Fast yummy and piping hot bowl of ramen. I can't compare it to any other place but it was good!!!!!
(4)
Josh K.
It was good before (as plain old menkui-tei on the west side of 6th) and it's still good. The ramen is cheap, flavorful, good firm texture noodles (you can adjust the firmness to your liking.) Even sapporo, the closest equivalent in the area, is not so cheap. Salarymen get drunk here, which is as good of a seal of approval as you can get. It's not gonna be gourmet food, but it's going to be satisfying, fast, and made with care for a japanese palate. Look around the shop for the special menu and don't be afraid to ask your server what things are if the postings are only in japanese. A good place to relax after a long busy day.
(4)
Christie S.
I ate here once years ago by myself, had stopped by for a quick lunch on a Saturday while running errands. Luckily it was sort of an off-peak time & the place was not too crowded and I was able to eat in peace/solitude. Service then was great and my food came out quickly. They also let me enjoy my lunch (& beer!) & did not rush me out at all. I haven't been here since then, only because I now work across town on the East Side & keep forgetting this place is here (I blame old lady brain). The day of my most recent visit (a Friday) was a chilly day in NY & I felt like eating ramen & randomly remembered this place. Decided to get the same dish I got last time (Tan Tan Men, ramen w/spicy ground pork), but opted to get it as takeout this time. Wait time was fast, I received my dish in less than 10 minutes. The older gentleman host who took my order was very very nice, but the young woman I paid my tab with was not as much so (not outright rude, but not very warm either) - I took 1 star away for that. My Tan Tan Men was just as delicious as I remembered it. SO good! And hit the spot on a chilly Winter day. I think I found my go-to ramen spot!
(4)
Annalise L.
This little joint gets three stars, one for having decent service that is not particularly in your face, one for cheap fairly quality food and one for having a a delicious broth for their pork tonkatsu ramen (called the Hakata Ramen) in house. The downsides: I tried the gyoza and it was, ehm, not good. Traditional size, average filling but the skin texture was just off - I tried letting one cool to see if it was any better cold and it was not. I could barely finish my set and I thought it was expensive for $6 at it's size. I also thought the actual ramen could have been improved, but the broth was fantastic so it was enough to get me through 2/3rds of the bowl and be fairly satisfied. Actual pork was inconsistent - the bowl came with two pieces, one was extremely fatty and the other extremely lean. It was good value for the ramen, but ultimately this place was less of a hidden gem and more of a cheap ears with food for a cheap eat.
(3)
Magnus N.
Nice place with good ramen. Still think Stockholm has better noodles though. Would give it 3,5 if I could.
(3)
Anya A.
If you are coming on a weekend, try to get here before the main dinner crowds (prior to 7 p.m.) otherwise you will be lined up against the wall, watching other diners with hungry envious eyes. The dishes that stood out for me and my friends: black cod with miso, salmon and yellow tail sashimi, tongue and green tea custard.
(4)
Jerry J.
I'm in ramen heaven.although it is a small hole in the wall place that if you blink you'll miss it,a definite must not miss while in New York .,.every time I'm in the big apple I have to come here for my ramen fix..the absolute best ramen in New York..
(5)
Matt F.
After a delicious bowl of ramen, my mouth was dry all afternoon despite drinking water. This tells me they use lots of MSG. The ramen was good but the pork was thin and dry and lean. Service was ok. They do their job. Prices are reasonable. Nothing great about the experience.
(2)
Jenny L.
The food is pretty good. I got the Katsu Don while my boyfriend got the 1 (forgot the name) on the ramen menu. The Katsu Don was okay. It was just super salty with a puddle of way too much soy sauce on the Katsu. The ramen was so good and the broth was super tasty. However the service was meh. They ignored my boyfriend when he was trying to get the bill and giving them the bill. They pass by like whatever. The water service is a 0. They poured refills for others but apparently we were nonexistent to them when they poured water to a table 2 feet from us. I would probably come back here when I have ramen cravings AND whenever I'm in the neighborhood. But would never make a trip just to go here.
I lived in Tokyo for two years so admittedly I'm a bit of a Japanese food snob...that being said last night I was not let down by this establishment. Luckily I ate with a group of 6 which gave me a chance to try various dishes, the two types of Ramen I had were pretty dam good. Service was nice and friendly and price was very reasonable. Folks this is a real Japanese restaurant, owned and run by Japanese people...serving real Japanese food.
(4)
Arthur Z.
One of the best authentic ramen noodle places in town. 5 stars for the price and great food.
(5)
Kaye D.
I have only come for lunch, and it's usually busy. I will comment on the layout of the restaurant. There isn't a large amount of space because of the framework of the building. It isn't so wide, so it's more of a hallway feel if you are seated near the back of the restaurant... If that makes any sense at all. It's very simple with no fru fru frills in decorating. But the food is pretty good in my opinion. I do like the spicy ramen dishes, perfect dish for me during winter time! I've also had their katsu, which tastes great as well. I feel like the food orders come out pretty quick even for a party of 4. And the heat is just about up my alley. I do ask for the spice rack to amp up the heat in my food just in case.
(4)
Lily T.
it was ok Got the miso ramen, while the broth and the ramen was good, the pork was bad pork should be tender and soft..but the pork in the bowl was hard, flavorless and dry there are much better ramen places in the city
(3)
Paul C.
This is a review specifically for their vegetarian ramen, which was incredibly underwhelming. I eat fish sometimes too, so I was hoping I could get something with miso or bonito but no--even all their non meat bases have meat mixed in. So, I opted for the one soup with no meat. Oh man, bad call. First the "veggies" consisted of a few flakes of cabbage, an eight of a carrot cut into shreds and I think something that may have been zucchini. And LOTS of sprouts. Essentially--the dish was all noodles. The worst part was the broth though. It almost tasted like dishwater--like if you were washing dishes and used it as a soup base. No, no soap--it's not like the bowl was badly rinsed--just tasteless, grainy foggy grossness. And it's not like I paid six dollars for this--it was a few bucks. The only reason I'm giving two stars is because the service was fantastic. Quick and very nice. If they could have actually understood what I was saying, I know they would have tried to help me out. Maybe they're just not used to vegetarians.
(2)
Celia Y.
I've been meaning to try this place out and I can say for sure, it's a quick, cheap, and fulfilling lunch spot, although it may not be the one of the best bowls of ramen you'll have. Prices range from $8.50-$12! - The charsiu was thick and dry but very flavorful, although borderline salty. - The broth was weak in flavor for the Menkui Ramen so I had to use a lot of shichimi togarashi (the pepper flake mix for the broth). - There was a nice balance of veggies and chewy noodles, but the noodles were not that memorable. - My friend's ramen, the Hirata Ramen, was overly salty, she couldn't finish it, even after adding water to dilute the broth. Overall, I'm not sure if I'd eat here again as there are other quick and yummy options in the area. But I may give their rice options a try!
(3)
L Z.
I'm gonna say it: I thought the noodles here were better than Ippudo! I got the Hakata ramen which was amazing! My only complaint was that the pork seemed dry and salty. Otherwise, it was stellar! Def not trendy or fancy but super yummy!
(4)
Chelsea T.
Perfect for lunch. Excellent, quick service. I had the spicy miso vegetable ramen - healthy and very filling.
(5)
Kelly J.
LOVE THIS PLACE Canton ramen is so good, and they do offer it without pork. I used to work down the block and this was my go to lunch place. The fried rice is also good. I legit head there whenever I need ramen although I no longer work in the area, and the prices are great. The service is always good and fast, but not rushed.
(5)
Nat F.
I almost didn't come here based on the 3.5 star average but so glad I did as we were in the area. Really tasty broth and ramen texture spot on - a bit chewy and good thickness. I had the black sesame dan dan mien and it was super satisfying. Hardly had to wait either for a seat, dishes came super quick. So bonus points for that! Definitely coming back to this gem.
(5)
Angela L.
This a noodle ramen place. I came here with a friend on a weekday around 6PM. When we got there, it was still pretty empty but it definitely picked up within half an hour, with a good amount of people having to wait for tables. The noodles were pretty good and pretty well priced. I got the tan tan ramen and my friend got the Tokyo ramen, both were flavorful. The noodle was not too soft or too hard. We also got the gal birthday appetizer which was very soft and moist. It had a sweet taste to it. The service was friendly and quick, but since it did pick up, I felt like they rushed us a little. The decor is simple, the place place neat and clean. The menu is filled with appetizers and maybe 15 noodle dishes, some of which are pretty similar. They had a few rice dishes that were not as appealing but its there if you want it. Overall, I would come back to try a few of the other noodles.
(4)
David P.
Beautiful value.. Beautiful Quantity. I am a noodle lover and they have all good noodle selection on less price with more quantity.. RAMEN had perfect soupy flavor.. The service was okay and decor is good as the casual restaurant should have.. Recommended!!!!
(4)
Felix C.
They literally kick us out into the cold. Because they rather serve multiple small party than one bigger group AND WE WERE WILLING TO BREAK UP INTO SMALLER GROUPS. We told them that we will seat 5 and 6 or what ever sitting is available. They refused and said: "no no no, this is impossible" and signaled with their hands to get out. One person in my group think that they did not say it right, but their hand signal is pretty straightforward and they even shoved my shoulder lightly. No other word is needed for me to know that they don't serve our group. One more note: to avoid overcrowding the line inside, half of my group was waiting outside, yet they refused us their service.
(1)
Erika S.
This will always be one of my favorite lunch spots. Not the fanciest ramen joint but the flavors are legit. The Tantan men tastes just like it does back in Tokyo and the hakata ramen is also delicious! I recommend this to anyone that lives or works in the area!
(4)
Bill G.
Excellent choice for a warming ramen lunch after a day of 5th Ave shopping. Tasty at a great price.
(4)
Shohei I.
This review is not about the noodles here. It's mediocre at best. I'm crazy about the Chuka Don. Chuka don. A staple of Japanese-appropriated Chinese food. It's basically a bowl of rice smothered with stir-fried veggies, pork, seafood, quail egg in a super thick / gooey ankake sauce. This place has the best chuka-don in town. For whatever reason, the chuka don here is far superior and fresher than the one at the East Village location. Weird. It's also a great place to take a lunch break if you are out on Fifth or Madison going on a shopping spree (well, maybe not because you can probably afford to go to a much nicer place if you were actually on a shopping spree in the area).
(5)
Clemens W.
I used to eat Menkui-tei at the East village location, and I absolutely loved it because it was the perfect place to slurp down noodles between class. When I was a poor college student, I would treat myself with a nice sit-down meal before cramming for more exams. Now that I've expanded my ramen palette and actually lived in Japan where I was spoiled with fresh ramen daily, I think this place is slightly under par. My par, however, is rather high and snobby, so you can take my advice with a grain of salt. When compared to other places, I found the ramen to be tender, but fairly ordinary. The broth isn't too salty, but doesn't have the rich boldness that I've come to enjoy at Totto or Ippudo. It wasn't terrible where I'd return the order and ask for my money back, and it's certainly still much better than anything I would be able to make, but it's also not close to the best out there. In terms of atmosphere, I love how they hire Japanese-speaking waiters/waitresses and their overall demeanor. It's also relatively inexpensive for ramen in the 56th and 6th street area, so I could find myself coming here again if I were in the area and had that ramen craving.
(3)
Thy L.
Tokyo ramen = shoyu ramen broth wasn't as hearty as other places. Only redeeming factor is you get a side of fried rice with any ramen for $3.50 which was tasty. Fried chicken was crispy dark meat which I always like. Skip the cucumbers because you get ONE Kirby cucumber for $5.00 Surprisingly there were many Japanese diners, still I probably would not return.
(2)
Raymond T.
Awesome for lunch. Delicious ramen and a side of fried rice GOOD GOOD GOOD. if you're in the area stop by. I try and go around 1:30 to beat the lunch crowd but if you're alone you might get seated quickly. The service is quick and friendly. Enjoy!
(4)
Morgan U.
So awesome here! Service was fantastic and the place is so clean! Price is very reasonable, and again the food is awesome!! I can't wait to go back for more!
(5)
Bruno D.
The noodles were great and I really appreciated being able to choose the firmness of the noodles and the thickness of the soup. I thought for sure I will be back until.... I found a paper napkin (or piece of toilet paper maybe) soaked in my soup. Apologies and a free dish will not make me change my mind: I will never go back.
(2)
Maki S.
Cozy place, friendly service, a good place for a quick meal. We ordered 3 things - Hakata Ramen - rich pork bone broth with tasty noodles, the cha siu is average, not the best I had but overall it's a very nice bowl of ramen. Gekikara Ramen - Also tasty with red hot broth, friend says it's not spicy enough but she can take the heat. Tatsuta Age (fried chicken) - Looked nice when it brought to the table, fried but not deep fried, chicken is fresh and tender BUT it's greasy on the plate if you let the chicken sit there long enough, by the time we finished the pieces, the paper underneath was soaked with oil. Good fried food shouldn't be greasy.
(4)
Mandy L.
Haven't been back to this midtown location in years until recently and was pleasantly surprised that they went through a renovation--the place is cleaner and almost double the size it used to be. The menu includes more non-ramen options now. The ramen is still good and I do prefer their ramen compared to Menchanko-tei which is just a bit further downtown. The roast pork is meaty and the portion size of the ramen is plentiful. If there's anything I was disappointed in, it would be the dashimaki tamago--tasted like a plain omelette, missing the rice vinegar, fish stock, mirin, sugar, etc. taste.
(3)
Chad K.
Decent lunch spot with reasonable prices. The place gets crowded during lunch hour. I would recommend going a little before noon or after 1:30pm. The only downside is the soup base for the ramen is really salty compared to other establishments.
(3)
Rosalee L.
This is my favorite ramen in the city. The one in the East village is just not as good. The pork is always perfect here and the soup stock is amazing. When I use to come here use ago it was usually Asian people, but more people have started to find out how good it is. Can't wait for my next trip back!
(5)
Peifang H.
They serve the food really fast. We got our food within 5 minutes. The food is decent
(4)
Tiffany T.
The first time I had Menkui Tei, I would've given it a 3. But after the disaster known as Mabo Ramen (DON'T GET IT), I'm taking off 1 star. We started off the meal with an order of tempura because I was craving something fried. However, the breading was very disappointing - instead of panko bread crumbs that should be used in tempura, they had a very thick, floury, tasteless, and cakey breading that quickly became soggy and greasy - this tends to be typical in American-Japanese or fusion joints that don't know what they're doing, but this is a Japanese establishment, so that's pretty unacceptable. I ended up peeling all the "skin" away from the veggies and and shrimp before consuming. Well, I thought my mabo ramen would redeem the unappetizing tempura, but I was WRONG. I was expecting tofu + ground pork in a bowl of soup with spices typical of the namesake, but what I got instead was a cornstarch-laden, viscous, salty mixture of tofu & pork poured unforgivably on top of a perfectly good bowl of noodle soup. The mabo mixture was so starch-laden that if I tipped the bowl over the mixture would probably still stay in the bowl. I don't know how else a bowl of soup can be more unappetizing than that... Throughout the meal I was pushing away & picking in between the viscous mixture to try to get to the uncontaminated soup, which was actually broth-y and edible, and noodles at the bottom like I was picking through a toxic dump. If the kitchen wasn't closing (we ate really late) I would have sent the bowl back (first time ever) because it was nearly inedible. With that said, there are other more palatable items on the menu, such as the tan tan ramen and canton ramen. But skip the tempura & mabo ramen. You've been warned.
(2)
Baramee C.
The weather was a bit chilly...and it would've been worth the trek out to Totto, but would it be worth the wait... Well, it would, but a girl's got to get back to work. Darn the man! I got the ramen here...and the pork gyoza. The gyoza was awesome. Delicious steamed dumplings. The ramen, was unimpressive, but it definitely hit the spot. I really only wish they would've given me hot sauce options to go with it. Nonetheless, I finished the bowl and was satisfied as I went back to work. They were nice...and seated us pretty quickly (3 people...during lunch...less than 5 min wait). It's a good go-to kind of place.
(3)
Sonny D.
i absolutely cannot rate this place any less than 5 stars. the gyoza is crazy amazing, i think there are trace amounts of crack in those things- they're that good! (disclaimer: crack is whack, kids). i am a classic/traditional ramen kind of person, and while better ramen can be had elsewhere in the city, theirs do not disappoint, and in fact, can hold a candle to the best of them. the ingredients are consistently fresh, the broth is flavorful but not overpowering, the noodles are not too springy but not too soggy, either (but you can specify your preference when you order). while my go-to is the shio, my new favorite is the canton ramen. really fills you up, too. ordering the small fried rice (+$3.50 with any ramen) is a definite must. friendly, attentive staff. probably the best thing about menkui tei is that you don't have to wait for a table in most cases. it's really just ramen, and personally i think that waiting an hour or so at the other spots is borderline ridiculous. oh, and the proximity to carnegie hall is an added bonus. i have at times abandoned my seat and walked straight to menkui tei during intermission. recently, when i skipped the entire 2nd half of yuja wang's recital (!), missing her numerous encore pieces and foregoing the sight of her walking back to the stage in a different dress (usually to audible gasps from the audience) -- because all i could think of was the gyoza and ramen! -- that's when i knew i have some thinking to do. time to re-examine my priorities.
(5)
Mike G.
Surprisingly bad food. The pork was too dry and tasteless. Even rice was absolutely terrible. Big disappointment.
(1)
Donna D.
Good sign when they speak Japanese and chef is Japanese. Really attentive service also.
(4)
Nadia K.
One word.....BANGIN!!! Yup that's the word! The broth was rich and creamy, the pork was tender yet had a nice chew to it. Yes, I don't like all my meat fall of the bone tender. The noodles were so good, nice and long, great chewy texture, and they will adjust the thickness at your request. How can it get better? Wait it can! You can add a side of curry rice for 3.50! Yes ma'am you can! You gotta go and try it!
(4)
Pheng L.
The best ramen i've ever had was when instant Cup-O-Noodles came out with their Kim-Chi flavored. I am not capricious, is all i'm sayin'. I had the Tokyo Ramen bowl. The broth is rich with all the spices settling at the bottom. Stir to get a full bodied taste, The meal was served quickly. In and out for less than 10$.
(4)
Michelle L.
Came here on a Tuesday night, a little before 7pm, and we were quickly seated. I got the Canton ramen with extra kimchi on top, and boy did it hit the spot! It was a very generous bowl, and by the time I got through the kimchi and the vegetables and finally got to the ramen, I was already pretty full! The broth was a little thicker than I had expected, but that wasn't a negative, just something different. You get a lot for the money, and the service was great (and by service, I mostly just mean they were attentive and re-filled our water glasses haha). Possible new go-to spot for those chilly winter nights!
(4)
Mandy S.
I normally go to Totto or Ippudo for my ramen, but today I decided to try this place instead. I ordered the Hakata Ramen (pork broth, pork, bean sprout, bamboo shoot, scallion) with boiled egg. Prices are cheaper than Totto and Ippudo (the Hakata Ramen without egg is $8.50; ramen at the other two places go over $10), which is a surprise given this restaurant's proximity to Fifth Ave and midtown. The service is pretty good, and good air conditioning. Not crowded or loud like in Totto or Ippudo, so if you're into a peaceful ramen experience this place is your pick. The food is good, but not great. For a quick fix, this place would suit your needs. If you want some good ramen, though, head elsewhere. Two things about the Hakata were off: first, the soup base is not as flavorful as the soup base of the other two restaurants. You could say that the broth is more unidimensional in taste. Second, the pork pieces in the ramen were tough and not tender. At Totto and Ippudo, the pork pieces literally fall apart when you bite into them. Here, there is very much resistance to the teeth... I would come back, but only if I don't have the opportunity to head to Totto or Ippudo.
(3)
Saju J.
Interesting Japanese food. Great misu udon, most other dishes are good with an interesting twist. Went with 5 kids who loved the place
(4)
Wanxin C.
Definitely one of the best ramen place in mid-town! I had the wonderful hakata ramen (I definitely spelled it wrong...)
(5)
Brad P.
Very cheap and good for what you pay. Dinner prices were equivalent to normal restaurant's lunch specials. I ordered the #1 ramen, which wasn't bad at all. It was only $9 for a large bowl. The curry rice was delicious, also $9. For those on a budget, this is a perfect place to get some japanese food.
(4)
Allison G.
I come here occasionally for lunch and the food is always pretty good. I usually get ramen here..because that's what they are known for, but this time I tried their lunch special which is sorta like a bento box. My friend and I both had the grilled salmon. I thought it was alright...for the price it was good. The salmon was a bit overcooked though. Overall, I'd still just order the ramen dishes next time. My 4* is for the ramen. 3.5* for lunch special. It's a nice sit down spot for lunch and definitely stop by for delicious ramen!
(4)
Angela S.
Excellent! The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The service was fast and friendly.
(5)
Anthony W.
Jar Jar Reman for lunch today. Cold brothless noodles for the summer! Noodles - Thin and wavy with a pleasing flavor and texture. Very good. Toppings - Spicy ground pork, Sticky and sweet soy with a little heat. I liked the sweet component, although the spicy wasn't that spicy. Still very good. Bean sprouts really added nothing to this bowl in either flavor or texture. A slight miss here. Sliced cucumber - here's the crunch and texture your need. It also helped to cut the heat, which I supplemented with table side togarashi. Scallions - add flavor and crunch. Pickled Ginger - flavorful tart bites when mixed in that changed the taste profile. A welcome component to the dish. When all mixed together it was a delightful summer lunch. I even saved some of my mini fried rice to mix in with the last remnants of ground pork. A solid 3-1/2 stars. If not for the bean sprouts (I wonder what could be substituted in their place) this would have been a solid 4 stars. Worth another visit to this restaurant!!
(3)
Johnny Y.
Ramen was pretty good and flavorful but when I finished it I said what that's it? I should've added more noodles to my entree.The gyoza was good also. Besides that this place is amazing. I'm definitely coming back since I work around the area!
(4)
Shaunna F.
What an awesome gem for ramen! So clean and fresh tasting! Had the menkui ramen with kimchi. Generous, beautifully prepared and delicious! Had gyoza as an app, which were great! They were full of pork and cooked perfectly. Also had pork buns, which could have used a little more pork or sauce but still great to start out! Service was prompt and food came out quickly, but not too quickly. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Julian P.
Listen, I love ramen. I've had a lot of it in NYC. Some is good, most sucks and few are great. I would say this place hovers between good and great. I enjoy getting an extra large menkui ramen with extra noodles (if I am feeling like a fat bastard). The Oyokudon is also very good. The service and cleanliness is fine for a place like this. If you want fine dining go to Colichio and Sons. If you are a ramen snob (get a life) you will probably dig this place. The staff is also very nice.
(4)
Randall F.
Ramen right up there with Ippudo, without the massive wait. We had a late lunch and waited only about 5 minutes for our table. Authentic Japanese selections with a very good variety of Ramen. I had the Chanpon with a rich looking pork bone broth, tasted lighter than it looked. It comes with the thick noodles but I requested the thin ramen noodles instead. You can order side curry dish for an extra $3.50 which is way too much food as I discovered. Their portions are not skimpy. An excellent reliable ramen place with 3 locations.
(4)
Taiyo O.
My experience today was very different from the previous one. I had Spicy Ramen. It overpowered bythe spiciness. I was pleasantly surprised of my Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth). It was Japan-delicious, intensely porky. The opaque and a potage like rich broth was tasty. Melty Char Sui and, must-have, Beni Shoga (pickled red ginger) as toppings was very Japan. Beni Shoga's acidity balanced off the fatness of Char Siu and its fatty broth. A moment, I dreamed off to a back alley of Tokyo and enjoying myself at a Ramen cart with a red lantern glowing my ramen. thisismypicture.wordpres… but newly renovated space doesn't do that anymore. I will stop by again, especially after MOMA, to have Tonkotsu Ramen.
(4)
Ken P.
I have heard many good things about this place from NYU students so whilst walking around EVil with few of my friends on a frigid Sunday afternoon, Menkutei seemed like more than an adequate option. Hot sake, anyone? Simple plain decor was unassuming. Waitresses were very friendly and quick to serve. Drinks were moderately priced - House sake (L) will set you back $8.50. They also have Kirin, Saporo, and Asahi on tap! It has definitely been awhile since I've had Kirin on tap so it was definitely a nice surprise. We weren't hungry so we didn't order many things, but grilled squid was delectable. Table next to ours had curry which looked and smelled really good. Overall I was not taken by their simple and plain decor, but enjoyed their delicious hot sake and friendly service! Cash only!!
(3)
Peter Z.
Excellent midtown location for ramen lovers.
(4)
Julia Z.
Ordered takeout with my coworkers. The tonkatsu ramen broth is salty and fatty. You can see a layer of oil in the broth once you open the container. The char siu was tough and overcooked, the ginger was overwhelming. Pass on this, I rather eat instant noodle.
(2)
Linda C.
I work in the neighborhood and heard a lot of reviews saying that service is quick, so I gave it a try. Not the best ramen I've had but it was definitely good enough. The side I got was great. I liked it better than the ramen. It was cheap too!
(4)
Benjamin V.
This place is legit - exactly like what you would get in Japan. I highly recommend the the miso ramen, which was absolutely amazing. My wife had the spicy miso ramen and gyoza, which were also excellent. We also brought our two kids - 8 and 4. Unlike most ramen houses in town, we had no problem getting a table for the four of us (granted it was 2pm). Kids really enjoyed the curry rice - once again, exactly like they serve it in the Tokyo area. Service was friendly and attentive. And to top it off, the bill was like only $45, which included three drinks, and extra rice and edamame. Only reason this wasn't 5 stars is the pork slices seemed too think and not tender enough....we will be returning, though!
(4)
Paya P.
Get the pork bone soup ramen!!! I know it sounds a little scary but it's amazing. I've had it at least three times and loved it every time. Very very good price and you get a lot of great ramen. Service is quick, especially if you go alone at lunch and sit at the bar.
(5)
Javier C.
My favorite restaurant in New York. I love Chan Pon and order it every time I come here. It started 7 years ago when I worked nearby. I'd come at lunch, sit wherever they'd take me (there was always a line) and sweat as the steamy noodles heated my face and insides. Tonight I arrived in New York and thought about what I wanted - what was special that I could only get here. I thought, "Empanada Mama?" No! And raced here.
(5)
Joanna C.
Ramen ramen ramen! I'd been hearing so much about New York's ramen cafes and was so excited to go to one! My friend and I originally thought about going to Totto Ramen, but because my friend was too hungry to brave the long wait, we decided to come here. Luckily, Sunday around 6:40 PM was not a busy time so service was good and the food came out quickly. I had the Tonkatsu Ramen and enjoyed it. I never thought pickled ginger would work in a broth but somehow it did. The portions are really big and it's super filling. That said, I feel like there could've been more flavor, especially after going to Totto this past Tuesday. But with its unbeatable prices and quick service, Menkui Tei is definitely a great spot to check out for people who want ramen without the wait.
(3)
Hugo P.
Good food and brilliant location quite close the hotel - the best veggie gyosa i've eaten. Service was nice but food was only good. Quite a few japanese which is always good as an authenticity check, and packed. It was very cheap, and value for money was very good - less than 10 dollars for a meal in these parts with decent quality is amazing. It has no sushi and quite a lot of pork on the menu so if you're looking for sushi don't come. There are vegetarian options though so don't be shy if you're one.
(3)
William W.
This is my go to place when I'm coming from the Museum of Modern Art. The ramen is good but what's great is the katsu curry. The pork chops covered in a rich brown gravy over white rice is the perfect post-museum fare. The stamina ramen is quite good (tasty, enjoyable, filling just not the best ramen in the whole city) and if you want an appetizer I suggest the gyoza. Kimchi I had there was also good, not crazy good but tasty.
(4)
Jing W.
I come to this ramen place a lot because it's close by my work place and I don't have to wait like ippudo or totto. The ramen is pretty satisfactory. Maybe not as special and hyped by the tourist, I still enjoy the comfortable ambiance and relaxing service. You won't feel rushed.
(4)
Matt B.
I had the 'Gekikara ramen' ($9.50) and I'd probably give it 3.5 stars. The noodles were absolutely perfect but the soup itself was sort of one-dimensional. The seasonings started to precipitate out and sink pretty quickly, to the point that after about halfway through the bowl the remaining broth really wasn't so great. We had gyoza for an appetizer; they were good but nothing special. I'm rounding up to 4 stars overall though because the price was fair and service was exceptional.
(4)
Cheroya D.
Good for quick ramen spot. Food isn't amazing but it's good if your hungry. Good place for going out with friends ... not good for kids kind of small. Surroundings are peaceful but I don't like the music it doesn't match the theme
(3)
Christina X.
Second time here, and I definitely would return! Came here with a friend and had the Menkui ramen + curry rice ($12ish). The curry was rich, a perfect pair to rice + garnished with a complementary crunch. The pork had a good balance of fat, and the noodles were my favorite part. The overall experience was better than others that I've had in New York (personally prefer this place to Minca + Chuko)!
(4)
Jennifer S.
I have only come here for dinner but it is always good. It gets packed on a Friday night but the line goes quickly. I was so happy to see they have takawasa on the menu - it is my favorite dish and I have a hard time finding it around the city nevermind Brooklyn where I live. The ramen was good but what really knocked my socks off was the Curry Katsu Pork. SO. GOOD. The red pickles on the side mix so well and the portion is huge. I like to come here by myself, sit at the "bar" area and pig out.
(4)
Venessa C.
So, I have mixed feelings. As a foodie from Colorado I was stoked to grab some ramen while in Midtown, since ramen is kinda just breaking into the market in Denver. Prices were good, especially for Manhattan, and I enjoyed the ramen that I got - broth had incredibly rich flavor, noodles had good texture and consistency, and the dish had a lot of harmony in terms of flavor. (I can't remember exactly which bowl it was, I believe the #4 [beef bone broth]) Service was attentive, but average. The space looked moderately clean, not sketchy like some places I've visited in Brooklyn or Chinatown. As for cons, it supposedly had beef in it, but the meat (although tasty) looked awfully gray and unappealing. As a relatively adventurous eater with a strong-willed stomach, I figured what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and it didn't make me sick, but it definitely was an eyebrow-raiser. The big concern was what my bf ordered. He wanted eggs (as it was our first meal of the day) and ordered the Katsudon. He had to send it back because the egg wasn't fully cooked and the dish was basically inedible. Fortunately I don't eat much so he got to munch on mine :) Decent stop for lunch if it's on your way, but I wouldn't stray from ramen and I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again.
