You can't really go wrong with a spicy ramen bowl on a weekday lunch. I went to Zest ramen with my friend and I ordered the Tonkatsu ramen. Flavors were abundant in this dish and I love the inclusion of the oil on top of my ramen. Service was really fast and I noticed that the place was pretty empty for lunch. The ambiance was calm and inviting and the servers all presented with a great attitude. They also have a selection of other dishes/appetizers such as sushi and bowls. I do hope to come back here in the future to try their other offerings. read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

I popped in here a while back when the winds were starting to blow right in to your spine in New York and that strange turn of the season craving of obscure and specific foods started to hit me. I originally made my way here to satisfy a deeply unsettling oyster craving that lead me to a frantic google maps search and a very mission-based military walk straight to Zest Ramen's doors. The oysters were fresh, briny and delicious and served with care. I loved ordering half a dozen of the ones from Washington too, God knows pacific cold water oysters are my literal dream come true and I will devour them any chance I get no matter where in the world I am. While I was seated here I thought why not treat myself to a nourishing bowl of Ramen too. As a muslim, ramen can be a real hit or miss experience since the option to go pork-free really shrinks a lot of the menu options to just a handful. However, my waiter delivered the bowl of chicken ramen with perfection and even added chilli oil on my request. When I tell you the textures and flavors of this ramen bowl were absolutely out of this world!! The sweet corn, savory and spicy clear broth, thin and succulent noodles and the most tender slice of teriyaki style chicken - Oooo the chicken. When I tell you this is the juiciest, most moist piece of chicken breast to ever touch my lips. I think they marinate it in soy for 40 million years because the way it was so sweet and umami and melted in my mouth?? Un-REAL! Waiter was super kind and checked up on me frequently. The establishment was beaming with patrons and dimly lit - a perfect setting for a casual weeknight dinner. If you happen to be in the area, make sure to check this establishment out. You will not regret it at all!! read more

Izakaya Zest - Chicken ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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Absolutely the best sushi, fried rice and Ramen I've ever had in the city. I came here for a happy hour and went to zest sushi and then was told to come to their sister restaurant because they had to wait and probably some of the best food I've had in the city. Jane is the best!!! So fresh insane deals before 7 and great vibe read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

We were a group of 10 people that arrived at 6pm for their happy hour. I got my usual 3 salmon avocado rolls, delicious! Service was average, I like that they have pitchers of water and containers of utensils/napkins on the tables. Would return for their happy hour, nice little 1.50 discount on items. I do remember when they had it for $5 read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Zest has quality ramen at an affordable price, hard to not like this place! I had the spicy tonkotsu ramen, and it hit the spot. Good broth, good spiciness, quality ingredients. The space is very small, and service isn't the fastest even with a limited number of tables. But hey, quality ramen takes time. Solid option for the area overall! read more

Izakaya Zest - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

The service at Zest is exceptional. Our server was both hospitable and patient with us as we were deciding what to order. The inside of restaurant is on the cozier side, but there was plenty of seating available. There was also a coat rack which was super convenient. The ramen was classic and the noodles were yummy. The matcha IPA was also an interesting drink. It was very layered, the initial taste is IPA like and the after taste is when you taste the matcha. Overall, the service was what shined the most here. read more

Izakaya Zest - Shoyu Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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From 3:30-7PM everyday, Zest Ramen offers a variety of foods to try out with their Happy Hour menu. This time around, me and my partner decided to get a couple apps and a couple of cocktails. The drinks were light and fruity while the apps were yummy and warming. We rounded out our meal with a couple of entrees. The Gyu Don I got was slightly sweet and savory, pairing deliciously with the tart pickled radish and yolky egg. My partner got the Tonkotsu Ramen. He says he liked it, and that's all I could really get out of him. If you want good vibes and a fun happy hour, Zest Ramen is definitely a great choice! read more

