09/21/09

BAD SERVICE!....GOOD FOOD!

by laduvet

I really want to give this place a very low rating for its horrible service, but I am giving a 3/5 for the phenomenal ramen they have there! I am not a ramen expert, I don't really know "authentic" asian cuisine but this is by far the best ramen I've had. NO JOKE.

Now the downside---the waitresses reallllly need to learn to be more attentive. Stop taking away my food before I am done, I was working on my soup while conversing with my friend and the waitress took away my bowl without asking me if I was done. WHAT...the hell?

Other than that...great ramen, really.

• Pros: savory ramen, I drool everytime I think of it
• Cons: worst service ever

06/24/09

worst service in new york

by konstantino

i loved ippudo until last week. i went with three friends and when we placed our order the server told us that the refrigerator was broken and that they couldnt serve alcohol. We asked for wine and they said that it was not possible because they had lost their liquor license. While eating we saw other customers being served beer and sake. We asked three different servers and they just kept telling us that they could not serve us and no other explanation. We asked for the manager and he wouldnt come; the waiter said that he doesnt speak english. Finally the manager came (what a bozo by the way) and we were told that they could not serve us because the hostess thought that we were drunk! First, we were not drunk at all (not even tipsy) and second if they thought that we were drunk they should have said so instead of lying to us about broken refrigerators and lost liquor licences. We would have gone somewhere else to have dinner. They ruined our evening and went we got up to leave in the middle of dinner because of their insult, they didnt even bother to take out of the check the food that we had not touched because we were so upset. I have been in new york all my life and never saw such bad service or such a ... manager

• Cons: service, hostess, and manager

05/31/09

You got to be kidding

by nyeats09

What is the fuss about...really...not worth your hard earned money. Noodles and broth (too salty) are ehh.....and the amt of pork they give you is laughable. Berkshire pork....c'mon give me a break...more like Shmuckshire pork....cause that's what we are for paying $13-$15 for ramen noodles....i repeat this is noodles we're talking about...not foie gras or some delicacy....and $8 for pork buns...UNREAL. You can get the real deal pork buns for 70 cents a few train stops south and noodle soups with tons of more meat and veggies. This place is nothing more than a over-hyped noodle joint....and all you folks who write how great this place is....wake up and smell the coffee....suckers.

• Cons: Price, portions, and people

04/24/09

Over-rated and tastes just little above the average

by thegreatestates

It is so sickening to hear one waitress imitating little boy sound with annoying nasal sound.

Gyoza actually tasted better than average, but Ramens here are just above average and it is so over-rated to think of this restaurant as good. It is not worth the wait to get inside to eat ramen that is just so so.

I see many Chinese and Koreans wanting to eat the piece japanese food, but don't be mistaken. The food here is just average or little above average at best!!! It is not worth the wait on line. Go there on weekdays.

Interior design of this restaurant is awsome!!! as one thing I noticed.

• Pros: Gyoza tasted good.
• Cons: Over-rated and Annoying Waitress with nasal sound!

01/02/09

simple and delicious!!

by lissykins

the wait is long on a busy night, but its worth it!! just put your name down and grab a drink at the bar, or head over to st marks and hang out there until its time. we had the ramen, and 2 appetizers, allof which were delicious! the ramen is light and flavorful and the appetizers are portioned well. the price isn't bad either! i have found ramen heaven.

• Pros: great ramen, price, ambience
• Cons: long wait, don't take reservations

11/07/08

Yummy noodle soup standy for cold new york nights

by nycfoodieinmidtown

I've been here about five times in the last three months. The soup noodles (karakamen spicy with chicken to be specific) was fantastic and consistent every time. I eat out about three times a week in the city, and I find Ippudo to be a reliable, reasonably-priced, and always satisfying meal. Always fills me up, and I'm always drinking every last drop of the soup!

09/26/08

Beautiful, tasty, friendly and overpriced

by goldbug

The first thing that struck me abotu Ippudo was its wonderful decor. A lot of thought, work and a bit of whimsy went into putting this place together. Its staff is extremely courteous and friendly, adding to a wonderful atmosphere that is punctuated by the amazing smells from the kitchen.

As someone trying to watch his diet, there weren't a lot of options other than tofu and salad (with wonderfully done steamed chicken). Everything I had was beautifully prepared, plated and tasted great so the quality of the food is excellent.

My only quibble are the prices. $8 for essentially some field greens, a few slices of radish and a dash of other vegetables and dressing. If you want any additional bits (say chicken) it will cost you $3. That's quite a bit of nick and diming the customer. $12-16 for a bowl of broth and Ramen is also excessive when you can get a good bowl of Pho with double the amount of veggies, noodles and meat in Chinatown two train stops away. I left still hungry, as did one of my fellow diners (and she had the ramen).

In short: wonderful decor, beautiful and tasty food, amazing staff and service but very overpriced.

• Pros: Beautiful decor, tasty food, excellent service
• Cons: Overpriced and crowded

08/27/08

i don't care what the reviews say-this place is worth it

by sourcherriesmk

my boyfriend and i went as a double date with friends to ippudo. i dread waiting for more than 20 minutes anywhere. luckily it was a half hour wait and we were able to have drinks at the bar. they gave us a generously sized booth in this good-looking ramen restaurant. the ramen was silky and absolutely tasty. i don't eat meat, but everyone loved the pork buns. i wouldn't bother much with the appetizers. go straight to the noodles and enjoy! SO YUMMY!

• Pros: delicious ramen, good looking place
• Cons: long wait, crowded, can not take out

08/18/08

I'm in love

by nybapfood

I'm IN LOVE with Ippudo. So in love, that I literally crave the delicious soup and house-made noodles. I force one of my family members to come with me at least once a week, but I've maxxed out at 4 times a week. The Miso Ramen, my favorite and also one of the simpler broths is not sold during lunch time except on weekends. I believe this is because there is limited space to keep the broth (that takes a long time to make) that they often sell out of. Thus, they choose to make more of the Akamaru Modern and other more popular broths. If you head downstairs you can see them make the noodles as well--this attraction is on the way to the very cleverly decorated bathrooms. People who don't want to wait should simply get there earlier. It is delicious. If you get the pork belly with your noodles, make sure you get it on the side, or else it overcooks in the hot broth. Also, save some of that delicious broth for your second batch of noodles to be added in. I'd order it before you are entirely finished with your first. Even though they will try to dissuade you until you are done, your broth will get colder while waiting.

• Pros: delicious
• Cons: wait time, call ahead to ask them how long the wait is

Big in Japan, this soup noodle chain gives the East Village a reason to slurp.

by Kathleen Squires

This ramen spot doesn't just noodle around. There are other dishes on the menu, too, like grilled pork belly, shrimp tempura and a tofu salad. But the main attraction is the bowl of house-made noodles bathed in the restaurant's famous pork-infused broth, from the classic with pork slices, cabbage and scallions, to miso and soy-enhanced variations. The menu may be small but the space is vast and sleek, with shimmery warrior art and soup bowls decorating the walls and a plexiglass bar encasing noodles, of course.