(3)
Daniel C.
A pretty busy ramen joint in NYC that is far larger than it looks. We both got the Menkui Ramen (just under $10) and shared the Gyoza appetizer for a quick lunch. Food came out real quick - under 10 minutes. Gyoza were excellent - scalding hot and juicy, so eat carefully. The ramen had nice chewy noodles and three pieces of pork that was soft, but not super juicy so it still required some chew. The broth is a bit lighter than we're use to. For the price, the ramen didn't have much extras compared to other places. Still, a good place that's fast and efficient. Plus, they have among one of the larger ramen menus I've seen. (Black Sesame ramen?!). Three stars.
(3)
Shelley L.
This place gets crowded quick! Lots of seating and was surprised there was a line at noon on a hot summer day. Who would want a hot bowl of noodle soup in the heat? Besides me? My mom and I got a seat quickly and the waitress took our order immediately. I really enjoyed the ramen here. Plenty of flavor and HUGE bowl of noodles. Definitely worth it for the price. Very affordable for such great taste and quality. Highly recommend!
(4)
Trina T.
My husband and I both ordered ramen with the set. I had the nekigara ramen with a small gyu don, and he got the menkui ramen with the curry rice. The sides came first and we both thought that the portions were large. The sides were as good as a meal itself and it tasted great. For the curry rice side, they were very generous with the curry, not so much with the pork. The gyu don side was delicious. Shortly after, the ramen came. The quality was not as good as we expected as the broth and the pork slices were not like the authentic Japanese kind. Usually we'd expect the pork slices to be slightly fatty so that it melts in your mouth. The pork slices here were a bit dry on the bite but it was fair nonetheless. Poached egg costs $2 and it wasn't the typical ramen poached egg either so we were disappointed. Broth didn't feel like it was prepared in house, felt almost like it was bought. However, service was amazingly fast and the place was clean and big enough for groups. Overall we enjoyed dinner but wished the ramen bowls were more authentic.
(3)
Lawrence H.
Fantastic lunch spot! I'm normally a ramen snob, but this place hits the spot for quick and dirty ramen. They have a huge number of options and with the huge number of additions, you can create your own interesting and Frankenstein-y bowl. It's also insanely cheap in a world of ramen that is quickly getting more and more pricey. My favorite is the shio ramen, a chicken and pork broth based ramen. The broth is clear, clean, flavorful, and perfectly salted. I hate sprouts though, and this bowl comes with a lot of them. Minor things that also annoyed me: overcooked egg, pork a little too thick. But things I did enjoy: wavy noodles to hold on to the delicious broth as it transferred into my mouth and an addition of the marinated egg was super wine-flavored and intense. Other great things: you can add toppings as diverse as wontons, two kinds of egg, seaweed, corn, butter, and other oddities to really make your bowl your own. Overall, good value for the money and interesting enough to keep visiting. Not particularly a ramen destination if you're super picky. For that, go visit Sanshiro or Ippudo.
(4)
Joe P.
Good lunch spot since the turnover-time is pretty fast. Their Black Sesame Ramen is the ramen you should try from this place. Add additional Corn & Egg into your ramen (or any other toppings) for a better taste. The price is pretty average same as the other places around the area. The place it pretty spacious so you can bring a group of ppl there for lunch.
(4)
Sally L.
The food was filling (big portions) but nothing really stuck out... I was disappointed with the gyu(beef)ramyun, noodle was good but the broth was meh.... However I did like the curry w/ rice.... The beef bowl was okay but rice and toppings were not portioned well for rice to be mixed....
(3)
Jiro M.
I had the Menkui Ramen. The soup was light, but had a slightly strange taste. Wasn't to my liking. Noodles were okay. Chashu was below average. Scallions weren't cut nicely, big chunks. Need a better chef, better knife.
(2)
Maya S.
The decor is much nicer than the last time I was here. It looks as though they remodeled and made the place slightly more spacious. I still wouldn't bring a huge group here, but you can comfortably sit 4 at a table. Luckily the prices are still quite reasonable, and now they take credit cards. We sampled the gyoza that everyone raved about. They were tasty but could have been a touch crispier in my opinion. I enjoyed my Tokyo ramen; I had the miso ramen last time, which I think I prefer, but I wanted to try something new. My husband loved the canton ramen but wasn't a big fan of the curry rice. Granted he doesn't like curry, so it wasn't really the dish's fault. :)
(5)
Jessica D.
I fell in absolute bliss with Ise Menkui-tei and I have to thank my friend for taking me and my boyfriend here for dinner one night in September. It's quite spacious inside especially for a ramen spot. It's warm, bright, and cozy inside. The wait staff were very warm and friendly too. There's lot of menu items to choose from and over 7 types of ramen to choose from. Pork Gyozas - seemed quite small compared to ones I've had before. It was moist and cooked just right. I just wished there was a slight crunch on the bottom part of the gyozas. Grilled Squid - this was presented very nicely and neatly. The grilled squid was a little dry. It would have been better if there was sauce over it. It had a slight crunch and sweetness to it. Curry Rice with Pork Cutlets - My friend ordered this and man there was a lot of curry sauce drenched over the rice, pork cutlets, carrots, and onions. It looked so good, hearty, and delicious. My boyfriend ordered a side dish of this and I tried it. The curry had a slight but bearable kick to it. I liked it very much. The sauce was warm and just yumazing! Canton Ramen - my boyfriend ordered this and it's very different compared to the ramen we're used to having. His ramen had an assortment of vegetables and fish cake, as well as pork. The broth was rich and thicker than we expected, not that it's a negative thing, but it's just something new and different and we liked it. Hakata Ramen - I was eyeing this even before we got to the restaurant. The Hakata Ramen consisted of a rich pork bone broth with two pieces of pork, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds. This was definitely one of the best, most savory, and delicious ramen I've had so far! The broth was fantastic and rich with flavors of pork bone. It had a slight garlic-like aroma and taste to it, but I liked it! The noodles were slightly al dente which I also liked and they were thin too. I like that the pork wasn't fatty. I really and truly enjoyed the Hakata ramen because the flavors and the texture were above and beyond what I had imagined and it really hit the spot. I am so happy that my friend took me and my boyfriend to Ise Menkui-tei because everything from the food to the service exceeded our expectations. I was very surprised at how inexpensive and reasonable the pricing was especially for a restaurant in Midtown. We will definitely be returning to Ise Menkui-tei in the near future to try their ramen and other foods as well.
(5)
Xiaoyan G.
The Udon is very great there!! There are chicken, shrimp and egg inside.
(5)
William D.
Let me Tell you, From a Very Casual Date time, to a Casual Meeting with a Friend or on rainy cold day in Need for Food with great taste, Quality and Price this is the Joint to go to. I keep On Coming back because it's True to the place and theme it represents.. no Bluff, Great Chow!! Try My Favorites= Curry rice with Pork Cutlet, Gyoza, Seafood Udon (Sara Udon) and Try their Grilled Skewered Chicken. That will Satisfied you.
(4)
Maria G.
One of the better meals that I have had in a long time! Definitely a new fan! My party tried its grilled chicken, beef over rice, and Hakata ramen. The prices are definitely on the more affordable side among the ramen shops in the city. One more reason to love this place. My party got seated fairly quickly since the place wasn't that crowded on a weekday evening around 8pm or so. The service was not bad. The food took some time to prepare but the wait time was average. I debated adding an egg topping to my ramen dish and was choosing between poached egg or flavored boiled egg. I asked my waiter and he recommended the flavored boiled egg and it was such a good choice! The egg was extra special and flavorful! I don't know how they were able to make it so tasty and yummy! This place is good for small groups (up to 4 people) and not good for large groups than that. I would definitely come back if I am in this area again. Highly recommended!
(4)
Matt L.
The ramen here is very basic. Decent enough, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Joy L.
This review is for the ramen only. The ramen is very mediocre. I ordered the Hakata ramen without the bean sprouts and pickled ginger. I wanted to substitute corn in place of those two toppings, but was told by the waiter that wasn't possible. Most restaurants would have allowed me to do that, so I thought it was a bit strange for them. Anyways, for the ramen, the noodles were great. They were slightly thinner than you average ramen noodles and were perfectly chewy. Since I wasn't able to substitute another topping, the ramen was pretty limited and boring. It came with bean sprouts, two pieces of pork, and a generous amount of scallions. I found the soup on the saltier side and ended up not drinking most of it. Overall, besides the noodles, a very subpar bowl of ramen. Prices were reasonable, and the service was solid. However, if you're looking for great ramen, look elsewhere. A decent meal, but nothing special.
(3)
Lil S.
I usually come here for a weekday lunch if i wanted something quick. Need to come here at 12pm otherwise you will have to wait for a table. Service is quick. They renovated it the year before so the place is nicer and bigger. Hiyashi ramen is pretty good and all the other ones aren't bad either. Typical ramen place. I don't think they have different types of ramen noodles. They usually use the yellow wavy ones. One thing i noticed was that they offer more ramen dishes compared to other places. They have cold and hot ones too. They also offer nabeyaki udon and have set lunches. Gyoza was also pretty tasty.
(3)
Ferdinand W.
I found this place very unique. I did order from ise menkui tei today special menu. Grill tuna belly was superb, and BBQ beef so succulent. The waitress recommend me miso marinated black code and add a miso soup to complete my meal, and I did not regret those choice.
(5)
Yolonda R.
Good cheap eats. Perfect spot after MoMA. Staff was fast to keep the turnover high as lots of people come in. Ramen was good. Broth could be heartier, a little salty. I will return as it's very convenient.
(3)
Charles R.
I have been to Menkui-Tei (now Ise Restaurant) quite a few times. Now remodeled for space, many of the food items have not changed. Names may have slightly varied but still the same taste! Now they accept credit/debit with no minimum charge. One of the best dishes served here is the Curry Rice. The menu provides a choice of Chicken or Pork. I went with the pork with Kara-Age as an appetizer. The curry is a very rustic dish and is presented as so. The long oval plate comes to your table with most of the curry flooding the sides. The katsu is drowned in the sauce with the rice being the bed for the meat. Chopsticks are an optional utentil but a giant spoon is given in case you don't use them. Kara-Age are small pieces of fried chicken usually served with wedges of lemon. It comes in a small plate or basket with several pieces. I highly recommend them with beer if you wish for somewhat of a Japanese experience. These delicious pieces are very hot so let them cool down a bit before consuming. The lemons help them cool down and offer a subtle refreshing flavor. The curry is thick and piping hot. The crispy cutlet breaded with Panko provides a wonderful crust for the juicy meat. The rice is great for scooping up all the goodness of the sauce with some bite. The dish may seem like it is a lot of food but I was able to finish everything and left the plate fairly clean. It's a great place to dine in if you work in the Midtown area of Manhattan. Staff are very friendly and make sure all your needs are met.
(4)
A C.
It's important to understand what this place is and what it isn't. This isn't where you will get the best tasting ramen in NYC. This is a place you can get some decent ramen grub at a reasonable price. Absolutely spring for the flavored boiled egg. My boyfriend got the Mabo ramen and said the noodles were good but the broth tasted too much of pork fat. I ordered the miso ramen which was okay. We both believe a more neutral broth is needed as the base to build a good ramen. The service was good. We were neither impressed nor unimpressed- but we were grateful for something warm & filling on this cold NYC winter night.
(3)
Tony L.
I always feel like I've discovered buried treasure when I find any restaurant that doesn't suck and isn't too expensive that is east of 6th Ave. I go to New York City Center maybe 5 to 6 times a year and always struggle to find anything affordable, quick and good. Finally, I've found Menkui Tei! After a recent (irritating and underwhelming) venture to Totto Ramen, this place with its acceptance of credit cards (including Amex) air conditioning, friendly and fast service, great prices and great tasting ramen (and pork shumai) was a great surprise. Being the only two white people in the restaurant was also reassuring. We were going to be in good hands. Miso Ramen (miso flavored noodle soup with 2 pieces of roast pork, bean sprout, bamboo shoot & scallion) is the way to go. It's a huge portion and the tender pork on top is perfect. You should also start with steamed pork shumai for only $4.50. Throw in some great house sake (get it cold for a refreshing drink on a summer's night) and you'll be all set. Dinner for two before drinks is right at $20. You can't beat that anywhere else in the area.
(4)
Art A.
Pork ramen broth is amazing and selection of ramen is impressive. The goyza is truly delicious and worth the small wait we had. Small place but it's a quick pace. Great find in midtown!
(4)
Mandy N.
I got the number 4 and my friend got number 1. Both was relatively good. I wish they had given us more meat than just 2 slices though, so it would actually be worth the money.
(3)
Vinny I.
Visited during the height of the Christmas season, it was incredibly convenient to Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue. The servers were very friendly and were very patient with my younger family members' questions and requests. I had Tokyo Ramen with a hard boiled egg... Which was delicious except the egg tasted a little stale. Would definitely return though, the price were excellent and the place was packed by the time we left!
(4)
Erika C.
My husband and I saw this place next door to the Central Park Tour place right after we returned our bikes. So we gave it a shot. I am glad we did. It's a really small, narrow, cozy restaurant. I ordered the beef bowl (just like Yoshinoya except with savory noodles and onions on top of the rice.) My husband ordered the Hakata Ramen. We also had the fried boneless chicken. All the dishes were delicious and came out quickly. Service was fine too. They are efficient and have a good, delicious selection of ramen and Japanese dishes. Definitely a lot better than what I was expecting. Next time I am in NyC I will eat here again!
(4)
Dean D.
Ramen was really good. The best was the Currie pork with rice my oldest ordered. Maybe the best I ever tasted. 20 minute wait for two tables to clear getting there at 6pm on a Saturday night. The line just got longer form there. Prices are very reasonable for quality, service, and portions. Putting this I my short list of places to return to in NY. Easy 5 star.
(5)
Pat P.
It's not the greatest ramen joint in the area, but it's certainly not the worst. This place has fantastic prices and is always a dependable weekday lunch spot. The service is good, and the food comes quickly. Again, the prices are fantastic, so there really isn't anything wrong with frequenting this place. Check it out if you're in the area, even if it's the weekend and you're just looking to get a quick lunch before continuing on with your day!
(3)
Lesie H.
There's a Menkui Tei in Midtown! I love Menkui Tei! Mainly for the Menkui Ramen, their special. Nicely seasoned seaweed broth with roast pork, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. Oh, and scallions. To me, this is the perfect combination to create a full flavored bowl of ramen. Miso broth? Too standard. Soy sauce broth? Too plain. Pork broth? Too meaty. But seaweed broth? Great choice for a ramen broth. The ramen itself was bouncy and springy, great consistency for ramen. It might not be fresh made on the same day, but it's definitely no instant noodle. I think for the price and the quality, this is a great ramen joint. Until I find something better.
(4)
Stephanie Q.
I was disappointed with the ramen here. I had the miso ramen and the broth wasn't good. And one of the most important keys to making good ramen is the broth! During lunch, you can add $3 to your meal to have a small portion of fried rice or curry rice. The fried rice was decent. I don't think I will come back... might as well cook instant noodles myself at home.
(3)
Thomas A.
Solid ramen for the price. Honestly, i prefer this place over Menchanko-tei and definitely over Sapporo. They have expanded their ramen offerings, so that's great. Great midtown east location, and also dont forget they have one off of St. Marks.
(3)
Erik F.
This is like a bar with an ok burger...nothing special but you are probably there for some reason other than the food. The staff is perfectly friendly and the prices are what you would expect for the area. I tried an onigiri which was good. Curry rice which was a common sugary slop. Fried oysters that were so so. And a Japanese veggie special...a green veg in garlic which was fine. Details told me they weren't taking close care of the ingredients. For instance they served the oysters with a tomato garnish which was interesting because it had an artful curve to it but the tomato itself was mushy and ugly from the fridge. To me this says they are operating by habit and not looking at the food closely. This is probably a fine lunch spot or like me when you are looking for somewhere to get out of the rain.
(3)
Justin Y.
I was wavering between a three and four star, and decided to be generous because they let us stay and eat even though we arrived like 10 minutes before closing. The staff and service was pretty normal (though a bit rushed because they were closing up shop). The menu is pretty extensive, running from udon to sushi to fried rice, and of course ramen. My friend and I had just come from a two-hour bike ride through Central Park and the Hudson Greenway in the dark and rainy night, so we wanted some nice, warm broth. She ordered the Tantan men, which I thought was on the blander side but it still tasted good. I had the Hakata Ramen, which was made with "Rich Pork Bone Broth." I love the white, murky broths in ramen. The bamboo shoots were chewy and juicy. The pork pieces were good, but they weren't like the thick, fatty chashu pieces that were in the picture. I can't really say much else for this place because we were rushing and I really wasn't concentrating on the food - too absorbed in our conversation. This is perhaps my least informative Yelp review... sorry...
(4)
Swan Z.
This place is basically the model for quantity over quality. Huge portions makes you think that you're getting what you pay for, but are you really? Champon ramen is really disguised lo mein (same noodles, seriously) with leftover small, thin scraps in concentrated ramen broth. You can't really call this ramen. Don't get the oyster mushroom gratin either--felt like I was eating flour/cornstarch by the spoonful. Seating is tight and uncomfortable. It was also extremely hot and stuffy inside. Not an ideal setting to have ramen in... I don't know if this place related to the Menkui-tei in East Village, but I like that one so much more.
(1)
Vanessa L.
great fried rice. I usually would order pick up for lunch while at work. Looses stars just due to the fact that they are in midtown and should accept credit cards. Delivery would be nice as well.
(3)
Geoffrey N.
Not the best and not the worse. After checking out my other spots like Ippudo, Momofuku, Totto, (all with 45-90 minute waits), Ise Menkui-tei was more like a last resort. I had a ramen craving I really needed to satisfy. Clean and friendly staff. Ramen was pretty good. Ordered the Gekikara Ramen but was a bit annoyed that you had to pay extra for the poached egg. The poached egg was also not done right. I suggest the chef to watch some YouTube videos on "how to poach an egg". The egg yolk wasn't properly cooked. It was really runny, plus the egg yolk was still cool. Whoa, cool egg yolk in a hot ramen broth? Even the broth should at least warm up the egg but I'm just describing how undercooked the egg was. Everything else on the menu seemed to pricey for what they are in my opinion. $3 for 1 yakitori stick? No Thanks. According to their menu, they seem to have a little bit of everything. Ramen, yakitori, don, sushi...which in my opinion is a bad thing. Variety is a good thing but I have no doubt their choices are not perfect. I'd probably give Ise Menkui-tei another try though. After all, my favorite ramen spots all became popular now and it's annoying...
(3)
Janai S.
I came here a few weeks ago and must admit I was very impressed. We went on a whim so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a great experience. A cozy spot right near Central Park, this Japanese spot is a must-visit. The price for the deliciousness of the food as well as the service is incomparable. I had the Curry Rice (with chicken) and my partner the Oyaku Don which were both extremely fresh and light but filling. Pros-Delicious cheap food, good service, & good location Cons-Limited menu options for those who don't eat red-meat.
(4)
Sharon B.
Definitely a fan. I don't know a whole lot of ramen places that are easily accessible, but out of the ones I know, this is my favorite. They gave me a huge portion for only $9.55 including tax and it was delicious. It was filling enough too which I often find lacking in many ramen dishes (they never give enough and charge too much). This place was a good price and a great portion and a very good authentic taste. Like I said in my tip, I was already a fan when I heard the staff speaking in Japanese to each other.
(4)
Loooking F.
Um. It will be a 3.5 stars. We were hungry, and wanted some simple Japanese food. So I found this Ramen place in Yelp. Walked in and it is still crowded when they are almost time to close. But luckily no wait line. I ordered the Miso Ramen. The noodle is good, a bit chewy. And the soup is okay. No excitement, but it is good.
(4)
Michael B.
First off the portions are very large. You get a lot of food for the money. I got the number 3, which is a miso ramen bowl and the pork in it is to die for. Very solid mix of flavors and the ramen was cooked perfectly. The edamame was really good too.
(5)
Joyce K.
Ramen: The noodles are not chewy or al dente... not great quality compared to Totto or Minca or Ippudo. Soup for Menkui Ramen was too plain. The hakata was better.. but a bit salty. Side orders: Fried rice was really plain.... The curry rice was so good though! it was my favorite dish.
(2)
Kelsie B.
The veg ramen was bland and it looked like they used cheap vegetables. Also b rating.
(1)
Hanna K.
A good cheap and quick meal after shopping. The ramen wasn't great nor was it bad. It was decent. Nice meal fix for a busy day.
(3)
Lils Y.
Nice + quick service, easy to find seating, decent ramen. The ramen here is cheaper than most other ramen shops in NYC, but my BF who is the ramen connoisseur found their ramen to be too bland and unoriginal. I agree, the soup is bland and there isn't very much in the soup. But I like the soup to have less salt which = healthier. Say NO to hypertension! There is a good amount of ramen in the soup to keep you full and satisfied, and the pork I had in it was tender and flavorful. This place opens for lunch! And accepts credit.
(4)
Caleb M.
Great authentic ramen, cheap prices, polite and prompt service. A+++ definitely will noodle again. Onigiri here is cheap and delicious, really helps to fill you up if one bowl isn't enough.
(5)
Lolo F.
Awesome ramen and the curry pork to die for. Flavor was excellent. Quick service and moderate prices
(4)
Suanne L.
Tasty ramen and other authentic Japanese eats can be found at Ise Menkui Tei - Ise. (Apparently two Japanese joints on the same block were too much, so they merged.) This location is casual and authentic without making you spend a fortune. Its much more laid back than the Ise downtown location, feeling much more like Menkui Tei rather than Ise downtown. That said, the prices are good for Midtown and the food pretty consistent and tasty. Tonight I ordered the Menkui Tei ramen with a poached egg and seaweed, which was perfect in almost every way. The egg was very delicately poached, and verry runny and soft. The noodles were springy, the pork had a good meat to fat ratio, the scallions were chopped to the right size, and the bamboo shoots were fresh. My seaweed was plentiful for my extra $1.50 and added just enough veggies. The broth was also quite good, but got a tad salty at the end - I definitely drank a lot of water after dinner too. For a late dinner on a weeknight, the fully bilingual staff still had impeccable manners and a spring in their step. They we're pretty responsive and got my meal out quickly. They also smiled a lot! There is a $15 credit card minimum (which I did not meet for my bowl of ramen). I think the value is pretty good here and the quality of the ramen is definitely better than Sapporo or the old Menkui Tei. Also, not having to wait (like at Totto) may be a better option for some. They also deliver.
(4)
Jack C.
Definitely a wonderful find from my friend that works in NYC. He works right around the corner from this place. If you are looking for a decent/legit place for ramen, and not wait hours (toto ramen/ippudo) this is the perfect place! Warning this place isn't as amazing as toto ramen and ippudo, but it will suffice and gourmet/authentic ramen cravings and will not be disappointed! I got a bowl of ramen with a side of curry rice (also has the choice of fried rice). If you get the curry rice with the ramen it is only $3.50 extra (same with fried rice) and the ramen is around $8-9. You would end up paying just around $15 which is well worth the trip due to their awesome quality and quantity of food! Their service was also very quick and attentive. We came here with a party of 3 during the lunch rush (12:30) and was seated right away! Definitely will go back here if I'm in the mood for some good and quick ramen! Enjoy!
(4)
Virginia T.
Menkui Tei makes for a quick and tasty lunch on the weekdays. I met up with some friends during my lunch hour and we were in and out of here within 30 minutes. I ordered my go-to hakata ramen which had a decently flavorful broth and abundant noodles. For a few bucks you can add a side of fried rice or curry rice, but I didn't find this necessary. I did, however, sneak a peak at my friend's curry rice which was less of a side than it was an entree judging by its hefty size (and yep he still demolished all of it + his ramen). Service is brusque, but can't blame them for trying to feed crowds of hungry corporate types during the weekday lunch hour madness.
(3)
alex P.
Came here on a bitter-cold January afternoon for lunch. I was by myself and was sat in the back at the bar, which was fine. I had to ask for ice water a couple of times before I received it, but they were really busy. All of the staff members that I encountered were super-courteous, and the place is bright and clean. Now, to the food: my ramen was really just okay. Also, I was surprised that when I was served, my pork slices were cold! I get that it's a hot soup and it'll heat up the toppings as you stir them in, but i always take a bite of the pork first, and it was very jarring to put a cold hunk o fatty pork in my mouth. I stirred and went back for my pork chunk later and it was tasty. Not as expensive as other ramen joints, and I had no wait because I was dining solo; I'd come here if I was hungry and walking by, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get here again.
(3)
OpineAway C.
Reasonably good food, good for the price, but nothing to write home about. A lunch eat and go...count your change :-(
(3)
Amanda R.
I cannot believe this place only has 3.5 stars. I cannot come to NY without having lunch here. Its the best of the best. The choices are abundant, the service is attentive, the prices are very reasonable and the food is just outstanding! Its not easy to see walking down the street, it is easily missed, but geeze, once you know about it, its just a gem.
(5)
Rosa W.
SOLID RAMEN. New spot on 56th. Brand new and clean. Prompt, courteous and speedy service. Great place to bring the "out of towners" to. So so so good. Everyone enjoyed their ramen selection. This is my new go to RAMEN JOINT. Enjoy Yelpers.
(5)
Sharon T.
Every time I walk in a traditional Japanese restaurant with no pretentious and obnoxious decor, I feel a little more heartsick for Japan. So Midtown isn't really the ideal place to put a small, traditional-like restaurant like Menkui Tei (as opposed to the East Village) but it's always there if you need a cheap, fast lunch. My friend and I came here for a quick lunch. Since she's Japanese, she despises the common Japanese food, populated in the West, like sushi, udon and most of all..you've guessed it, ramen! Being the good friend she is, it was an impulsive decision. We both ordered the Shoyu Ramen and now I really have mixed feelings about ramen. Maybe she's right - certain Japanese foods have been saturated in the West...or maybe i don't know how to savor ramen. The great thing is that the noodle is thick and nothing like the 50 cents crap you can buy at Asian markets. I think this is the real deal - authentic hand-pulled noodles! The soup did taste like pure MSG and I had no appetite for it as soon as I took the first slurp. On top of that, the bamboo shoots tasted like it came straight out of a can. The pork slices were fine, but requires some extra yanking. I'm not making this too sexual, am I? I really wanted to like this place because the waiters kept coming back to refill our cups countlessly but the meal just couldn't cut it. "That's why it's cash-only," my friend said.
(3)
Owen H.
Delicious foods and reasonable price. I had a Gyu don and my gf had a fried rice. Strongly recommend.
(5)
Liz S.
So, so delicious! I love the spicy miso ramen - my favorite anywhere in NYC. It can get really crowded at lunchtime, which is pretty par for the course for midtown, so go with a 20 minutes' buffer before you get hangry.
(4)
Mikael O.
A perfect dish for the cold NYC weather. Was a while since I was here and I don't understand why. Good service, cheap prices and superb food with a home cooked feeling. Great midtown lunch.
(4)
Grace P.
Menkui-Tei merged with Ise!! It's not a 100% ramen-ya anymore, unfortunately. And I liked the atmosphere of Menkui-Tei as a ramen-ya :/ This is the place I frequented to eat lunch after classes, mostly because it was quite near my college. I would normally get the lunch set: one ramen + one side dish. Miso Ramen: (2/5) Seriously...I've had better. The noodles are not that great and the broth is a bit above mediocre. I tried this many times, only because I love miso ramen and I was hoping the taste would improve...but alas, it did not. Shoyu Ramen: (3/5) By itself...it is bland. I put A LOT of shichimi in it to adjust the flavour. Tan-Tan Men: (2/5) There were too many conflicting flavours. There wasn't any SET flavour. Did not like the conflicting taste :/ Keywords would be salty, spicy, thick. Curry Rice: (5/5) I basically come here for the curry rice set. Although it is very simple, the curry is pretty good along with the red pickled radishes. Cha-han: (3/5) Bland. Not too bad, but bland. I'm assuming Menkui-Tei makes it bland because we are ordering it alongside salty ramen...but I do not enjoy eating bland food regardless. It needs to be a bit adjusted. But it's not too bad. Service: (3/5) Normally, the staff members are very busy, so they don't refill your water unless you ask for them. However, when they're free, they are very attentive.
(3)
Raych D.
Cute little hole in the wall place with mainly Japanese workers and customers. came here as a walk in because I was craving for something warm. I got the spicy ramen and the bf got the beef don buri. His don buri was full of beef and huge! My ramen was also huge..I was kind of annoyed that they didn't substitute the charsiu for egg for free. I thought my ramen could of tasted better and it should have had more garnishes and vegetables in it rather than just green onions. Price is reasonable. Good place if you just want a cheap and fast go to lunch.
(2)
Joseph H.
I can really only speak to two dishes here: The curry and the Hakata Ramen. The curry (which can come as a side for ramen) is par for the course. It's really good, but frankly it's not hard to find decent curry. The Hakata Ramen is not far away from what you would get in Japan. For the price they charge, it's a real value. The broth is full-bodied and savory, unlike other ramen in the area.
(5)
Kristy K.
I'm a big fan of Ise Menkui-Tei. It's been my go-to ramen spot for the last two years or so. Since they've joined with the restaurant next door (I think the management may have changed as well), the ramen broth seems to be a tad thinner. Overall, it's still well worth the trip there after work... especially on those chilly nights where only a nice bowlful of noodles will do. The service is decent there- food to table time is quick and it never takes more than a few minutes to get the check. The staff are friendly but efficient- no overlording and annoying waiters here either. Ise Menkui-Tei has a casual, relaxed environment; If you were looking for the popular ramen spot with the 2 hour minimum wait after an insane day at work- you're at the wrong place. It may not be the trendy ramen spot everyone's raving about, but at least you'll get authentic Japanese ramen without waiting for what seems like a lifetime in the blistering cold. You'll always leave happy and full of noodles... isn't that what ramen is all about? :)
(4)
Stella A.
