Note: I guess my streak of at least one post a week has ended. I’m going to still try to update at least once a month. We shall see! 
I went to Momofuku Noodle Bar a few years ago with a friend who was visiting NYC for the weekend. When another out of town friend a few months ago requested a meal at Momofuku Noodle Bar, I was a bit hesitant. I am a big fan of noodles and during my first visit to this over-hyped restaurant, I couldn’t accept that a bowl of ramen could be priced at $16 and still be mediocre at best. Also, a couple years later, it was named best bowl of ramen in NYC by Chef Morimoto (over Ippudo??) I was shocked and disappointed.
Fast forward a few months ago, after getting delicious drinks at Angel’s Share, my friend JC and I walked over to Momofuku Noodle Bar. I was expecting a huge wait since it was Friday at 9pm, which is prime dinner time in NYC. To my surprise, we only had about at 15 minute wait before we seated at the bar. In case you are living under a rock, one of their most famous dishes is the steamed buns with pork. I already tried them during my first visit, so I wasn’t really interested in having it again. I have this distaste for visible fat on meat, so I have trouble enjoying pork belly like most people. JC ordered the buns and really enjoyed them. I think this dish comes from Chinese cuisine and it’s pork belly served in steamed pillows of bread. Anyhow, after taking a look at their menu, I decided against their famous “Momofuku Ramen” as I wanted to try something different and I didn’t want to cheat on Ippudo. I skimmed the menu and the words “hand cut noodles” rang my internal noodleaholic alarm. Then I saw other delicious words, “brisket” and “soy egg”. I decided that would be my noodle soup of the night.
Handcut noodles and brisket
JC ordered the Momofuku Ramen as she just had Ippudo the night before so it’d be the perfect taste test. When my steaming bowl of noodles arrived, I was pleasantly surprised with the presentation. The noodles were thick and chewy, just the way I like it. The broth was really rich and beefy. I was in love. If only there was more noodles (maybe double portion), then I’d be even happier. I hope David Chang keeps this dish on his menu permanently as it is so much better than his signature ramen. All I know is that my next meal at Momofuku Noodle Bar will be for the highly coveted Fried Chicken Dinner. If I could only snag a reservation.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Avenue (between 10th and 11th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212.777.7773
Takes credit cards
No reservations except for the Fried Chicken Dinner
Tags: david chang, momofuku, noodles, postaweek2011, ramen
Has hungrytaiwanesegirl really not eaten out anyplace good since April?
“Note: I guess my streak of at least one post a week has ended. I’m going to still try to update at least once a month. We shall see!
”
It seems your lack of posting turned out to be a slippery slope.