Spectacular hole in the wall - and I'm not joking about it being a hole in the wall, because there…read moreare only a handful of seats, maybe 8 max. Don't worry, it adds to the ambience and intimacy of this restaurant. It was a little breezy last night, so my friend wanted to get a warm bite to eat. She opted for this spot and I was all in. We got lucky because we walked up and there were a few open seats, so we didn't have to wait at all. The menu is brief- meaning they specialize in their craft (and even easier for me to choose because there's no analysis paralysis). We were immediately provided with water and our order was taken by a smiley and warm waitress. My pal and I shared some crispy chicken as an app, which was so beautiful plated, I almost didn't want to eat it. For ramen, I selected the miso (not spicy) ramen. The broth was rich and I loved the runny, half egg. It was perfectly cooked between tough and runny. The mini bok choy gave the soup so much character. My favorite part of this restaurant was the open air view that we had. Sitting, eating, and people watching is the perfect combo in NYC. Definitely recommend this spot. The food, ambience, workers, and price are all on point and very reasonable for the big city. Would definitely come by again!

If you want flavor, this is the right place. If you want value, there are better places around…read more First things first, this place is TINY. We're talking about 9-10 bar-style seats, so don't expect to bring your entire extended family here for Sunday lunch. If it's your first visit, you'll be greeted by the super friendly staff as soon as you walk in and shown to your seat, where you'll receive a menu. Oh, and FYI, there's a bag hook underneath every seat! Finally, a restaurant that understands my struggle of not wanting my bag to touch the floor. Small detail, BIG W. I ordered the New Tokyo Shoyu and crab cream croquettes. Let's talk croquettes first. These babies came out SIZZLING! The exterior was crispy and crunchy, while the inside was HOT hot. Seriously, give them a minute unless you want to exfoliate your tongue from the inside. The filling was creamy, and the flavor was impeccable. Somehow, it reminded me of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, and I mean that in the best way possible! The salad? I'm pretty sure it was Costco's spring mix. LOL! Nothing fancy here, but the tangy sauce served on the side was a nice touch. It helped cut through the oiliness of the croquettes, so no complaints there. Now, onto the New Tokyo Shoyu ramen. The moment the bowl hit the table, the aroma of the broth came straight for me. And honestly, the broth is king here. The flavor is rich, fragrant, and clearly the star of the show. However, when it comes to toppings, what you see is what you get. I was a little disappointed to find just ONE thin slice of chicken breast and ONE thin slice of chashu. For the price, could we at least get a second slice? Pretty please? I will give them credit, though. Those grill marks on the chashu really elevated the flavor of the meat. Whoever manned the grill knew what they were doing! The noodles, unfortunately, were a little too soft for my liking. I prefer my noodles with a bit more bite, but if this is how they intend to serve them, then that's their style. No hard feelings. One other thing I noticed: halfway through the bowl, everything started tasting a little too similar. My taste buds were basically stuck on repeat. I had to take a little intermission, eat some of that croquette sauce, drink some water, and then return to my ramen. Would I come back? Maybe, maybe not. The damage came to around $45, which, for NYC, isn't exactly shocking. But it's still pricey, especially considering the portions and the limited toppings. If you're looking for value and the best bang for your buck, I'd say look elsewhere. But if you're someone who prioritizes a flavorful broth and wants to try a distinctive bowl of ramen in a cozy little LES spot, Ramen Ishida is worth checking out.

Okkk couple of notes!…read more It's AMAZING ramen but I wish the place itself was less like grab and go feel and more sit down. Maybe they could open a different dining experience at their next location. REGARDLESS this is something that did not go into the review as the ramen is one of the BEST I've had so far. It's not heavy, yet still creamy! It's light and you don't leave bloated which means less sodium in it. I love good and rich ramen like this. The noodles are on the thinner and stringier side if u know what I mean but still soft and delicious. Perfectly cooked and a perfect serving size. Service is good, u order through QR and they bring it out ! Ambiance is rustic cute and casual!

