Japanese: Ippudo

I’m a fairy impatient person.  I don’t like waiting and am a huge (HUGE!) fan of reservations.  One of the few foods that I will wait up to 90 minutes for is the Akamaru Modern ramen (above) at Ippudo.  Yes, it is that good.  What makes it worth the wait?  Where do I even begin…

Ippudo, a ramen chain imported from Japan a few years ago, offers a variety of ramen, appetizers, drinks and desserts.  But I am loyal to one bowl of noodles alone – the Akamaru Modern.  Featuring pork belly, cabbage, a medium-cooked soy egg, scallions, chewy, springy noodles, garlic oil and “special sauce” – the broth is a study in umami.  I am jealous of others slurping out of the bright red bowl, even though I know my own will be placed before me in a few minutes time.  I plan my Ippudo trips days in advance and look forward to my Modern.  I pick less-busy days from work so I can go to Ippudo early.  Sounds crazy – all this for a bowl of noodles?  You’ll understand once you’ve tried the Modern.

Enough about the Modern though – you’ll just have to try it for yourself!  Ippudo also offers a variety of appetizers.  I’m a fan of the hirata buns – steamed pork buns with sweet/spicy sauce.  This time, my eating buddy and I tried something new – the tori karaage.  A crispy fried chicken dish accompanied by chili and mayo dipping sauces, we couldn’t go wrong.  Fried? Mayo? Sign me up.

And for those who want to try a different ramen selection (who are you??), the classic offers a milder alternative.  Less garlicky and decidedly milder, I’d suggest the classic if you want to go easy on your taste buds.  But really, get the Modern.

The wait is long.  I’m pretty sure the hostesses hate me (I’m a “How much longer is the wait?” customer. I’m impatient, remember?). But I will keep returning as long as the best bowl of ramen in NYC awaits me.

Worth the (really long) wait!

Ippudo
65 4th Ave. (at 10th St.)
212.388.0088

What’s your favorite noodle dish?