Lots of people are talking about the mainstream ramen joints that are Ippudo or Momofuku, but they should not miss some great, more low key ramen restaurants that one can find walking the streets of the city. This is how we found Ramen Thukpa, by simply walking down 7th avenue.
It is a small place for sure with a courteous and efficient staff. There, they serve Tibetan and Japanese food, focusing on hot pots, at reasonable prices. They have a great deal with a lunch special from Monday to Friday where you get an appetizer and either ramen or cold noodles without broth. We went for the ramen of course!
But first were the appetizers. Jodi chose the vegetable spring rolls that were delightfully greasy and crispy.
On my side, I went for the pork and chive dumplings. At first, I was a bit disappointed when I saw them, because I like them fried, but I have to admit that they were delicious: tasty, with a shell that was perfect, not thick or doughy.
Then the ramen came. Jodi chose the Buddha Ramen composed of shoyu (soy sauce)
Based vegetable broth with age tofu, spinach, bean sprouts, corn, bamboo shoots and scallion. She added half miso egg that was only 50 cents supplement (some restaurants really push it and charge two bucks).
On my side, I ordered the Tonkotsu Miso Ramen that was made with chicken and pork bone broth, bean sprouts, braised chicken, corn, bamboo shoots and scallion. I also added half miso egg, as well as chashu pork.
Both ramen were delicious, but I preferred the Tonkatsu one that was so good. The broth was rich and milky and there were lots of veggies there. The pork and chicken were also delicious, tasty and perfectly cooked.
As far as the noodles were concerned, they were both different, the one in the Tonkotsu slightly thinner.
The result on my side was an empty bowl... It was sublime and I definitely recommend this place. Would I go back to Ramen Thupka? Definitely and the best proof I liked it is there:
Enjoy (I did)!
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