Menkui Tei has moved into Ise's spot and they SEEMED to have combined. I say SEEMED because the new joint is really a nice and newly decorated Menkui Tei. The old ISE is almost 95% out of the picture (service and menu wise). The best deal is to get a ramen, add $3 and add a small rice! The service was awful last night. Not sure if it's because they just moved over to ISE's spot. I do miss the older cooks behind the counter making the ramen and the gyoza. The food is now prepared in the kitchen and there is no more "action" to watch. The old location has sets of condiments a seat or two apart at the counter (where I sat). Last night, I only saw ONE bottle of soy sauce at the counter, a few seats away from me. My neighbor had to grab it for me and then it was grabbed from me.... CASH ONLY.
(4)
Magritte C.
Home of the hottest ramen soups (temperature wise) in the planetary system. Rich, flavorful, and thick broths served in cauldrons packed with plenty. Perfect on a chilly or rainy day -- Ise Menkui Tei is pan-Asian comfort at its best and not haute cuisine. All priced very moderately and the setting is beyond casual as well. Before I forget, they serve good dumplings too!
(3)
Blair L.
great ramen i even haveï¼
(5)
Ki Y.
Best ramen in the neighborhood. Quick take-out option if you just call ahead. Not a bad place to eat in either.
(4)
Jason L.
Decent food and decent service, but I was met with an extremely rude lady yesterday so I had to drop a few stars. I go here with my friend quite often and their rice dishes are actually decently portioned. I usually go for the pork katsu with rice and it's pretty tasty. Rice entree comes with a free miso soup too. I also usually get the cooked salmon onigiri and my only gripe is too much rice, not enough meat. The salmon is seasoned really well though. It tastes amazing with the rice. The waitress with the tattoos is very friendly and observant. Always refilling my glass of water with the quickness. Only going to give it 2 stars because of the host. I went in yesterday around 1:30 and saw a line of people waiting. I went to the counter to put my name down and the host rolled her eyes and gave an attitude to tell me to get in the back. Call me petty, but whatever. If you're going to be rude, you're going to have a bad review.
(2)
Pinky L.
The noodles aren't salty, which is great! The proportion of the food is just right size.
(4)
Kristina K.
I can't speak for what's considered good ramen. In other words, I'm not an expert. For many years, I thought ramen only came dry in those small square plastic packages. Nonetheless, here's the review for Menkui Tei. I choose the pork bone based broth, and it was very meaty in flavor. The noodles were al dente. It was a win win. Saturday's night service was fast. The beer was cold and the soup was hot. Now I just have to figure out how to avoid sweating while eating ramen in the summer.
(4)
Vicki Z.
Very disappointed with the overall experience. Food: very fake broth. the side order roasted pork is not even fresh and tasted like dead flesh... Service: the waitress with long hair for whatever reason decided at the beginning that she just doesn't like us so she ignored us the whole time even we were quite generous at our order. She didn't give us the hot tea we requested, she didn't even check at us for a sec the whole time. I really hoped this place could be okay since it is only 2 blocks away from home. however, it became a no no choice.
(2)
Boon K.
I was shopping and I got really hungry so I stop in for a quick bite. I got the ramen with the pork broth which was really good as it was creamy and had good favor. The braised pork was tender and pickle ginger was a nice touch. I can't say it was a stand out place but good when you are in the area and their wasnt a wait.
(3)
Justin S.
Wandering around NYC and looking for decent Ramen.. Found myself here and I was very pleased. No hidden agendas.. Portions are huge, food was delicious.. I will 100% go back when I return to the city.
(4)
Helen L.
As I slothily waddle down the street in an agonizing bliss, unable to widen my gait, full to the point where only short, fast breaths were able to be taken, stomach galloping with each step from the weight of the liquid I just consumed, I wondered: At what point should I have stopped myself? And how?! The Menkui Ramen, my inaugural selection in which I chose for its namesake (that of the establishment) and its proud placement at Number One in the Noodles genre of the menu, was a visually lackluster bowl of semi-wavy noodles in a transparent amber broth, insignificantly sensationalized with hearty pinchfuls of bamboo shoots and finely cut scallions strategically placed on top. I drenched it in the red-but-not-spicy-but-might-be-considered-spicy-Âto-some sesame oil and added a dash of vinegar. These were the only condiments on the counter and I must admit I was disappointed I didn't have the options to make my broth spicier. The first sips and bites were somewhat uneasy. I was unable to shake the thwarting helplessness of not being able to spike my ramen. This uneasiness did not last. Before long, I was adrift, lost in the rhythm of my slurping, idly watching the tango between my chopsticks and soupspoon as they lead the twirled noodles and bouillon toward the center of my puckered bottom lip before ascending into my coveting mouth. Time was at a loss, for what felt like an eternity of pleasure seemed to have somehow also passed in the blink of an eye. When I came to, I was desperately scooping the last droplets of this delicate "seaweed flavored" pork-based Menkui Ramen soup (pork according to the server when asked) from the bottom of the bowl. I placed my soupspoon down and wrestled with the desire to pick up the large bowl, hands fully wrapped around its body, fingers spread wide for full grasp...to finish it off...with a happy ending. It took every morsel of strength within me to resist, reminding myself that I was in a country where this practice is not common nor viewed as acceptable behavior in public. I am compelled to add that I have never consumed an entire bowl of liquids after consuming its solid contents. I've just never done it. If I had any control over it, I probably wouldn't have committed such an act here, but I had no control. As I slothily waddle down the street in an agonizing bliss, unable to widen my gait, full to the point where only short, fast breaths were able to be taken, stomach galloping with each step from the weight of the liquid I just consumed, I wondered: What should I order tomorrow?
(5)
Jules C.
It was cold out and I craving a hot bowl of soup. This place caught my eye because of the queue inside. The waiter was advising most customers that there would be a 20-25 minute wait but, as I was by myself, I was able to secure a spot at the bar immediately. I ordered the hakata-style ramen (pork bone soup base) which was somewhere in the vicnity of $8.50 and added a soft boiled egg. I waited less than 5 minutes before it arrived. The serving is decent size - you won't leave hungry - and is well presented with red ginger and shallots sprinkled on top. The broth was quite tasty but not as tasty as some of the other hakata-style ramen broths that I've had in the city. It was also on the saltier side. The noodles were also a little too soft and thin but this might be a question of preference (I prefer spongier, firmer, and thicker noodles). However, the pork was tender and delicious. In terms of service, it was prompt and friendly. All in all, it was a decent ramen and the only reason I didn't give the place a 4 is that I don't think it is up to the standard of other ramen venues that I have visited in NYC.
(3)
Dan T.
Went here after trying to find Menkui Tei 2 doors down which was not there...according to other reviews Menkui Tei merged with Ise but Yelp still has it as a separate restaurant. Just trying to find a place to eat before seeing Sleeping Beauty at New York City Centre which was fun for anyone who is interested but a very non-traditional ballet. I was a bit unsure about trying Ise but upon entry I saw a lot of Japanese people in the restaurant and it was pretty much full. A good sign... Our group had Ramens all around, I'm not an expert but i have been getting an education since arriving in NY. They're not Ippudo or Momofuku worthy but more homestyle ramens - tasty and great value for money. Bottomline - There are not many options near New York City Centre for food and this is a solid choice as a pre-theatre venue.
(3)
Nicole L.
The portions are huge and delicious!!! The service is also sooo wonderful. The wait staff is very attentive and is always accommodating. You can ask for a larger portion of ramen and they will not charge you extra!!! You should definitely try to finish it out of Asian courtesy. ^_^ In short, one of the hidden gems in Midtown. If you're drunk and not craving chicken and rice, this place is a great alternative.
(5)
Melody N.
This is my go-to ramen spot during lunch. There usually is a wait especially now since it's colder but I haven't had to wait longer than 10 mins but this is also for a group of 2. My two ramen choices are the Menkui Ramen and the Hakata Ramen. These both have 2 pork pieces included. The pork at Totto Ramen are better but these are quite good too. There are many types of broth to choose from, to help you make your decision. The broth tastes good but I usually add the chili pepper for more taste. Also, towards the middle to the end of my meal, the broth started to taste a bit saltier. I'm not sure if it was unnoticed because I was hungrier in the beginning, or if my taste-buds could only handle so much salt. Anyway, I do recommend this place. It's quick and tasty. They accept cash and credit.
(4)
Allene T.
Just came back from here for lunch... service was decent and my party of 6 (though separated into 2 tables of 3) was seated immediately upon arrival. Couldn't decide between the house special and the tonkotsu ramen. Finally chose the tonkotsu and told them to hold the pickled ginger (after reading several yelpers' reviews about how it made the broth sour - great choice!). Giant bowl... almost uncomfortably full for lunch. I loved the texture of the ramen - slippery, bouncy, and springy. The broth though, was mediocre. It was rich, but something or some flavor was missing and I can't really put my finger on it. Perhaps not cooked long enough with the pork? Wasn't a big fan of the [probably canned] extra-salty bamboo shoots. At $8.50 a bowl though, these giant bowls of noodles are pretty alright for the price.
(3)
Nina B.
The place is casually cozy, the service friendly and efficient, but (as it should be!) the food is the thing to write home about. Absolutely delicious! I have yet to order something I don't love there, but I particularly recommend the Stamina Ramen. Last time I went there, I had a bit of a cold and that wonderfully warming, fragrant dish instantly made me feel a million times better. It's like a big, comforting hug, in the form of a soup. If you don't feel like Ramen, the Katsu Don is also very yummy.
(5)
Janel Y.
Having been to Menkui Tei many times, I wanted somethign different to try so opted for a cold noodle dish since it was hot outside. The Jar-Jar ramen ($8.50) had no soup and came with an abundant supply of ramen (I would say more ramen than Ippudo), spicy ground pork, bean sprouts, thinly sliced cucumbers and pickled veggies. The dish wasn't cold, but it wasn't hot either. It was filling and there was enough meat and veggies to be mixed with the ramen. 5 stars because after multiple visits and trying different items on the menu, everything has been consistently made well with fresh ingredients. Service is always pleasant and efficient and, I think, a good bang for your buck (compared to Ippudo and Momofuku Noodle Bar and considering NY food prices). *Note: Cash only!
(5)
Allison P.
Testing out ramen places in the new 'hood. Found this place while walking the streets. This place is very packed at lunch time. Get there a little before noon and know you'll be in and out (and standing up to let people at trapped tables out) fast. Price - As reasonable as could be. Most bowls average $8.50 (pre tip and tax) Options - SO many. There is something for everybody. Size - BIG. I nearly felt ill after eating ALL my noodles. Heck - you could share one bowl for two. AND they offer to wrap it to go for you. Nice much? Add the ...Side of fried rice for $3. It's a pretty large plate and it's only $3. Sold. Most fun - Looking at what everybody else orders. A woman my size (just older) ordered a bowl that was DOUBLE the size of mine. YOU GO GIRL! Know it's CASH ONLY.
(4)
Sean E.
This is the best spot for Japanese curry I've experienced in NYC. The sauce is rich, hearty, and served with a heaping portion of rice, which I'm never able to finish. It's good with or without the cutlet, which is a few dollars extra. Unfortunately, the place is always packed and it can involve a fairly long wait at lunchtime. Further, though the staff are polite, they herd you in and out more or less like cattle. At $15 not including tip for the curry pork cutlet over rice, it's a bit steep for a place so tiny and basic in terms of decor. Especially considering the volume of business they do, the prices could probably be dropped a few bucks. I've always had good food there, but today, my cutet was so fatty and gristly that I couldn't even eat half of it. Perhaps the quality control in the kitchen could be a bit higher. I've never had the fried rice or ramen there, as it doesn't look nearly as good as it does at my go-to spot, Hide Chan.
(3)
Steve G.
I had spicy white sesame ramen and it was probably the best ramen I have ever had. I'm not enough of a ramen aficionado to say if it was truly authentic, but I don't think I care because it was so darned good. Served only with ground pork and scallions - no egg or other toppings. My wife had a spicy soy ramen that was also very good, but still not as good as mine. It was served with four large slices of pork.
(4)
Jean H.
Cheap food Cheap beer so far so good. oh wait, you want more? well there's actually more to be had! Delicious noodles Delicious broth good enough for you? wait wait wait.... you want MORE?! well... um, theres only a LITTLE bit more to be had, but more. Attentive waitstaff old-timey no frills atmosphere run by real Japanese people (but quite a few cooks look rather... Hispanic than Japanese to me....) Enjoy!
(4)
N L.
My go to place in Midtown. I usually order from the appetizer/isakaya menu. *Burikama- salt grilled yellowtail neck. My favorite place to get this in NYC *Fried chicken-I don't think they call it karaage here, but it's succulent pieces of tender boneless chicken, served with tartar sauce, but ask for the japanese mustard sauce *gomae-ae- the spinach salad with sesame dressing *ebi chili-shrimp in a sweet chili sauce MUST HAVE: the green tea crepe cake. DIVINE and one of the best thing about this place. I've had ramen and other things here, but they were all ok.
(4)
Elaine L.
So I came here because I was starving and cold and needed some comforting and maybe a hug after waiting on a 3 hour line to get into the Game of Thrones exhibit. What better place to find respite than in a warm bowl of Ramen of course. (Disclaimer: hug not included but our waitress was nice enough though it would be creepy to ask.) I walked up and down the block looking for Menkui tei because I wasn't looking to pay midtown prices and did not want to wait on another line for an hour in search of the best ramen. But this place was what served my needs at the time. The Yellow Larmen sign was shuttered and quite disheartening but apparently Menkui-tei moved in with Ise japanese which is right next door and here is where I found my noodles. I got the Miso Ramen and opted for a set of the curry rice side to share (or small fried rice if that is your pleasure). Miso had good flavor with its white milky color and this one has wavy noodles, char siu, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and diced scallions. They have a lot of things you can add for extra cost and for some strange reason you can add butter as well. I wish someone would explain this to me because I don't understand but I guess maybe some people enjoy a little butteryness in their noodles?? No need to add extra really unless you want to make your bowl of noodles like a cobb salad because it is actually a pretty big bowl. If you are a broth drinker this will leave you quite full. The noodles were springy and not overcooked but the broth was a tad salty. I definitely needed some extra hydration throughout the night. I actually wanted a spicy miso but it cost more with less veggies and I enjoy veggies so I did not get it. They only have red chili powder on the table but not chili oil which I like when some japanese places have it. The curry was no joke it had a very strong curry flavor that was dark like brown gravy and very thick almost stifling in consistency. It had red ginger on the side which is good because I need it when I have curry and also had very small tender pieces of stringy pork. Good for a side but not necessarily a full meal. The hakata ramen was also good with the same amount of veggies and straight white thin noodles. We added a poached egg because none of the ramen had egg or naruto in it which I think makes a good bowl of noodles. But you have to be careful or it will burst open and be lost in your broth. I like the soup spoon they have which has a small crevice to hang onto the side of your bowl and not slip off into the depths of your soup. I wish they had a ramen set that included gyoza instead they have the gyoza for $5.00 at the time which makes no kind of economical sense to me at all. The picture shows a plate of 6 pieces and the math does not add up for me. Unless these were specialty dumplings and they had mastered the art of gyoza with a special cut of meat inside my wallet was not parting like the red sea. Where I come from I can get 4 pan fried dumplings for a dollar- chinese style not japanese style. I may have missed out on the best dumplings of my life but I honestly think this place needs a price adjustment on some of their items. But I guess if I wanted chinese style dumplings I would have gone to Joe's Shanghai on the same block. They also serve sake (hot and cold), the beer was a $1 more than normal. And featured a new sake called Mio not to be confused with the energy squirt phenomena of the same name. There are skewers and a whole list of other items like sushi and fish and tofu. They also have a specials menu and I spied that they had green tea mille cake to my joy but the price to my displeasure. I will save my mille crepe appetite for the nearby Plaza Food Hall if necessary at that price. Then again I was quite full after the curry miso ramen set and am not necessarily a green tea dessert person. But they have this dessert option if you want to try mille crepe. The decor was very bright and austere and library quiet as opposed to the comfy hole in the wall ramen joint I wanted to crawl into but the staff was welcoming. This place is almost touristy but still a good place to grab a quick bite of noodles and go if you are in the area.
(3)
Shambavi K.
it is a great lunch spot near the office. it is particularly great on a rainy day and you want hot soupy meal. My go to dishes are the Chan Pon and the Oyako Don. My only complaint is when we order to go, the Oyako Don is never packaged well and spills everywhere. They really need to just change the take out containers for this dish.
(4)
Evon T.
Love this neighborhood no-muss, no-fuss ramen joint. Folks, this isn't the fancy stuff you get over at Ippudo. It's more along the lines of Totto's classic Japanese ramen, the Five Guys of ramen, if you will. It's not perfect - yes, the menkui ramen could use some more flavor; yes, the char siu could be more tender; yes, the flavored or poached egg could be better executed - but it sure does hit the spot when you need some Japanese comfort food. Bonus: $3.50 for a plate of curry rice with any soup order: gimme!
(3)
ignacio a.
our fave! have been coming here for yrs and it has never let us down. consistently good, really good! the toughest thing is deciding whether to get the ramen or the katsu curry!
(5)
Matthew L.
I came here for ramen two times and both experiences were average. The first time (in June) I came here, I had the curry ramen, and the second time (a few weeks ago) I came here I got their tonkatsu ramen (which is what they're supposed to be known for). Both ramens can be described as: (1) too salty (2) uninspiring, boring flavors (3) nothing special / typical of any other ramen house. I was not impressed either time I came here. The first time I came here, I had a bad impression from my curry ramen...but I figured it was because I ordered the wrong thing. But when I came here a second time, getting their special tonkatsu ramen, I still was not impressed. Another thing that bothered me about their tonkatsu ramen is that they put a lot of bamboo shoots. I like bamboo shoots to an extent, but they just put way too many in the tonkatsu ramen that the ramen broth was overpowered by the bamboo shoots. Essentially, I felt like I was eating a large bowl full of bamboo shoots... GROSS. The service is also very poor. There's like only 2 waitressess to serve the entire restaurant, and they are overworked as they have to take orders, clear tables, calculate bills and make change. So, they will only come to your table to take your order, bring you your food, and check. Since the food was on the salty side (MSG???????), my friends and I needed to drink a whole lot of water. We had to ask the waitress many times to get more water. If the restaurant is so busy and understaffed, maybe they should consider using larger glasses for water. It was a little annoying to have to flag the waitress many times to get our tiny glasses filled with more water. The joint, like most Asian restaurants in NYC, is cash only. So, bring your cash! Also, if you are coming with a larger group, EVERYONE needs to be there otherwise you won't be seated. BOTTOM LINE: I would avoid coming here. Nothing was really special or very inspiring. It is cheap, but you can get much more better ramen elsewhere for the same price.
(2)
Yihui W.
solid midtown ramen joint. come here for takeout work lunch. it's the same as the menkuitei in east village (that has closed for renovations) but it's about $1-$2 more for each entree given it's midtown location. my fav dishes are the chicken katsu-don and the veggie ramen (with veggie broth, not pork broth). wld definitely recommend.
(4)
Kathy H.
New favorite ramen place! Humongous portions at reasonable prices. I had the agedashi tofu in a broth which I have never had before and the #4 ramen (I forget the name), but it was a pork bone broth with charsu and bamboo shoots. They do take credit card. This is my favorite place after Ippudo.
(4)
Joyce G.
came here for a quick bite before a show. there's not a lot of choice on the menu. i had yakitori's and they were all very salty. i think most of the patrons that come here are people who work nearby who are catching a quick bit after work. i probably wouldn't go out of my way to come here, there are a lot of other good places to try in that area.
(2)
David M.
This review is for those who may have eaten there pre 2012 before they renovated the restaurant The 2014 ISE is not that place in any shape, form, or taste of its former self. Literally, the restaurant was totally re-done. For those wanting a current review, would skip this minor essay for current information and avoid any reviews older than 2012. The "pre ISE" was wonderful. Sukiyaki that was so flavorful, tender, and delicious -everything was simply like eating home cooked Japanese food - comparable to my mother's cooking (which has wide praise from foodies from around the world that have tasted her cooking). It is now basically a quick food noodle shop with a shadow of some Japanese food pre-merger. You can get sashimi, but no sushi. Huh? The koroke had a nice presentation and I was anticipating a delicious firm filled delight, but it was so wet it melted over my chopsticks when I cut it in half. Something is amiss between the wait staff and kitchen, as we received our appetizers but no main course (basically ma-fa chicken, I forget what it was called on the menu, (something boneless chicken). After about half an hour ( I timed it), our server asked if we needed anything else, thinking we were done. Um, yes, we'd like our main course please. She was mortified and there was a flurry of activity and we received our meal shortly thereafter To their credit, they didn't charge us for the main course, and did what they could to remedy the situation. I guess if our server had checked in a bit more frequently could have avoided the long painful wait for our food. I will say it was an anomaly as others received their food fairly quickly. Just stating what happened to us. I don't think there was any ill intent. If this was my first visit, it would have been fine, but I was looking forward to this trip, in part to visiting ISE. The old restaurant had such great memories attached to it since I was with my mother on our last visit. She thoroughly enjoyed the food and gave high praise to the service and flavor, sadly this isn't even a shadow of the old restaurant. There were many older patrons the last time, and this time around looked like students and young couples.
(2)
Eric N.
Eh. Ippudo much better. Fried rice is good but broth is lacking. Overall, disappointing. Why not go to Ippudo, and get the best?
(3)
Pinky C.
Really awesome service. They were really welcoming :) The place wasn't that crowded and food came by really quick. I was starving. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen $8 and got the curry rice with addition of $3. The plate of rice was bigger than I expected. I thought it was just a bowl since it was $3. I was really happy when it was a whole plate! The ramen was pretty good. Soup was yummy. However only 2 pieces of pork it was still really filling since there was a lot of noodles. The place is quite small but enough space. Pricing is definitely good for being in that area of Manhattan. Good for quick lunch! Run by REAL JAPANESE PEOPLE! haha :)
(4)
Satchmo A.
I came here for lunch and while I left full it was really mediocre at best. I got the tonkotsu broth which wasn't very rich just sort of "thick" with veggies. There was a nice variety of vegetables but I tried adding soy, and chili powder, and anything at the table to add to the flavor and it just didn't help. It's a decent size, relatively cheap, I just wouldn't go back. My usual ramen partner (a vegetarian) didn't love it either and he thought his broth was cold.
(2)
Vivian H.
It was very cold tonight and after studying nearby, I really needed something to warm up my soul. No better way to do that than to slurp on a big bowl of ramen noodles! I found this place on my yelp app and marched over for dinner. Around 7pm, the place was brimming with people, but not completely packed. I was able to score a seat right by the open kitchen. It is fun when the kitchen is open, you get to see everything. The good and the bad. There was an older Japanese cook shouting out things every so often and he was just adorable to watch and listen to. Now ramen isn't very vegetarian friendly, but they did have one veggie ramen dish, so I ordered that. In less than 5 minutes, my big bowl of piping hot broth, veggies and ramen were delivered to me. It was a very decent bowl of ramen, chocked with cabbage, carrots, snow peas, and bean sprouts. The broth was a bit on the salty side for me, but it was good. The noodles were standard, nothing too exciting. For $9.25, I was able to warm up my soul and walked out with a full and happy belly, ready to face the cold of the world!
(4)
Hector F.
Oh man the ramen here is fantastic. Talk about warming you up on a cold, rainy day in NY. This place has some amazing entrees and ramen choices. Order extra pork and eggs with your soup, because you'll immediately want more. And the beauty of it is, it's all affordable. Not cheap, but just right for what you're ordering. You'll leave with a full stomach, having paid a fair price. The wait to get a seat can get a little unbelievable at points, so you really have to get your timing right when you go. I'd say between 2-3pm is a good sweet spot, but no promises. This is the perfect example of a great Ramen joint in the United States. Good wholesome food at fair prices. Doesn't get much better than this.
(5)
Katrina L.
The broth and portion was good, but wished there were more and better toppings. Lots of ramen, but the pork was a bit dry and the only other thing in it was bamboo and bean sprouts. Not bad, but would prefer other ramen places that have more variety in a bowl.
(3)
Ryna D.
My coworker took me here for lunch the other day. Being that it's in midtown I thought lunch time would be a nightmare but we actually got seated in less than 10 minutes. The ramen itself was pretty good. Substantial portions. The noodles were cooked right and the broth was delicious. I'd rank it along the lines of Setagaya. I also liked that they had gyoza. I would still say go to Hide-chan if you're in midtown but if you can't afford to go all the way eastward then this is a pretty good alternative.
(4)
Christina Z.
Actually pretty good ramen - they put a lot of stuff inside and are not stingy when it comes to food. The servings are quite large and it does not feel heavy (even if I had the pork based broth)
(4)
Debbie F.
Gyoza: 4/5 Gyoza is made fresh by a chef who folds the dough and wraps the meat by the counter. The scallions inside were actually green, and not faded from freezing etc. Lightly fried on the bottom, they're not overly oily, and the skin is thin. Menkui Ramen: 3.5/5 Solid broth with fresh ingredients, but overall not memorable. BUSINESS HOURS: Monday - Friday 11.30AM - 11.00PM Weekends 11.30AM - 9.00PM
(4)
Kevin W.
It pains me to see one of my old favorites fall so far ... to the point of a DOH violation. I remember the days when I used to consider this my go-to Japanese place after my other nearby favorite Ten-Kai (aka Kiroi Hana) went out of business. I loved ISE for their dependable and very reasonably priced dinner specials. They served tasty sashimi along with your choice of entrees like beef teriyaki, tonkatsu, etc, along with a nice scoop of ice cream. But as time went on, their dinner specials got rid of the dessert (but kept the same prices), and overall the quality of the place seemed to slide. On one occasion one of my friends actually got horribly sick after eating here. It's just these little things that prompted me to reduce my visits here in favor of other establishments. But now I see this health code violation/closure and it just saddens me. My lady went here a lot for our dinner dates during our early years and we've always loved the coziness and dependability of the food. Alas ... times change. ISE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 58 WEST 56 STREET MANHATTAN 10019 212-707-8702 Violations recorded in the following area (s), a Notice of Violation issued and establishment ordered closed by the Department of Health at the initial operational cycle inspection conducted on 01/07/2013. "Critical" violations are displayed in red. Violation points: 59 Sanitary Violations 1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. 2) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. 3) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas. 4) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided. 5) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared. 6) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. 7) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. 8) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist. 9) Mechanical or natural ventilation system not provided, improperly installed, in disrepair and/or fails to prevent excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation vapors, odors, smoke, and fumes.
(1)
Phillip K.
SOOO GOOD! In town for a few days, so what better to do then grab your chef friend and dash around this vibrant city sampling a cornucopia of delectable bites, each one forever burning into your brain a delectable memory and ever so often, a totally new idea of what flavor can and is supposed to be. Yes, I'll attribute a great deal of my satisfaction with this dining experience to the great company I was fortunate to surround myself with as well as the completely approachable lunchtime ambiance.. still, it was the absolutely delicious selection of jar-jar and tonkotsu ramen that we shared, which really cemented this place as a fantastic location for the type of ramen that feels like a nice big warm embrace and puts a giant grin on your face. We left completely satisfied, in higher spirits than before, off to continue our expedition across this great city.
(4)
Leslie D.
Ise is an authentic Japanese izakaya restaurant located in Midtown West near the Park. So far I have only been twice and have gotten their bento box lunch specials. There's an A and B option priced at $14.50 which comes with a miso soup. When I went, Option A consisted of salmon teriyaki, california roll, 3 pieces of sushi (salmon, tuna and yellowtail), shumai, shrimp and vegetable tempura, salad, and fruit. Option B consisted of beef negimaki, sashimi, shrimp and vegetable tempura, salad, shumai, and fruit. Obviously, you get a nice amount of food for your buck. Typically I don't like spending over $10 for my lunch during the week but if I feel like treating myself, I always consider Ise as an option. One of these days I would like to go here just to sample all of their sushi items. Till then, it's a solid A-OK place for a Midtown lunch.
(3)
Louise P.
This is my new favorite restaurant in midtown (I know, not saying much, but it's good to know). It feels pretty authentic. I ordered two appetizers and a sushi/sashimi platter that came with soup. I also ordered another soup and an eel roll, plus they gave us complimentary green tea at the end. All this for only $65. I felt like it was a really good value and the food was excellent quality. I spilled my diet Coke and everyone in the restaurant basically came to my aid with towels and napkins and fresh soda. Everyone was so nice and the service was great. I can't wait to go back for my next lunch break and see what kind of specials they offer. Tip - the blackened cod appetizer was excellent - soooo tender! I highly recommend it.
(5)
Alison L.
Pretty average place. Donburis were about 9-10 dollars, as were the ramens. The cut in the Gyo-don was a bit fatty. I would like it to be leaner next time. There are a lot of japanese here, however, so it's probably pretty authentic.
(3)
Gregory K.
Probably the best and most affordable ramen in the area. Seeking the best Ramen in New York, I always found that this one on Yelp was the most interesting. The front of this place looked like it had been written all over by Banksy...which isnt a bad thing. HOWEVER! this place was like (insert cheesy idiom here or any Disney movie quote) Seeing as this was a cheap ramen place, I was thinking that this place would be the level before being classified as Top Ramen. But this place really can compete with all those other places that make you wait 30 min for. I had a standard miso ramen. Broth was nice and rich and noodles were just the right chewy. Stuff hits the spot. The waiters are really nice too and will be very accommodating. Looking for Ramen? Quit waiting in those lines for Ippudo NY and get yourself a deal!!!
(4)
Rowena Y.
Ramen is ok and by far, one of the cheaper ramen shops in the city. Their ramens are about $8-$11 on average, which is not bad. I like that their broth isn't too salty and didn't feel it was drying up my mouth. Like other ramen shops, you can add extra ingredients to your ramen for a few extra bucks. But, in my opinion, their portions are fairly reasonable. Their gyozas, on the other hand, need some work. It wasn't exactly pan-fried the whole way and didn't have much flavor. Service is quick.
