If you are a solo introvert with tipping anxiety, Japanese import Ichiran is the restaurant for…read moreyou! I've been to the Ichiran in East Williamsburg but found this location to be more hectic and touristy, naturally. You order on a tablet, pay (no tip), and then are directed to a seat by a welcoming host. Poor guy must have to repeat the same spiel a billion times a day. I just defaulted to Ichiran's suggested levels for everything which made it fast and easy. Once you're at your assigned cubbyhole, you can hang your coat up on the wall behind you and fill up your water cup at the machine also behind you. You don't even see the face of the person who brings out the ramen which gives the whole process a mysterious bank teller vibe. With all this, the classic tonkotsu ramen ($23) with slender noodles nearly gets overshadowed, but don't fret since it's fantastic. I believe when you're done, you just get up and leave. Surprisingly, one of the instructional posters does not go into this.

Ichiran is my favorite ramen shop in Japan and the only time I've had it was when I'd visit. This…read morewas my first time trying a location in the states and I am happy to say that it tasted basically identical to the shops in Japan and the ambiance was also the same. I came in with a party of 2 on a Thursday at 1pm. There was a line but the line went by quick. When you walk into the restaurant, you pre-order at the touchscreen to the right of the entrance and later when you're seated you give the order receipts to the server at your window. The food at this location is obviously going to be pricier than it is in Japan (came out to around $60 for 2 people), but it is SO worth it as you can't get Ichiran anywhere else besides in Japan.

This is a winner. Hands down amongst the best vegan ramen dish i can recall: broth, add ins,…read morenoodles, vegetables, the whole show. Three of us had the same dish, same applause. Communal tables are the fastest seating, nothing wrong with them, take what you're given, rather than risk stepping away because you'd rather a booth....

We finished a tour of Michelin recognized casual restaurants here…read more I didn't order right. I did the dipping noodles and they were too salty for me. I've had them before so I knew what to expect but it was way too salty, less flavorful. Had a very nice flavor, the salt overpowered it though. I tasted mushroom. The sauce stuck to the noodles well and the noodles were delicious. My daughter and husband ordered the spicy ramen and they said it was very very good. Couldn't decipher distinctly from other top notch ramen so it wasn't knock your socks off. From now on I'll order the base dish when I go places so I can judge better. The gyoza was cooked very nicely, came sizzling and the bun with meat was a little ugly, it looked boiled and unappetizing. The taste was just okay. The topping on it was notable. The waitress didn't help us at all when ordering. We weren't bowled over with the food, although it was noted the meat in the ramen was high level. It hit the spot but I will try other places in the search for our "return forever" ramen place.

The ramen was absolutely incredible! There was a bit of a wait, which is always a good sign that…read morethe place is good. Staff was also friendly. Very unique experience. Ambiance was great, it felt like you were in a different country!

Unfortunately, my experience at here at Kyuramen was disappointing. I was looking forward to trying…read morethe Yin Yang ramen, but the service really overshadowed the meal. I have a shrimp allergy and politely asked if the shrimp tempura could be substituted. The server immediately said no, without offering any alternative or showing much concern. He said I can remove it myself. I said so let the shrimp inside the bowl for me to remove? WTH. For a restaurant, especially one serving customizable ramen dishes, with a allergy list post on the wall by the counter where I sat at B1, a little flexibility or empathy toward food allergies would go a long way. The interaction felt dismissive and unwelcoming, which made the overall dining experience uncomfortable. Customer service matters just as much as the food, and sadly this visit fell short. The smashed cucumber was good. Spicy dumpling was good. Ramen broth was light, not as rich or flavorful as others. There are so many good ramen places in NYC, this Chinese Ramen place has lot of room to improve.

