Ramen NYC. There’s nothing better on a chilly, rainy, or snowy evening in New York than cozying up with a hot bowl of ramen, the Japanese soup that’s taken flight in NYC. (Even when the weather’s cooperating, these flavor-packed bowls are very enticing.) We’ve got five must-try ramen restaurants in Manhattan, each unique in its own way and delicious in its own right.
Ippudo NY (East Village)
With a pork-based broth, house-made noodles, and a specially crafted “Umami Dama” miso paste, it’s really no surprise that years after its opening you’re still likely to find yourself waiting two hours or more to get a seat in this ramen joint.
Totto Ramen (Hell’s Kitchen)
Totto Ramen’s interior may not be anything special (it’s small, it’s cramped, and it’s lacking any major element of décor), but its ramen certainly is. The spicy ramen, in particular, gets everything right, from the chili oil flavors to the large slices of fatty pork.
Momofuku Noodle Bar (East Village)
This special restaurant opened by culinary rockstar David Chang is often credited for helping popularize the ramen movement in the United States. Its bowls of succulent soup prove exactly why. Order the Momofuku Ramen, of course.
Ivan Ramen (Lower East Side)
What happens when a Jewish man falls in love with Japanese ramen and goes to Tokyo to perfect his practice? He comes back to New York City and opens one of the best ramen spots in the country. Mastering everything from the chicken broth to the smashed egg on top, you won’t leave a bite behind.
Image: Ivan Ramen by Breville USA/Flickr
Mei-Jin Ramen (Upper East Side)
If you want to try something a little bit different than most traditional ramen, Mei-Jin Ramen makes a killer beef broth. To take things even a step further, the bowls are topped off with corn and arugula, along with the more traditional bean sprouts, green onion, and bamboo.
