The Best Ramen in NYC - New York City on Sunday

Ramen wasn't at the top of my mind when I was visiting New York City. I was making my rounds of pizzas, bagels, hotdogs, donuts, cheesecakes and pastrami until Johor Kaki blog follower Mogan brought me for a late night, after work ramen supper at Takashi.

That was the ramen awakening for me ;-D

New York City being New York City, does ramen things with it's own stamp and distinction. From then on, I embarked on my own discovery trail of NYC's ramen.

I've tried a quite a few ramen shops in NYC and from that experience have conjured up, what in my mind would be the ideal ramen for me.



There is a great deal of diversity in styles and types of ramen. This is just the ideal ramen of my imagination. I am sure everyone have their own ideas about what is the best ramen as taste is a very personal thing.

Best Ramen in NYC New York

No not really the top 10 best ramen in New York City, just my personal favourites after trying numerous ramen shops during my 10 week stay in NYC ;-D



All these ramen shops are excellent though not in every department; so here I am just highlighting each shop's best points and let you read the full review by clicking on the links. The shops are not listed in any particular order or ranking.

Bassanova Ramen in NYC New York

Bassanova Ramen, originally from Tokyo, is on many listicles of New York City's best ramen.

Totto Ramen in NYC New York

Totto Ramen, a basement level, dingy noodle shop is on every list of New York City's best ramen.



Stepping inside, Totto Ramen was a very compact and intimate ramen shop. This bar was half the ramen joint's seating capacity ;-D Everyone was sitting elbow to elbow.

Ippudo Ramen in NYC New York

Ippudo is one of the most popular ramen joints in New York City.



I chose to come in here only after lunch time in order to avoid the infamous line at Ippudo.

Though there wasn't the usual peak hour queue outside, there were people waiting at the bar/ holding area.

Momofuku Noodle Bar Ramen in NYC New York

Tasting the famed Momofuku ramen by Celebrity Chef David Chang is on the to-do list of many foodies.



I chose a weekday, off peak hour to visit Momofuku Noodle Bar and still there was a good size crowd inside.

Ivan Ramen in NYC New York Lower East Side

Ivan Ramen is one of the most raved about ramen shops in New York City.



Stepping into Ivan Ramen, I can't help but be excited by the hip decor and buzz inside.

Ramen-Ya West Village in NYC New York

Ramen-Ya in West Village, Manhattan which opened only in 2013 has already found it's way into conversations of NYC foodies and ramen lovers.



Ramen-Ya's claim to fame is their Tonkotsu Shio Black.

Minca Ramen Factory in NYC New York

After trying the midnight ramen at Takashi, I suddenly wanted to try other famous ramen joints in New York ;-p



The name Minca ramen kept coming up in discussions among locals in the know about the City's best and value for money ramen.

Midnight Ramen at Takashi in NYC New York (Closed in 2023)

Takashi is a popular yakiniku (Japanese grill) restaurant in the West Village district of Manhattan, New York City.

That's what Takashi is most of the time. One of NYC's best Japanese grill places famous for the best Kobe beef cuts and exotic innards for those who dare.

Twice a week, Takashi transforms into something else.

After midnight on Friday and Saturday, we get to see another side of Takashi.