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Zest Ramen strikes a fine balance of warming ramen, yummy sides, a cozy setting, and great service. We started off with a few appetizers : Purple Fries, Fried Squid Tentacles, Jalapeno Wings, Salmon Dream Carpaccio and White Tuna Jalapeno. They are all amazing ! Then we ordered Spicy Miso Ramen and Tonkotsu Ramen--a rich, creamy broth with just the right kick. The noodles had that perfect springiness. They have Happy Hour $6 food and drinks daily from 3.30pm to 7pm. If you're craving ramen or want a relaxed Japanese-style meal in NYC, this spot is worth adding to your rotation. Highly recommended ! There are two locations : 249 Broome St and the one I went is in Eldridge Street. read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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Zest Ramen is an absolute gem. I tried their omakase set and every bite quite literally melted in my mouth--fresh, high-quality cuts that felt like a true treat. Their ramen was just as impressive: rich, flavorful broth with perfectly cooked noodles and melt-in-your-mouth pork that hit all the right notes. The service was warm and attentive, and the dimly lit ambiance gave the place a cozy, intimate vibe--perfect for a chill night out. Whether you're a ramen lover or in the mood to splurge on a solid omakase experience, Zest delivers. Will definitely be back. read more

Izakaya Zest - Omakase set - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

It was amazing! We were looking for a quick lunch and stumbled on this place. The food was delicious. The service was fast, the server had patience for our group and the food came out quickly. The happy hour was amazing. Would recommend. And the music was perfect. read more

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Such a hidden gem with $16 for good quality ramen , can't beat this! Comparable to other brand name ramen shops at 2/3 of the price. The dessert was also pretty yummy and affordable! Space was a bit crowded but cute dreamy ambiance read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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We were the first people who showed up early so maybe we didn't get the best quality. We had ramen and the kasu don. The ramen soup was very good and the noodle was perfect. The kasu don was a little more wet than I'm used to and hence minus a star. Still worth the trip. read more

Izakaya Zest - Chicken Katsu Don - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

So goood! I went here the Wednesday before thanksgiving and it was on the empty side which now that I've had the food, I'm surprised! My husband and I shared a few sushi rolls and the Tan Tan ramen special. Everything was delicious! The inside is simple. Service was great! Enjoyed our drinks as well. read more

Loveeed the kaishin don so much! It was a diy hand roll type of thing. The oysters were also super fresh. The purple fries were so yummy with the sauce. I loved everything I got. The ramen was also super flavorful. The server was super kind and attentive and inside was super cute. I also tried matcha beer for the first time and it was super interesting but I liked it! read more

Izakaya Zest - Kaishin Don - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Good solid ramen Went on a weekday for late lunch and the place was pretty empty so service was attentive and fast. The broth was hearty, chashu was tender. Overall a complete ramen with all you need at a good price read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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Happened to walk by this restaurant so we decided to try it. The food and service here is good but seems like there is a lack of communication between staff. We ordered clams and oysters and had two different staff inform us they no longer had clams. We ordered and the karaage and takoyaki which were both delicious. Chicken was well seasoned and juicy and takoyaki had adequate pieces of octopus. For entree, we ordered a spicy tonkotsu and a chicken katsu. The ramen was cooked just right with a good bite to it and the chicken katsu is one of the best I've had in the city. Many places don't do an oyakodon justice but I would return just for it. Would recommend! read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Loved this cute little place! They have happy hour that ends at 7pm (our gyoza was $5!!!), which was a really nice surprise. Nomz: I had the pork tonkotsu with a side of chili sauce. The ramen was $15 which is a steal for NYC, it was a pretty sizable portion with lots of noodles. The broth was very good, a little heavier than I'm used to but not overwhelmingly so. The pork gyoza was a deal and yummy! Drinks: I got the HH sake, warm. It was just right for me, not overly dry or sweet. Also, it was served in a container with warm water, which is what you want to see amiright??! Service: So good, the waiter was super nice and patient with us. Ambiance: It was a really cute and cozy place. We saw people on a date date and a friend date so it's multifunctional! Nope or Dope: Dopeeee, can't wait to go back and try the spicy version of the tonkotsu ramen. read more

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The service was good and our waiter was tentative. The restaurant was cute with small candlelights and the wall was decorated with Japanese decor. The food was good: the ramen was spicy but we asked for their chili sauce to give it a little bit more of a kick. The gyu bowl was flavorful and you can taste a hint of ginger that wasn't overpowering. The squid was top notch and the sauce on too was to die for! I also ordered a specialty drink but can't remember the name, sunset something, but they weren't shy w the alcohol I definitely recommend giving this small restaurant a try! read more