(3)
Andy R.
My old standby for solid Ramen in midtown at a good price. Its not Ippudo, but its more reasonably priced and you'll get a seat much easier. Big bowls. Lots of variety. Very fast. Authentic. Most bowls are under $10 (unless you add in extra meat). I typically get the extra spicy ramen, tonkotsu, or shoyu. If I get the shoyu, I add in spicy ground pork and its delicious. If I'm splurging, I'll get the curry ramen. Thick and luxurious, but definitely on the heavy side. I also really enjoy their pork slices. This is definitely a lunch or early dinner spot. if you're looking for something more hip or on the late night tip, head to Ippudo or Totto. If you're just craving a solid bowl of ramen at a good price, go with Menkui. You won't go wrong.
(4)
Phil L.
What makes the perfect Ramen? Good broth and perfectly cooked noodles. In my overall assessment this place is pretty standard. the broth was ok and the noodles were cooked to a nice al dente. There wasn't a whole lot of meat but the portions were large with the generous serving of ramen and the prices are surprisingly good for Midtown.
(3)
Sean C.
Absolute best ramen-ya I have ever had. Broth is amazing (and vegetarian). Noodles are precisely perfect in bite and flavor. Cannot recommend it more highly.
(5)
Jennifer C.
There are two things in life that are very near and dear to my heart. Noodle soups and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Menkui Tei delivers on both accounts. Had dinner in December with a friend who is a well-traveled and knowledgeable foodie. Before him, I had never heard of this place so I'm glad I went without protest. I remember it was really windy and cold that night, and for me, noodle soups are always the perfect antidote to weather like that. It just makes sense to sit down to a bowl of warm soup and slithery, soft noodles. Comfort is easily obtained this way. We shared an appetizer of gyoza which was status quo and nothing extraordinary. But the true delight came in my miso ramen which was everything I love about noodle soups. Scooping up spoonfuls of tender ramen with broth, rich in tasty soy bean paste is simply luxurious. The pieces of roast pork made it robust while the shreds of bean sprouts added a nice crunchy bite. A complete success and fix for my comfort-food craving self. Menkui Tei is cookie-cutter Japanese ramen house. Bustling atmosphere of patrons and waitresses scurrying to clear tables, take orders and serve steaming hot bowls of noodles, whilst in plain view of the masters at the noodle station. And with cheap prices, it's a perfect symbiosis.
(4)
Sandra S.
I'll get the ramen here if I'm absolutely committed to staying in midtown, and I must have ramen and nothing else. The menkui and shoyu ramen are both pretty bland, and the miso ramen is too salty (while still lacking flavor... yes, it's possible). The rice bowls, however, are pretty good. And, all things considered, they do a pretty good job managing lunch time traffic. Even when there's a wait, I'm usually in and out of here within 45 minutes.
(3)
Cheryl Y.
i wasn't ravenous walking into this place, so that being said, the food was not shabby. i stole bites of my boyfriend's cold noodles (the summer promotion) and it's addictive. it was the ideal meal for the steamy weather with bits of taberu rayu in the broth.
(4)
Tina C.
After working four consecutive days this week filled with extreme agita, frustration, irritation and negative vibes from the world which broke my shield to drain my lively spirit, on my day off after a doctor visit I yearn for Ramen noodles. As an Elite for three consecutive years in Yelp, membership has its priviledges, of receiving weekly newsletters and exculsive invites to events Men Kui Tei (as dutifully noted the correct spelling from their business card) was mentioned in this week's e-mail newsletter. Men Kui Tei is very easily to miss for patrons walking by as the outside awning is different than stated on their business card. It's pretty much a "hole in the wall" small restaurant that is good for lunch in the fast lane and zero ambience. The atmosphere during my visit of 12:45pm to 1:05pm is hustle and bustle to the extreme in typical New York fashion of "time is money" for all the staff are hands-on from taking orders, cleaning tables, serving, cooking, preparing meals to distribute clients' check/bill. This restaurant is so small that every space is packed for elbow to elbow grind and bump, which I came here with the Power of One for take-out. With my bad timing of my visit at peak hour the wait staff was rather inattentive due to the overwhelming flow of business, thus I felt brushed off. The broth of the noodle soup is just right as it's not too salty, yet my tonkatsu noodle soup does not contain any tonkatsu as it was just pork. Where is the breaded pork? My former love can cook tonkatsu from scratch with Panko bread crumbs. The kitchen is at the bar in traditional Japanese fashion where patrons visibly see the chefs and cooks prepare meals. While waiting for my take-out order at the very narrow cooridor the pan-fried Gyoza reminisce my visit to Tokyo as it intrigued me for a repeat visit. The take-out menus at the entrance is NOT Men Kui Tei as it's next door's Isle for there are no menus.
(4)
Mark S.
We were debating to go either here or Ippudo. This place was closer to where we were and it was a lot cheaper then Ippudo. The place was packed on a Saturday around lunch time. The waiters were extremely friendly and nice. The food was brought out quickly, however getting a check took a bit longer. The outside does not really say Menkui Tei so it is a bit hard to find the restaurant. It is not until you go inside you then see a small sign that says Menkui Tei (along with their menus). I highly advise looking at the photos for this restaurant that someone posted of the outside building. It helps. If you get ramen, there is a note at the bottom of the menu that allows you to get a plate of rice curry for only $3 extra. We ordered 1 rice currey and 3 ramens.. and it was all delicious! really great on a nice cold day. I will definitely go back when I'm in NYC again.
(5)
T T.
They have the best noodle soups and broth. It's a comfortable and authentic place. The menu is much more limited now than it was years ago. Now you can get noodle soups and sashimi, but no sushi. So it's a thin menu but I always enjoy the food here.
(4)
Katrina B.
Solid ramen that'll run you 8.50-12 bucks a bowl. This is a great place to stop by between lunch and dinner; we stopped by around 3pm and were seated immediately. Small and cozy but still very respectably decorated, this is a great spot for a date but I wouldn't suggest bringing a party of more than 6 since space is limited (hi, yeah, NYC). The Tan Tan Ramen (shoyu ramen with spicy ground pork) was delicious, and the perfect choice for a chilly Fall day!
(5)
Katie B.
I love their ramen and the stuff is really friendly. Every dish I had there was delicous!
(5)
Alexandria B.
Hands down, my favorite ramen place in the city... I've gone there so much that the waiters don't even ask me what I want anymore: I love their shoyu ramen with a side of curry rice. The waitstaff is super nice. The food is GREAT... Seriously... Their gyoza is something my mom goes there for as well as their chuka don... When I am not in the mood for shoyu, I go for the tonkotsu... And for dinner, my sig other usually gets Mabu Don. The only down side is that the place gets really packed (lunch and dinner crowd beware). Great place to sit and meet friends, but watch out: big crowds can be tough to seat.
(5)
Chris R.
Won't blow your mind but a sound choice when taken into account speed of service, location, portion size, and price.
(4)
Wesley M.
Fast, clean and extremely open to anyone with food allergies. I ordered a tofu / egg stone bowl and the portion left me actually feeling full for the first time in this city. Price was perfectly reasonable as well... if anything it was cheap which is a steal for the quality of food that was served. Definitely going back whenever I'm in the area.
(5)
Dan X.
Ramen is not as good as Toto Ramen and Jin Ramen. But given its location and price$9 Ramen vs $11 for the other two, you got what you paid.
(3)
Nikki B.
This is one of my family's go-to ramen places in midtown. The service is quick and ramen is really good. I think the broth is the best part. We ordered the miso, spicy miso, and tan tan men and everything was delicious. The restaurant itself is quite small and can get packed quickly, but if you go during an off time definitely recommend sitting down for a meal.
(4)
Daniel C.
I want to rate this 4 stars but I just saw the cook walk out of the bathroom and then I walked in to find piss all over the toilet. Only to see him working the open kitchen with the ramen. Still. Menkui Tei is a solid place. Not superbly flavorful like the famed Ippudo nor distinctive like the infamous Totto but just delivers solid ramen without fanfare.
(3)
Chey H.
An excellent yet tiny place to get a quick bowl of ramen in Midtown. They are cash only but service is quick and the bowl of ramen is huge. I usually get the Menkui ramen (seaweed broth and three pieces of pork) and it does the job and fills me up. I've tried some of the side dishes and found them to be alright, but the ramen is the main reason I come here. I only go on Sunday's during my lunch break, so it's very relaxed and quiet and I'm in and out in about half an hour.
(4)
Yvonne Y.
Thanks Yelpers for your reviews so I tried the Mabo ramen with curry rice. Very delicious and I wish I had an appetite to finish it all. My friend had the ramen with pork bone soup and it looked fabulous. Very good service but it can get very smoky inside if they keep the door closed. No wait for party of 2 on Sunday at 1pm. FYI, for Mabo ramen, it's the shoyu soup and you don't get to change it. The mabo sauce has a bit of cornstarch to make it thicker and beware of the layer of oil on top. Personally, I loved it with all the soft tofu pieces.
(4)
Naoko I.
I use this place for my lunch. I like it especially their fried rice or chuka don. Oyako don was also good too. I like their ramen too. It is ok and acceptable ramen they have and I go there often for midtown lunch. Their gyoza is oishi (delicious too).
(4)
Doreen H.
Wow, this was disappointing. Miso broth was tasteless. Roast pork wasn't that good either. Noodles were slightly soggy. Pros: no wait, and it was cheap at $8.50 for their miso ramen.
(2)
Kenny L.
I love the Salmon Onigiri. I had 3 before my large ramen bowl. $10 for a bowl or ramen boggled me, but when it arrived, price for size proportion equaled out. Wasn't exceptional, but I enjoyed it. Cramped seating and you have to ask for a spot. Waiter & waitress simply stare at you.
(3)
Pinky S.
Very good ramen. Been to Japan and has had my fill of Japanese ramen, and this place is comparable. The noodles has the right chewiness and the broth is rich and tasty. Only drawback is that the space is tight, but I guess for NYC, one must make do.
(4)
S L.
Not too bad but not that great. The prices are reasonable considering other restaurants in NY. Service was good. The food was so so.
(3)
Eve Z.
I love this place with all my heart. The wait staff is super nice and I think they're starting to recognize me. My usual is the katsu curry rice dish. I'm not a huge fan of ramen so I never really order it unless it's part of the lunch special. Speaking of the lunch special, there's enough food in there to feed 2 people (gyoze, ramen, half a plate of curry or char-han) . And it's just a bit over 10 bucks!
(4)
Tiffany H.
I am decidedly in food hell - also known as Midtown. My lunch prospects are limited and I usually stick to places that I know. But today I felt adventurous. I felt like Ramen. I am a frequent guest at Ipudo and Totto and a few other spots I keep hidden for myself. Granted they are not that far from me but a 5 avenue walk seemed a little much in this humidity so I went to Menkui Tei. I ordered the Hartau Ramen (classic pork bone broth). Initial inspection of the broth with its thick creamy fluid was looking good and I had a vague memory of eating here before...? But the fist spoon sip told me it was not. The broth has a weird bamboo shoot or woodsy flavor. It is more greasy than thick. The pork was almost inedible. I was tough, dry, no fat, and lacking flavor. This pig had died a long time ago and then was killed again when it was put on a plate. It was pressed particle wood in the shape of pork slices. The amount of sodium in the soup was staggering. My feet, hands and waist started to swell before I could get in a third bite. The noodles were not bad, I mean they are noodles there is not much to them if they are not handmade. I was starving!! So I ate most of it. Now I am itching, swollen, and 1 keystroke away from a coma.... I wrote this review so I will remind myself not to go back.
(2)
Mary S.
Tiny, tiny ramen go-to. Super crowded during lunch so don't come in a big group. The ramen is delicious and cheap! (about $7 or $8) I never end up finishing the whole thing. Perfect lunch spot, especially in the winter when all you can go for is a big bowl of soup!
(4)
Stan P.
My favorite in the city. The prices are vey reasonable. In my mind best ramen fornthe price. Ipppudo is tasty but 16$ a bowl? Plus the fried rice here is amazing, as well as other Japanes-Chinese dishes
(4)
Kevin P.
After coming to this spot for lunch regularly for the past 3 years, I've pretty much tried almost everything on their menu. One of the more authentic small hole-in-the-wall ramen noodle shop, just like the ones in Japan(my Japanese friends told me). My favorite remains the tonkotsu ramen, the creamy and rich broth is to die for. The roast pork they serve with the ramen is sometimes hit-or-miss. It can be really tender and flavorful, or blend and taste like a regular piece of pork. I guess it depends on how long they've marinated them and which part they give you. Other than the ramen, they have some real good rice dishes too. You can never go wrong with the Katsu don or curry rice when you're not in the mood for ramen.
(4)
Rose W.
im surprised that this place was so packed on saturday morning considering it's located in midtown east. it was a somewhat chilly spring morning perfect for ramen, and i tried the shoyu ramen w extra seaweed. the food was good, and the prices were reasonable ($7 for the base + $1.50 for the extra seaweed). although im not sure how hard it is to make ramen, i will probably try this wknd.
(4)
Elsie W.
I love that I got a full, beautiful bowl of ramen, a big plate of curry over rice for less than 10 bucks. Early bird specials if you are willing to show up before 12:15pm! It's one of those places that look small and dingy on the outside, but the inside is full of that authentic air... and aroma of hot hot ramen waiting to be devoured by savages like me.
(5)
Sarah Y.
I made an hour long trek up to Midtown (oops - got lost) to meet up with some friends for dinner. First of all, this place is incredibly hard to find. I must have walked past it at least 2 times. The words "Men kui tei" were nowhere to be found anywhere near the entrance or on the building itself. Instead, a ghetto looking sign proclaiming "Larmen" sits above the door. What is Larmen? Is it the name of the owner? A fobby pronunciation and misspelled attempt at 'ramen'? A deliberate tactic to deter potential Yelpers and undercover food critics? Needless to say, I was extremely perplexed. After finally making it inside, I ordered the following: Mapo Tofu Ramen with extra egg and pork belly: While I award props for originality and like the concept of mapo tofu ramen, the dish didn't quite live up to its name. The broth was neither spicy nor tasted like mapo tofu. I did like the ground pork in the soup. However, the egg was mediocre (especially compared to Ippudo's), and the tonkatsu was tough and not fatty enough. Side of fried rice: For $3, this was a giant "side" of fried rice. Perhaps my expectations were too high after hearing other reviews here raving about the rice, but to me, this was just mediocre. Gyoza: The gyoza here was also supposed to be good, but I thought it was just OK, as well. Note - Portions here are huge. Everyone at our table over-ordered. Stick to one dish, and don't overestimate your ability to consume (no matter how hungry you think you are)! Overall: 3 stars for good price to quantity ratio, but I'd highly recommend Ippudo over this place if you can afford the wait.
(3)
William W.
Overall I feel that this is a decent ramen spot. I thought that the noodles were fair, I had the number 5 ramen. Yet, I thought that the broth was not bold, it was tasteless. The gyoza was a bit bland for my taste, I disagree with the majority of the reviewers on yelp which stated it was the bomb. The only dish that I kind of enjoyed was the fried rice. Here, the portions are big and the food cost are reasonable. I do admit that I have high explications of ramen because I lived in Los Angeles and I would frequent the little tokyo ramen houses. The decor of the place was nice and I felt that the people which worked here where friendly. The restaurant was half empty on a Friday around 9pm thus my server was very attentive and my water glass was always full. I may come back again is the bottom line.
(3)
Stephen C.
Confusing LARMEN NEW YORK signage on the awning, but you're at the right place! I am never disappointed with Menkui Tei. First of all, the ramen is good. The broth is flavored well and not too salty. The noodles are a nice al dente. The pork slices are tender. My favorite is the Menkui Ramen which comes in a light, refreshing broth. Second, the ramen is a good value for Midtown. One bowl of ramen will run you about $8. Versus getting an average $8 deli sandwich? No-brainer! Unfortunately, the place looks a bit ghetto and it can get pretty cramped in there, but I guess that adds to the charm of this little ramen joint. To avoid waiting for a seat during lunch rush, get there at or before noon or get there around 12:45p so you can grab a seat vacated by the first wave of ramen lunchers.
(4)
Tiffany L.
excellent (and relatively cheap) ramen (though not as good as ippudo) tucked away in midtown manhattan. my fiance, roommie, and friend came here for a sunday lunch and i sampled... 1. Menkui Ramen, a seaweed broth flavored house ramen. came with roast pork, bean sprout, bamboo shoot, & scallion. standard ramen done well. 2. char chu ramen, a shoyu ramen with extra roast pork. yummy, though i preferred the menkui ramen 3. Jar - Jar Ramen, a cold noodle mixed with spicy ground pork soybean sauce, bean sprout, cucumber, pickled ginger, scallion. when the dish came i realized that it's the chinese cold noodles, zhajiangmian! 4. Hiyashi Ramen, another cold noodle with sesame seed sauce, bean sprout, roast pork, cucumber, egg, imitation crab, pickled ginger. this was my favorite dish - refreshing and salty/tangy/sweet. definitely coming back :)
(4)
Barb L.
I'm always in search for a good bowl of ramen, so I found this place through searching on FourSquare after a Yankees game. It's not really the most noticeable place and the sign for the restaurant may have read something different. The ramen is quite good - I had the curry flavor, since it seemed to be one of the favorites here. I was hoping that there would be more in my bowl to eat but the portion is still decent. The gyoza, which I ordered after as an afterthought, was great. The filling is great and the texture of the dumplings are spot-on.
(4)
Tara T.
Came here on a whim on a Saturday afternoon, around 5pm. We were seated right away and our food came out about 3 minutes after we ordered. I ordered the tan-tan ramen (spicy ground pork) and it was amazing. I slurped it down in record time and lapped the bowl clean. Soup - aromatic, flavorful, meaty without being overwhelmingly thick or heavy. Noodles - quite good, fresh-tasting with that bounce when you bite into it that indicates a well-cooked noodle. Tons of pork and bean sprouts and whatnot in my bowl as well. The other ramens seemed equally solid, and the curry portion was huge. For a good quick eat with fast service and hefty portions, stop in here. Quick note: for some reason, the storefront says "Larmen." It was a little hard to find but worth it in the end.
(3)
Mila K.
Very good place to go with your friends . Very authentic and very Japanese . Atmosphere is ok , nothing fancy , but I coming there for food .I like private cabins but you can sit in one only if you have at least 4 people . Food is delicious , specially I like cold asparagus and eggplant appetizers and I LOVE duck carpaccio (forgot japanese name ). The things I don't like are : calamari plater , snails and hijiki salad . But meybe it's only because I'm European and not get to use to such exotic for my taste food . Overal : food 5 ambience 3 prices 5 (cheap) service 4
(4)
Caroline L.
LARMEN! Oh, Engrish. It's not Ippudo. Don't get it twisted. But, it's a pretty darn good bowl of ramen. And, the old Japanese men standing in the kitchen deftly pinching together the delicious gyoza? Excellent. It's too salty, you say? Do you know what you're eating? It's ramen. Come on. I haven't been to the new joints popping up all over the area. But, for now, Menkui Tei is still a contender!
(4)
Chloe W.
Fingernails in my fried rice.
(1)
Paul B.
Take a deep breath and clear your mind as you step into Menkui Tei, and absolutely positively DO NOT think of your credit card number. The waiters here are mind readers . Notice how low the prices are? They manage that by scalping peoples credit card numbers straight from their brains. No one even suspects it because they don't even take credit cards. How do I know? In our brief meal there one Sunday afternoon they read our minds TWICE. First when my girlfriend was looking for the little hot pepper powder shaker, just as she got the waiters attention and started to say "do you have...". BAM there is was. Hot pepper shaker. In her hand. THATS NOT POSSIBLE. How did he know? Then the moment I sat back and thought "alright I could probably get the check now" WAM there it was. How did he know? Impossible. Ok to be fair mind reading doesnt exist so I'm clearly full of shit about the credit card thing. But the service really was scary good. The ramen was really tasty, although I don't think they will dethrone my favorites. Above par noodles with really nice pork but only average broth. I loved the rice balls though. We each ordered one to start (with salmon) and they were sooo tasty. My god I want one right now. So definite 4 starts for tasty 9$ ramen, delicious sides, cozy atmosphere, and ridiculously good service.
(4)
Maggie L.
Quite often I have a craving for nice and easy Japanese food. Not sushi, not expensive sashimi, but something warm, easy, quick and affordable. There are many sushi bars and fancy Japanese restaurants all over Manhattan but Menkui Tei is a great spot if you have the same kind of craving. The place is low profile, but neat and cozy. Simple menu with some good rice and ramen options. Very reasonable price. Quick and attentive service. The appetizers are pretty decent too (esp the gyoza).
(4)
Amanda K.
I keep meaning to go to the East Village location but when I'm close, I always end up at Ippudo, Oops. This place is much more convenient, but it's a bit meh for a location that's within walking distance to Hide-Chan and Totto. I got the Hakata, which was saltier than it was porky. Still a nice milky color, but all the sodium prevented me from downing it like mother's milk. The pork was a bit tough - it was tasty but mine were dry and a bit hard. So not that appetizing. The noodles were not al dente - softer than I like, and had that chemical taste mentioned in some magazine review lists. That taste hit me very quickly. I didn't mind the pickled ginger, which came in a small mound on top - if you don't like it, you can eat around it since its color makes it easy to pick out. I normally don't eat pickled ginger but I thought it cut into the richness of the broth nicely and was a pleasant surprise when a sliver wound up in a spoonful of noodles. If I were in a rush, this place will do but I'd much prefer walking a bit more for a better bowl.
(3)
Carol L.
I got the spicy ramen that had a miso based broth. THe broth was honestly pretty bland and flavorless...and the noodles were decent as well. My friends got the tonkotsu ramen and that one was pretty good. I do feel that the soup was a bit overly salty and I ended up eating a bunch of the 3$ side of curry rice. The pork is a bit dry...not a bad deal though, and hassle-free ramen (unlike momofuku, ippudo and totto ramen). Not the best, but not too bad either.
(3)
David B.
Traditional!! I hate to say it but the entire restaurant except for my family was Japanese. This was great. I truly like to experience what the "locals" like. I loved the traditional menu and the food was excellent. The sushi was fresh and the every item we ordered you could taste the food. Great new selection reminds me of Tokkubei on E86th, really good and really traditional.
(4)
Kelly S.
I became obsessed with Japanese curry and ramen about a year ago, and this place is pretty darn good for midtown. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall and not fancy by any stretch of the imagination, but the food is good, solid, satisfying homestyle Japanese fare. I like the tonkatsu ramen and the curry best, but I've also had the mabo tofu and fried rice - very good as well. An order of gyoza on the side never hurts . . .
(4)
Matthew B.
The decor and service are nothing exceptional but Menkui Tei serves good ramen for a reasonable price in an area of town where it can be difficult to find quality food. I particularly like the tonkatsu ramen and the shumei are exceptionally good. I recommend this as a no frills noodle shop.
(4)
Matthew L.
I am a big ramen fan. Came across this place on Yelp and it had solid reviews, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about... All the ramen are reasonably priced and you have the option of adding a small fried rice or curry rice for $3. Since ramen usually doesn't fill me up I opted for the curry rice. It was a fairy good sized portion considering it was just an add-on. The rice was nice and sticky. The curry itself was mostly veggies but I didn't expect much meat for the $3. The taste was above average, it needed some more heat, but that's probably just me. I ordered the "Char-Shu" ramen. It's their shoyu ramen with 5 extra pieces of pork ($7 vs $9). The broth was just 6/10. I thought that there was way too many bamboo shoots in my bowl. The smell was messing with the flavor of the broth. The noodles were nice and al-dente a little chewy. The pork was cut thick and it was big pieces. It wasn't as delicate as others I had, but still good. A huge plus for me is that they loaded my bowl with green onions. I love that stuff. Also, the serving was huge (at least 1.5x an Ippudo ramen). Final Impression: Another great ramen spot in NYC. Very very good value here. This place leaves you stuffed and there's no crazy wait either.
(4)
Sami C.
Found this place by accident while roaming the streets of Midtown. I had been hoping to find a place that had cold soba, but wanted to avoid Katsuhama, having been there only 2 days ago. However, rather than find a cold soba place, I actually discovered a great ramen place! Cool! I had ramen with pork - it was very good. Menkui Tei's ramen are very good value for money. The soup is very tasty (I prefer the soup here compared to Ippudo as I find it less salty). That said, while the ramen noodles are good here as they are curly, it makes me wonder whether they are either fresh or handmade? I'm not 100% sure, but am comparing to the ramen at Ippudo which are straight not curly. Not being a ramen connoisseur, I will leave that to others to determine. Overall, I loved this place and will be back next time I am in New York!
(5)
Kealan C.
Probably like a lot of people in the city, I'm an aggressive walker. I go from point A to point B without really paying much attention to anything but traffic lights. Because of this, I've walked by the very low awning of Menkui Tei just about every day without much thought. When I finally tried it for lunch, I was shocked to find how many people that awning was hiding beneath it! Don't be too alarmed by the line if you're taking your ramen to go - I was able to move to the front and was out of there relatively quickly. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen and some pork gyoza, which was way too much food for me. It was still fantastically cheap cheap cheap, though, especially when you consider the fact that the meal comes with a spa treatment - that little place is STEAMY. The ramen was some of the best I've ever had; the broth was super rich and flavorful and the pork was delicious. Overall, a very filling, cheap meal perfect for a cold, windy day!
(4)
Scott C.
Good soup, good noodles, no wait. Not quite sure why people are willing to wait for so long for ramen at other places. The presentation is not fancy at all. Just a plain white bowl, but the contents in the bowl more than make up for the appearance. I had the tonkatsu ramen. The pork was so tender, you could almost cut it with a spoon. If you are hungry, you can get a nice side of fried rice for just $3 extra. The broth was rich and flavorful without being too salty. That said, i came home really thirsty, so i suspect some msg in play. Still, with no wait amd reasonable prices, i will be coming back.
(4)
Eva G.
That $8 bowl of ramen is BIG! This stuff is no-nonsense. I got the menkui tei (#1), and the pork is really tender. The ramen is, like, al dente. Not mushy or stiff, just chewy enough. No more than 15 tables inside this small, warm ( no seriously, where's the AC?) place. I don't care; you won't find ramen for much cheaper than this in NYC, so it's a bare-bones good deal. Cash only.
(4)
Deborah H.
If you work in midtown, having a sushi craving at work inevitably leads to disappointment. But alas, three days of non-stop chile and Mexican-ish food will do that to you. After combing through multiple Yelp reviews, I sacrificed cheapness and quality for location. Right after stepping into the restaurant, the host and hostess welcomed me and handed me a to-go menu. After deciding on the chirashi, I was offered a seat and a hot cup of tea. Nice! I got my food about 5-10 minutes after ordering. The chirashi was very mediocre. While the rice and ginger were good, the pieces of fish were flaccid and a bit wilty, though not stringy. The fresh, rich, miso soup was the highlight of the meal. At $17.50, I would probably try to scope out a different joint the next time I have a hankering.
(3)
Resa W.
I wanted to love Menkui Tei, but my experience was somewhat satisfactory. At $8 a bowl, the price is really what you should be paying for ramen -- but it just wasn't as good as I'd anticipated. I ordered the pork soup (tonkatsu) ramen, and the soup lacked depth, though a dash of spicy oil helped. The noodles were a little too chewy for my liking, though I noticed later that there's a sign on the wall saying you can ask for your noodles to be adjusted to your liking. Service was fast and the food came out quickly. And the portion was very generous. Note that the place is easy to miss -- as far as I could see, the sign says Larmen, not Menkui Tei.
(4)
Peter C.
The chirashi was very delicious, and I really warmed up to the environment. A bit crowded, but actually lent the authentic Tokyo eatery experience. Why so few stars? I was seated at the sushi bar with a perfect stranger. We finished eating around the same time, and the waiter wrote up our checks together. A quick chuckle later, I asked the waiter to split the check, and he actually chided me for not telling him sooner. DUDE, THIS GUY IS A STRANGER!! I don't know him, and certainly can't presume he will pay for my lunch (though he was wearing expensive shoes). The fuzzy feeling faded fast, and I left feeling embarrassed. May be a courteous apology or simply ask before you rang up the bill would have made a world of difference. Yes, a costly oversight, three stars, in fact, for rudeness. Take that, rude waiter, you have dishonored your fine restaurant.
(2)
Teresa L.
My review is not to compare Menkui Tei to other NY ramen places. It's to compare Menkui Tei as a food in general. I've come here twice; the first time I ordered the Menkui Tei ramen and the second time I ordered a variation of the first with some basil or ginger in it. But I can't remember, and I don't care to. The price for a bowl of ramen is $9-16 so it's border line two dollar signs for a decent size bowl that will fill you up for awhile. The place is TINY! They always try to put me into the very back where there is 6 inches of space between me and the table and zero inches between me and the window and opposing wall. The sushi bar stools were much more spacious looking. People are nice, food comes in a timely manner, and water refills are slow. BUT if I ever have an unpredictable day, you'll find me here.
(3)
Andrew S.
yep, like other yelper, I almost didn't find this restaurant since the sign outside is: Larmen New York, not Menkui Tei. Thanks for whoever that posted the pictures so I could still find it. I wanted to try this ramen place because usually ramen places in new york have those 2 dollar signs and this is the only place with 1 dollar sign and 4 stars average rating. Therefore, I wanted to try if this place was really going to be the salvation for a good ramen and cheap price. I ordered the Shio ramen (salt based soup) 8$ with extra charsiu +4$, total: 12$. I can just say that this was as far as economical ramen could go. The noodle was only a little bit higher quality than your instant noodle quality. My friend ordered the tonkotsu ramen (with the white miso soup base) and both of our soup tasted pretty much the same. There was no texture and it was really thin with average taste. The charsiu's cut was a little bit thick and it didn't melt in your mouth. The quality was also average. At the end I also didn't finish the soup since the taste was meh. I wasn't really happy about my experience but with that kind of price, this might be the best you can get with ramen. 12$ for this ramen, I would just go to Ippudo to get a little bit more expensive ramen with superior quality and overall taste. This place is okay, with friendly waiters (2 of them only taking care of the whole place). But, if you want a good ramen, it is better to go to another place and spend more to have much better ramen experience. I wouldn't go back to this place again.
