poor, lighting was terrible.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The rice cake was great.”
  2. “Don't forget to leave room for the delicious soft serve ice cream.”
  3. “also recommend the grape ice cream.”
  4. “The ice cream was tasty, but again the gimmicky presentation in a Keebler cone with Stars and Stripes paper cone holder was slightly annoying.”
drinks
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Usually I don't like to seat at the bar because the high chairs are quite uncomfortable and the footrests are either too high to too low for me.”
  2. “Mind you, i have a steady job, and like nice dinners, but I can go drop 150 bucks on dinner and still be able to buy a 6 dollar beer.”
  3. “Went late night, still massively crowded, so it's a good noodle bar to eat at after some bar hopping.”
food quality
85.95999717712402% positive
  1. “We tried the Momofuku ramen ($16) and spicy cold noodle ($12).”
  2. “The fat and sauce on the oh-so-tender pork was perfect.”
  3. “The noodles are delicious, and any appetizer is to die for.”
  4. “While this restaurant is indisputably hip, I think that food-lovers and ramen-connoisseurs will be highly disappointed in this place.”
  5. “We will not return because the dining experience was disappointing and the food was unsatisfactory.”
  6. “The pork buns are delicious but very expensive.”
  7. “nice food”
  8. “highly recommend the chicken and pork buns as well as the chicken or pork ramen.”
  9. “Don't forget to leave room for the delicious soft serve ice cream.”
  10. “The menu (aside from the chicken) sounded good.”
  11. “The food is great, no doubt about it.”
  12. “went with friends who live next door and they knew what to order, and to be honest some dishes are drop dead stunning.”
  13. “Okay okay, its wonderfully seasoned, well accompanied ramen with fresh ingredients for garnishes, but ramen nonetheless.”
  14. “began with the mushroom buns and the pickles - buns weren't bad, but the pickles just paled in comparison to REAL Japanese pickles, and the presentation in the pickle jar was just gimmicky.”
  15. “Wonderful food and wonderful prices!”
  16. “Although the food is good, not the best.”
  17. “great indication of the authenticity of the food one would expect.”
  18. “Certainly, the bibimbop-like sauce used was very flavorful.”
  19. “The Swiss chard and bacon salad was also good but it's just sauteed chard with bacon, nothing creative there.”
  20. “For those that never been, I think you would still like the food but for those that know what it use to be like nd what it has the potential to be again.”
  21. “If you really want a delicious bowl of ramen, this WILL disappoint you.”
  22. “Because they make great pork buns, Chang and co. think they rule New York, but there are plenty of better restaurants and now a few blocks away on 4th ave, even better ramen.”
  23. “would say it's best for a small group of people who really, really like pork and don't mind waiting to be seated or being in a very loud atmosphere.”
  24. “The rice cake was great.”
  25. “the pork bun was ok but i would like my pork fat crispy not soft and mushy.”
  26. “The pork buns were tasty.”
  27. “the food is good but not worth the unflated prices, rude service, long waits, and overcrowded.”
  28. “Poor food, good location”
  29. “love noodles and I think their other stuff are much better.”
  30. “The spicy cold noodle was too spicy to be flavorful.”
  31. “The food has become either blander or too overpowering - beef tongue replacing a wonderful kimchi stew; the grits, a great dish has been recently taken over by spice; the foie gras and scrambled eggs is disgusting - and to top it off, the price of ramen h”
  32. “The Momofuku ramen with the unbelievably soft poached egg is the best and most ordered item on the menu along with the incredibly delicious pork buns.”
  33. “The pork bun was nice and juicy, regrettably I did not get chicken, which is stuffed with more meat.”
  34. “Anyhow, the chicken was good, but I'm not raving about it like some people.”
  35. “Ok, fine the pork buns are delicious, and the noodles are decent but nothing is worth enduring the incredibly rude and hostile treatment you get from the staff.”
  36. “Noodle is delicious esp.”
  37. “The miso ramen has an authentic Tokyo smell and taste.”