Kin Ramen is such a charming place to enjoy a bowl of hot noodles. Made to feel like you're…read moretransported to an old Japanese village, this restaurant boasts bamboo panels and clay-tiled roofs with kabuki masks and paper lanterns adorning the walls. But Kin Ramen isn't just all style and no substance. The food, too, was just as delightful as the decor. The buta bara, marinated pork belly stuffed with scallions, was wonderfully meaty and perfectly charred. It was a great dish to start. The pork chashu was creamy, the noodles had a good chew, the yolk on that boiled egg was expertly firm yet gooey. This is certainly a great date-night spot paired with an evening at the Moma. I'd come here again, and if I were hosting out-of-state guests hankering for a bowl of hot ramen, I'd definitely take them here.

The decor was so cute here! It feels like you're eating at a true ramen shop in the heart of Japan…read more The seats were quite close to each other so you could hear the conversations next to you, but the lively atmosphere makes it cozy. They provide crates for you to place your belongings by your table. Our food came quickly and the service was great. They greet you in Japanese as soon as you walk in the door. As for the ramen, it was tasty, but it wasn't the best ramen I've ever had. Have I had cheaper ramen for better taste? Definitely. Is it still worth coming to try and enjoying the atmosphere? Absolutely. If you want a clean broth, this is the place to go.

Fresh off a Japan trip earlier this month so you know my mood is somber. This was my first time…read morestepping into a ramen joint since then, because I'm now prepared to always be disappointed now that I'm no longer trying it from the source. First of all, I LOVE the ambience and the paper lantern decor here. Took me right back to those neon streets. The staff are polite and patient; one of them even picked up my phone for me after I dropped it mid-meal. During my trip, I was converted to a soba-lover, and while I don't think this is true soba here, they have "abura soba", what they describe as a "soupless ramen" (with a thicker noodle) which I was drawn to. I got the basic one with chashu, and my, it was DELICIOUS! I was so entranced I caught myself wanting to slightly bow with an "Arigatougozaimasu" and a "Gochisousama desu" on the way out! The noodles and the saucy base were DELICIOUS. My friend found it a bit oily, but I love thicker, richer ramen bases so I savored it. We lingered and loafed during our meal and the staff did not rush us once. :) Will definitely be returning!

I ordered the tonkotsu and takoyaki. The takoyaki was really good. Perfect consistency…read more The ramen was eh. The bamboo shoots weren't the best texture. The noodles were just okay, don't think they held up the flavor of the ramen well. I wish they had an option for real chili rather than just the oil. Broth was okay but wasn't as savory as some ramens I've had. Usually I'm wanting to finish every drop of my broth and this one wasn't it. The winner was definitely the takoyaki. I did like they were playing Justin Bieber and the decor was cute. Looks like a quick spot for ramen and late night chill vibes, at 10:30pm on a Sunday night it definitely had a younger crowd.

A dear friend of ours, who has lived in New York for many years, suggested IPPUDO after sharing how…read moreit had become a tradition to bring his family here, and for good reason. Everything here is absolutely phenomenal. IPPUDO makes their noodles and broth on site, and those details make all the difference. The ambience is relaxed and inviting. A great way to enjoy a great meal at your pace. We showed for lunch on a Monday afternoon, and were seated and served very quickly. Our server was very engaged, and took good care of us. For starters we had the edamame and pork buns. The edamame was wonderfully garlicky, and the pork buns were simply bite sized pieces of joy between two doughy pillows. As a main meal, I ordered the Karaka Spicy ramen. It had the perfect amount of spice, and extra noodles were complimentary. I had mine with a poached egg, which blended in seamlessly with all the savory textures and flavors. While the bowl seemed almost overwhelmingly large, it was easy to enjoy in full because of how delicious it was. I've had a fair share of ramen dishes, and IPPUDO is right up there with the best.

5.0 / 5.0 A "Jiro-style" Ramen Known Only to Insiders…read more Available as a secret menu item at Ippudo, KURO-OBI is an irresistible treat for any ramen enthusiast. The rich combination of garlic and pork back fat pairs perfectly with the noodles, creating a delicious bowl that is simply impossible to stop eating. You can choose your Noodle Portion from Small (120g), Regular (200g), Large (300g), or Extra Large (500g* +$3). For the Fat Level, you can select from None, Less, Regular, Mashi (Extra), or Mashi Mashi (Ultra). Similarly, the Vegetable Portion can be customized to None, Less, Regular, Mashi (Extra), or Mashi Mashi (Ultra). It's also great that you can personally adjust the amount of garlic and spiciness to your liking after your order arrives! The interior is spacious, featuring both table seating and counter seats. The restrooms are also clean. The staff members are also very kind and thoughtful. Just be careful--there is a slight step right at the entrance!