(3)
Miles H.
I go here waaaay too much. But love it, its in expensive fast and REALLY well priced. This is what true Ramen Shops in Japan are like! Always add the $3 curry rice!!!
(5)
Eugene K.
I'm giving this joint an extra star versus the Village location. I don't know, the ramen just tasted better. It probably doesn't help that I got sloshed at a nearby bar up the block (which might I add, is ridiculous that no other bars/restaurants have a happy hour - I must've gone into 3 other places and asked, "Happy hour?" All frowns. Maybe I should've asked "Happy ending?" Hmmm, will attempt on my next go around). But yea, so they have this combo where you pick a bowl of ramen and for $3.50 more, you get yourself a bowl of fried rice or curry rice. Mmmmmm. And this curry doesn't make you go poo poo. Cross my heart. Not the BESTEST of curries but if you have that small fixing that you need done, you're safe with this. Shiyo is dope. The miso is dope. And the tonkatsu is dope. It's dope...man. What's up with the yellow awning? Had me running around like a drunk loony. Also, keep an eye out for one of the cute Russian waitresses (I know, at a Japanese joint, right?). She has like corn-rows/pig-tails. A bit hazy after the ginormous Asahi's...
(4)
Marie L.
I've been here four times in the last month. Great for a quick lunch or a rainy day ramen fix. Fast service, abundant noodles, tasty broth. No more than $10 a bowl. The Extra Spicy Ramen is my favorite by far. Delicious! True to its name, very spicy but not intolerably so. The Menkui Tei Ramen with the house speciality broth is also really flavorful. I wouldn't order the Tonkotsu Ramen again. Thought I'd enjoy the combination of pork slices and pickled ginger but was slightly disappointed by the taste although the texture of the vegetables (bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and scallions) was great and the noodles impeccable as usual. The broth just wasn't to my liking but others have exclaimed over this one. Overall, a great place. And there's almost never a wait like at Ippudo or Totto Ramen. To nitpick a little, I'd say the pork slices are occasionally a little too fatty and the gyoza is only average but I come back for the quality of the noodles (superb) and the delicious broth. I've heard good things about the Curry Ramen so that's next on my list.
(4)
Hannah C.
One hour in Manhattan. I exited the Port Authority half way between DC and Boston on a mission for ramen. Since I was so close to Times Square and 30 Rock, I scooted up to see The Tree as they decorated it, and popped into a Japanese Bakery to ask where to find the noodles that I, weary traveler, needed. They first asked, "Udon or Ramen?" I paused to love New York. I said "ramen", and they sent me here. I ordered take out as the clock was ticking, and ran to the ATM next door for cash as they're cash-only. There I found the receipt of the last customer at that ATM... S/he had $67,000 in checking. Jesus Maria and Jose! The veggie ramen is and was delish, with an almost creamy broth that makes my soul happy. Noodles were perfectly cooked and should last through the next 4 hour bus ride... if I don't eat them first. Gawd I love New York! Oh! The ambiance! Proletarian, but in a busy way - not a dirty way. Nice wooden tables, huge bowls of soup, good looking crowd of business shirts with the sleeves rolled up.
(4)
Sam Y.
Five stars b/c the value here is awesome :) I did a ramen tour through NYC last time I visited, and this place + Ippudo were the best ramen joints based on ramen quality. Joint here is much more low key compared to Ippudo, but the broth is flavorful and the BBQ pork is really really tasty. If you want to save yourself the hour wait at Ippudo and just want a simple delicious bowl of reasonably priced ramen, Menkui Tei is your place :)
(5)
D N.
Just visited here and am glad I read the reviews first. I had the spicy ramen and the broth was delish! But the real winner wasn't the ramen, but the fried rice which I ordered at the recommendation of a fellow yelper. It was flavorful without being too oily and had a perfect blend of scallion, shrimp and peas. For an additional $3 (if you order ramen), it was a very filling side to my ramen. The spicy broth was a perfect strength- I didn't need water every 2 minutes but I could taste the kick. My bf got the miso ramen- equally tasty but not mind - blowing. I'd come here if I wanted a change from my regular ramen place of choice, Menchanko-tei. The only downside is the location & the 'cash only' rule- but you will likely overlook this after you get your food (which comes pretty fast!)
(3)
Captain T.
I grew up in the orient and I've been to many places like this, except normally it would require digging straight down for a long long while. So, I'm glad I don't have to risk the crushing pressures of the earth's core (or Demons, if you please) to get myself some authentic noodles. Overall quality of the food is what you'd expect in a typical Tokyo salaryman noodle bar, service still shouts "HAI!" out of habit, and most of them understand Japanese should you offer them mad props by saying "oishi-kata-des!"
(4)
Ed B.
best gyoza and dumplings hands down. No curry on the day I went. Prefer the ramen at Menchanko or Sapporo you can also get dumplings in your ramen very delicious sliced pork as well pricing specials on lunch items before 12:15 - get there at high noon if you want a seat
(3)
Zuzzi E.
This was one of the best bowls of ramen I've ever had! The menu is pretty comprehensive, but they'll let you customize your bowl and add/remove any soupy frills. My only gripe: no credit cards. WHAT? Why? I'll let them earn that last star when they join the twenty-first century .
(4)
Branson L.
Yum... Yum yum... well sorta.. it was just... a bright environment, which i wasnt into, but the food, the food was pretty good. the ramen was far from orgasmic, but quaffable... i was expecting something more i guess... watched the guy make dumplings, that was fun... its so difficult to write a review on pure mediocrity.... id say its worth trying, like 51% so...
(3)
Casmira B.
This place lives up to all of the good reviews it has. The ramen is good, and the prices are better. The vegetable ramen is packed with vegetables and absolutely delicious. When you order, they make your food fresh from scratch. I'm sure lots of other places in the city do that too, but there's something nice about being able to actually watch them do it out in the open and be sure. When you order, you can also specify if you want your noodles more or less firm. On top of that, the serving sizes are huge. A friend and I are able to split one order of ramen comfortably for lunch. I would give this location a 5 stars hands down if not for the cramped interior (going with a large group wouldn't be wise...) and the fact that their vegetable ramen comes with pork broth.
(4)
Jane P.
This place is pretty cozy. I like how it feels like an authentic Japanese restaurant. I got the miso ramen and shared the fried rice with a friend. Considering how there's so few places to eat near Times Square (that's good), I would go here if you want something affordable and yummy. *Note: the outside of the restaurant doesn't say Menkui Tei. It says Larmen or something. Kind of confusing.
(4)
Brandon M.
It's ok, if you are in the area and are craving ramen, then it is definitely worth checking out, especially given the prices.
(3)
Nena G.
Do you love pork? This is your spot! Listen, my veggie ramen with pork broth was delicious. I wasn't even that hungry and I couldn't stop eating it was so good. Three stars for the following reasons: 1. My guest didn't eat Pork and you can't get ANY of their ramen AND almost nothing from their menu without ground, chopped, stewed, grilled, shredded or some other type of pork. This is horrible! Who would guess with 8 different Ramens on the menu not one is a veggie or chicken or beaf broth.. disappointing. As other reviewers say, they have a veggie ramen but it has pork broth. 2. The raw pounds and pounds of pork were piled in a heap right on the other side of the bar - at least 2 ft. above the top of the bar. So even though my guest was able to order a chicken dish we both had an up close view of a raw pile of pork the entire meal. (At least it wasn't frozen!) 3. Lunch time (1 p.m.) wait is at least an hour Not memorable, not special and I don't have to go back. I will if I'm in this neighborhood again but I don't have to - so three stars. For ramen Totto Ramen is still my fav. - inexpensive, great space and veggie/pork free friendly.
(3)
Cyndi T.
*sigh* I had higher hopes for this location because of ALL the reviews. The Menkui Tei downtown is WAY BETTER than this one. This location is tight and small only really for the in and out business people in the area. We were seated right in front of the door where the line was right up against us so it was weird eating next to a line of hungry people facing you--literally 2 feet from you. The hostess seated us sharing a table with some guy so all our chopsticks and condiments were on his side and we didnt have anything. Mind you this was also 1pm where lunch time was in full force for business people...so probably NOT the best time to go. Food. Food was nothing to brag about. The food at their downtown location tastes MUCH MUCH better. They have ALOT more menu items to choose from too, like monkfish liver, pig intestine and so forth. Much more choices. You'll be grateful you went to that location instead!
(1)
Sarah W.
Just had some ramen in Menkui Tei. It was goooood~~~. I have a happy stomach now and I know I am gonna sleep like a just fed baby tonight. This place is small and the menu is neatly short but I have to announce that I found THE place for my Japanese Ramen urge. I know it is early for the annual Ramen award but the winner of my annual Ramen award is decided. Please accept my Free-award Menkui Tei~~ I had Tonkatsu Ramen($8) with extra butter topping($1.50). The waiter smiled. Why? A big chunk of marshmallow sized butter came in my soup, floating. Whao.. But, as Juila Child says, never apologize and there is never enough butter. Creamy buttered up broth, It was heavenly comforting. Ahhhhh~~~ (sorry, I have been overusing this expression a lot lately..but... no other word to describe this) Ahhhhhh~~~ Hyun-ju, my cousin had Mabo Ramen($8) with extra roasted pork topping($4). Dark broth topped with some delicious but mysterious dark sauce (meaty and beefy) with soft tofus and ground beef. She loved it. It was really good but I liked mine more. hehe. Even though I might die named as Butter-Face................ I liked mine, she liked hers. What else do we need? The portion was big but we both finished everything to the bottom of our bowls. God bless these two cousins. Mostly I like the broth, it is not too salty nor too meaty nor too dense nor as some other places I have been. The roasted porks are perfectly cooked. yummmmmmmmm~~ This place is not fancy. But you can clearly see that it is authentic and people eat there know that food there are good. No decor cliche nor dreadful waiting lines - just plain all good ramens. Service was right on and friendly. I am coming back for the rest of my life.. Highly Recommended. Cash Only.
(5)
Oski B.
Very tasty and just a block away from Le Parker Meridien. When you need a break from Burger Joint, just head east on 56th and you'll be here in no time. Don't be a doofus like me and scratch your head wondering whether the yellow awning that reads "Larmen New York" is Menkui-Tei. Got my ramen to go and it was still piping hot when I got back to the hotel. As I was waiting for my order, I noticed that most people ordered some gyoza to go w their noodles. I'll have to try that next time. Remember, cash only.
(4)
Jennifer C.
An unassuming exterior lacking curb appeal gives way to one of the tastiest bowls of Ramen that can be had in NYC for under $10. Forget about waiting in line at Ippudo, if you're in midtown check this place out. I recommend the Ma Po Tofu Ramen if you like tofu but don't expect it to be too spicy. My fiance ordered the Seafood Ramen which was HUGE though the shrimp in it were TINY. His broth was a little less flavorful but the Ma Po Tofu broth was a little thicker and pretty tasty. I was tempted to drink the whole thing but decided I could do without the sodium. The ramen was super hot and service was quick and efficient, with no frills. We didn't have to wait for a seat on a mid-week evening. This is good when you're looking for something quick, not expensive and hot.
(4)
Nhan B.
In New York for Labor Day weekend. Wife is Japanese so we hit a few Japanese restaurants. Very disappointed until on our last day we found Ise. While everything in NYC is expensive to us out-of-towners, the portions here were very generous and the food authentically delicious. Definitely coming here if we visit the area again.
(4)
Cherry L.
A cozy place especially in the winter of Manhattan. Both the rice and soup tastes good with rich ingredients. But the noodles feel like the instant ones.
(4)
Cheryl K.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars suckaaa. I've been to this place numerous times for lunch breaks with the pops. His office is right around the corner and he knows the people there pretty well by now, so this is his go-to joint for lunch. He always orders the same thing-- this chicken and onion stir-fry over rice. I tried some of it and it is the Japanese-style 53rd and 6th chiggin&rice f'sho. Over the course of my visits to this slightly hidden restaurant, I've tried a variety of rolls, the lunch special of tempura udon + crab salad over rice, and the chirashi (basically pieces of sashimi over rice-- think, disassembled sushi). Everything I've had was tasty and very fresh. The lunch specials are amazing! They have A, B, and C and I remember having a very hard time choosing. I believe I had lunch special C, but I'll try the other 2 very soon. I love that, despite the chaos at lunchtime in midtown, we always get seated and served promptly. I hear they have an Ise down by my apartment in the Financial District; could they be related?! I shall find out! Oh, also, I don't know if he's the owner, but there's always this smiling plump ole Asian man standing in the front saying hello and byebye! Def gave an extra .5 stars for the cutie.
(5)
K A.
So they have moved into Ise's space next door, and replaced most of Ise's menu. Ramen is still excellent, but not cooked in front of you anymore (they told me its because they have a real kitchen area now). Nicer decor did not involve a credit card machine, so still cash only, although the seran wrapped cash register seems to be gone (RIP).
(4)
Kris P.
Could've sworn that I had reviewed this place already... I came here often while living in NYC, especially because it's hard to find any decent ramen joint outside of the East Village. Living uptown can be hard for a ramen-loving girl, so when I came across "Larmen" I decided that it was authentic enough for me! I've tried almost all of their Ramen (except the Vegetarian), and was pretty satisfied with them. The best thing is that they can change their broth to your liking. I always ask for the "light broth" which is a perfectly seasoned broth - not overly salty. My faves: -Ramen: Menkui, Miso, Tonkatsu, and Char Siu -Gyoza: perefection! The filling is flavorul and the skin is light and crispy. -Fried rice: really good and hits the spot. I always get a side of it :) My not-so-faves: -table set up is crowded -smoky and hot: they need a new ventilation system (anyone wearing glasses will have foggy vision w/in moments of stepping in) -ambiance: decor and set up are average. although I do like watching the chefs at their open kitchen. This Menkui-Tei is better than the one down on Cooper Square/St. Marks. I'm not sure what it is, but I thought the ramen and the fried rice was better in Midtown, as was the service. I'd say this place is a 3.5 in my book, but because they're usually so nice, I'll round up this time ;)
(4)
Mike G.
This is extremely well done Japanese food at a very fair prices. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone - they have a full range of the more traditional Japanese fare, and also flirt with more creative presentations, while still maintaining contact with a solid Japanese aesthetic and integrity. Their box dinner deals are unbeatable - you can sushi, tempura, together with all of the trimmings and dessert for a cool $20. Oh, and make sure to try their Sapporo beer on tap - it's mighty tasty. I'm only docking a star because the decor could use a refresh, it only has a single bathroom, and it has a slightly musty odor when you first walk in. Aside from those minor quibbles, you can't go wrong.
(4)
Justin S.
This is the epic Ramen I've been hearing about for so long? On my latest trip to Manhattan, I made sure to try a couple of bowls. They were certainly enjoyable, filling, and a good deal... but there's this little thing called 'Pho.' It's like Ramen, but different. If this were a pho shop, I'd be giving it 2 stars for tough meat, basic broth, and average prices. If this is 4-star ramen shop, then ramen is a gimpy genre. People waxing poetically for missing things that can only be found in Manhattan have gone down another small notch in my totem pole of credibility. 3-stars for providing a decent meal at a fair price. ps The fried rice was exceptional... I found it significantly better than either of the soups I tried. It came with shrimp, pork, egg, and veggies and was well-prepared. Completely delicious!
(3)
Josh E.
Ahhhh... Nothing beats a cool bowl of Hyashi Chuka Ramen on a warm/hot summer day. There are few places in the US where you can even get this stuff and, thank my lucky stars, I live in a city that has a strong Ramen-ya presence... New York. NYC, you come through again and again. Love ya, xoxo! So, Menkui Tei is a hole in the wall, and adorably so, noodle joint with not a great deal of seating and a narrow seating area. It's a bit dingy, but that's fine. They have a fine list of Japanese fast food that can easily keep me happy no matter my mood. Hyashi Chuka is the summer fix... A cool vinegary broth full of cold noddles and, in Menkui Tei's version, sliced pork, shaved radish, egg, cucumber, "k"rab, sprouts, a dab hot mustard, and probably more that I'm forgetting. Mix it all up and enjoy. It's typically only avaiable during summer, but it may be on Menkui Tei's menu all the time... it was hard to tell. My friend, and I, also shared a tasty order of gyoza. The prices are okay, or not too expensive for New York... Running $9 for my bowl. I'll go back. It's not amazing, but it's heart warming... comfort food for those with open palletes. 3.5 stars.
(3)
Michael V.
4 stars only because I don't eat a lot of ramen and have no basis of comparison. The bowls are huge and steaming hot, quickly served and cheaply priced. It's hard to find a more filling meal for the price. I'm a fan of the curry ramen. My wife likes the miso ramen, and we both tend to order extra ingredients. We've also tried the gyoza and shumai, both excellent (though the shumai has a small edge, it's really awesomely good.) The people are friendly, it's super close to the subway - I have only one little complaint, and that's that the sign outside says Larmen New York, not Menkui Tei, so it can be a little confusing.
(4)
Lisa P.
Thank you Yelp for helping me discover Menkui Tei! I'd been seriously craving good ramen for awhile. I'm not really into the "stand in line for 2 hours deal-e-o" at Ippudo or Momofuku (I don't understand why they won't just take a damn reservation)- all I wanted was comfort food in the form of a steaming hot bowl of noodles from a chill, unpretentious place. That's exactly what I got when I came here last Friday. I had the tonkatsu ramen with the butter topping (again, thank you Yelp!) and my bf had the menkui tei ramen. The noodles were great- I ordered mine a little on the chewier side (the sign said to instruct the server to adjust the "rigidity" of the noodles). The broth was perfect as well. Great food, great value, and in a location that's much more convenient for me than the LES (I live on the UWS). The gyoza are also delicious. They have a very thin and delicate skin (more like a wonton wrapper than a dumpling skin) that fries up nicely, giving a perfect crispy bottom. The meat inside is very fresh and light- yum! It is small, cramped, and steamy though. My wool peacoat smelled like fried dumplings and soup for a few days afterwards- but I'm not so sure that's a bad thing... :)
(4)
Katie C.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS PLACE HAS SUCH HIGH RATINGS... This place is NOT even a RAMEN place. THE RAMEN HERE IS HORRIBLE! DO NOT COME HERE! Yes the ramen is cheap, but it's disgusting. And this place is difficult to find. AVOID! Stick with Totto Ramen or Ippudo. Trust me, the price difference is worth it
(1)
Ben T.
Umai Umai Umaideee koko! The prices are reasonable, the food quality is excellent, the waiters are friendly, and you can watch the chef make you sushi or you can dine in exclusivity in one of their private dining rooms-highly recommended! I know the owner as I have come here often and I also frequent Menkui Tei next door which he also owns. Don't leave without trying: butabara, yakitori, some sashimi or sushi roles (if you're in the mood for sushi) and don't forget to take some desert!
(4)
Elissa S.
My friend scanned the menu and said, "I'll have three sides of butter." Yeah, you can order butter by itself. Apparently, it's an accompaniment to the ramen. I have never seen anyone order the butter, nor do I understand why you would want to do that, but if you ever want butter with your ramen, it's there. In all seriousness, this is some pretty delicious ramen. It arrives piping hot, but not so hot you can't take a slurp the soup immediately. I've never had a ramen here that I disliked, so basically, if you order anything from the left side of the menu, you're good to go. That's not to say, however, that the right side of the menu doesn't deserve merit. In fact, their curry rice is some of the best in town. Thick and flavorful, it tastes like they've been cooking it for days, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken. If you want something warm and satisfying but aren't in the mood for a big bowl of soup, order the curry rice with some pork. If you have room, split some gyozas with your friends. Those little suckers are scrumptious.
(4)
Kelly B.
The char sui here is delicious! Menkui Tei is more of a hole in a wall than anything, and the decoration is minimal (dry-erase board, beer signs, etc.) No glitz and glamour. But the ramen I had was delicious and more than I expected. Service was good, food was good, restaurant was good. Kind of peeved that it's a cash-only spot, but it's NYC you can find an ATM nearby!
(4)
Jihye K.
Cheap, yes, but good quality? eh. It's as yelp suggests with its two star ratings, it's "meh, i've experienced better". It gets 3 stars because of its super cheap prices. Had the menkui ramen -- super cheap ($8) but overly salty and the noodles were slightly overcooked. It's supposed to be seafood broth, but definitely not what I tasted. The chasu pork pieces were decent and flavorful, but again, the overwhelming saltiness of the entire bowl just didn't lead to a worthwhile experience. Don't expect much more than basically a cheap bowl of ramen. If you come with that expectation, you won't be disappointed! The shumai (4 pieces) were larger than expected and not bad. but again, nothing absolutely mindblowing. Cash only here!
(3)
Tian X.
If I really had to choose my favorite ramen in New York City, it would be a difficult decision between this place and Menchanko-tei, which has a location just down the street from here, but I think I would settle on Menkui Tei. Menchanko-tei packs a lot more goodies into their ramen, but Menkui Tei has much better broth. I'm not sure what it is that they do, but there is just something amazing about the broth here. I must note that this place is much better for dinner than lunch simply because the lunch crowd is absolutely out of control. Even in bitter winter, the crowd extends out the door, which can be a very painful wait.
(5)
Roxane W.
Menkui Tei is solid ramen. The portions are huge, and the prices are cheap. A very casual place, with lots of seating, and a friendly staff. You can tell who the regulars are when you walk in. After discovering Totto Ramen, this place doesn't really wow me. The broth is a bit on the salty side.. a bit too much. However, if I don't want to wait in line, and have a craving for ramen, I may just come back here.
(3)
Anita D.
Came here two Novembers ago for lunch. This place was packed. Wait was quick. Ordered shoyu ramen (if i remember correctly, as i was trying to nurse a hangover). It was good and portions were fair. Very cramped inside, then again, there's just not enough room in Manhattan.
(3)
Sean M.
The ramen here is good, not my favorite, but there's not an hour and a half line for it. The service is really good (and quick) and they staff is friendly. This is a great place if you're in a rush but still want your ramen fix.
(3)
Peter O.
If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with ramen here. Cha Shoo is probably my favorite. Remember you can always upgrade the quantity of noodles for less than 2 bucks. My only concern is that the sodium level is too high. Their soup base doesn't need to be so salty.
(4)
Di X.
Absolutely LOVE this place! My boyfriend and i enjoy going these for bowl of yummi ramen. Good prices and ramen is sooooo good!
(5)
Amanda L.
I enjoy the curry rice dish and the only place around the area where you can get it. The place is cash only and has a B grading - which is pretty accurate. The meat taste old and frozen even when they refry it. Also the last time I got the ramen my stomach was grumbling at me afterwards. The rice dishes are pretty safe though. There are definitely better places to go to ramen, but for a quick lunch it's fine. Service is great and really quick. I used to come here a lot during work, but since the last two times my stomach would hurt so I've been avoiding the place when I can.
(2)
D V.
Solid Japanese izayaki. A nice respite from the hustle and bustle of work and city. Unlike most restaurants here, the staff are nice and attentive. Looks small, but it has a decently spacious seating area. For what its worth, more than half the customers are Japanese , and almost all Asian. You're not going to find anything particularly different or special compared to other Japanese restaurants, and I wouldn't go out of the way to come here. But what they do is well sorted and executed. They have a very good clam soup (hamasu), which though simple and tasty I have found difficult to find in the city. Their yakitori is also very good and cleaner tasting compared to Oh Taisho. The teriyaki and sushi are nothing special, a little bland and unfresh. $10 large/$5 small house hot sake. Don't mistake Ise for the ramen joint next door (which has the same owner). A few of the reviews on Yelp of Ise are actually for the ramen place.
(3)
Jason W.
I've eaten here several times and the food is pretty good. I'm a huge fan of Japanese katsu curry which is about 8 and change. If you want pork cutlet its an additional $3... Kind of ridiculous especially cause you're already paying $8 for curry and rice alone -_- I remember getting the curry rice dish w/pork a couple months ago and them giving me a full cutlet! Unfortunately I've noticed that they really have been copping out on the meat and give you about half now. I agree with many others.. The ramen IS missing something. They only give you ~3 slices of meat.. Pretty disappointing. But if I had to choose, I'd go for the extra spicy ramen. Overall, the place is a little above average.
(3)
Karen N.
Ohhh, I almost wish I work in midtown so I can have a bowl of their ramen for lunch everyday! I went by myself, sat at the counter, flanked by Japanese businessmen on both sides. I got the shoyo ramen and gyoza. What a satisfying lunch! You can see the guy wrapping the gyozas in front of you and the guy that cooks the noodles. I don't have a complicated rating system, here are my criteria: Do I want to drink all the soup? Do I wish I have more noodles at the end of the bowl? Did I burn my mouth in my first bite cos I just couldn't wait anymore? The answer is all yes! Will go back anytime I walk by that block.
(4)
Laurie S.
I hate that its cash only. The door is kind of hidden and you don't see it until you are right in front of it. But there were lots of Asian people here, so I knew it had to be good. And it was. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Jen G.
Came here just before 11pm on a Monday night and were told that they only had 2 kinds of ramen available. We opted for the thicker broth ramen. The pork was good, but each bowl only had 2 pieces? Oh hell no. I wish i knew what the broth tasted like; the ginger on top OVERPOWERED everything. This place doesn't hold a candle to Daikokuya in Los Angeles. Very forgettable.
(2)
M M.
Not bad, and not good. I would have given Menkui Tei 2 stars if it didn't have such friendly waitstaff. I had a tonkotsu ramen and a small fried rice. The ramen broth didn't have a WOW factor and had an off taste at the beginning, like they added something to make it creamier. The fried rice was kind of flavorless. The prices were ok but I can't really recommend this place even if you have a ramen craving and are in the area.
(3)
David P.
My wife and I received a tip from a trusted friend about where to get great ramen...so we headed to st marks and was fortunate to find this place as most places in the area were closed. I had the amazing menkui tei ramen and she had a spicy seafood ramen (name escapes me). both were delicious and the broth was flavorful...not bland not salty. We also had their seafood fried rice which btw was the best fried rice ever...not greasy like most restaurants. Good Service also...even on labor day! We will have to go back as soon as we're able.
(3)
Guillaume T.
nice place.
(4)
Kurt M.
Very good Ramen here. Had a nice meal with the wife and also got very good service.
(4)
Jang David K.
Menkui Tei's broth is worth dying for. It touches the deep parts of your soul as your drink this heaven-sent gift....i picture myself drinking this broth in middle of a cold winter in hot springs of Japan....ahhh... Lines can be long at peak hours but you should wait to have their ramens. Without a doubt, Ippudo's pork belly is tastier and tenderer than Menkui Tei's. However, I think this joint's broth is better because it's so well balanced unlike Ippudo's slightly salty broth taste. Ambiance, Ippudo wins again. I feel like I'm in Japan when I'm at Ippudo. In presentation, Ippudo is a bit better, not by much. All in all, Menkui Tei is a great contribution to NYC's ramen freaks. I wanna go to Japan....
(4)
Food E.
Big menu..bigger than the downtown branch in the financial district. I had the chirashi and it was good. My friend got a couple of sushi rolls which were on the pricier side for rolls. The yakitori (chicken and pork belly) were good, probably my favorite part of the meal. The grilled octopus appetizer we ordered came out after our entrees and wasn't hot - luke warm at best - have had better.
(3)
Emi M.
Favorite Ramen in the city. Both locations are delicious! Shoyu Ramen is my go to on the menu.
(5)
Hiroko S.
I haven't eaten ramen since I moved to USA. This is my first time. I don't say this is as good as ramen in Japan but ramen was great. I tried, extra spicy ramen, menkui ramen, and champon. Our conclusion was champon was the best one of three.
(3)
Chris C.
While eating our Ramen.... Boyfriend: I want to have an open relationship Girlfriend: (Pissed off face) What?........ Boyfriend: ...... Girlfriend: (with a pissed - pissed face with Ramen fumes coming out of her nose, arms crossed) So you want an open relationship?! Ex boyfriend: yes Let me just say, not the best place to break it off or have relationship talk with your girlfriend or boyfriend because (A) environment not that calming and (B) very easy for people to hear about your business. I promise I'm not a creep, well maybe I am, but it was super easy eavesdrop and when any drama is going down why not listen in?! That was Cindy C. and I's mini entertainment while slurping our ramen down. I had the mabo ramen because I saw the ** on the menu, basically the warning sign that it's spicy. Mabo ramen really didn't need any asterisk because it wasn't spicy. The Ramen noodles were cooked just the way I like it: soft enough to slurp it down but chewy enough to have a bit of a bite to it. After finding out that the soup wasn't spicy, I hit my soup with some spicy japanese pepper (you know.. the ones that are out on the table comes in a mini orangy capsule?). After going through about a 1/4 of the noodles, it was getting too salty for me. With 2 rounds of water, I attempted to level out the saltiness with a gulps of water. We also shared the dumplings. Very much recommended! Not the frozen kind... YES... it feels so good when it isn't because you don't feel jipped. If your in the area and you don't feel like trekking all the way down to Lower East to satisfy your ramen craving, then I think Menkui Tei isn't a bad place to do the deal. 8 bucks a ramen bowl makes the Cash Only feel not so bad.
(3)
Raven M.
I was in the area and Menkui Tei had been compared to Ippudo as in it was better and cheaper- I'd have to disagree, although there was a vast option for Ramen dishes, most of which ARE delicious, Ippudo is much better- The noodles were thick and wonderful with the broth that also had a slight heaviness to it as well as great flavour! Good to try at least once definitely, twice if you happen to be in the area again- Again, just a disclaimer, I haven't tried anything else but the Ramens. *I found it a bit hard to find as the name outside wasn't exactly the same as what I was looking for- however it's the only ramen place on the block.
(3)
Amy L.
Came here for lunch with a friend who just got back from a year in Japan. I got the $10.5 lunch special - an order of vegetable gyoza, half an order of tonkotsu ramen, and half an order of curry rice - and given the amount of food the came, what a great deal. It passed our basic tastiness test but nothing close to "ammaaaaaazinggg!!!!" Let's just say it's no Ippudo. Cash only.
