4. Ise Menkui-tei

For lunch, we headed to Ise Menkui-tei and was surprised to see how empty it was given that we made reservations.

 Clockwise starting with the top left: Gekikara Ramen ($9.50), Menkui Ramen ($8.75), Curry over rice, Gyoza ($5.00) Miso Ramen ($8.75), 

Gekikara Ramen ($9.50) :Extra spicy flavored noodle soup (3 pcs, of roast pork. shredded scallions)

"The ramen was ok. Could have been better. Was forgettable." -Jo

 Menkui Ramen($8.75) : Pork based soup

the ramen was just ok. The onions overpowered the dish, especially when you bite into a huge chunk. The ramen itself was a good texture and the soup was tasteful, not an explosion of flavors. The meat was very dried."-Kate

 Miso Ramen ($8.75) : Miso (soy bean paste) flavored noodle soup, 2 pcs, roast pork, bean sprout bamboo shoot scallion. 

"Bland ramen but best gyoza thus far." -Allie

 "Ise-gekikara ramen pork is dry. There is lack of flavoe in rhw aoup. It could be due to the overpowering of spice (and not in a good way since i love spicy). Wouldn't recommend this bowl." -Amy

3. Totto Ramen

We took the bus across town towards the west side for Totto Ramen. We were surprised to have to wait after the restaurant had opened less than an hour into service. Although they told us the wait was 15 minutes, we waited outside for less than 5 minutes and were promptly seated. Their service was super fast at receiving our order and serving our food. Our meal took less than an hour total and we were full and satisfied customers. 

Char Siu Pork Bun (1pc $3.25 / 2pc $6)

Clockwise starting with the top left: Paitan Ramen with pork ($9.75 +2 avocado), Spicy Ramen with chicken ($11.25), Spicy Ramen with pork ($11.25), Paitan Ramen with chicken ($9.75)

Paitan Ramen with pork ($9.75 +2 avocado) :Whole chicken and premium soy sauce based soup topped with scallion, onion and a nori.

"I couldn't find the avocado at first and started panicking but it was snuggling under the pork." -Allie

Spicy Ramen with chicken ($11.25) : Original Rayu, Spicy Sesame Oil, adds a spicy kick and refreshing aftertaste to our original Paitan ramen.Topped with scallion, bean sprouts, and nori.

"Mine wasn't too spicy and didn't have a whole bunch of stuff in it so if you like simple this place could be preferable." -Jo

Spicy Ramen with pork ($11.25) 

"Perfect amount of spiciness." -Amy

Paitan Ramen with chicken ($9.75)

Pro: super speedy staff, coat rack, modern art decor
Cons: a bit of wasabi/ not flavorful in the buns,

Bill: $60.51 for 4 people

2. Naruto Ramen

The rain didn't stop us from visiting Naruto Ramen on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The wait was about 15 minutes for 5 people. The inside of the restaurant is very narrow, but we do get to watch the chef prepare our food. We counted five Neyo songs throughout the course of our meal.

 Gyoza 6 for $5(don't like the filling -K)

Left to right: Tan tan Ramen($11), Naruto Ramen($9), Vegetable Ramen($11)

Naruto Ramen-Soy sauce based noodle soup with bamboo shoot, boiled egg, scallion, dried seasweed, beansprout, fish cake and roast pork.

Tantan Ramen: Spicy sesame sauce with fish cake minced pork, beansprout and scallion. Wasn't that spicy at all!

Pros: pork is flavorful, cheaper ramen option

Cons: low/no greeting, only 14 seats, no bathrooms, no ramen refills

Bill: $60.43 for 5 people

1. Ippudo

Hey! First stop is probably the most famous ramen place in all of nyc-Ippudo. We went for lunch during the week day so there wasn't much of a wait.

Atmosphere: Friendly greeting, chilled, nice interior.

Food

Appetizer: Pork and Chicken Buns ($9 for 2 buns)

Entree: Akamaru Modern ($14), Shiromaru Hakata Classic ($14), Karaka Men ($14)
*ramens are cheaper by $1 during lunch, and there's a special lunch set option, pictured above- rice bowl with grilled eel (+$3)

Desserts: Green Tea Creme Brulee ($8)

Miscellaneous Pro's: lunch special, have special limited ramens, interesting bathrooms, pre-meal wipes, green tea after meal

Cons: no take out, no mochi ice cream

Total: $77.30 for 3 people