There are a few ramen options in Hells Kitchen and Kohoku-Ku is a welcomed establishment. It…read moreprovides the necessary competition to enable great ramen dishes. The ramen was pretty good but what stands out is the price you pay for what you get. Inside Kohoku-Ku is beautiful, the decor is nice. Feels very intentional and cozy.

I finally made it here after walking by so many times and seeing a line out the door -- and now I…read moreunderstand why. We ordered a few things to share. The Kara Age ($8), boneless fried chicken with spicy mayo, was super tender and full of flavor. I especially loved the spicy mayo -- it really made the dish. The Takoyaki ($6) is a must-try. Perfectly seasoned and soft inside, they basically melt in your mouth. I'd order this again without hesitation. For ramen, I had the Kumamoto Ramen ($18). The thin white noodles were great, and I appreciated the lighter, more delicate broth -- not overly salty like some other ramen spots. I was hoping for a bit more shishito (I only got one!), but overall it was comforting and well balanced. It's a very small space with a cozy vibe, which adds to the charm. Definitely a place I'd return to.

Stopped by on cold night. Had the Oh So Hot Ramen which hit the spot. Spicy but not overwhelming,…read moretasty broth and perfect noodle texture.

I was in the city, and wanted a quick bite to eat, so I dropped by EAK Ramen. It was not crowded,…read moreand I was able to get served within 10 minutes. The tables, floors, and bathrooms were all very clean. This will be short and sweet. I ordered the Shrimp Bao. It was very good. The shrimp was crispy and tasty, but I think there should be 2 per order. One was not enough. 5/5 for taste 1/5 for quantity. I also ordered the Oh So Hot ! Miso. This consisted of pork and chicken broth, spicy ground chicken, spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and nori. I ordered it spicy, but I should have gotten it hot instead. I like spicy food, and the spicy needed more kick to me. But it was delicious. 5/5 Til we eat again...

Service was good and food was delicious! Great sushi! We had three happy hour sushi rolls and were…read morevery satisfied.

Been here many times for a quick lunch /dinner and quality is always solid…read more Can't go wrong with the bento box or the Spicy Tonkotsu 10/10 The plum wine paired with it chefs kiss

Cozy no-frills ramen bar near the theater district. I enjoyed a delicious, balanced bowl of Paitan…read moreramen ($19). No complaints, except that I guess I prefer Tonkostu (pork bone) over Paitan (chicken bone). I appreciated sitting at the bar to watch the lone ramen monger stir around the next batches of broth, hand-torching some chashu; boiling, whip-drying, and gently nestling my noodles, then manually laying out the toppings. The dish feels real, personal.

Toribro Ramen exceeded my expectations because the pork is even better now than it ever was at…read moreTotto Ramen! If you loved Totto's spicy paitan ramen like I did, look no further because Toribro has what you need. I only wish they offered the super spicy ramen with chili oil on the side like the good old days, but the standard spicy packs a punch too! The regular size ramen was plenty, but don't let that stop you from trying the decadent Mega with all of the toppings. The food came out hot and fast too, so my table of two was in and out in less than 45 minutes easily. The menu is pretty straightforward with few choices that are all delicious - a perfect spot for the quintessential quick bite and a fair price to match. Vibe-wise, this place is a true hole in the wall with steps leading down from street level into a basement. The inside is packed and intimate so I'd come with a small party such as a friend or a date who's into good food. There was no line when I visited on a Sunday at opening time, but it got packed quickly so be prepared to wait on the sidewalk or arrive at noon. As someone who's moved out of NYC years ago, I made an effort to visit Totto Ramen every time I come back and now Toribro has taken that spot in my itinerary.