(3)
April S.
Great little place that was not easy to find! However, the food was AMAZING! I got the cold noodle dish with a soy based sauce. The portion was great for the price and half way through the noodles I was full. The roasted pork it came with was seasoned just right and complimented the noodles quite well. The only con I would say is the place is quite small. So sometimes when it gets busy I'd imagine there would be a wait. But it's worth it for sure!
(4)
Ye P.
Will give 3.5. A nice place with authentic Japanese food to hang out with friends.
(3)
Klane H.
A quick tasty meal. But I just can't find a good reason to pay 8.50 for a bowl of ramen in a joint that's a small step above the place you loiter for chinese takeout. I think there are better options in the neighborhood, at least for the tonkatsu I had.
(3)
YK C.
My friend and I ventured in this hidden little ramen joint after work last week. They were packed! This little place offers nearly a dozen different type of ramen and standard rice dishes. I had the Tonkotsu Ramen (pork bone broth) and my friend got the Katsu Don (pork cutlet & egg over rice). We also shared an order of fried pork dumplings. All of this was just $31 (tax and tip included). Lets start with the appetizer. The dumpling was made in house with lots of filling. They certainly didn't skimp there. Grilled to nice golden brownness, they were just perfect. My Tonkotsu Ramen was really really good. The broth was excellent. Their pork slices (cha-siu) was good, but is a little on the lean side (I like mine a little fatty!). The noodles were nice and chewy--as it should be. I also got the extra curry rice on the side (only $3). It was good, but the curry is definitely packaged (hence the 4-star instead of 5-star). My friend's Katsu Don was quite good as well. The pork cutlet was nicely done (still juicy; not too dry) and the sauce was just right. All in all, I am a fan. Lower East Side probably has better ramen (such as Rai Rai Ken), but in this area, Ise is a sure bet. It's no wonder they are packed.
(4)
Isabel L.
Simply put, I like this restaurant because it's real. It's not overly fancy or decorated. In fact, it smells like oil and kitchen in here if you sit in front of the bar. But it's that authentic taste of ramen that I go after. It reminds me of a Ramen house down some resident block in Tokyo during my visit in Japan. Menkui Tei might be local and low key, but their ramen is solid! Not overly salty or greasy. There's alot of variety so pick and choose as you may please. Besides Ramen they hv fried rice, Gyoza, Shumai and Curry. I can definitely see myself coming here all the time! NOTE: They close at 11pm weeknights
(4)
Cody S.
Bottom line, there's better ramen for cheaper prices in Manhattan. Had a bowl of Jar-Jar ramen (cold ramen without soup that has spiced ground pork) and a side of Gyoza. The ramen was 'so so' and the same with the gyoza...the wrappers just weren't quite paper thin enough for my taste. It's adequate, and by no means expensive, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(2)
Tom I.
This place has great value meal for lunch hour. $12~13 and you get four or five dishes plus rice and miso soup. Not only this is very authentic Japanese style business lunch, but also you get well balanced healthy meal. Service is fast, and friendly. The only issue I have is the price during dinner. I found it very expensive, priced for wealthy Japanese business people, therefore I usually eat ramen next door for dinner if I'm in the hood.
(4)
Chris M.
I took a little field trip down to the city to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and walk around. I had done some research on Yelp as I was looking for cheap fare in Midtown East and Menkui Tei came up. When I read the reviews, I was captivated by the feedback about the wonderful ramen. In my opinion, there is nothing better to fill someone up on a cold night then a warm bowl of steaming ramen. The menu has about 10 ramen dishes but I ended up getting the Shoyu ramen. It came with two pieces of pork, bamboo shoots, and scallions. The food came up quick but I wasn't very impressed. The pork was very tough and there were way too many scallions almost overwhelming the dish. The noodles looked like they were straight out of a packet of Maruchan ramen. When I was in Vancouver, I got to eat at a couple of Noodle Shops that were much better than Menkui Tei. The only redeeming quality was the broth was warm and filling. I know that traditional Japanese Ramen is supposed to be all about the broth and that is why this place gets 2 stars but the accoutrements that are added to the ramen need to be of high quality to compliment the rich flavor of the broth. These weren't, the ramen suffered, and ultimately Menkei Tei's review suffers.
(2)
Jack N.
I like the St. Marks one more, meat not fatty enough... Came here a while ago, but forgot to Yelp about it, but came by again recently, and at least this time, the ramen is more vivid in my memory than the last. This goes for all ramen places in midtown. Only go before noon or after 2 PM on a weekday unless you're prepared to wait. I wasn't, but my friend and I went after 2, but even then, they only had 1 small table, all the way in the back. Well, at least we didn't have to wait. As for the menu, its quite different from their St. Marks location. I have to say, if I didn't know better, these two restaurants have nothing in common except for the name. I was looking forward to ordering the Kyushu ramen, only to find that they don't serve it in this store, so I went w/ the Tonkotsu ramen (which is really the same thing, one describe the region where the ramen style is from, the other describe the actual pork bone broth use in the ramen). But sadly, I was disappointed, the ramen was not as good. The meat was kinda dry, they could have really put some fatty pork to enhance the flavor, and there was no egg in there. I guess I'm nit-picking, but that's what's in the Kyushu ramen in their St. Marks location. But given the disappointment in food, I still have to give them a plus for their service. They were very attentive, including filling our glass of water quite often. I guess I just have to get other items the next time I'm here.
(3)
Laura H.
Best udon noodle soup I've ever had! At lunch, a huge, hearty bowl is served alongside three pieces of scrumptious sashimi over sushi rice. More food than I could eat, for only $12, PLUS that included green tea. It's a half-mile walk from my office and I will happily trek through ice & snow to get there for this amazing meal.
(4)
David L.
This place is my favorite Ramen place in NYC. + The flavor of their pork tonkatsu ramen and miso ramen is to die for. + The pork itself is so flavorful and tender that it practically melts in your mouth. + The broths are good to the last drop. + The fried rice and gyoza also have a ton of flavor. I'd always order them with my soups. + Chicken liver and chives were tasty too! + Great midtown location that's an easy walk from work - Lines during weekday lunch are REALLY long. Overall, I don't think I've found anywhere that matches the flavor of their ramen and you can't go wrong with anything here.
(5)
Angela K.
Had a ramen contest today with a group of food lovers. We surveyed a few ramen houses around the city by ordering just a little ramen to taste who served it the best. Menkui Tei took first prize. (My husband chose Ippudo... see my review of that on Ippudo's page.) I'm a purist who just wants good ramen noodles and soup. What I appreciated about Menkui was the quality of noodles and broth... fresh, not too salty, not too oily. (What is up with all of the grease and oil at Ippudo and other ramen houses??) The atmosphere is exactly how I picture a ramen house should be... unpretentious, easy, and busy. Hands down the winner for today.
(5)
Alex W.
Closer to 3.5 stars. Another izakaya, I'd venture to say more similar to Riki than to Sakagura. Dishes are simple, but delicious. The yakitori is certainly not up there with the likes of totto and torishin, but to me the chicken skin is worth an order as it's so tiny and tasty but not chewy. Also, order the fried chicken and finish the meal with a plate of fried ice cream.
(3)
W L.
Found roach in my Canton ramen today....the worst possible thing you can find in your soup. I been going to this place for years since i work 2 blocks away but never more! I'm sick to my stomach cuz i drank roach juice...yuck!
(1)
Jacinda S.
Fans of true ramen rejoice. This tiny midtown spot makes some pretty amazing noodles. My favorite is the wonton ramen, with delicate little pillows of pork that make you want to cry. Don't expect anything fancy, this place is basic and busy so they serve you fast...this also means it's not a place to linger while on a date or catching up with old friends. I would give them four stars but for one little issue: they use MSG, which I typically avoid like the plague but in their case, I have to make an exception. It's that good.
(3)
S. R.
I really don't understand the 4 stars here. I had the spicy pork ramen. It wasn't spicy and the broth was blech. If this is your favourite ramen place, then you need to get out more. The only reason I can fathom for such a high rating is that this general vicinity is ramen starved. Truly the ONLY reason. I won't be back. Sorry, Menkui Tei.
(2)
Greta G.
Totally cute place and has a lot of ramen dishes. I came in here for lunch with a friend. Seating was very cramped but we were seated after a short wait. Food came really fast. Our ramen was authentic and came in a thick, delicious yellow broth. Unfortunately, they don't serve sake until 5 pm. Also tried their shumai, which was good. But the ramen stole the show. The place was very cheap. With appetizer and two large soup ramens the tab for both me and my friend came out to be $21. Liked it a lot and will definitely come back.
(4)
Federico S.
this place doesn't deserve too many words beside..... it is cheap! and you get what you pay for. there is better ramen out there
(2)
Chris T.
Not too shabby if you're simply craving ramen and don't want to trek to the East Village for the good stuff (Minca, Ippudo, Setagaya) -- but Menkui Tei's food is largely unremarkable. Menkui Tei serves large bowls of springy noodles and vegetables in steaming broth; the pork varieties come with two or three slices of pork and the seafood (chan pon) comes with a few small pieces of shrimp and fishcakes. The gyoza is solid and crispy, but the side dishes of curry and rice (mostly curry sauce over with minimal substance, such as veggies or meat) and fried rice (again, very little substance, but a few bits of vegetables) are probably not worth paying a few extra dollars. Decent ramen, speedy and friendly service, and proximity to midtown make this an OK option for me from time to time, but the ramen I crave most is concentrated in the East Village.
(3)
Robert C.
It's a must for me and my family when we visit NYC. The noodles are fresh and the shoyu broth is perfect. The best time for the hot ramen soup is during winter. My girls are also big fans of gyoza.
(4)
Eileen H.
I went to Menkui Tei with some friends after our attempt to get into Ippudo failed (1 hour and 40 minute wait at 6:40 pm!!!) We walked in and were seated immediately. We ordered 3 appetizers while waiting for our 4th friend to show up. They were decent - we got the beef short rib, agedashi, and broiled salmon. The agedashi was my favorite. The short rib was a little lacking in flavor, but maybe I am just too used to the Korean kalbi, and the salmon was salmon - can't go wrong there but nothing that wowed me. The ramen was decent. The noodles were cooked perfectly and broth seasoned fine. I ordered one of their special ramen but was able to sample my friends orders of tonkatsu ramen annd miso ramen. My special ramen had a broth that tasted very simliar to the tonkatsu ramen broth, but I liked mine better because it seemed to have a shallot/garlic flavor that was not in the tonkatsu ramen broth. The miso ramen broth was pretty good but it did taste a bit salty. Menkui Tei is a good, solid ramen place. The atmosphere was good for a group of 4. The tables are pretty close together so if you are looking for a restaurant for a nice, quiet dinner don't go to Menkui Tei. Also, it was VERY HOT in the restaurant. I never complain about being too hot (I am always slightly uncomfortable when it's less than 80 degrees) and I felt too hot in the restaurant. Even though they seemed very busy, their waitstaff was attentive to guests. Definitely go here if you are looking for a substitute for Momofuku and Ippudo, but be forewarned that it is not a fair substitute.
(3)
H C.
SOLID ramen. Got the tonkotsu ramen on the recommendation of my bro and it did not disappoint. The noodles were a perfect al dente consistency and the broth was tasty. Everything was extremely complimentary. We took advantage of the additional curry and fried rice offer for $3 and that was also delish. Good value.
(5)
Weili H.
Tried this place out as usual because I saw it on Yelp. Got the Tonkotsu Ramen and it was pretty delicious. The waiter recommended it over the namesake Menkui Tei Ramen. The soup had plenty of flavor and the ramen texture was good. The pork was done really well, especially the fatty part. The boiled egg was no comparison to Naruto Ramen's on the upper east side though. I also got a small order of the fried rice which is $3 if you order a ramen. It was a good deal and really delicious. There's some ginger that adds a kick to it if you're into ginger. Also ordered the Shumai, a little expensive at $4 for 4 pieces, but tasty if you're feeling like adding something to your meal. I'd come back again when i'm in the area, but I wouldn't say this place was head and shoulders above Naruto.
(4)
Sasha M.
Solid ramen in a pleasantly Japanese-looking place at unbeatable prices. This food wouldn't rate nearly as high in Japan, but is great for midtown. Cash only.
(4)
Briana M.
-This is actually a review for the other location. I'm stupid.- There is nothing more romantic than the sound and sight of sloppy ramen slurpage on Valentine's Day. Hungry for ramen and not willing to enter the dark swanky gates of Ippudo we settled on Me
(5)
Jason G.
Really good, traditional Japanese food ... ultra fresh! Bento Box #2 for lunch! Also ... their mixed salad is as good as it gets! YUM!
(4)
Wendy L.
Not bad at all. Ordered the Menkui Tei with gyoza on the side. The ramen texture and soup base were much better than Sapporo's. My only complaint is that there aren't enough goodies in the bowl. It would have been nice to have a piece of seaweed and maybe some corn without having to pay extra for it. The cha siu was excellent, not dry and super salty like another poster said. The gyoza was delicious, deep-fried goodness. I'll definitely come here again to try the rest of the ramen.
(4)
JaShin T.
Have been here before for lunch since I work in the area, but I've never tried the Tan-Tan Ramen until now...and all because of the soup adventure I'm on to try all 50 "Tastiest" soups in NYC as dubbed by New York magazine. It's a small space, so don't go in there expecting the best ambience. It's what you expect out of a ramen joint, a no-frills environment with quick service. When my friend and I walked in, there was a line with other workerbees in the area, but we didn't have to wait long at all. I know you want to know how the ramen was, and why I gave it three stars. So check out my review on my blog: bit.ly/a39Riy .
(3)
Anne D.
This place has been on my bookmarks for over a year. I can now say that I have tried it and was not disappointed. I had the Menkui Ramen to go. The pork was so juicy and the bamboo shoots tasty just like my mom would make, really tender. The broth and noodles were good too, but I don't really think anything to write home about. But seriously, the pork... yummy. Totally a place I will go to when I'm craving noodles, oil, and pork. The price is perfect - under $10. Maybe one day I'll have enough guts to wait for a table during lunch.
(4)
Nicole C.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the ramen they use here. I ordered the ramen with ground pork and devoured the entire thing. The ramen they use is a perfect texture, and an excess amount. The broth is super tasty as well. Very well seasoned, and easily my new obsession. I will have to try the cold ramen at some point soon. Very small place, we did not dine in here, came for take out and had to wait until the food was ready for us. Not badly priced either.
(4)
David C.
Pretty good ramen. Noodles were firm and broth very tasty. Pork was a bit fatty so that is why I am giving this place 3 stars vs. 4 stars. Would definitely like to try the gyoza next time.
(3)
Quentin B.
It's all about the Ramen. When I think of Menkui Tei, I only wish I knew about it earlier. Ramen was fresh and full flavored. Fried rice was an excellent side dish however way more then I needed to order.
(4)
Max M.
This is an awesome place for ramen in midtown. I got the Menkui Tei Ramen and was surprised at how filling it was. The broth is really satisfying and the helping of noodles is huge. The only problem with this place is that its cash only. So of course, I was $0.25 short of what my order was gonna cost when I came to pick it up, and I had to walk to the ATM, in the rain, w/o an umbrella, and get cash, from a bank that charged me a withdrawal fee.
(4)
Tom D.
My last 4 visits to New York have included a visit to Menkui Tei. The gyoza are always delicious -- and while I usuaully order the Tan-Tan Ramen, on my last trip I had the Jar-Jar Ramen (cold ramen w/ seasoned ground pork, shredded cucumber, bean sprouts and pickled ginger). It was total comfort food and was the highlight of my day. Will return.
(4)
Angela R.
This was the only place that we went to twice while we were in NYC, which says something in itself. And both times it was a total nightmare to find - the address is hidden, it's buried below sidewalk level, the name on the sign is different than what we had found on Yelp, etc. BUT - the noodles are worth the trouble. Once I had a cold noodle salad and the next time had hot ramen - delicious on all fronts. Highly recommended.
(4)
Fused E.
I'm not a New Yorker, BUT I know Ramen. This place was good - the bowels are American Sized (a bit much for me) and the taste, for it being USA, was very good!!! I recommend this place very much - they speak Japanese, the location is withing walking distance of Time Square and Central Park, and the feeling is very authentic. Go with Friends/family or by yourself - eat and run is OK here! Def worth a visit! Oh - not a Luxury Restaurant, def. chill and casual.
(4)
Noa B.
It was a comeback in a long time. I have been to both Menkuite here and in East Village and always prefer this place. We had Ramen and Mabodon. Both were quite good. Place was packed even on Sunday night. Then there were 4 people came in and gave us the look 'cause we were sitting in a 4-seat but already in the middle of our dinner(of course the waiter sat us there). When the waiter asked them to wait, they sort of talked as if we could move to the other seats. Waiter declined. Just hearing that conversation, I got pissed off, I mean, where's the manner these days? And where are we, Bangkok? (not that there's anything wrong with Bangkok). But then again, it gave me a good look at the restaurant as he knew how to handle such customers nicely despite his language barrier, not to mention he gave us a sense of trust. Anyways, Try No. 1 and Mabo-don. You'd know what I'm talking about.
(4)
Trang N.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the ramen here is delightful... and thanks to Joe's shanghai closing early, I would never have stumble upon Menkui Tei. One of the best Ramen places you can ever visit in NYC. The broth is flavorful and the noodles just right. While the toppings is a little on the salty side, but the broth itself helps to balance the flavor. The price is reasonable but beware it's a cash only place. If you stumble here late like I did, expect them not to have hot tea.
(4)
Mary B.
Very good midtown ramen. A nice big steamy bowl of tasty broth and noodles hits the spot all winter long. The service is pretty crummy--you really have to make sure they get everything you order, because they'll miss something. And then you'll never see them again, so if they didn't bring your rice, you'll pretty much never get it. And frankly, the "spicy" ramen is a misnomer. If it's in the name, it better have a kick!
(3)
Albert C.
OK, I will throw in my two cents. I used to come here a lot as it was two blocks from work about 9 years ago and the food was always pretty decent. I've come back a couple of times now recently and while it's still rather casual, the food quality has declined. For example, I got the curry rice with pork cutlet tonight and the pork cutlet was way overcooked - basically similar to the quality of what you would get if it was something that sat at a Japanese grocery store for a day or two. The curry was a bit congealed and the rice was somewhat overcooked and at $11 for a place like this, I expect the ingredients to be much more fresh and I would pay more money to go to Katsuhama down a block or go downtown to Curry-ya, both of which are so much better. Obviously, Menkui-Tei is known more for ramen. It's decent ramen, but again, the qualities of ingredients used are reflected in the pricing. I'd rather pay twice as much at Ippudo for much better ramen, but this place is efficient and the service is friendly enough. I feel bad giving this place two stars, but I really was disappointed this time around.
(2)
A W.
Great Ramen, fast service! I love the fried dumplings!
(4)
Aimee A.
First of all, finding Menkuitei was somewhat tricky. The sign outside reads "La Mian" instead of Menkuitei, which got really confusing as I paced back and forth between 5th and 6ths avenues searching for the restaurant. Anyway, the inside of the restaurant was tiny. The tables are so close to each other, you can eavesdrop on other patrons' conversations! No reservations are taken here either. I ordered a Salmon and Cod Roe Onigiri ($1.75 each) to start. Nothing to rave about here, but I enjoyed them, especially with my Char Chu Ramen ($9) which arrived piping hot 10 minutes later. It was a huge portion for a $9 value! The broth was flavorful and the pork slices were deliciously fatty and soft. Coming from Asia, I've definitely had better ramen. Although I must applaud Menkui tei on serving up such great food. The service is fast, and if you're looking for a quick stop for lunch or dinner, then this is the place for you. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Frank L.
I've always loved noodle soups, and ever since my stint on the JET program, I've enjoyed the Japanese derivations of the dish with great joy; ramen, soba, udon, chu-ka soba (pseudo Chinese-styled noodle soup made with the extra thick ramen noodles that you would normally only see in tsuke-men -- the cold summer noodles) -- I love them all, and I rotate between them whenever available. I walked into this place because they had a sign outside with the specials of the day written in Japanese. I thought this might mean that they were somewhat authentic. I was right in the most horrible way possible, Sitting down, I was delighted to see curry ramen on the menu. One of the staple ramen types in Japan, it's not often seen here, and so I ordered it along with some fried dumplings. The ramen came with a brown goop that was obviously made by dissolving those boxed Japanese curry flavoring cubes into regular ramen stock, and the gyoza were dried out and broken in several places, sure signs of them having been pre-cooked and either left under a heat lamp or reheated by frying. Coming back to the "authentic" bit. This place is authentic alright -- it's produces food that a Japanese junior high school kid who has never learned to cook might produce if he had to try and duplicate curry ramen at home, and reheat takeout gyoza leftover from the day before. This place left me not just disappointed but angry at the experience -- thoroughly pissed off by the fact that in a proper restaurant, they would drop cubes of instant flavoring into your soup and pass it off as restaurant food. One star for you Menkui Tei, and I am never coming back.
(1)
Nils H.
Solid ramen place in Midtown East. We used to come here frequently for dinner at work, and were never disappointed. Ramen is good - nothing to write home about, but solid and always hits the spots (especially when its freezing outside). The rice bowls (especially oyakyo don) are awesome too. Don't think there are a lot of other ramen places in this part of town, so its a definitely good find. Also, it's very hard to find this place unless you know exactly where you're going, because there isn't a sign or posting anywhere.
(3)
victor z.
Awesome ramen. GO HERE IF IN AREA. Best ramen around.
(5)
John D.
WARNING CASH ONLY Good Chasu and Gyoza ....pretty standard soup though. I would go back but only if in the area
(3)
Oliver S.
Is it cold out? Have some ramen to warm you up. Don't want to spend alot? Does an $8 bowl that's enough to feed 2 adults sound reasonable? I want to order something more than just ramen. GET THE FRIED RICE! It's only an extra 3 bucks after an order of a bowl of ramen. Seriously.. get the fried rice. Menkui Tei is so far the 3rd ramen place I have tried and it was great! I had the Menkui Ramen which had a clean tasting broth, noodles with good texture and were able to soak the flavor of the broth well and toppings such as the bamboo shoots, scallions and roasted pork. Out of everything I was actually looking forward to the roasted pork. It was good but 1. I was hoping for that melt in your mouth pork that I've had before 2. it had a pork flavor similar to duck but not. For some that may be what you prefer but I've just grown accustomed to pork in ramen that you can find at Ippudo or Santouka. Fried Rice. I don't know what it was, maybe it was the MSG talking but I don't care. This fried rice was great. Gyozas. Also good. Didn't have that thick noodle covering. Nice gyoza sauce. Menkui Ramen - 3.75/5 Good Broth, good noodles, good toppings Pictured Fried Rice - 5/5 It was pretty damn good and only for an extra 3 bucks! I didn't however sprinkle the ginger all over. Pictured Gyoza - 4/5 Pretty much what you expect from a good gyoza.
(4)
Kat H.
This is our new neighborhood joint, and that's saying a lot, given that this isn't in our neighborhood. We're on the UWS, but we'll cab it down here relatively regularly to grab some light, (somewhat) healthful, and delicious comfort food. Must try: * Uni -- the boy and I have tried our fair share of uni at many of the sushi joints in the city, so imagine our surprise when this quiet little restaurant had one of the best uni offerings we had ever come across (second only to sushi yasuda) * We also like the nabeyaki udon to go with the sushi/ sashimi Overall, don't go there looking for a culinary experience that will blow your mind. Instead, come here if it's convenient and you're looking for some good food that tastes like it were a good, home-cooked meal (if your home had a Japanese grandmother in it).
(4)
Ethan M.
This place is great. Great food and well priced. The lunch special -- bowl of yummers Ramen with a couple rice balls -- is worth the trip. Heck, the rice balls alone would be -- gooey, chewy goodness wrapped in a crisp seaweed skin. The ramen was just right -- though I loaded mine up with hot spices -- I see others said it was bland, not mine!
(4)
huong n.
I have been here twice because the ramen and the broth were a perfect pair. So yummy with enough msg/salf to make me drink a whole glass or water and a cup of tea! My favorite ramen place in NYC!
(5)
Lou M.
1 to 5 (lowest to highest) Miso Ramen: 2 (does not compare to other joints) Tonkotsu Ramen: 2 (definitely had better) Fried Rice: 1 (You got to be joking me - who made this?!!!) Menkui Ramen: 3 but is this even Japanese?
(2)
Victoria C.
I love their tonkatsu ramen! The broth is delicious. I feel like all the other ramen places in NY is way too salty for my taste, but this ramen was just right.
(5)
Alexis L.
To me Ramen=Menkui Tei I've been coming to this place pretty regularly for about 6 years or so. This is where I first had a bowl of Ramen so, it addes some sentimental values as well. Their noodle is chewy and has just the right amount of consistency. What I appreciate the most is their broth. It's very rich and wholesome. (I usually get the Donkatsu Ramen.) A bowl of Ramen with a side of Gyoza is a perfect meal for a cold windy day. I've tried Ramen in other places. But, they are just not the same. I find myself critizing other places' Ramen in comparison with Menkui Tei. Maybe, I am biased since this is the I first had a bowl of Ramen. Oh well.
(5)
Nicole K.
I came here on a snowy day about two weeks ago. One way to describe this place is a cozy hole in the wall. It's very small but there's enough elbow space for you and your gargantuan bowl of ramen. Yum! It's inexpensive and there's a whole side dish worth of things you can add in (which isn't too expensive) Not in the mood for ramen (impossible!) order dumplings, rice, or any other assortment that you fancy. Delicious to no avail. I ordered the soy sauce ramen with wontons and was rolling over from its savory flavor to being too upset and not being able to finish (I did)! Albeit, the broth's flavor could have been stronger though. There isn't too long a wait for the food, luckily.
(4)
Mark C.
Good luck finding this place!! Very small place, doesn't even have the name outside the restaurant. Once we discovered the door however, we found ourselves part of a very large line of patrons waiting for a seat. The restaurant is very small and cramped. The food however, is great. Large portions at a great price. The service is also excellent, especially for such a busy place with not many staff on the floor. Menkui Tei is the definition of hole-in-the-wall where the food is delicious and patrons only know of it from word of mouth (or yelp!).
(5)
kay y.
Is good , good deal, +$3 you get to order a fired rice, or curry with your ramen. I think that was good... back to ramen...came here form one of yelp review, I guess word tasted better than the food itself.. I loved ramen... bur their ramen is alright... not that impressive.... I agree with some of other said.. their broth is tasteless... I guess if you like lighter taste food.. you should come here... I had tried some a few of the ramen place...which ever had Tonkatsu Ramen on their menu I will go try... so far...I will say.. Ippudo is the only one that close to the one I had in japan. If you like Tonkatsu Ramen like I do... you should go Ippudo.
(3)
Hana Y.
Does anybody else feel like the ramen here has a lot more bean sprouts (moyashi) than noodles? The ramen's good. It's alright. Nothing special. But damn it, where are the noodles? I feel like I have two mouthfulls and they're all gone, and all I have is a mountain of bean sprouts left. Average. A little pricey for what it is. And toppings are so expensive. I miss Japan, where there's a pot of kimchi just for you to eat for free. Which might be slowly disappearing there as well.
(3)
Kevin L.
I would not skip out on Menkui Tei if I were a fanatical noodle lover. I've had the pleasure of coming to Menkui Tei several times over the past several years. Some places decline in tastiness or quality or atmosphere over the years, but I think "MT" has not. It is quite a good ramen pit stop. The restaurant is quite nice to eat in - the constant orange glow of the lights and the cordiality of the staff both give it bonus points. The restaurant does feel a bit small even if it's quite spacious. Sometimes you have restaurants where you feel like you can reach over and tap your neighbor on the shoulder. Here, you can bump elbows and steal each others' food. The dishes, ramen specifically, are quickly made. This is because noodle soups are some of the quickest foods to make and the wait will be short, even if there are many people. I like the tonkatsu ramen; the pork is just wonderful in the soup base. In fact, I drooled just now thinking about it. It's one of those "yummy in my tummy" moments. I've also had the Ma-Po Tofu ramen which was delectably spicy. Manhattan is prone to a multitude of variety as well as clones of that variety. While some other ramen and Japanese cuisine places exist on the island, this is THE place to go if you want a delicious meal that is pretty quick and tasty. In fact, if you like any Asian cuisine or food, I highly recommend coming to Menkui Tei and having some ramen.
(4)
Nathaniel C.
One of my favorite soup places in NYC. My favorite is the Chan Pon seafood noodle soup with extra big noodles! The servings are very large and can easily be split by two people. If you ask for an extra bowl for a friend, they will give it to you. The service is good but the restaurant can get crowded at peak hours, especially when cool out. The restaurant is sadly anything but cool and can sometimes be uncomfortably warm. It is worth it though.
(5)
Diane L.
Finally, I ventured to a ramen place in NYC that actually serves the curly ramen noodles (IMO, they're the real kind), and not that thin angel hair pasta-like stuff! I like this stuff: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Im… NOT this (although that bowl of ramen does look pretty damn good): epicurious.blogs.com/pho… Menkui Tei was the perfect shelter from the two-hour rainstorm that hit the city for one day. I got here during the lunch rush (stupid me) and there was a line to be seated, but luckily, going to lunch solo allows you the opportunity to be immediately seated at the bar. I usually like my ramen broths thick and flavorful, but I opted for the Menkui Ramen which is comprised of a seaweed broth. It had the most pieces of pork (3 pieces) and the most variety of toppings (bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and scallions) compared to all other ramens. So, at $7.75 for a bowl, I think I got a good bang for my buck. The broth was light and simple, the noodles were great, and the pork was tasty. Everyone around me had different varieties of ramen and they all looked really good. I wish I had the stomach to order the highly praised gyoza, but portions at Menkui are very generous. There are numerous ramen places in the Midtown area. What sets Menkui Tei apart from most is that it's not only a great deal, but it's good too.
(4)
Robert W.