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Incredibly cozy space, wonderfully kind staff, and absolutely delicious food... I think that just about sums it up. Okay, I'll go into a bit more detail. We popped in, no reservation on a Saturday night and luckily got there just before a mini rush. It was absolutely frigid outside but luckily we were plopped right next to a radiator so I was so incredibly toasty. There were only about 10 or so tables, but they were able to accommodate everyone from singles to big groups of 8 or so, so don't count them out if you have a group. We started with a couple appetizers: the pork belly bun and the takoyaki (octopus balls). Both were so tasty and perfect starters. The takoyaki had so much flavor, a delicious sauce and big chunks of octopus. The pork belly bun was also great but my favorite will always be anything with octopus in it. But then on to the main course, the highlight on a freezing cold day, the ramen! I got the shoyu and loved the lighter broth. The pork belly was so soft and delicious and the curly noodles were amazing. I wish I could make my stomach bigger on command so I could have finished everything, but the portion was huge so I did leave half behind. Thank you for a delicious dinner!! I would recommend this quaint spot to anyone that needed a ramen rec. read more

Chicken katsu was soggy and flavorless. The service was okay except for the fact that you are forced to give a tip to their liking. They should be grateful they even get a tip at all. They will harass you for a large tip and insult you if you don't tip to their liking. Steer clear from this mediocre place. read more

Stopped in for a solo happy hour date recently. Just like their sister restaurant, Zest Sushi, this spot has a crazily affordable happy hour. Started with a house cold sake, it comes in a cute little bottle, you get about 4 glasses out of it. Sweet and smooth, you can tell it's not the best but for $5 there is no beating that! I didn't have time to sit and enjoy ramen so I went with pork gyoza and Thai shrimp rolls. The gyoza are chewy with a great pan fried bottom. Inside wasn't that filled but they are a solid pick. The Thai shrimp rolls were awesome. So crunchy!!! Crunchy in the best way though. The filling had chopped up pieces of shrimp and some veggies, tasty! Next time will definitely get the ramen, each one that came out smelled great. One thing I wasn't a fan of was that for HH they have a oyster special. They shuck them fresh, but I saw the guy that shucked them wasn't wearing gloves. Kind of gross seeing as most people out there mouth on the shell to shoot them back. read more

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I called ahead on a Friday night and they managed to squeez us in. My wife got the Tonkashu and I got the spicy. Delicious ramen! Fast and friendly service. I would definitely come back read more

Izakaya Zest - Wiped clean! - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Some friends and I came in on Friday night with a 7pm reservation. It is a smaller space and the rest of the tables were full, so definitely consider booking ahead during prime times. The ambiance was cozy and the service quick and friendly. We had the gyu don, the tonkotsu ramen, the yuzu salt ramen, and an order of pork gyoza. The gyoza were flavorful and fresh, and I would get them again. The ramens were both amazing. The broths' both had a depth and complexity of flavor while not being overly salty. The noodles and the meats were cooked perfectly, as were the softboiled eggs. The gyu don was tender and flavorful with a perfect runny egg to open over top. Portions were hearty and we left full. Definitely check it out! read more

It's a gem in the neighborhood. The ramen is on point. They also have happy hour from 5-7pm. $5 for all appetizers. Very friendly staff. Highly recommended. read more

Tonkotsu ramen is always a comfort food on any rainy day. This place always makes the best bone broth delicious and savory, slurping the noodles happily away. Noodle slurping is an appreciation of the noodle soup to the chief. The chashu was tender and flavorful with a nice burnt on the edge. The fried oysters were fresh, batter was light not heavy so you can tasted the oysters. This dish goes well with an iced cold Sapporo. read more

