Tony Johor Kaki Travels for Food · Heritage · Culture · History

Food Explorer Storyteller with 63 million+ reads 📧 johorkaki@gmail.com

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-West-Village-NYC-New-York

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



RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

Ramen-Ya's dining area was converted from the living room of a townhouse (there was even a small disused fire place). It was small and seats were limited. The compact, elbow to elbow space was just like a Tokyo ramen-ya (ramen shop).

Service was basic, efficient, but very pleasant. My ramen bowl arrived about 10 minutes after orders were taken, even though the restaurant was almost full. 

RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

Ramen-Ya's Tonkotsu Shio Black USD12 (before tax and tip).

RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

The char siu was the highlight. 

The lean portion was tender, almost mushy, very close to mushy but not quite. Just nice.

The fat was so soft, I thought it was going to literally melt in my mouth and bathe my tongue with savoury sweet porcine juice.

RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

I like it that Ramen-Ya serves ajitsuke tamago (which is slow poached and flavoured egg) with their ramen.

RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

The cloudy pork broth was medium bodied. The savoury porcine flavour was also mild with slight sweet and garlicky notes. I drank up the broth to the last drop.

People who find Minya's broth too intense and heavy will appreciate Ramen-Ya's soup.



The coveted garlic flavour come from the dash of garlic flavoured oil made by frying raw garlic cloves.

RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

The noodles were the angel hair type - slender and smooth. Softly al dente, they soaked up the broth well, making they slurpy delicious. I prefer my noodles a little stiffer, though. (Not sure if Ramen-Ya has a thicker version of noodles. I shall ask for lower gauge, fatter noodles next time.)

Overall, Ramen-Ya serves a likable ramen bowl with mildly savoury medium bodied broth, soft al dente noodles accompanied by outstanding char siu

RamenYa-West-Village-NYC-New-York

Ramen-Ya was converted from a townhouse and the signage was not very prominent. It's best to note the address and check the map before making your way there.

Restaurant: Ramen-Ya West Village

Address181 West 4th Street, NYC New York
Maphttp://bit.ly/RamenYa
Hours: 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight

Date visited: 1 Jan 2014


Return to Johor Kaki homepage.

No comments:

Post a Comment

All comments submitted with genuine identities are published