We had ramen #1 and #4, ma po don, fried chicken, everything was good! This is from someone who lives in southern CA and eats ramen almost every week. This place really deserves a solid 4 stars, not 3.5. I mark down 5 stars because they deserve to be higher than 3.5. Not the best ramen I ever had but very good comfort food. Nothing tastes artificial, soup was good and hot, service was prompt, no waiting outside in the cold! Recommended.
(5)
Ydnew L.
This is a place where I don't mind going more than once. I had Chanpon Ramen and it was so good. The place is not really huge but not small. I'm quite surprised that its not crowded even on a weekend lunch hour or maybe I'm too early.
(4)
Ninja M.
Best Ramen for the price, fast delivery, awesome portion and taste. I've been here over 5 times. No waiting, unlike Ippudo. Come, you won't want to go to Ippudo again. I recommend the ramen with pork broth. That is better than number 1.
(4)
Jules H.
What a great little ramen place. The focus is definitely on noodles and its different broths. There is a whole page just with the different styles. We had spicy miso and tan tan man soups. They were delicious. Big bowl of happiness! We shared some gyoza to start with, which were really tasty as well. It was also amazingly cheap, which is a suburb combination. As usual in these noodle restaurants its not a place where you stay long. They brought us the cheque shortly after clearing away the dishes. Quick turnover indeed.
(4)
Snow J.
I don't really write reviews so much as partake of other yelpers' generosity, but I have to say this has now become my favorite ramen place in the city. They're under new mgmt I believe from a year ago, when it was pretty awful and I wrote it off as never go again. But now I've been back 3 times for my favorite ramen in the city - their Chanpon - and enjoyed every time. Great service, great atmosphere and great food.
(5)
Tony W.
Solid ramen choice in the area (totto just has a ridiculously long wait so it's never reasonable to wait in my opinion). Very bare bones place though. Simple, not very attentive, brusque waiter service and rickety tables with not terribly appealing glasses etc, but good ramen. I suppose that's pretty common for lots of ramen places. Pretty quiet in there, which is nice for conversing though. I've tried 3 of their ramens so far and I've liked them all. I would definitely come back for the ramen. FYI, they DO accept credit cards. Not sure why it says they don't on the yelp page.
(3)
Rachel P.
#NAME?
(4)
Zaman K.
I stopped by for late lunch on a Friday and was immediately seated. They had a lot of choices for ramen but when there is tonkotsu in the menu there is little chance of me picking anything else. yelp.com/user_local_phot… My noodles came in just over 5 minutes and upon first taste my initial thought was that the broth wasn't very good. It lacked the depth of a good tonkotsu broth yet it was salty. However, the noodles were cooked almost to perfection and had good texture but they lacked the bouncy feel that you get at better ramen joints. It came with two slices of Roast Pork that were leaner than I expected. Surprisingly they were still pretty tender and flavorful so I liked them. Missing from this ramen was one of the key components, half of a boiled egg. That's just a crime! yelp.com/user_local_phot… Does the job if you're really craving ramen but it's not a place that I will be raring to go back to.
(3)
Eunice K.
Wow, the way that this restaurants turns over tables makes me realize that I'm no longer in LA. CRAZY FAST and efficient. Though I was a little turned off by the gigantic line going OUT the door, I was seated within 10 min flat! So stick it out! Came here for lunch with a friend, and after seeing how BIG the ramen bowls were, we opted to share 1 Menkui Ramen ($8) and got an order of Rice w/Curry ($3). MORE than enough food for the 2 of us.. and we can throw down! However, I wasn't too impressed with the ramen. After having Daikokuya in Japantown (LA), my standards are just too high!!! BUT, the noodles were thick and chewy, the broth wasn't too salty, they were generous with the vegetable toppings (bean sprouts), and the portions were HUGE. Definitely a great deal for NYC and I would definitely come again if I lived here! Cheers!
(4)
Kayla B.
Oh man let me start off by saying how i solemnly regret not finishing or taking home my fried rice. That rice was so delicious I find myself having dreams of it lol. No, but seriously I'd recommend going and trying out the soups too. It's not fancy, but its not a dingy place neither.
(4)
Anna M.
I went here for lunch and got the hiyashi ramen dish.. It wasnt anything interesting but I also tried their lunch special my aunt ordered which had the beef croquette and it was delicious! I would go again for their lunch special!
(3)
Lily H.
56th between 5th and 6th. One of my favorite ramen places in the sense that I've been here the most times. It's not blasted loud like Ippudo and it doesn't require you to hang out for an hour outside like Totto. It's also possible to come here alone, after your soul-crushing job, for some not too damaging comfort food. Minus one star for getting a B on their DOH test.
(4)
Nida K.
We came here because the line at Totto was so ridiculously long and after a whole night of drinking, we were starving. I ordered the Mabo Ramen which came in a big bowl and was actually pretty good. Not as great as the ramen at Totto but good enough to satisfy our ramen cravings. I would've given 4 stars for this place, but apparently we didn't tip the server enough and he was complaining about it and wouldn't leave us alone until we gave him another couple dollars. i mean, if we didn't tip enough, it was because we miscalculated it. Sorry buddy, our mistake, but harassing your customers doesn't seem right to get one or two more dollars.
(3)
Sherri H.
Authentic, delicious, and affordable Japanese in Midtown West! My friend and I stumbled upon Ise by chance after wandering around looking for just the right place for dinner and drinks without breaking the bank. We actually sat down and then left two other places before this, including the hellishly hot noodle shop next door, so when we walked into Ise it was like a sanctuary. Not overly crowded, air conditioned, peaceful. Ah... We ordered sake and decided to share a bunch of little things. Everything on the menu looked authentic and delicious so it was hard to choose, but we settled on chicken yakitori, wasabi shumai, fried tofu, octopus marinated in wasabi, sauteed pork with kimchi, and a piece of tuna sashimi each as a palate cleanser. Dishes were brought out as they were ready, and we even got complimentary bowls of seaweed salad to start. Everything was fantastic - highlights for me were the wasabi octopus and pork kimchi. The tuna sashimi was also the most beautiful color and so fresh. The chicken yakitori wasn't quite as good as Yakitori Totto, but it was BBQ'd to a nice char and the sauce was yummy. The tofu was the only thing that fell short for me - no sauce or any flavor, really. Half the people there were speaking Japanese, always a good sign. We decided immediately that we'll return with a larger group and reserve one of the private table rooms where you have to take off your shoes. It's also close to my office so I definitely want to go back soon for the bento lunch box (or maybe just some more pork kimchi and octopus!).
(4)
Adrienne T.
Cute atmosphere. The food is all super affordable and cheap in New York standards. Food came out quickly. Authentic Japanese food. I especially loved their ramen and the broth.
(5)
Christina J.
Yesterday I had an impromptu dinner at Menkui Tei. The curry rice is worth the trip to West 56th Street. The curry rice was lip-smacking good. The pieces of pork, carrots, and onion went well with the rich and savory taste of the curry sauce. Add freshly made Tonkatsu and you have a meal that requires both elbows on the table. My meal ended with a slice of the Green Tea Mille Crepe. The Mille Crepe was excellent and well balanced in flavor. The restaurant itself is comfortable with cozy seating. The staff greeted me warmly when I entered and was attentive during my entire meal. I had a quick meal but a satisfying one. My fellow foodies dining yesterday seemed pleased with their choices as well. Menkui Tei, you were an excellent dinner date. I love your curry and will be back.
(4)
Jin Y.
I actually been to Japan and had ramen in Japan and I can proudly say that Menkui Tei creates similar tasting ramen, at least the very basic one such as the Menkui, which is what I had. It has a great broth, just the right green onions, bean sprouts, pork slices, and ramen. I also had their gyoza, which I thought was okay.
(4)
Jen K.
The tonkatsu ramen is decent in the food wasteland of Midtown. The soup is very rich and flavorful, but I think the pickled ginger that they add into the soup is overpowering and completely ruins the meal. I usually request that it goes on the side. Service is friendly and ridiculously quick. If you're dining in during lunch time, they rush you out which is super annoying. The prices are reasonable compared to other NYC ramen joints and I've never had to wait on line just to eat a bowl of noodles (unlike nearby Totto or Ippudo farther away).
(3)
Lily P.
cash only..great ramen! I had #11 and it was what? $8? Also the Tonkatsu was amazing and even the Miso which I normally am not that big of an fan of..was very good. The pork was probably better than other places I have tried sapporo, and on par with ippudo which is twice as expensive. The service is fast and the people are really nice!! The sides of curry are $3 and service is fast. Yummmm the pork belly pieces are great and you can def tell the difference with the diff broths. We were completely full when we finished at this place. Pretty small place but when we went there wasn't a wait. Great fast and simple noodle bar to go to if you are within walking distance! I went back again and again since I wrote this one. The Katsu Don was great!!! just enough meat on it with the rice. The curry here is thicker than you find some other places but that allows the flovors to soak in. We also got the 10 which was the cold noodles with veggies, sesame sauce, a kick of wasabi barely noticeable, and the ramen was better than i thought. It soaked in all the flavors and was not just cold hard ramen. I would def get this again. Their dumplings fried was not so much worth it. Thin skinned, not remarkable and a bit overpriced when you realize you could have just gotten whole huge order of ramen for a few dollars more. :)
(4)
Giancarlo B.
Pretty much sucked. Food was salty as hell and nasty. Wait staff was very pleasant though. Did not look that clean to me either. I will never be back even if I am starving.
(1)
Tasha D.
I had never had ramen before and decided to be adventurous on my first visit to NYC. We stayed at The Warwick hotel and this was just a few minutes walk from there. Staying in mid town is expensive but this little gem was very reasonably priced. I went with my husband and daughter and our bill including tip was about $65. It was a cute little bustling place with simple deco. We were greeted and seated immediately. Our waitress was very helpful when we told her we'd never had ramen. I ordered the curry ramen with pork and added scallions and a seasoned boiled egg with a side of curry rice and a sprite. The food came relatively quickly. The portion on both was huge and I was starving when we got there! I don't remember what my husband and daughter ordered but they both loved theirs and again, portions were huge. We all left with to go boxes. There were only chop sticks as eating utensils on the table, but the waitress happily accommodated my daughter when she asked for a fork. If you're looking for something different and delicious on a budget in NYC, we highly recommend.
(5)
April H.
Great service. Amazing noodles! Mabo was just simply delicious! My wife had #4 (can't remember the name) and it was also very good.
(5)
Sung Moo C.
Went there yesterday for lunch with my brother in law, he's choice. We both got the Hakata ramen and we snacked on the Karagi chicken. The chicken was good, but seriously how do you mess up fried chicken? The unfortunate thing about the lunch was that there was over a 35 minute wait from the appetizer to the ramen. The place is very popular amongst the local crowd and I can tell that they know how to handle the lunch rush. Even though the waitress acknowledged the unnecessary wait time several times, it took us over 35 minutes to be served our main course. The two guys that sat next to us that came in after us were served their ramen and were able to finish their meal and leave before we were served our ramen. UNACCEPTABLE. Only saving grace was that the ramen was above par at best. You would think that with the lengthy wait that it would be fantabulous, however it was just pretty good. They really need to shape up and communicate better amongst their staff.
(3)
Vivian L.
Ramen so good, you'll come back for more. I've been here many years ago but they recently renovated and renamed the restaurant. Soup noodles are so tasty and flavorful! I wish they open another location downtown!
(4)
Elaine H.
Want something similar to Katsu Hama and also do not have time to wait for the long line? Come to Ise! They had pretty decent oyako don as well as a variety of ramen and udon. Their new spicy garlic ramen with pork belly was another must-try, given the fact that they are serving it on a whole day basis. This place was definitely well suited for a casual lunch with friend/colleague. Last but not least, it is to the cheap side!
(4)
Peter T.
Hakata Ramen with corn only!! I don't even look at the menu any more. I always get the same thing and it is excellent! I've been slurping Ise Menkui-tei Hakata ramen for well over a decade and I'll continue to return whenever I can. The broth is very rich and creamy and the noodles are timed nicely. The service is always quick and polite. While some may say that Menkui is not as refined a broth as some, their prices and "no waiting in line" factor make it a great place to go. The only time I find the soup lacking is on weekends. On a couple of occasions over the years I've found that the broth seems a bit weak and it is exclusively on weekends. During the regular work week, however, it is consistently awesome.
(4)
meli l.
Absolutely perfect spot after spending a whole day at MoMA. Reasonably priced, delicious ramen and plenty of other options if you don't want soup. I need to go back and try the Stamina Ramen because that is a seriously badass name.
(5)
Tyler Y.
Best authentic ramem ive had. Im from boston and you wont find anything as good. Their onigiri is also very yummy. The waitresses here are so so so nice and polite and are always willing to help you out. Try the cucumber pickles, onigiri, and the ramen. You can also order your noodles softer or harder. By far best ramem shop ive been to.
(5)
Angeline P.
This is a great reward after spending an evening rock climbing at the Cliffs. They have curry ramen here! I've been obsessed with finding curry ramen since I had it at Curry Bee in Hong Kong (no lie, I had trouble finding it in Japan too!), and I'm so glad I found a place in NY that makes it, and does a delicious job! The curry is rich and thick, and goes really well with firm noodles. I love the broth. I also had a bit of the oden, which features your usual fishcake, a few other squishy absorbent things, and konnyaku. I love all of the things, and if you happen to be STARVING, then yes, I would recommend the ramen with oden. However, the ramen is pretty heavy (especially if you get curry!) and usually sufficient.
(4)
Christopher M.
Menkui-tei got they groovee back BAM! GO! NOW!
(4)
Jia L.
Love love love. There's always plenty of seating every time I've gone, and if you're a frequent solo diner like me it's a quick, easy, no fuss option. Extensive ramen and rice dish menu. Portions are huge and really hearty, similar to home-cooking. The actual presentation of the food and the ambiance of the restaurant is nothing glamorous, but best described as practical. Service is attentive and courteous. I do especially like the complimentary cup of hot tea at the end of your meal. Something small and thoughtful like that makes me a big fan of this establishment.
(4)
Marcus B.
Was introduced to this lovely ramen place. We ordered, miso ramen, stamina ramen and some Bomb Ass Gyoza! All of them are mouth watering! The waitress kinda messed up my order but she changed it for me immediately without hesitation.
(5)
Enrique C.
Came here during New Years with my family and had a really bad experience with Ise. My family and I waited outside for 30-45 mins while splitting tables in 3, 4 and 4 people per table. The host (restaurant owner) told us to wait outside while the tables cleared up, and he would come get us. We were okay with this fact, understandable this is a popular restaurant and all the tables were taken. I called ahead make a reservation and they said they didn't take reservations, so we just showed up. While been outside, other parties would go inside and get in front of us - how I know this? Because they would go in and not come out. I went inside to check after several parties had gone in. The owner told me to go because of my big party size. Everyone looked at us like we were aliens. Ridiculous! After waiting for 30-45 mins, we were told to leave by the host. So we left, and dined across the udon restaurant on the other block next to this one. Leaving a 2 star due to popularity and due to this extremely unfortunate experience. Miami family first time trip to New York City Ise ramen - not so Bueno. Even though we were looking forward to the food, I was very disappointed at the treatment.
(2)
M L.
4 stars might be a little generous, but i really like this place. Came here on a sunday afternoon before heading to the MoMA. I think it speaks volumes that most of the tables were japanese families. I had the Sutamina (stamina) ramen--spicy broth with pork belly, leeks, and an egg. The pork belly was sliced a little thin for my liking, but otherwise it was a great meal. I would definitely go back to try other dishes.
(4)
Joyce L.
I was visiting NYC and randomly stopped by here with a friend because he recommended it. I ordered the Tokyo ramen: the broth tasted fresh (perfect for a cold winter day) and I could tell the pork was pretty high quality. The prices are relatively cheap too, which is hard to find in NYC. The waiters are quick at providing service too. I'm originally from Los Angeles and I'm used to good quality ramen, and this place was definitely worth coming to. I'm planning on coming again whenever I'm in NYC and want to satisfy my Japanese ramen cravings for a relatively cheap price.
(5)
Kat J.
Like the fact that they actually have a vegetable ramen option and that they have 5 different broth choices. Not much ambiance but pretty clean and staff is almost friendly which is great for an Asian joint ;) The bamboo shoot from the shio (salt) broth is crazy salty but nice and tender. The shio broth is pretty salty (but I tend to eat everything reduced sodium) but you can order it 'light'. Hubby didn't really like it compared to others he's had in the past. My soup came out boiling hot and I totally burnt my tongue so be careful!!!! And I'm not exaggerating - it was "just boiled" hot. Cannot say much for its taste as I couldn't enjoy it after that, but my MIL seemed to enjoyed her plate of the same vegetable soup. I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Adriana M.
Wow, hit the spot! Love this pseudo-whole in the wall (more like little flags cover the entrance on the corner of 56th and 6th). I got there 11:30am, hungry and cold from outside. Instantly I felt welcomed and warmed by the bar where I got to watch the latinos and japanese make little dumplings right in front of my eyes. On a time constraint, after I sit down I immediately ask whats the best on the menu. The nice waitress points to #5 and #10 decisively, so #5 it was!! AMAZING. They gave me a bowl, I wolfed down as much as I could, and they even brought it back to put it to go! Wow by 12 the place is PACKED, but even the cooks and waitresses were thoughtful enough to wave and say goodbye as I left. So nice!! I definitely want to sample their sake menu for late night dinner sometime! (or thanksgiving haha since they are open)
(4)
Plons D.
Considering the location, the prices aren't so bad. Service was quick. I had the Hakata ramen and was pleased with how the broth wasn't too salty. The pork was a bit dry though and it could've come with a bit more noodles.
(3)
Vania K.
Disappointing :( Hands down the worst katsu don I've ever had. The pork was chewy, discolored (grey), and unappetizing... I think it might seriously be rat meat. We ended up only eating 3-4 bites of it. We also ordered the mapo don, which is mapo tofu over rice. Yes, yes, ordering mapo tofu at a Japanese restaurant is probably not such a good idea. It was actually pretty good... way too salty. Didn't order the ramen because the ramen bowls on our neighboring table didn't look good (generous portion though). Side note: CASH ONLY. Tiny, tiny little place... which would've been fine if the food had made up for it. My recommendation: walk away. If you must come here, don't order the katsu don.
(2)
May L.
Yummy, solid Ramen Noodles. I'm giving a 3.5 in the Great Noodle Search. I think menchenko tei down the street is slightly better on taste. The noodle quality is solid, but Menchenkui tei is better, broth is better. The service is superior here, which goes a long way. Nice siumai, not quite as good as the Rei Rei ken in the LES, though. Oddly, I agree with subscribers who prefer this location to the one down in Cooper Square. Service is better, but also the actual quality is somehow slightly better. Weird... Definitely worth a try!
(4)
Zashi M.
It's definitely fairly priced vs Ippudo and Totto Ramen. However, you pay for what you get! The broth was less than mediocre and they get you on the additions. I ordered the Hakata Ramen (thick pork broth) and it tasted funny, no pork flavor what so ever. My husband ordered the Spicy Miso and he didnt even finish it. That says alot. Kids had the Shio Ramen and if they can't even get that one right, definitely not worth it even if fairly priced. My family love ramen, we travel just to fill the kids ramen cravings so we know our ramen. The most decent part of the meal was the extra small fried rice I added to my order for the little one. That was really good and the gyoza. If not for that, I would have given them 1 star for taste. But I would not purposely come here for fried rice or gyoza :-( All in all, decent price...avg $9 for a bowl of noodles vs $15 but I rather pay good $ for good food than waste $ for something I couldn't eat.
(2)
Lauren R.
Menkui, I've been looking for you! Two years ago, when I first moved to NYC, my ex-roommate took me here. Cheap, delicious ramen. My roommate peaced out, back to Cali, and I have not been able to find this spot. I couldn't remember the name, but remembered this little gem being somewhere on 57th or 56th below Central Park. Little did I know, they're located one door down from the address listed on Yelp. In my confusion/lack of effort to look down the block any further, I've ended up at the Korean spot next door on 2 separate occasions. Last night, I happened to venture a little further down 56th and found that delicious ramen again! It's not Ippudo, but it's everything ramen should be. Spicy miso is always my go-to. Add some gyoza and sake and you've made my day. The service was great too. Best part is it's only a few blocks away from my office. (I'm anticipating a 5 pound ramen weight gain this season.)
(4)
Carmen C.
Experience was kind of a let down, unfortunately. I work in the area and was meeting my friend for a quick lunch without having to wait very long (like we'd have done at totto) since we both had to return to work or had other obligations after lunch. My friend arrived first and though the restaurant was not very crowded, they would not seat her until I arrived. Luckily, I arrived within minutes and we were seated. The host was very standoffish and only provided one menu. When we asked for a second, he handed it over with a big huff. The food was fairly quick so that was a plus...but it just ramen after all. We had to ask for more water several times, and even the check we had to ask for a few times. The waitresses, although nice, seemed harried and were not the most helpful with our requests. They even attempted to remove our dishes when we were still working on them. Sadly won't be returning.
(2)
Damon M.
I can't recommend this place enough! Great price, great food, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It's the one ramen shop in the city that's completely genuine, no-frills, and unpretentious, and it puts me in such a good mood every time I walk in, especially when I know there's a hot bowl of delicious ramen waiting for me inside! Make no mistake, the ramen is slurping good! The noodles have a nice bite to them, and the broth, depending on your order, may range from clear savory (Shio) to decadent milky white (Tonkotsu). Both are amazing. And all will cost you less than half of what you would pay at other overhyped joints that I will not mention by name. You can request for the broth to be less/more salty and your noodles softer/harder depending on your tastes. They also have other tasty sides on the menu. Everything is fresh and homemade! A few recommendations: gyoza, fried rice, and (if you enjoy liver) nira reba It's usually full of people, but not slammed to the point where you'll have to wait.
(5)
Yiwen S.
came over the weekend when it was freeeeeeezing out, and a steaming bowl of ramen really hit the spot. when in midtown and on the hunt for some good ramen, your options are pretty limited. but i'm glad we picked this place off the top of the list because it didn't disappoint. we actually passed this place the first time around because there's no sign outside that actually says "menkui tei." instead, the awning actually says "larmen new york" on it. we ended up figuring out that was the place based on the address. thank you yelp mobile app! tonkotsu ramen is a solid choice. the broth isn't extremely rich and flavorful, but it isn't plain either. at $8 a bowl, it does the trick when you want something warm in your tummy. comes standard with 2 slices of pork, bamboo shoots, green onions and pickled ginger. the pork was a little tough for me. i like really fatty pieces of chasu that are tender and melt in your mouth, definitely not what i got here. however, the noodles were just perfect. and there was a lot of it. there was a sign behind our table that said if you prefer your noodles cooked at a different consistency, the restaurant would be happy to accomodate your requests. so i thought that was pretty cool in case you wanted really hard or really soft ramen. my friend got the spicy ramen. definitely had a kick to it, which is more than i can say for most spicy ramen dishes at other joints. all in all, definitely worth the price. i'd be hard-pressed to find a good bowl of ramen for $8 anywhere else that already had all the toppings i wanted in it.
(4)
Erica D.
Nakata Ramen was absolutely delicious! I added wontons and did not need to alter anything with the flavor. The pork was tender and the presentation was attractively colorful. Such a big filling bowl that starts under $10 cannot be beat. The service was nice too. I would return everyday if I lived in NYC :)
(5)
Jared C.
Midtown is a really awful place to be, but unfortunately my MoMA membership and moviegoing on 53rd Street has forced me to look around the area for good eating options. Walking over to 9th and 10th Avenues is a good option, but I usually end up sitting down at Menkui Tei since it is just three blocks north. The place has a real good feel to it, walking down the stairs into the restaurant is definitely a transportation to Japan, a far cry from Midtown. Even the tourists that accidentally stumble into this place seem to be of a better variety than your average tourist. Maybe I wear rose-colored glasses. I have now tried three different ramen bowls here, and find each nice in its own way. The tonkotsu ramen ($7.50) is not the greatest rendition of the Hakata favorite, but is satisfying nonetheless. The broth is a little thin, but tastes very nice. My favorite option is to "splurge" for the char chu ramen ($8.75) a shoyu topped with extra roast pork. The char chu here is extraordinary, and worth the upgrade. One bowl with these extra pieces is almost too much for a meal. It's not on the proper menu, but the fish broth ramen ($9.50) is probably the weakest of any I have tried. We inquired about the sign above our table, which happened to be this, and went for it. Probably will stick to the menu from now on, at least for the ramen dishes, as even the pork slices seemed dry and unpleasant. When not in the mood for noodles, the mabo don ($7.75) is a very strong dish, tofu and ground pork slightly spicy, over rice. The place does get very crowded at times, but turnover is pretty quick, so do not let a gathering of five or six people scare you. Groups of two can almost always find a table or seats at the bar in under 10 minutes.
(4)
Amy D.
I met a friend here for dinner since he wanted to try their ramen. I had to look them up since I never heard of Menkui and almost walked right past it as the name of the restaurant is really inconspicuous. Overall service was alright. The layout of the tables is awkward and slightly claustrophobic. I felt a little uncomfortable talking about anything personal as the patrons next to you are closer than arms length. Getting in and out of your seat also required apologizing as you would invade the personal space of the patron next to you as well. I'd say the ramen was ok, nothing to rave about. I've definitely had better ramen and wouldn't go out of my way to come back here again.
(3)
Anthony T.
Been here a few time, it is a bit disappointing. Everything seem to be a bit water down, the food is cheap but it isn't really worth it. It doesn't really stand out as compare to miso-ya or soba-ya. But then again this place is a lot cheaper and there is normally no wait.
(3)
Danny P.
Menkui Tei's ramen is just decent, it's not the best, but also not the worst. The broth and noodles are subpar to its competitors. Nothing about their ramen stands out or makes this place unique. The taste doesn't thrill and excite the taste buds like it should. It is not hearty and doesn't give you a warm happy feeling after eating it, like ramen should. The overall quality of the ramen is also subpar to its competitors. Try it if you must, but there are better ramen places in the city. The only advantage of Menkui Tei over its competitors is that, it is less expensive, but then again, the quality is inferior, so I guess you get what you pay for.
(3)
Rachel W.
Used to be my favorite ramen spot until they switched to the new space. Now the restaurant perpetually smells like a wet rag, a very unpleasant odor greets you every time you walk in. Yeah, the menu got bigger, but the price also increased by a good 20%. The food is still pretty good and not much has changed, but I think this is no longer my favorite ramen spot. I made a special detour to go here tonight when I was in the neighborhood. The fried chicken appetizer was blander than I remember it being the past few times. However, the most disappointing part was when my ramen came out, I saw a small puddle of clear liquid in my spoon and thought it was just water. I was starving, so I proceeded to put noodles into my spoon and slurp them up and immediately a bad taste hit my taste buds and I thought it tasted like bleach. I spat out the noodles and smelled the spoon, and sure enough, it smelled like bleach. I called the waiter over and told him that there was bleach in my spoon. He looked at me incredulously and said "bleach, are you sure?" I told him to smell the spoon and he did and immediately realized it was indeed bleach. I told him to take away my bowl of ramen because I no longer had an appetite. He then blamed the kitchen for this mess up and said this shouldn't be happening. No duh, you shouldn't be feeding bleach to your customer. He took off that bowl of ramen from the bill, which was to be expected. He apologized again, but the damage has been done. The place smells like a wet rag and gives customers spoons with bleach in them. I don't think I'm going back anymore. I'm only giving this place 3 stars for old times sake because it used to be good and my favorite ramen spot. There are other options in the neighborhood.
(3)
Daniel C.
My first time back since they merged with Menkui Tei. The new decor is a little generic, but the staff is the same friendly people, and the food has maintained a consistently high quality. Perfect for dinner on a chilly NYC evening.
(5)
Seaver W.
This small hole in the wall is easy to miss. However, once spotted, it's kind of a cool place. It's cozy enough for families, yet I loved the ambiance and setting. It's not quite like the Japanese restaurants at Astor Place, but it was comfy enough. The waiter was nice. I had the Menkui Ramen. It was decent for $8.75. The broth wasn't bad, the noodles were thick and tasty. I did wish there was more roast pork. Two pieces of roast pork simply aren't enough for me. I liked the bamboo shoots and scallions as they added to the soup a little bit. The meal was small so I ended up ordering a $3 noodle refill. The whole thing came out to be $12.80 plus tax. One thing I love is that the check gives advice on how much gratuity you can give. That's a nice thing to do for people who aren't sure how much to give. Overall, the food was decent. Not spectacular, as I've definitely had better, but it passes. The cheap prices (especially in Manhattan, which is rare) also helps. If you're just exploring around, this place will fill you up without breaking the bank.
(3)
Homer S.
I found the tonkatsu ramen a little bland for my tastes. Although I found the overall value (i.e., how full my stomach was divided by the cost) to be decent, and so I feel a bit bad two-starring these guys. I liked the $3 extra for the fried rice or curry; I had the curry and enjoyed it. I think I'll head back and try something else. If it impresses, I may raise my rating. I think that's only fair.
(2)
Brian C.
Very good ramen place. I actually confused this place with Mechanko-Tei, which is one street over. Eventually I made my way over here. For the better part of 2010, I became obsessed with finding the best ramen place. I even took a trip to Japan and tried every ramen place I could find around my hotel in Tokyo. The competition in NYC is pretty stiff for good ramen places, but Menkui-Tei ranks among the best in the city. For those of you who don't eat pork (I went with a Jewish person and this turned out to be an issue), all of the soup broths are made from a pork base. Speaking of the broth, the soup was delicious! I got the tonkotsu ramen and while the noodles were pretty ok, the soup definitely made up for any small shortcomings of the noodles. The serving size didn't disappoint either. My dining buddy ended up getting some chicken cutlet thing over rice, which he said was pretty good. This place only accepts cash, so keep that in mind. During lunch hours, they normally have seating at the bar available, or it's just a short wait from getting a seat. If you don't feel like waiting an hour or two and want some satisfying, tasty ramen, this is the place to go. Ramen fans MUST give this place a try.
(4)
Danielle C.