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Since I had not had ramen in quite some time, I knew that if I came here and had a bowl, that my stomach would be able to handle it. Needless to say, that theory was proven correct. Starting with the Shrimp Shumai, six beautifully wrapped shrimp sitting in a tangy sauce, these tasted fresh and could easily be one of those things you could eat 100 of and still feel good. The price of these are high, so unless I am with a large party, I will likely avoid getting this again. It is an unnecessary expense that only makes your stomach bigger and your wallet thinner. As for my ramen choice, I went with the Tonkotsu Ramen with extra noodle (always get extra noodle if you are given the option). The ramen comes out fast, and looks attractive. In general, ramen is a visually appealing dish, but this one looked splendid. It also is benefitted by the fact that Tonkotsu Ramen is known for its milky white broth due to the pork bones breaking down in the water for a significant amount of time; there is no milk in this broth at all. Speaking of pork, the pork chashu is beautifully cooked and not too dense, and the amount is perfect. The noodles are perfect, and they definitely taste fresh, in a milled out sort of way. Getting the extra noodles is also the right move because it is like getting two ramen bowls for the price of one; you get lots of noodles to keep your strength going - if you still have it. If you still some reserves in the tank, make your way over to their sister sushi restaurant, Zest Sushi, only about a 10 minute walk from this restaurant. My only complaint is the hours. They are open from noon until 4, then close for a half hour and reopen for dinner at 4:30. They then stay open until 10 or 11. That is not reflected anywhere on their website or here on Yelp, so when I came at 4 and found they were closed, it was upsetting to be turned away. Be current on your hours please. That minor blip aside, I am happy with the food I got here and will return to try another bowl. read more

Izakaya Zest - Tonkotsu Ramen with extra noodle - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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Came in on a somewhat cold Saturday to warm up! Place was empty when we arrived (around 4:30), but a few people trickled in soon after. It was a cozy and dimly lit space, but had very cool/chill vibes. The host/waiter sat us promptly and gave us water right away while we looked at the menu. Tried their Pork Belly Bun and it was definitely one of the best I had! Full of flavor, fluffy bun, and crisp veggies for that lovely contrast. We ordered the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen and loved it! Good amount of spice and a huge pile of noodles, just how I like it. Noodles were cooked perfectly; not too soft, not too hard. Definitely give this place a try if you're in the area! read more

Izakaya Zest - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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This spot is nice for LES, slightly quiet on a Saturday night but probably because of the heavy rain before we went. We got the shoyu and miso ramens to try different broths, since the shoyu is made of chicken broth and miso is pork broth. However, the miso was very salty and the flavor was a little off. The pork was good, but the bean sprouts tasted weird, as did the bamboo shoots in the shoyu ramen. Service was good, but I don't know if I'd recommend this place or check it out again unless we come for cheaper options during happy hour. read more

Izakaya Zest - Shoyu Ramen Miso Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Tucked in alongside nondescript merchants in China Town, this is a fantastic hidden gem. Happy hour is a huge value - lots of apps and drinks for $5 . We ordered ramen and extra eggs - did NOT DISAPPOINT! Huge portions and Ana zing flavor profiles. Service was fast and friendly - will be back! read more

Izakaya Zest - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen Yuzu Salt Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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Pork Bao and takoyaki were good. Shigoku oysters tasted like a smaller version of blue points. Big Rock was the better of the two oysters. However, oysters weren't shucked well leaving some broken shells on the bite. Tuna Toro and wagyu with uni sushi were both excellent. Good service and happy hour prices. read more

One of the VERY few places with a cute/modern atmosphere that feels clean in Chinatown. We love walking around in the neighborhood, but the eating establishments there are usually VERY sketch. We were REALLY surprised to find this place and it turned out to be awesome in every way. Great service, food, drinks and an excellent value during happy hour. The Ramen was delicious, as was the rice bowl, the pork boa buns, shrimp shumai, an squid skewers. Highly recommend! read more

Izakaya Zest - Chicken rice bowl - yum! - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

5/5 experience! I visited Zest Ramen with a group of friends for their happy hour. The happy hour here is amazing - lots of drinks and apps for $5! I would recommend getting pork gyoza, and the pork bun, and would come back to try some of the other apps next time. The shrimp shumai were on the small side so I would skip them in the future. Tonkotsu Ramen was really flavorful, and you get a lot of food for the price. Service was fast, friendly, and out food came out pretty quickly. Highly recommend Zest ramen for happy hour, casual meals or date night! read more

