Ramen Lovers Rejoice -- Rai Rai Ken Expands!

Rai Rai Ken is my favorite of all the ramen joints in NYC. It's not as glamorous as Momofuku, or as bustling as Ippudo, but it's cheap and damn good.  They just recently expanded to some fancy new digs w/ double the seating, but the price and taste remains the same.

Miso Corn & Butter Ramen

Rai Rai Ken

218 E 10th Street

New York, NY 10003

Next time you find yourself wobbling around the East Village, try to remember that these guys are open 'til 3am on the weekends.  They've added a few items to the menu, but my favorite is still the curry ramen.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Slurpin' USA II: IPPUDO

It looks like Slurpin' USA is going to turn into a four or five part miniseries. In the first installment we explored the humble sensibilities of NYC Ramen OG, Rai Rai Ken. Rai Rai Ken is the type noodle shop you'd find in old Edo Japan; a real blue collar joint.

Ippudo NY is a 180°departure from RRK's routine ramen; it's sleek, sexy and teems with the energy of the insatiable. It's the type of place where eating is an event and just being there makes you feel alive. If Elvis were still around, this is where he would get his ramen fix, it's that fucking cool. Oh, and their ramen is great too.

Ippudo NY

65 4th Ave (b/w 9th & 10th)

New York, NY 10003

212.388.0088

This place is always packed, so be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes to be seated, even on a weeknight. Your best bet is to hit them up for lunch when they offer a sweet combo "set" that includes a large ramen, salad, and rice w/ your choice of topping.

Akamaru Modern & Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Roe) Over Rice

© 2009 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable" - http://missioninsatiable.com

Slurpin' USA: Rai Rai Ken

destitute undergrads and desk-bound office drones agree; when it comes to cheap eats on-the-fly, CUP NOODLES reigns supreme. however, if you are longing for a ramen upgrade, perhaps it's time to give the genuine article a slurp.

Rai Rai Ken

214 E 10th Street

New York, NY 10003-7706

Phone: (212) 477-7030

rai rai ken specializes in one thing: RAMEN. the seating is cramped, the service is rushed and the waits are long, but the price is right and the ramen never disappoints. you are best advised to visit on an off day or at an off hour; flocks of hungry NYU students and japanese ex-pats overload the 14-seat venue.

-- no worries; the turn-around is quick, you won't find yourself in line long.

miso ramen --
soy bean based noodle soup topped with bean sprout, cabbage, onion, crispy garlic, chicken, and scallion

the robust, full-bodied broth is a thing of beauty; curiously bold yet refined. a mound of crisp-fried garlic chips bequeath their sharp sweetness to each bite, slicing through the thick broth like little golden razors. the stewed chicken and hearty cabbage warm the body and sooth the soul with their comforting sensibilities. i highly recomend this dish as a starter RAMEN for any first timers.

shio ramen --
house special seafood based noodle soup topped with bamboo shoot, boiled egg, roast pork, spinach, fish cake, dry seaweed, and scallion

light and refreshing if not a tad bit salty. the freshly wilted spinach pair well with the pickled bamboo shoots while the unctuous slices of slow-roasted pork shoulder and hard boiled egg are welcome countermeasures to the piquant brothiness of the dish as a whole. the generous portion of fresh, yet playfully chewy noodles guarantee slurps-a-plenty.

i asked for mine with xtra fish cakes :-)

kimchi --
chinese cabbage, radish, garlic, ginger, scallion, red pepper, salt, sugar, anchovy sauce

i can't say for sure if it's house made or not, but it certainly tastes unique. less tang than most; a bit on the sweet side. garnished with a heap of fresh scallion - it's not the best kimchi i've ever had, but i order it every time.

© 2009 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable" - http://missioninsatiable.blogspot.com/