  38. “The ice cream was tasty, but again the gimmicky presentation in a Keebler cone with Stars and Stripes paper cone holder was slightly annoying.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The menu (aside from the chicken) sounded good.”
  2. “The Momofuku ramen with the unbelievably soft poached egg is the best and most ordered item on the menu along with the incredibly delicious pork buns.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “He is, no doubt, one of the great rising chefs of our generation, but for me, value is paramount in how I judge a restaurant.”
  2. “If you want a great bowl of ramen, I recommend you go to a place that cares about quality more than a place like this.”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “We will not return because the dining experience was disappointing and the food was unsatisfactory.”
service
52.5% positive
  1. “Because my friend did not order an entree and I did, the waitress was very considerate and asked if she should bring extra bowls and plates so that we could share.”
  2. “They seem to take their good reviews for granted as an excuse for bad service and raising prices.”
  3. “the food is good but not worth the unflated prices, rude service, long waits, and overcrowded.”
  4. “The prices are good ($9 for a huge bowl of ramen) and the staff is so nice.”
  5. “Terrible service”
  6. “called momofuku just now to tell the manager about the hostess and asked for the name of the hostess who was working and she pretended not to know her own name even though i recognized it was the same rude hostess.”
  7. “The server was very attentive.”
  8. “Our server and the hostess were both very nice.”
  9. “there are SO many other nyc joints that are so much tastier and have good service.”
  10. “Our waitress was very polite and very in control of the busy environment.”
  11. “The staff was pretentious and unsympathetic when I told them I wasn't happy with my entree, and my waitress made me feel as if I were wrong for having high expectations.”
  12. “Unless you know the manager don't expect good service here.”
  13. “Many reviews have knocked the service at Noodle Bar but I have never had a bad experience personally.”
  14. “would say it's best for a small group of people who really, really like pork and don't mind waiting to be seated or being in a very loud atmosphere.”
  15. “Anyhow, the chicken was good, but I'm not raving about it like some people.”
  16. “Most people would find this scene appalling.”
  17. “The Pork Buns were good - though not as amazing as people have raved, but everything else was terrible.”
  18. “you can't enjoy your dining experience if it starts off with a rude hostess and when you have to get up from your seat 5 times to let the servers to the other tables.”
  19. “The service was adequate and the decor was pleasing.”
  20. “Ok, fine the pork buns are delicious, and the noodles are decent but nothing is worth enduring the incredibly rude and hostile treatment you get from the staff.”
value
60.60999870300293% positive
  1. “Mind you, i have a steady job, and like nice dinners, but I can go drop 150 bucks on dinner and still be able to buy a 6 dollar beer.”
  2. “He is, no doubt, one of the great rising chefs of our generation, but for me, value is paramount in how I judge a restaurant.”
  3. “Ok, fine the pork buns are delicious, and the noodles are decent but nothing is worth enduring the incredibly rude and hostile treatment you get from the staff.”
  4. “The food has become either blander or too overpowering - beef tongue replacing a wonderful kimchi stew; the grits, a great dish has been recently taken over by spice; the foie gras and scrambled eggs is disgusting - and to top it off, the price of ramen h”
  5. “The prices are good ($9 for a huge bowl of ramen) and the staff is so nice.”
  6. “the food is good but not worth the unflated prices, rude service, long waits, and overcrowded.”
  7. “boring cafeteria atmosphere expensive raman.”
  8. “The pork buns are delicious but very expensive.”
  9. “Not to compare the two cities, but Momofuku ramen is overpriced and simply not as good.”
  10. “Wonderful food and wonderful prices!”
  11. “They seem to take their good reviews for granted as an excuse for bad service and raising prices.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “the food is good but not worth the unflated prices, rude service, long waits, and overcrowded.”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/06/10

