Guys.
This is the best char-siu I've ever had in my life. I could taste the char, the fire on the edges of the pork. It was appropriately fatty, but not all fat, you know?
Now it's been over a year since I've had Totto (NYC, my favorite), and my tongue might be spoiled from eating bad ramen at like 5 places in Atlanta.
But I am willing to say this was #1.
Hakoya opened on the corner of a new "laneway" in the Upper West Side building (Lonsdale and Rose Lane) - it appears to have been open since November.
There are 4 tables along the wall, with a bit of privacy from hanging dividers (noren?), as well as about 10 seats along a bar, which faces the kitchen.
The menu is tight, as you should expect. I had my regular ramen order, spicy tonkatsu. You can choose your spicy - 1 pepper, 2, or 3. This nearly unnerved me and I had to ask the server for help on my decision. I played it safe and went with 2... I made the right choice. Balancing the two heats (spice and temperature), it's just enough to make you feel like you broke a sweat without actually breaking one. I always forget that the ramen being so hot makes the spice... well, spicier. A cold Sapporo kept me on the non-sweaty side of dinner.
Between each seat are the accouterments you may need - soy, sesame, chili oil, garlic paste, pickled ginger - as well as wooden chopsticks (nice touch to match with the wooden spoon), napkins, and water jug and glasses. Easy.
Every day there appears to be a happy hour, $4 for Sapporos between 3pm and 6pm.
Highly recommend, and since I'm here for 2 weeks, I expect to be back! read more