08/04/09

Decent neighborhood place

by LProyect

I live 2 blocks from Ramen Naruto. I wouldn't take the subway to eat there, but if you are in the neighborhood, it is a good deal.

• Pros: Nice food

08/25/08

Not clean.. won't return

by DumpyBumpy

Saw a "big insect" (I am not allowed to use that word here) on the wall near the ramen stove. I informed the waiters. They found the insect and "removed" it on the spot. But they did not even bother saying sorry for offering anything in exchange for me (I was on the phone at that time though). Well, what could they do? I am not complaining about the service. But the place is really not that clean. I've been there twice, but I will not return.

• Pros: location
• Cons: not clean

08/05/08

This IS like out of the package, you can make this at home if you go to a japanese market.

by foodID27

I thought that this ramen shop had "OUT OF THE PACKAGE" quality ramen.

Not the cheap dry ramen package, but the slightly more expensive ones you can only get at japanese grocerey stores like the Sunrise Market (near astor place)

The broth was only okay, nothing you can't make from a high quality store-bought ramen.

ALSO, the day that I went, they RAN OUT OF MEAT, and didn't tell me first before i ordered. So i got my ramen, and I was stupid enough to just eat it because i was too hungry to leave.

It's like ordering a ham sandwhich and not getting any ham!!!

if you want GOOD RAMEN, go to "Isekaya RIki" on east 45th, or for really normal but good street ramen, "Go Restaurant" on St. Mark's place is good. "Minca" ramen on east 5th between A and B is also good (but very heavy on the pork fat). Probably the best tasting ramen in the city is from "Rockmeisha," in the west village, but it's small and rather expensive.

• Pros: none
• Cons: average quality packaged ramen, very far uptown, poor service, no meat when i went

05/15/08

Good food Good prices

by nycmhtn

The place is small and narrow but if you want a quick fix of ramen noodle soup I would definitely recommend Naruto Ramen. The noodle is cooked just right, not too soft and not too hard, with a chewy smooth texture. The taste is nowhere near to the store brought dehydrated noodles. Also, I had the chicken katsu curry a few times and it was very good, also big portions. Only negative thing I have to say about it is that inorder to go to the restroom you have to walk thru the kitchen. But so far, from what I've seen, the workers wear gloves when preparing food so that's a huge plus in my book.

• Pros: Good food for a reasonable price
• Cons: bad restroom location

05/06/08

Authentic Japanese Noodle Place

by theodorataylor

I disagree with the previous review. The noodle in this place is DIFFERENT from the $3 pack you get from a grocery store. The noodles are fresh and chewy, and the soup is not made of some artificial ingredient that you don't want to know what it is. Because of the open kitchen, I can see that they kept a large container of soup that is made of fresh ingredient. If you have ever been to Japan, you can tell this place is authentic. If you're just looking for some Americanized Asian food, then you're better off going somewhere else. I think the good is great for its value and they open late (until 11pm everyday).

01/05/08

so so ramen makes a great filler if you are hungry

by webadala

Visited this place based on citysearch review of 4.5 stars.... very disappointed. One liner description of the food and place: Japanese takeout ramen. Everything seems canned. There is nothing special about the soup, noodle or any of its condiments, hence I dubbed it the chinese takeout of japanese ramen.

its not horrible ramen but there are better choices in the city such as minca, rai rai ken, or the new place on 1st ave, near 9th street (forgot the name) but if you live int he neighborhood and are in crave for ramen, this could do the trick... or you can buy $3 fresh ramen package at japanese supermarket and make it at home, tastes pretty much the same.

• Pros: fast and quick if you are hungry for a bowl of noodles
• Cons: avg. food, not cheap for its quailty.

01/02/08

Upper East Side noodle shop has the remedy for a night of drinking--or the fuel for the next one.

by Justin Hartung

The Scene
This Upper East Side ramen shop is so tiny, it's easy to walk right past it. Counter seating is the only option for slurping, but the plus side is that every seat has a close-up view of the chefs at work over steaming vats of soup. Their bright yellow T-shirts pop out against the red walls and cloth panels hanging above the counter, and their demeanor is equal parts accommodating and down-to-business.

The Food
The house ramen brims with narutomaki, a processed fish loaf that, when sliced, presents a pink and white swirled design worthy of a Dr. Seuss book. Its mild flavor is abetted by roast pork, bamboo shoots, egg, scallion, seaweed and noodles, all of which combine in the hearty soy-based broth for the perfect homey hangover food. Miso- and curry-flavored broths are also available, and non-soup options include heaping plates of juicy teriyaki, addictive boneless fried chicken and delicate pork-stuffed gyoza.

Hits: Unlike many noodle shops, menu options other than the star attraction are no mere afterthought.

Misses: Even though prices are low, the cash-only policy means you'll need to plan ahead for an ATM stop.