Overrated

by ajk1 at Citysearch

The chef's sister is actually one of my friends, and having lived two blocks away, I decided to finally try this place. Obviously there's been a lot of hype, so I was excited. Was I disappointed! The Pork Buns were good - though not as amazing as people have raved, but everything else was terrible. It was a party of 8, and I got the kimchi bowl (don't remeber the actual name, but it has kimchi and pork) and the rest of my friends got different ramens. All the dishes were SUPER salty, to the point that I literally had a couple bites and had to stop eating. Worse is that it was overpriced (I heard it was cheaper, but all the hype drove up the prices). I would not go back here again; it's just not worth it when there are so many other cheaper, yummier ramen places within a couple block radius.

  • Pros: Pork Bun
  • Cons: All other foods, price
2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/07/10

pork buns excellent, ramen only so so

by TardyKat at Citysearch

After nearly a half hour wait, our party of three were finally seated in a communal tables. The stools for chairs were not exactly comfortable because they did not have any backs to them. If you've got a big coat, be prepare to put them on your lap, on the floor or sit on top of it. Ladies, the same goes for your handbag. Maybe it was a Friday night, so it was very crowded and the music level was such that you kind of had to shout to talk to your dining companions.

The pork buns were tasty. They weren't buns in the traditional sense--more like a piece of rice flour dough folded over like a clam shell. They're also known as Taiwanese burgers, as I've seen on one menu elsewhere. The fat and sauce on the oh-so-tender pork was perfect. Was it worth $9 for 2 small buns? Yes, if you don't mind the hefty price.

The chicken wings at $12 was not worth it, in my opinion. You can get better wings elsewhere. Portion size, however, was decent as far as an appetizer goes.

The rice cake was great. I'm used to the goopy mess from korean restaurants so having a crisp edge to the individual cakes were a nice surprise. Certainly, the bibimbop-like sauce used was very flavorful. For $10, I think this was the best choice as an appetizer in terms of cost versus portion size.

We tried the Momofuku ramen ($16) and spicy cold noodle ($12). The ramen was nothing to write home about. I think Ramen Setagaya served a better bowl two blocks away and at nearly half the price. I've also had better at the ramen stall in Queens Crossing, Flushing. The spicy cold noodle was too spicy to be flavorful. My lips burned too much for me to be able to taste anything else.

  • Pros: pork buns, rice cakes
  • Cons: long wait time, stools for chairs, pricey
3 Star Rating: Average

02/13/10

It was alright, not as good as they say

by peanutmoore at Citysearch

I went with a reservation for the chicken dinner with a group of 6...it's the only way to get a reservation, apparently, getting that chicken. It was packed...I'd never wait like the swarm of people at the door were waiting. Anyhow, the chicken was good, but I'm not raving about it like some people. I wouldn't rush back for it, but it was good. Not the most comfortable place I've ever been to, that is for sure. That all said, it's a place you could try. The menu (aside from the chicken) sounded good. cool music playing.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/25/09

Good bun

by nyteout at Citysearch

I love the decoration in this tiny place. Usually I don't like to seat at the bar because the high chairs are quite uncomfortable and the footrests are either too high to too low for me. The place gave a neat, clean, modern, organic feel. The footrest at the bar chair was slope outward. I sat quite comfortably.

My friend and I visited the shop last Tuesday during lunch time. We ordered the Momofuku noodle. It was OK. There are more tasty ones in Chinatown. However, we were quite sure that there was no MSG in the soup. That was a plus. We also had the chicken bun. We are not bun lovers. However, the bun was so soft and fluffy that we could just had the bun by itself.

  • Pros: nice deco
  • Cons: waiting can take a while during lunch time
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/28/09

It is worth trying it (a must, really)

by jay2002 at Citysearch

I only looked at the first 3 reviews, but clearly this place is controversial. the place looks like a casual/trendy eatery, but the dishes are all original, mostly with some part of a pig in them. I went with friends who live next door and they knew what to order, and to be honest some dishes are drop dead stunning. I personally won't go often but its really an experience to go there at least once

  • Pros: Some dishes are amazing
  • Cons: Your arteries harden in front of you

The Details on Momofuku Noodle Bar

Place Categories:

  • delicious pork buns
  • cold noodles
  • best momofuku ramen
  • good food
  • delicious esp
  • rude hostess
  • not enjoy dining experience
  • unsympathetic staff
  • fantastic place
  • delicious bowl
  • wonderful prices
  • very nice server
  • overrated
  • worst restaurant
  • worst letdown
  • hostile treatment
  • like pork fat
  • very flavorful bibimboplike sauce
  • recommend grape ice cream
  • dead stunning drop
  • decent portion
  • great rising chefs
  • rude service
  • very polite waitress
  • decent portion size