New York

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Rai Rai Ken

More Photos
IgoUgo Staff
IgoUgo Staff
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
3
Photos
Editor Pick

Rai Rai Ken

  • November 23, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by IgoUgo Staff from New York, New York
Rai Rai Ken

Rai Rai Ken
214 East 10th Street
between First and Second Avenues
New York, NY
212/477.7030

While Rai Rai Ken reminds me of the Japanese movie Tampopo, it is my quick trip to Tokyo a few years ago that always comes flooding back whenever I enter the shop for a simple bowl of ramen. Separating the banners overhead at the door, I immediately get transported back to winter Japan; its narrow space and wooden bar remind me of cold cheeks and frozen hands after my usual bike commute through the suburbs of Tokyo. Their simple menu offers three kinds of ramen bowls: shoyu, a soy sauce-based broth, shio, seafood-based, and miso, made of soy beans, all served with bamboo shoots, spinach, roast pork, nori (dry seaweed), and scallions, topped with the ever-so-Japanese pink fish cake. Long strands of ramen noodles that require pulling, twirling, and slurping complete the package. You can order fried vegetables and pork gyoza (dumplings) on the side, as well as edamame (boiled soy beans) and white rice. Sapporo and Kirin beer overflow for those who want to extend their stay.

In New York City, temperatures do not drop like they do in Japan during the winter months, but it is nonetheless cold. It is so cold, only an imaginary trip back to Japan at Rai Rai Ken can warm me up.

From journal Christmas in New York City with IgoUgo

Compare New York Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

New York Travel Deals