I found myself at the OG East Village location a few times in the last three months. It’s been nice to rediscover it: in the aughts I’d hit this place hard, back when it was the best ramen game in town bar. But it’s not 2005 anymore, and NYC’s ramen scene has completely changed. I think it’s been 10-15 years since I’ve been back.
The ramen is still very good, particularly the super garlicky and flavorful garlic chicken ramen. Their salad drenched in orange-ginger dressing is very nice too. (It also made me realize that I haven’t been served that style of salad at a Japanese restaurant in years, what’s up with that??)
Despite how good the food is, MAN have they packed in the seats at that location. The bar is elbow-to-elbow, but somehow that’s more room than their tables. (I think part of this is that Noodle Bar is one of the restaurants in the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit list. That’s certainly one of the reasons I’ve been going!) It doesn’t help that the restaurant is constantly fielding delivery and takeout orders, even when the restaurant is packed.
I’ve never been to the uptown location, maybe that’s better?
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