May 24 -
How sad that I haven’t been back to Ippudo since my initial visit back in its first few weeks within opening in New York. However, not being a ramen fiend like everyone seems to be these days (I’m more of a soba slurper), I can’t bring myself to wait almost an hour in their lines. I will tell you, though, that it is worth at least one trip, because Ippudo’s ramen is one of the best in the city. The lunch sets come with a bowl of rice, and my shiromaru NY lunch set came with rice topped with mentaiko and a liberal serving of mayo.
Tonkotsu ramen has never been a huge favorite because of how porky the broth tastes—which sounds like it should be a good thing, honestly, but I find it a bit too pungent. But the tonkotsu broth is Ippudo’s strength: rich, creamy, and none of this weakly watery excuses at some other places. Trust me when I say you will finish every drop.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the noodles, which seemed too thin for my tastes. If only we could Ippudo’s broth and Ramen Setagaya’s chewy, elastic-like noodles, and then I’d have the perfect bowl.
Hmm, the weather is getting too hot for ramen, but maybe it’s time for a return trip. If only lines weren’t so long!
Ippudo
65 Fourth Avenue
New York, NY 10003
nibbles and bites.
