NYC Ramen Series: Terakawa Ramen

If ever I did have to choose a favorite soup noodle (other than anything Malaysian of course), it would be the ramen. Deeply flavorful pork broth with buttery pork slices and perfectly al dente noodles. It’s not an easy combination to perfect, and few do it well.

So I’d like to highlight the folks in NYC who have attempted and did well (ok, some did only decently).

We’ll start with Terakawa Ramen. Nested in the middle of Gramercy, on Lexington Ave between 23rd and 22nd st, is this nondescript Japanese restaurant that seemingly looks innocuous and borderline boring, like just another Japanese restaurant you would find in any other city. Not every ramen they make is good, but a week ago I tasted one that was actually worth mentioning: the Mayu Ramen.

Mayu Ramen

Accented with black garlic oil, I think it is by far the best ramen I’ve had here at Terakawa. It’s fragrant and is just perfect for the cold, rainy night (Ok, I know it’s the summer and cold nights are hard to come by, especially after the hot spell we’ve had, but even then, I would still eat a bowl of this). It never really gets very crowded here, so it’s almost always possible to get a seat. And it’s good for groups as well.

So, there you go. First ramen of the series.

Terakawa Ramen
18 Lexington Ave,
New York, NY 10010
(212) 777-2939

Santouka Ramen

NYC and its neighboring areas must be the haven for authentic Japanese food in the U.S. At least I think so anyway.

Santouka is located in a Japanese supermarket Mitsuwa. Yes, that’s right, in a Japanese supermarket. In Edgewater, NJ. There is a bus that takes you specifically to Mitsuwa directly from Manhattan’s Port Authority. Yes, that’s right, a special bus to a supermarket. Mock as you may, but hoards of people board the earliest bus on Saturday mornings just so they can eat at places like Santouka and shop at Mitsuwa.

Santouka opens at 11am, but the line begins to form at 10.30am. If you’re driving from the city, it’s been proven that if you arrive by 10.20-10.30am you will still be part of the first wave of ramen servings.

Let me show you why people do crazy things like this.

The star of the meal is the pork. It’s so buttery and melt-in-your-mouth that they have to serve it cold instead of in the ramen, lest it completely disintegrates before you can get to it. The noodles and broth come in 3 sizes, small, medium, large. I’d say stay away from the large, else the richness of the broth and expansion of noodles in your tummy will impede your breathing ability and prevent you from eating other things that Mitsuwa has to offer. Like the black sesame soft serve.

 

Santouka Ramen
Mitsuwa Market Place
595 River Rd
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(201) 941-1004

Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am – 8.30pm
Sun: 11am – 8pm