Pai Men Miyake

Pictured: Paitan - Chicken and pork broth, pork belly, soy marinated egg, scallion, ginger, nori ($13)

Broth: 3
Noodles: 4
Pork Belly (Chashu): 5+
Price: 3.5
Average score: 4.125

*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.

Notes:  The best part...the pork belly slices!  The (+) next to the 5 shows the temptation of rating the pork belly greater than 5 if it were not based on the current rating scale -- it was that good!!  The pork belly was perfectly charred on the surface making each piece crispy as you bite into it and the meat quickly melted in your mouth as you penetrated into the deeper fatty layers.  Probably the best slice of pork belly hands down!  If only the chef can perfect or alter the broth a little bit because the ginger overpowered the broth.  But in a way, the broth was too clean.  The pork flavor barely tickled the tongue before the salt and ginger overtook the flavors.   

 

Hakata Ramen

Pictured: Hakata Ramen (Pork bone base soup) - $8.95

Broth: 4.5
Noodles: 4
Pork Belly (Chashu): 4
Price: 5
Average score: 4.375

*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.

Notes: On Fridays, the special includes a bowl of Hakata Ramen, Hakata Mini Katsukare (small bowl of curry with pork cutlet and rice), and 3 pieces of Philadelphia Maki all for $13.95!!  The portions are substantial enough for you to be more than comfortably full.  As for the ramen, the broth was clean but encompassed a full body pork flavor.  The pickled collard greens was a good garnish/topping.  The generous slices of pork belly were very tender -- they melted in your mouth.

 

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Pictured:  Momofuku Ramen - pork belly, pork shoulder, poached egg

Broth: 4.5
Noodles: 4
Pork Belly (Chashu): 4
Price: 2
Average score: 3.625
*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.

Notes:  Classic.  It's a pretty solid bowl of pork belly ramen.  Would have a higher rating if it wasn't for the price tag of $17.  The price maybe normal for New Yorkers.  Loved the poached egg!  Very clean broth!  It's like you want to continue slurping the broth just to dissect the complex flavors.  Loved the "charredness of the pork belly -- a little crunchiness mixed with the tenderness of meat.  If it's your first time sampling ramen in New York, you have to make a stop here!  Locals and other ramen enthusiasts will tell you otherwise as there are many other ramen joints in the area that will blow you away.

 

Izakaya Sozai

Pictured:  Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen (Additions: Fried, braised pork belly)

Broth: 4.5
Noodles: 4
Pork Belly (Chashu): 5
Price: 4.5
Average score: 4.5

*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.

Notes:  Well balanced pork broth; flavor profile - black pepper hits you first, oil, and pork flavor.  Noodles were slightly on the firm side but worked for this particular bowl.  The thick braised pork belly (1 piece) that came with the ramen was a good balance between fat and lean meat.  It was also marinated well.  Highly recommend adding "fried, braised" pork belly (2 pieces for $2.50) - the crispy outside with the tender interior was excellent!  Priced at $10.  The half egg (yolk) was cold.

 

Ramen Parlor

Pictured: Classic Ramen Pork Flavor with kikurage mushrooms (medium spicy)

REVIEW

Daikaya

Broth: 3.5
Noodles: 4
Pork Belly (Chashu): 4
Price: 4
Average score: 3.875
*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.  

Notes:  This is a creamy "mugi-miso" broth with a slight peanut flavor but a bit on the salty side.  Pork belly was amazingly tender but was not a fan of the ground pork and yellow onions.  We thought the noodles were on point - good length, chewiness, and texture.  A side note on the restaurant:  No reservations so expect to wait up to 3 hours even during late hours, especially during the weekends.  

 

Foo-Foo Tei

Broth: 2
Noodles: 4
Pork Belly (Chashu): 3
Price: 4
Average score: 3.25

Notes:  The broth was too creamy with a strong "corn" flavor that over powered the rest ingredients.  Noodles were done well and the pork belly was also very tender.  Probably the best part is the price.  For $8.40 a bowl, you will be decently satisfied and full when the bowl is empty.

*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.

 

Ramen Tatsu

Broth: 4
Noodles: 3
Pork Belly (Chashu): 3
Price: 5
Average score: 3.75

Notes:  Light pork broth.  Comes with one slice of tender pork belly.  Noodles are thin but slightly undercooked.  Priced extremely cheap at $7.77 per bowl which is half the price of ramen in Minneapolis.  

*On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the best.