Ippudo, Ramen so Good It Makes U Cry

Ippudo serves, among other things,  Ramen ( not the kind you douse with hot water ).  Silky, flavorful Tonkotsu broth and al dente noodles are their specialty.  When I lived in Midtown,  I had Ramen at unhealthy frequency because the only eateries near my apartment were Sushi shops, tourist traps, and Ramen houses.  Eating Sushi everyday would have cost me my rent, and nobody in their right mind should eat at Friday's in New York City,  so Ramen became my friend.  

Ippudo's Tonkotsu Ramen is one of the best in the city,  and in my opinion, even better than Momofuku's.  Its tasty broth is the culmination of simmering pork bones for as long as 18 hours.  Speaking of long periods of time,  prepare your self for ridiculous waits during peak dining hours, quite ironic since Ramen is supposed to be a fast food.  Ippudo is located on Fourth Avenue at Ninth Street.

Sobaya

Hot soba noodles with grilled duck slices ( Kamonan ).

Chef Morimoto once said that if he could pick his last meal on earth, it would be soba. I don't think buckwheat noodles would be my choice for a last meal, but when it snows in April, like today, I want something hot, comforting and delicious.  Sobaya never disappoints.

Our favorite Soba restaurant in New York used to be Honmura An on mercer.  We alternated between the two establishments for over five years.   Honmura An was pricier but served more al dente noodles;  Sobaya offers impeccable broth and better desert.  When Honmura An closed their doors two years ago, we were really glad to still have Sobaya to fall back on.  

Soba noodles hand made daily on-site.

Trio of simmered vegetables : squash, lotus root, Japanese yam.

Soba with fried tofu, spinach, and fish cake.

Milk tofu ( or what I call Japanese Panna Cotta ), black sesame Ice cream.

Sobaya is located on 9th between 2nd & 3rd.