First time trying tsukemen and I fell in love with it at Okiboru House. We went around 6pm on a…read moreSaturday and did find ourselves having to wait in line. It did not take too long before we were seated. (Max 8 minutes?) The place isn't huge but it is designed for fast pace dining so people were eating and leaving after they finished. The menu is accessed using a QR code and the best thing is that you pay right after you order on your phone to avoid any wait time for the bill. Their main dishes were Tsukemen & TonTori. We got the Tsukemen with warm noodles instead of cold noodles. It comes with 3 pieces of cha shui (pork), shredded scallions, a piece of fish cake, nori, and a slice of lime. We added their house made chili paste on the side for an additional $1. SO WORTH IT!! I highly recommend their spicy sauce. It adds such a kick to the bite. The broth on the side is a mixture of chicken and fish. So flavorful and rich without any fishiness to it either. Before dipping the noodles, you need to squeeze lime over the noodles. Without it, it just doesn't taste the same. Before tax and tip, the total came out to $22.90. After, it was $30 and although that might sound pricey for a bowl of noodles, the noodles are so thick and they're all made in house so the quality is top notch. I definitely want to come back to try their TonTuri noodles and appetizers!

Great ramen, amazing chicken and Mariette the server, she is amazing ! Highly recommendread more

Menkoi Sao is a Hokkaido style ramen shop that focuses on serving hearty, comforting bowls without…read moreovercomplicating the experience. We walked into a casual space with the kind of atmosphere where you come in for a satisfying bowl of noodles rather than a long dining experience. The smell of the broth coming from the kitchen adds to the warmth, creating that cozy feeling you expect from a good ramen spot. The space is straightforward and functional, letting the food speak for itself. The ramen is the main reason to visit, and the bowls are built with a lot of care. The noodles have a nice firm texture and hold up well in the broth, giving each bite a good balance between the noodles and soup. The broths lean richer and more flavorful, especially for those who enjoy a deeper, heavier ramen style. The toppings are generous, with slices of pork, soft boiled egg, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and green onions adding different textures and flavors throughout the bowl. The pork is tender and well seasoned, and the egg is cooked to that perfect jammy consistency that ties the whole bowl together. The Spicy Miso Ramen stands out as one of the more popular choices, bringing heat while still keeping the savory depth of the miso base. The curry ramen is also worth considering if you want something different from the usual ramen options, offering a thicker, more aromatic broth that still feels comforting. Beyond ramen, the fried chicken, known locally as zangi, and fried rice make good additions to round out the meal, especially if you are looking for something more filling. The zangi is crisp on the outside and juicy inside, a solid complement to the heavier noodle bowls. Service is quick and friendly, and the food comes out efficiently even when the restaurant is busy. The staff handle the steady flow without losing the casual neighborhood feel, making it an easy place to stop by whether you are dining alone or with a group. The menu has enough variety without feeling overwhelming, and the focus stays clearly on the ramen. Menkoi Sao is a solid option for anyone looking for authentic feeling Hokkaido style ramen in New York. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the bowls are the type of meal that feels especially satisfying on a colder day. While the richer broths may be heavier than what some people prefer, it works well for anyone who enjoys a more traditional, full-bodied ramen experience that delivers on warmth, depth, and comfort.

Cozy ramen spot in the Lower East Side. I ordered the Seafood Mazemen, which was pretty good. It…read morehad more of a sauce rather than a broth and the thick noodles were nicely chewy. There was a good flavor there although a tad on the salty side. There was also only 3 shrimp in there, which seemed quite stingy to me. $20 was a fair price for this bowl. The restaurant interior is a rather narrow and long space but not overly cramped or anything. It had a typical ramen restaurant kind of vibe. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful, and the service speed was pretty quick. Overall, while I wasn't wowed by the ramen, it was still decent and the rest of the experience was just good enough to warrant 4 stars, although I would give 3.5 stars if I could.

Food: 8/10 - Ivan gets an 8 here for their chicken paitan! It's truly hard to find it, let alone a…read morerich and creamy chicken paitan. I don't love the way the chicken is presented on this wish it was sliced as the classic style. Service: amazing service, very attentive and kind! Ambiance: great ambiance, casual but not too casual- ideal for a date, ideal for a hangover which was my case lol Great spot, very tasty and for now the best chicken paitan I've had in NYC.

