Ramen Setagaya
141 1st Ave., East Village, NY
map & more
Neighborhood
East Village
Cuisine
Ramen
Nearby
Mercury Lounge
Rockwood Music Hall
Webster Hall
212-529-2740
Our somewhat unhealthy obsession with Momofuku and Ippudo might lead one to believe that’s the only Japanese ramen game in town. As any hardcore ramen enthusiast will surely tell you, that’s not the case. Although not as sexy or exciting as the aforementioned Infatuation staples, Setagaya serves a purpose as the best of the rest – a cheaper, quicker noodle alternative. Instead of long waits, steep prices and pork buns, Setagaya counters with a low key and authentic ramen experience. Like Ippudo, Setagaya is a New York outpost of a popular Japanese ramen chain. We’re not sure if the Japanese noodle slurping championships show on the ramen house TVs in Tokyo, but it’s awesome either way.
Food Rundown:
Shio Ramen
This food rundown will consist of the one and only thing you need to worry about. You don’t need a menu, but you do need a big bowl of shio ramen steaming in front of your face as fast as humanly possible. This is a damn fine bowl of noodles. The fact that the pork can be too fatty is forgettable because the other elements in the soup make up for it. The salt broth is made with dried scallops and anchovies and although in theory that may not sound good, it’s what helps cuts this broth through the clutter. The noodles are excellent too. Damn, now I’m really in the mood for ramen.