Izakaya Zest - Tonkotsu Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Great spot for Ramen. Atmosphere is quintessential New York and the ramen is gorgeous and tasty. read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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A few of my friends came here because a ramen restaurant that we wanted to go to that day was closed for repairs. We didn't have high expectations because there were hardly any people inside but we were craving ramen so bad after being disappointed. Inside it was small and quaint. A dark, moody vibe with candles at every table. It was freezing out so we were really looking forward to a nice, warm bowl of ramen. We ordered the spicy tonkotsu ramen. Broth was actually pretty spicy - hit me right in the back of my throat. But I just couldn't stop drinking it. I loved the cha siu that came with it. Nice fatty and juicy pieces that had such a great char to it. The char mixed with the broth and created a nice, rich flavor. I was also enjoyed the soft boiled egg, it was marinated very nicely. It was a perfect bowl of ramen and the best part about it was that it came super fast! We waited maybe 10-15 minutes and it appeared right in front of us! Price was more than fair and after peeking at the menu, it looks like they have a pretty good happy hour too. I definitely have to come back for the oysters! So happy to find a delicious ramen place that makes my wallet happy as well! read more

Izakaya Zest - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen $16 - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious ramen and great happy hour deals. I came here with a group of friends and the staff were incredibly accommodating. They rearranged and combined tables for us in their outdoor dining space. They have plenty of happy hour deals ranging from appetizer items to sushi to beer, wine and sake. They also have a happy hour ramen + appetizer combo which is what I chose. I got the pork bun and tonkotsu ramen (without veggies). The pork bun was ok, I've definitely had better but the tonkotsu ramen was definitely the star. It had a rich, umami filled broth that would warm anyone up when outdoor dining on a cold day and the noodles were cooked to perfection. read more

Izakaya Zest - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing quality Japanese dishes. Very ambient atmosphere, comfortable lighting. The specialty rice dishes were outstanding, as was the ramen. Added bonus: raw bar! read more

If you crave oysters and ramen, this is the spot. I've been here numerous times. I always order oysters or clams during happy hour to start my meal. I typically order the spicy miso or spicy tonkatsu ramen. The spiciness level is a bit on the spicier side for me but it is the best this way. Sometimes I would order their appetizers. We recently got the thai shrimp roll. That was cripsy and tasted good with the sauce. Beware of how hot it is on the inside! It is a fairly smaller restaurant so it can get full quickly. The waiters try their best to move efficiently. I always recommend this place to everyone. Don't forget to check into yelp for the free sake! read more

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Loved the ambiance and the dim lighting, and maybe it's what we ordered, but the food kind of fell flat. I ordered ramen as my main which was okay, although kind of flavorless. The edamame we had to start was good. No issue there. The fried oysters were NOT what I expected though, and something I would definitely not order again. If I'm not mistaken, I've been to Zest Sushi? They were actually pretty good. I'd come back again but I'd order different items to try. I won't give up on Zest just yet! read more

Izakaya Zest - Edamame and 4 Fried Oyster - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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3/5 Zest (26th Bowl out of 100) Tontotsu - $15. Broth - 3/5. Creamy but salty. Cha shu - 5/5. IT MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH!!! Noodles - 4/5. Thin noodles. Absorbs the broth very well but again, the broth was too salty. When eating ramen, I'm looking for this harmonious combination where each component enhances the other. No part should be better than the other. In this case, the cha shu was the best but the broth was lacking. Side Notes: Pork Buns - has a Vietnamese influence with it spicy Mayo, radish, carrots mixed in it, giving it a nice crunchy texture. I had to take a second bite, forgetting to critique the actual pork belly. It's lean and tender but wish it had more fat. Purple Fries - Their unique appetizer with the honey mayo. Hate to say it but nothing special in taste but great for photos! read more

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We're always on the hunt for good spicy tonkotsu to rival our fave spot in LA. This one was decent but the soup base had hints of seafood more than rich bone flavor (maybe it was the fake crab swirl thingy that tricked my brain). There wasn't really a lot of spice to it but the overall broth was creamy and buttery (and not too salty). The egg and chasu in it were delicious. There was construction in front of the shop but it was too nice of a day NOT to sit at table closest to the sidewalk (besides it added some nice flare to the outside pic). We were uneasy by their health scores but we didn't see anything terrible in the front of the house, and restroom is one of the cleanest we've used in the city. read more

Izakaya Zest - Not sure how long that construction will be out front - Izakaya Near Me - New York, New York

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