4.2 and rounded up, because they hit the two key components for good ramen. Which are...? See…read morebelow.
Came for lunch after visiting MoMA PS1 and enjoyed my meal here. They serve a tight menu of Japanese ramen noodles in broth, with the balance of the menu consisting of a dozen appetizers, ramen add-ons, and drinks (beer, sake, cocktails and zero-proof selections).
We ordered:
- IKA GESO $11 Deep-fried squid legs: yummy, would order this again. Super crispy batter on tender squid. My one critique is it could be a little less oily, like maybe check oil temp or food moisture or temp before going into the frier?
- SHOYU RAMEN $17 Duck based soup, bamboo shoot, chinese broccoll, pork belly, naruto, scallion, half seasoned egg. Why I'd order this again i) the broth was excellent--soy and duck flavors married lovingly--no altercations at the altar here; ii) the noodles were excellent--this ramen used a springy, curly noodle which was cooked to optimal chewing consistency; iii) the pork belly was tender and the two slices were generously cut, could use some grill flavor though I'm usually the one complaining about too much salt in ramen so found the salt level of this pork just right. However..., while the ramen egg was soft boiled to a good consistency, unfortunately I couldn't taste any seasoning on this at all.
- TONKOTSU RAMEN $18 Pork based soup, bamboo shoot, woodear mushroom, naruto, pork belly, scallion, half seasoned egg: why I'd order this again: i) the ramen noodles served with this were the straight and thin kind, again cooked excellent--perfect amount of chew; ii) the broth was rich and salty as a tonkotsu broth usually is, though still drinkable--definitely can tell there was time and effort spent boiling down stock; iii) the other veggies were great. However, similar notes on the pork and egg as the shoyu,
Staff was welcoming and attentive, quick to seat us, coming by to refill water, giving us time to wrap up when they needed the table. For reference we arrived around 12:15 on a Sunday with only two other tables taken. Seating in the for of two and four-tops, a couple booths and several seats at the bar were sufficient for around 30. Bathrooms are available and in good shape.
Would I come back? Certainly, though I hope they could make the slight improvements above!