GO RAMEN!®: NYC noodle kings...

Monday, October 15, 2012

NYC noodle kings...

Day 1077:

Over the last few years of living in Tokyo, two ramen shops in NYC seem to have been talked about the most. Totto in Hell's Kitchen is one of them. And I'll get to the other one in a bit.

As you can see, Totto is very popular. And not just to Asians it seems, which is impressive.

With workers that speak Japanese and a proper ramen shop layout, it does feel a little more authentic. As for the ramen...

Totto Miso Ramen (chicken chashu).

Paitan Ramen (pork chashu).

...I liked it, but...

But what?

Afterwards I went to go check out the venue for the FoodFilmFest. This is gonna be sick!!

Down the street from the theater was this bad boy. But I'll be back.

Cuz right now it's time for a break.

Shake Shack style! Thanks for the rec George!!

And the break goes on.

Just Bark-ing at the dogs.

So the other one that I mentioned above is, you guessed it, Ippudo in the East Village.

love Kelly's reaction. haha.

While waiting for a table, I scoped out the premises for this noodle-making-menace.

Thanks Kelly! And thanks Michael for joining us!! You all remember Michael right? Cool, let's eat!

Pork Hirata Buns.

Katsuo Tataki.

Shiromaru Hakata Classic.

Kuro Tan Tan Men (Special Ramen).

Akamaru Modern.

Ippudo is legit. But...

At first sip it tastes identical to the bowl found in Japan, but towards the end it begins to lose its punch. Something the bowl in Japan doesn't do. Not sure exactly what it was.

This is definitely an interesting concept. From what I can remember, I've never seen a ramen shop this big in Japan. Also, feeling rushed by the staff is normal for a ramen shop, but for one this big and with an Izakaya-style menu it felt a bit awkward. But I get it.