We were quickly seated after entering. The staff were super attentive and sweet. They noticed that…read morethe heater was pointed in our direction and offered to turn it off or reseat us. During dinner, they were quick to refill our waters and always made sure we were enjoying our meals. The ambiance was nice and quiet-- great place to relax after a long day. Chicken Kaarage 5/5 This is a must-try for me. The chicken was perfectly marinated, seasoned, and cooked. I could probably eat a whole bucket of these myself. It shined even without the sauce (but who doesn't love sauce) Red Tonkotsu 4/5 The noodles were nice and chewy with a good bounce. The toppings were great and well cooked and seasoned. The broth felt like it was lacking a bit. It felt like a good base to a broth but I felt like there was still some more potential for a deeper flavor.

***4.5 Stars*** My…read morefamily had a good lunch experience at Kogane Ramen. We stayed in the area, so the location was very convenient for us with 2 small children (4 and 2). We arrived at 12pm on Sunday, when they opened and I was surprised to see that we were the first ones there. The ambiance was cozy and upscale. We loved the bench seating with our kids, very spacious ( i think 6 adults could squeeze). Small wooden bowls for the kids to share a ramen. My wife ordered the spicy miso, I ordered the special Yuzu ramen and the kids split the Shoyu ramen. We also ordered some chicken yakitori and sweet potato fries to share. Food came out quickly and everything tasted good. The yuzu takes a little getting used to (tangy but savory), but my wife loved it. I would definitely come back.

Affordable, well-portioned ramen with the spatial efficiency of urban East Asia at its finest, from…read morethe counter and table seating to the restroom. From the menu to the layout, this place works.

Found this spot Near Washington Square, Park because we were both craving Ramen. The Ramen shop…read moreitself is pretty tiny, so I would recommend only coming with one or maybe two friends. The appetizers were pretty good, my boyfriend and I dogged the gyoza and once we got the ramen it was pretty good. Would I say this is the best Ramen I've ever had? No. Would I come back to the spot if I'm in the area and want Ramen? Oh definitely yes. I cannot recall the name of the Ramen my boyfriend got across from me on the table in the picture, but it was creamy based, and he was not a big fan of it. I think he said there was a lot of cilantro in it, so if you're not a cilantro fan, I would be wary of that. Otherwise, a decent spot!

the spicy ramen was super good!! i would recommend for spicy lovers…read morebut don't get the cucumber salad, it just tastes like cucumber and nothing else. good service and the interior is very nice

Ippudo started in Japan in 1985 and brought its signature tonkotsu to NYC, and the fundamentals…read moreshow. Noodles are cooked right, the broth is rich without being greasy, and bowls hit the table fast. The Sichuan-style spicy bowl was the clear standout of everything we tried, unique and worth ordering again. The Karaka-men and Spicy Miso are satisfying too, though heat-seekers should know "spicy" runs mild here, and go easy on the spicy topping: mixed all the way in, it tips the broth salty. The takoyaki came out hot and packed with flavor, the chicken appetizer is big enough to be a meal on its own, and a cold sake pairs well with all of it. There's a solid vegetarian selection too, including the Daiku, though that broth is rich enough that it catches up with you. Happy hour is the real move. The value is excellent then, because at full dinner prices two bowls, two appetizers, and a drink can clear $100, and that's the one place expectations and the bill don't quite line up. The room is a strength: great decor, comfortable, lively without being chaotic. Seating is communal, which we didn't mind at all, and service was friendly and attentive on every visit. No wait on a Wednesday afternoon or even a Thursday at 7pm. Bathrooms are clean and stocked, just know they're down a flight of stairs past the kitchen. A reliable spot when the ramen craving hits, especially at happy hour.

Food so good it deserves 5 michilin stars. Service so…read morefriendly you'd feel like you're a king Place so clean and cozy that I felt at home My go to is the Spicy Stamina but the Black Tantanmen is so good with the curry chicken

On a Monday- Had Ramenfor lunch was amazing- sadly bad service by the hostess.... Not sure if she…read morewas having a bad day but every time I asked her a question she would act annoyed to the point that I was scared to ask her for anything else.... Would've gave them four stars if it wasn't for the hostess.