The lower classes of food have always been the best crowd pleasers—lobster, of course, started out as the food fishermen ate because no one else wanted it—and in the era of haute dogs and gourmet artisanal pizzas, it's not altogether surprising that ramen—those delicious little noodles that got most of America's college graduates through their bachelor's degrees—is enjoying its own renaissance of chic comeuppance.
Minca aptly bills itself as "Ramen Factory," for other than a few standard appetizers, ramen is the only item on the menu. But so many kinds of ramen, served with a really impressive variety of fresh ingredients. Think flavorful mushrooms, great broth, tender pork, and ...
536 E 5th St (Avenues A & B)Authentic Ramen served up in cramped quarters. The city's ramen lovers know this spot so be prepared for long lines, but the wait is well worth it.
366 West 52nd StreetA lot of fuss about a tiny place where you sit shoulder-to-shoulder slurping down noodles, but the real treats are pork-centric dishes and seasonal specialties. Menu changes daily, but the gastric delights are truly numerous. If you reserve in advance you can enjoy Momofuku's leg...
171 1st Ave (East 10th & 11th Streets)Delicious and popular Ramen joint in the heart of Greenwich Village. Serving up authentic, elegant noodles to the Ramen crazed populace
181 West 4th StreetThe Upper West Side's best bet for true, Japanese-style ramen. And in true NYC fashion, every Friday Yasha open's as a jazz club from 11pm to 3am..
940 Amsterdam Ave (between 106th and 107th)One of New York's best hand-pulled noodle shops, Ippudo is far beyond the usual restaurants with such fare, also including on its menu a far grander selection of Japanese cuisine.
65 4th Ave (bet. 9th & 10th Sts.)Ramen joint in the East Village.
141 1st AvePark Slope transplant of the Upper East Side eatery.
276 5th AveIvan Orkin may be from New York City, but his ramen acumen has been validated by uncommon success in Tokyo, where any noodle is serious business. After a two year wait, Orkin finally opened his first stand-alone restaurant in his native city, his second domestic foray after Goth...
25 Clinton StreetCramped social spot in the karaoke Bermuda Triangle of St. Marks that draws in expatriate Japanese and alcohol-saturated NYU students for some massive food and questionable beers.
5 Saint Marks PlaceSimple, reliable ramen on the Upper East Side.
1596 3rd AveCozy Japanese joint in the West Village with stellar ramen.
11 Barrow StreetDelicious, brothy ramen in Midtown.
248 E 52nd StTrue noodle shop on the Park Slope/Gowanus border, presided over by Jean Georges and Lespinasse-tried chef Akihiro Moroto. All types and stripes of ramen are on offer here, including some pan-Asian choices that are above and beyond the limited offerings of other Brooklyn noodleri...
173 4th Ave