Ippudo | NYC - Find. Eat. Drink.

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Ramen is Japan’s soul food and at Ippudo, they are all about the ramen. But don’t discount the appetizers though, because they shine at this Japanese noodle house.

Try the Shiromaru Hakata Classic is “the original tonkotsu” soup noodles with slices of simmered Berkshire pork, kikurage, red pickled ginger, menma, 1/2 hard boiled egg, sesame & scallions. It’s filling and warming in a comforting way. Also worth trying is the Wasabi Shoyu Ramen is soy flavored ramen noodles soup with a combination of chicken and tonkotsu soup, with slice of berkshire pork, cabbage, naruto, & scallions. It has some pungency from the wasabi, but when fully mixed together as recommended by the waiter, it blends well and provides a nice touch of heat.

While the restaurant is known for its ramen, the appetizers are a standout too. The chicken Hirata buns (2 pieces for $8.00) are served piping hot and have a lively back-end kick of heat. The Eihire Yaki (broiled dried ray fish fin) is one of the best ways to start your meal. Served with a spicy mayonnaise dipping sauce (akin to the sauce in a spicy tuna sushi roll), it’s equal parts crispy, chewy, and fishy. You can’t help but keep on going back for another piece and dipping it in the sauce.

Be warned -- there always seems to be a long wait at Ippudo and they don’t take reservations. Be prepared to wait in the bar and have a beer or go for a walk down to East 5th Street and give Minca Ramen Factory a try (it’s where chefs King Phojanakong and Sohui Kim go.)

Ippudo | NYC

September 29, 2009