The ramen is pretty cheap, as far as designer ramen goes. I went with my sister and we both got Tonkotsu ramen, at the total was only $17 if I remember correctly for the both of us. Service was good. We got seated immediately, and waiters came by to refill our water constantly. I really liked the soup - the broth was rich and creamy, a sign that I will be smiling soon afterwards. My sister said that the cha-siu pork in there was pretty good. I nibbled at mine and thought it was decent. However, I was actually really disappointed by the noodles themselves. I felt like they were a bit dry and rubbery, and too salty. I'm not sure why the noodles themselves were salty, but I didn't find the taste that pleasant. It was such a shame though because the broth was so good. This place is cash only!
(3)
Edwina B.
Delicious, quick and cheap. I had the shoyu ramen and it was excellent, very tasty. A relatively long line for a table at lunch, but the line moved quickly and the service was lighting fast. Highly recommend if you're in need of a lunchtime ramen fix.
(4)
Tina C.
Yum yum! My family and I ventured here on the night before Thanksgiving. What a great place to dine. The ramen is delicious and quite filling. We also had the fried rice. I love that they put ginger on the side of the rice. It goes great together! The staff is very friendly and service is fast. I want to go back!
(5)
V P.
They definitely know how to drop that base. Come here for the authentically flavored broth in the noodle soups. Dont forget to add a side of curry rice. A truly delightful experience. Find me here twice a month on Thursdays.
(5)
Lili K.
I had the super spicy ramen which was not spicy at all, as most of these ramen places are. The portion was decent, the soup was not tasty at all, and some of the pork was too hard to chew. 'Eh. Service was nice, they took my scooter for me and parked it to the side (how thoughtful). My friend said it tasted like too much MSG, and it did leave me bloated w/o having more than a spoonful of broth.
(3)
Nancy L.
The ramen here is okay. Can't complain about the prices for NYC, but both the soup and ingredients in the ramens we ordered were a bit disappointing. We had the Extra Spicy and Tonkotsu....not a huge fan of either. We also ordered some gyoza and those were pretty decent! Probably won't be back again.
(3)
Sue G.
Love this place. Ramen is consistently good. So much better than Ippudo (never understood why they always have such long line there).
(5)
Clare H.
Sorry, they remodeled, and seem to have changed owners. It is not the same anymore. Mushy noodles, higher prices. Kanashii.
(2)
Tom W.
If I had to describe the MKT experience in two words, those words would be "pleasantly efficient." The service is anything but slow, but not pushy and overbearing either, and the interior is free of fake waterfalls, office plants, modern-looking ikea light-up orbs and gaudy gold nonsense like you see in every Thai restaurant ever, not to mention other nearby Japanese places with extremely similar names. And, though it's not a great group destination given the size, there's rarely a wait for one or two people and thus is perfect for giving coworkers the slip if you really just want to go play bejeweled by yourself for 20 minutes. Food-wise, there are several ramens, some donburis, and in my opinion the second best curry rice in the city after curry-ya. The ramen is pretty decent too, particularly shoyu ramen, everyone's favorite hangover killer. Maybe not quiiiite as good as totto or (god help you) ippudo but then neither of those fine establishments saw fit to be located 2 seconds from my office. In summary, quick, cosy, relaxing and tasty place for those above average days when you deserve a lunchtime treat and walk outside thinking you know what, go fuck yourself Pret.
(4)
Kelly C.
the fried rice is a must! you can add just $3 dollars for a side of it to your ramen. there isn't a single time i've went and have not gotten their Cha-Han. it is absolutely delicious! this is a great spot to go after shopping on 5th ave :)
(5)
Alla C.
Decided to give it a try one day for lunch, placed an order for take out, and was pleasantly surprised to hear it will be ready in 5min, so I ran to the bank and came back, order was ready, everyone was very pleasant and worked fast. I had the Hiyashi Ramen due to some of the recommendations on Yelp, it was good and fresh, and even though some have mentioned their portions have gotten smaller, I only used half of the ramen they gave me for my lunch. I definitely think I prefer my noodles hot though, looking forward to trying Tonkatsu Ramen next time...
(4)
Sharon L.
A group of us went to Menkui Tei for lunch on a Wed. We didn't have to wait too long for a table even though the place was packed because the wait staff seems to really hustle people out of there when they are done eating. Known for their ramen, most of us tried a variation of that. One person had the Tan-Tan ramen which is basically the Shoyu (soy sauce) ramen with spicy ground pork. Another had the house special Menkui ramen in seaweed flavored broth. This is their house special. Another had a bowl of extra spicy ramen. I had the Shio (salt) ramen w/ 2 slices char shu, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and scallion in a clear, mild broth. The soup base was not slightly creamy, milky texture that I've come to expect of shio ramen. The noodles were chewy and cooked perfectly al dente but somehow lacking. They tasted similar to fresh ramen that I've purchased at Japanese markets. The char shu was the biggest disappointment though. It wasn't tender at all and did not have that melt-in-your-mouth texture that Japanese char shu should have! It was also very bland and the fat was congealed, giving it a very unappetizing appearance. I took one bite of my char shu and left the rest in the bowl. One person ordered a katsu don-- breaded, fried pork cutlet & egg w/sauce over rice. She said it was delicious.. For an additional $3, you can add a small fried rice or a side of curry rice. We had a side of curry rice to share. The curry sauce contained carrots, onions, and bits of pork and was extremely flavorful. The small dish would probably be a good sized meal for someone. We also ordered a side order of gyoza to share. The gyoza were piping hot and obviously fresh but were, unfortunately, soggy and bland. The prices were very reasonable for Japanese ramen.. $8-10/bowl but honestly not worth the cost. If I were to return, I'd def steer clear of the ramen.. I might try the rice dishes if I was forced to go back.
(2)
Dannie W.
We ordered noodles and rice, and both taste good! I like the noodles and the pork in it. I also like the beef rice. The price is good for the amount and quality of food. The service is good too. The only reason I did not give a 5 star is because you can only order the eel rice in a set; you can't order the rice by itself. But I will definitely go back to this place for the food if I go to central park in NY.
(4)
Kevin W.
I've been to many Japanese noodle places, and this one is ok. I tried the Chanpon noodle, which is always one of my favorites. The taste of the noodle soup is delicious, but the meat is a bit too fatty. It has quite a bit quantity though, which is enough to stuff your stomach. The overall decoration of the restaurant is fine, but not fancy. Overall, it's a good place to grab some quick food with friends, but not a place for a fancy and nice dinner gathering.
(3)
Michael C.
When it comes down to it, their shoyu ramen + roast pork is just too salty. For the same style of ramen, try Rai Rai Ken. Those who are comparing Menkui to Ippudo, don't -- you're trying to compare apples to oranges. Not a bad lunch option if you're close-by, but Menkui Tei is not a destination joint.
(3)
John L.
Since writing my original review of Menkui Tei on 9/3/2008, I've continued to return here on my trips to midtown, which are every few months on average. This week, I walked here to discover that Menkui Tei has CLOSED. The name now lives next door, at what used to be sushi restaurant "Ise". The menus now say "Ise Menkui Tei". To be clear: the old Menkui Tei at 60 W 56th, that most of these Yelp reviews prior to 2013 refer to, is closed; the restaurant now called Menkui Tei is at 58 W 56th, which used to be a different restaurant entirely. What happened, exactly? I'm not sure. I asked my waitress, who said the two restaurants had "combined." So far I've eaten at the new Menkui Tei only once, but on that visit I didn't see any of the servers who used to work at the old Menkui Tei, or any of the cooks; I think I recognize the manager from the old Ise where I ate a couple times. The menu items look generally like the old Menkui Tei's, with some changes: in particular, the tonkatsu ramen is gone. There is a different bone broth ramen. There are more alcohol choices, and the menu looks slightly more upscale. Since I only have one visit to the new Menkui Tei, I can't give it a very definite review. I had the new bone broth ramen, my companion had the wonton soup, we tried the gyoza. The bone broth was too salty and at the same time more opaque but less rich than the old Menkui Tei's tonkatsu ramen broth, and the noodles have also changed to softer, less curled, and thinner. There were two pieces of roast pork, rather than four. The gyoza were mostly steamed, barely pan-fried; the waitress said they were still "hand-made", which may not have meant (?) hand-made by the old cook who used to make them at the old Menkui Tei. The wonton was fine, we had no particular reaction to it. The prices seem about a dollar higher. My current feeling is: a convenient ramen spot in mid-town, bone broth ramen that is okay and gyoza that was also just okay. I'll come back in a couple of months and try the new Menkui Tei again. Make no mistake, it really is a new restaurant, and I don't see too much of the old Menkui Tei here. Yelp should really treat this as a different place. You should consider reviews of Menkui Tei prior to 2013 as null and void.
(3)
Serkan B.
Chuko don was really good. Recommend. But salmon fish was one of the worst I've ever had. good restaurant, just stay away from salmon. Portions are really big and cheap.
(4)
Joyce L.
hmmm OVERRATED and definitely expected better. I was pretty excited to try this place given all the decent reviews.. and I never realized that it is located 3 blocks from my office... "how convenient!", I thought. A friend and I have been on a ramen frenzy lately... so we decided to try this place out. We went on a Tuesday night at around 6:30pm. No wait for a table (1 STAR!) and our food was served very promptly (2 STARS!). I ordered their signature Menkui ramen and my friend had the Tonkotsu ramen. On the side, we had the gyozas and a bonito flake rice ball. Not sure if this was just me, but I felt like the soup base had more of a chinese flavor rather than a japanese one. Sorta reminded me of an oily version of a wonton noodle soup you would get from chinatown. Loaded with scallions and SUPER SALTY pork. The ramen was a bit under done. The riceballs... horrible... stale rice... dry and bland. The gyozas were ok, but nothing special. There are definitely better ramen places in the area.. I wondered why I never noticed this place so close to where I am.. and now that I've tried it, I can go back to not noticing it.. =D
(2)
Michael L.
This place is for sure over rated. I ordered their much-talked-about tonkatsu ramen, added an egg and got an extra side of the char shu. There were definately more negatives then positives in the bowl of ramen I received. The good: Good size Noodles were chewy, although not typical of ramen noodles ginger strips, scallions and other tidbits had good balance in flavor The bad: The broth seemed watered down, not all that flavorful in itself. The egg was just a regular hardboiled egg. Not even seasoned, Not soft boiled where the insides are rare, yet intact. (go to ramen setagaya or ippudo if you donno what im talking about) The char shiu was THICK and it didnt melt in your mouth. It was overcooked and DRY. GROSS. If im sacrificing all those calories on fatty pork meat, it has to be cooked right. I would say this place is probably on the same level as sapporo. Worse then a lot of other places Ive been to. likely will not be back, as there are plenty of other options.
(3)
Randy I.
Yum, yum, yum. I went to grab something fast; I tried the Menkui Ramen; and got a boiled egg with it. Got the side of curry rice; and I was stuffed. The pork was tender and the broth was very flavorful. Since I'm now in the area for the next month; I will be back.
(4)
Tim W.
In my opinion, if there are predominantly oriental customers in an oriental restaurant, it's a score. Taking carry out back to hotel.
(5)
Cecille C.
This review is about the ramen at this place. It really disappointed me a lot. The pork is way far away from being well cooked. I am glad I order the basic ramen with 2 pieces of pork only. There is also options that you pay a couple of dollars more for ramen with 4 pieces of pork. It's def no worth ordering at all. I even couldn't finish my 2 pieces because they are terrible. The soup of the ramen is also far away from being called a broth. Overall, don't order the ramen!
(3)
Penelope P.
This is my favorite ramen joint in New York (with Chuko at a close second). Menkui Tei is authentic, relaxed, and delicious. My fav is the Tonkotsu ramen. It's beautiful with a creamy, complex broth. I say pass on the egg as it's not soft boiled... definitely grab some complimentary tea and a big beer if you're in the mood. Niiiiicccee.
(5)
Lisa H.
Night and day between this location and the St Marks location. Their ramen is flavorful and bouncy. I enjoy seeing happy 70-yr old Japanese men making ramen :)
(4)
Jacob Y.
DEE - LEE - SHIOUS! If ramen is your thing, then this is your place. Authentic, succulent noodles in healthy portions. Enough to share, but who wants to do THAT? Now, don't expect to come here for ambiance. This place is straight up about getting in, seated, order, slurp down all the delicious noodle, guzzle down the broth, wiping the mouth and exiting (after paying of course). It's just been quite some time that I have tasted such delicious broth! And top it all off with a decent sake selection...this place is a win win. And no, they won't rush it. There is just not much scenery except the big bowl in front of you waiting to be consumed.
(4)
Boris S.
I do not like the place, even though I have to say that the food is good, and the staff appears welcoming. However, I do not think that the waiters deserve tips. All my waiter did was to introduce me to the seat, take my order and handle my payment. He did not even serve my food onto my table. I am never used to tipping at this kind of restaurant, and more importantly, I did not know that I HAD to tip. As soon as I stood up and was ready to leave, the waiter stopped me and asked me to take out my receipt, pointing at the bottom where there was the suggested amount of tips. He had a nice attitude, but I did not perceive his intention as nice -- as if I had to tip to get out of this restaurant. I gave in and tipped, since it was not polite to have an argument in this crowded place, but I absolutely hated what I did. Before I walked out the door I decided to use the bathroom, which was right by a desk in front of which another waiter stood. I opened the door of the bathroom and this waiter stopped me right away by saying "there's somebody ...". I was again not happy with that -- if someone was indeed in the bathroom, why was the door not locked? What if I was in there, and then someone barged in? And then I just left the restaurant.
(1)
Rajeshwari C.
I am on a roll to try a new ramen place every week. Thats my new thing these days. Recommendations from Japanese friends led me to Menkui Tei. I haven't braced the two hour wait at Ippudo yet, so clearly less to compare to. First up, its so easy to miss this place, would have never entered if I was just walking by. The ramen is just about ok, something about the broth was just not in sync with the noodles. Service is super duper quick, just like a fast food restaurant. Brownie points on that. I noticed people ordering non-ramen dishes as well and perhaps they are better. But like I said, I am on a ramen spree these days and Menkui doesn't leave me impressed.
(3)
Peggy W.
I really, really like this place. Better ramen than (dare I say it) Ippudo in my opinion. I tried the seryu men - it was chilled with green onions, pork, and bamboo shoots and I loved it. Just perfect for a warm day when you don't want a hot bowl of ramen. Their fried rice is pretty good too. Don't expect ambience but the service is friendly and the food is delicious.
(4)
Franny A.
Old style authentic Japanese restaurant- not just sushi. Little rooms off the main, lots of Japanese business people abound. Lunch boxes of A, B or C- for $11, $12 or $13.50. I opted for Box C. I was surprised over how good this box was and it reminded me of how much I loved Japanese food when I first tasted it back in the day in Midtown at places much like this. Deep fried shrimp with a smattering of veggies, sashimi, a pork belly , and salmon served with miso soup and white rice.. All the items in boxes came with it's own yummy sauce. Sooooooooooo good.
(4)
Michael M.
Great place for noodles. Been here twice and can't complain, especially for the price. On hot days the cold noodle dishes are a welcome meal to help cool you down. Otherwise the ramen that's normally offered is a can't miss. Its never difficult to get a table here and the staff is very friendly. And most importantly the food comes out FAST. This place is definitely worth coming back to again and again and again.
(4)
Kiki H.
I've given two stars on my previous review for this place. So why would I go back right? It happened on the day I was still trying to recover from one too many drink I had on night before. I was at work and craving for ramen noodle. So I went to the restaurant on lunch break sat at the bar counter. I had Tonkotsu Ramen. Wow I remember the type of noodle and broth they used to serve. It was not authentic Tonkotsu Ramen. But someone must told them to get it together. The noodle was thin as real and firm, pork broth was thick and very tasty and roasted pork was tender sliced not too thick. I was glad to see they were trying to improve their menu. So for that I will go back and have bowl of ramen again.
(4)
Katie S.
***Hidden Gem Alert!*** Tucked into a tiny space in the culinary wasteland that is Midtown, are the tastiest bowls of Japanese ramen I've ever tasted! Tried this place a few weeks ago during a particularly acute bout of noodle craving. What a find! The first hint that this was going to be a yummy experience is that the place was packed at 4:30 on a weekday. I haven't been there during the lunch or dinner rush, but my guess is that it's madness! Of course, the other classic hint is that it's cash only. Always annoying, but usually a sign of high quality if New Yorkers are willing to put up with it. I had a bowl of shoyu pork ramen with extra pork, and it was absolutely delicious. Plentiful, perfectly chewy noodles; mouth-watering, savory broth; tender, richly flavored pork. Everything you could ask for on a winter's day in Manhattan. My friend had the pork curry, which was also delicious. Prices were very reasonable. Service was efficient and polite. We sat at the counter, which gave us a view of the chaotic kitchen, not to mention all the heavenly aromas wafting out of it... Yumm!
(5)
Jean S.
Not a bad spot for the occasional craving for ramen, since this place is close to work and I'm too impatient to wait in line for Ippudo. Service is friendly and fast. The noodles are nice and chewy, and the broths (both #1 Menkui and #5 Tonkatsu) are flavorful. Their pork bellies are where they fall short, they are just a bit on the dry and tough side. I'm a huge fan of pork bellies, so -2 stars for that.
(3)
Dave C.
Not sure why I never wrote a review for this place but here goes. This is not a great place for a group outing as the wait can often be annoying combined with no real place to wait aside from outside... I believe the broth here is not as good as other places I have tried. The tonkatsu is just not strong enough for my tastes. However, in terms of noodles i really do enjoy the ramen noodles here. For each time I have frequented this establishment the ramen has made the noodles a perfect al dente, and they are a bit thicker than the ones you find at ippudo. The onigiris are made to order, however they are just so so. The fried rice or curry sides were also average in terms of a ramen place. Decent place if you are in the area.
(3)
Lauren R.
I like this place a whole lot when it comes to Ramen! I sometimes travel all the way from uptown to here just to get my soup fix. Especially today! New York was absolutely freezing, so soup was just what I needed to warm up. The service is usually really nice and the only problems I may have is my order (I always feel bad saying the traditional words wrong) This place is medium sized and naturally set up for two or three at a table. I went with a friend and she never had Ramen before so I was really happy to introduce her to this place. The soup was well and the cook actually knows me after all this time so he gave us a little extra wontons and pork slices in our Ramen bowls. This definitely made me smile! The soup was hot, full of perfectly cooked noodles and delicious meats. Not too salty either which is a problem in a lot of soups! So five stars for delicious soup!
(5)
Daniel B.
Came with a friend and sat at the bar. I ordered the vegetarian ramen, with the following toppings: egg, bean sprouts, kimchi. And a side of curried rice. Split a 21oz Kirin. It was swell.
(4)
Joey V.
Menkui Tei was my second foray into the abyss that is the Midtown Ramen scene. Previously I have patronized Tabata Noodle on 9th Ave, for their Sutagima Ramen with pork. I know Menkui Tei is doing more tradition ramen, while Tabata, run by Burmese, is less tradtitional or fusiony or whatever. Today I ordered Tonkotsu ramen, #5, at Menkui. A comparison- Broth- Most important part of any noodle soup. Tabata's Sutagima is garlicky and spicy. Tastes more like Southeast Asian than Japanese. The Tonkotsu ramen was subtle and smoky. The first sip tasted very salty, but after that I didn't notice. Noodle- Comparable Pork- No Contest. Tabata uses cheap, takeout slop type pork. I eat it, but it's an afterthought. The Menkui Tei Pork was some real deal Japanese Ramen Pork. Nice Other ingredients- Menkui Tei had pickled ginger, bamboo, bean sprouts...and they gave me hot tea. Total cost at Menkui after tip- $10.25 Total at Tabata after tip- $10.80 I'll be bock to both
(4)
AndresSamuel R.
No-nonsense, top-notch noodle soups at reasonable prices. This is a bare-bones, cash-only establishment. Whatever they lack in terms of comfort (it's cramped) and ambiance, they make up for in terms of food quality. The bowls of noodles are hearty meals, featuring a flavorful broth, plentiful noodles, crunchy bean sprouts and bamboo shoots and tasty slices of pork. I have enjoyed both the miso and shoyu soups, and I'm looking forward to trying some of the other options. The gyozas are good too. Finding a good meal at a reasonable price in this central/northern midtown location is difficult. Bookmark this place. You can't go wrong. Caveat emptor: - cash only - not good for groups.
(4)
Dave B.
Menkui Tei is one of those hole-in-the-wall places that you'd walk right by without even a glance unless someone who had been there before led you with whispers of ramen goodness. This place isn't attractive, no curb appeal, no frills. The food is tasty. Service is efficient. Price is ridiculously low, especially given the location. Been here several times now and enjoyed every bite. Glad it's far from home because I'm sure it's bad for me. I'd recommend it on a cold day with hot ramen. I'd recommend the cold noodles on a hot day. I'd always get the fried rice. Thanks goes to my lovely wife who brings me here when we're in town.
(4)
Jinra I.
Menkui Tei is basically like Ise next door, only the specialty here is ramen. There are a few rice dishes like katsu curry, but for that you should just go next door. The ramen was delicious and to my liking without filling out a fancy ramen preference sheet like they give you in California. By to my liking I mean the soup wasn't too oily, the ramen noodles were the Japanese word for 'al dente' and the pork slices that came with the house special ramen were quite large. Unless you're really hungry, I wouldn't order any extras. Instead, I'd do a combo -- full-sized ramen with a small side of curry rice. The curry is delicious! Even better, the service is great and the food is pretty cheap.
(5)
Julianne B.
I'm rarely in midtown so have not had a chance to try out some of the ramen places in this area....and as it turns out, I have not been missing much with this place! Came here for a late lunch on a Saturday and was completely underwhelmed with my ramen. Shoyu ramen broth was rather tasteless. It was thin and not flavorfull at all. I also had the same opinion for the tonkotsu broth. Maybe I didn't order the right things? I see no reason to come here. I'll be sticking with my good old standby: Kambi.
(2)
Marissa S.
The food was mediocre and the menu didn't have too many options. It was mostly ramen and udon with a few rice plate options. I was disappointed to see that they didn't offer bento boxes. I went during the busy lunch rush and there was a line but it move fairly quickly. I was completely turned off by their service. After we finished eating and paying our bill, and were still sitting and talking, we were rushed to leave and basically pushed out. Completely rude. One of the waiters showed up and just gestured us to leave, all the while saying "thank you very much" serveral times and telling us we had to leave since people are waiting. I left. And I won't be back.
(2)
Sam W.
Stopped by here for lunch today. Ordered the "Negi-Teri" combo (beef negimaki and chicken teriyaki). My dining companions got the salt ramen and the beef sukiyaki/tempura combo. They were nice enough to share, so I had a chance to try most things. We also got a tempura appetizer (eyes were bigger than our stomachs, I suppose... well, that and I didn't realize the portions would be as large as they were). I enjoyed everything and was a bit surprised I liked the chicken teriyaki as much as I did (though it was a bit.. sweet). Everything arrived at the table warm, which is particularly important for the tempura. I was a bit disappointed that the vegetable tempura didn't include kabocha. We definitely didn't have room for dessert and if there weren't so many other places I'd like to try, I'd be happy to go again as this was a nice stop for a filling lunch.
(4)
Joyce H.
Average ramen, decent portions for the sides (curry rice made for a whole new meal the next day!). The meat was decent but a little on the chewy side. We also shared the potstickers which were standard japanese gyoza. Gotta warn you, the sign outside is written in japanese so make sure you are looking at the addresses as you poke your way around 56th street.
(3)
GIII V.
Walkin by st patricks and all of a sudden i had a craving for ramen, i always loved ramen check yelp then menkui tei had to check it out Is was a small place and the sign doesnt read like menkui lol we went in its like otaisho at st marks place, i asked the food server to please give us the two most popular ramen they have, its good.... but i feel like somethin else is missing Service **** place ** food. **
(3)
Jean L.
This is my favorite meal when staying at the Parker Meridien. Not only do I get a hot cup of steaming yummy noodles in under five minutes flat, they actually listen when I say "no scallions", unlike just about every other Asian restaurante ever. I pretty much pick up a number 8, extra seaweed, no scallions, on my way "home" from work every night. Watch out, it's a bit tucked away and doesn't have a big banner to notify you of it's presence but it's there on the corner, hidden next to the Korean place and the Sub place.
(5)
Arden C.
I rarely write negative reviews, mostly because I like to tell people about the delicious food experiences I have had as opposed to the not so great ones. But, this one is an exception because I was fooled by yelp. I'm staying at a hotel in Midtown a few blocks away from this sushi restaurant and of course yelp led me here. However I was quite disappointed. I walked in and asked for a table for 1, they gave me a weird look as if it's wrong to eat alone. Then had me wait by the door for a few minutes even though there were tables open. After waiting a few minutes some other customers came in the door so they sat them and asked me to go sit at the sushi bar, no big deal but I felt like it was a bit rude. So I'm sitting at the sushi bar waiting and finally get a menu 5 minutes later. They didn't come back for a while so I had to ask for water twice, I read in some reviews they usually serve hot tea but they didn't bring me any tea and were quite rude when I nicely asked for water. I also had to wait another 15 minutes just to order and I asked 3 waitresses if they could take my order. They just kept saying ok then walking away saying someone was coming. The food was ok, I had a small seaweed salad, which wasn't bad but still not worth $5 dollars and some yellow tail sushi and tuna sushi. The tuna didn't seem very fresh. I asked for the check twice and of course waited another 10 minutes just to get the check. I was done eating in about 5 minutes, yet I spent over an hour in the restaurant. That's not a very good sign. That was $25 dollars not very well spent. Ise Japanese - you really need to work on your service. When I left I thanked the sushi chef and he greeted me goodbye but not a single server said anything. They weren't even that busy but I was ignored and waiting the entire time. It was a late Sunday evening dinner around 8pm. 2 stars because the food was okay. At lease the food wasn't a complete bust.
(2)
Ida C.
MKT is my go to ramen joint and is everything a ramen joint ought to be in my humble opinion: - No wait (except in the winter during the Midtown lunch rush) - Friendly easygoing service - Extremely tender pork with lots of flavor - Amazing and consistent broth (especially on a cold day!) - Ramen counter for grabbing a quick bite Guaranteed party in your mouth if you get: - Tan tan ramen - spicy porky richness with nice chewy noodles - Sara udon - almost like Cantonese pan fried noodles, thin noodles deep fried and slathered in Japanese style chop suey (pork, baby shrimp, snow peas, shitake, and more!)...beware, this baby is enormous! - Small set fried rice - 1.50 with weekday lunch, about 3 any other time. I think about it as crack rice, uniquely good in the midtown location!
(5)
Jim U.
Cold and rainy, I did not feel like walking all the way across East Village for lunch. Along the way I spotted this place and remembered Bridget's advice. The ramen here really hit the spot. The noodles were good and separated nicely. The add-ins of sprouts, shoots, and scallions were all fresh and tasted good. Moreover, the meat, though sparing in use, was of decent quality. The broth was very good with nuanced flavor. I did find though that the bowl was very large and therefore it was difficult to finish the meal. All together this was a very enjoyable lunch spot. Being East Village though, better ramen can be found nearby. I was happy though with my lunch, and it is very inexpensive. 3.5 stars
(3)
Wing L.
There's a few ramen places in midtown and if you're like me, you probably ended up here after you discovered how long the line at Totto is. What is the fascination with long lines at ramen places? Ramen is comfort food- eat, slurp, pay. All done in 10 minutes. If you're still craving ramen and don't want to wait long lines at other places, Menkui Tei may be an option. Beware, space can be cramped. For me, ramen is not my main course. Sure, I will eat it but by itself, I will be hungry afterwards. If you have a big appetite like me, opt for an appetizer or a rice dish to share amongst your party. The tonkotsu ramen was decent. The noodles didn't have that "bounce" and consistency that I like (i prefer Totto or Minca at lower east side). The boiled egg sadly was not half-runny (that's 1 whole point there!). The soup itself was not salty enough which goes both ways. If you're a fan of drinking all your soup, then the broth works for you. I prefer drinking a bit and letting the noodles soak in the flavors. For me, the soup just didn't have enough oomph. For a rice dish, we ordered the Mapo tofu dish. Simple, comfort food: spicy (not too spicy) minced pork with silken tofu over a generous portion of white rice. Nonetheless, it still satisfied my ramen craving for an hour. Afterwards though, I needed a main course. Appetizer was served.
(3)
Sid A.
I had the Veg Ramen. Loved the soup base and noodle.
(3)
K F.
I ordered Mankui Ramen as it was recommended by my friend. It was just what I wanted! I was very happy that it was not Tonkotsu base but simple Shoyu Ramen, I finally tasted a bowl of good ramen in NYC. I have not tried other menu so I cannot speak for all but I surely recommend Menkui Ramen! Overall service was also good!
(4)
Yuh-Line N.
Good food. No ac. random service. my friend and I decided to look for a place to get some good food for a decent price, and what better than a ramen place? I looked on trusty yelp to help us find a place, and Menkui Tei popped up. First off, the name of the restaurant is not apparent when walking by. we looked for the place for a long long time. passing it twice. It's a little dingy and small but not as small as many other ramen places. up front you can watch the chefs cut up meat and put together the bowls. hope that you're seated in the front. the back sucks! we had to ask for water repeatedly and many times since we were in the back by the bathroom, they didn't even walk back there so we could signal them. I had to get up and ask them for water repeatedly. the water glasses were annoyingly small. Their house noodles are pretty bomb. I'd recommend it. and their curry rice was pretty yum too. also recommended. the reason I gave it three stars was because of all the different ramen places in nyc, it just didn't really compare in taste and experience. The prices were around the same as other better ramen joints, the service was really weird and spotty and there was no ac on such a hot day.
(3)
Yibing Q.
Hidden gem off 5th avenue! despite its 4-starness, the eatery was not packed on a saturday evening! ordered Menkui Ramen (item number 1, waitress said number 1 and 5 were the most popular). very filling portion. very good soup (not msg-ladden) and chewy noodles! pork was not as tender and flavoured as i wanted. lots of bean sprouts too! tried totto-ramen a few days ago. i think menkui's is relatively on-par with totto ramen, but is 1-star better as there was no insane queue and i actually felt really full after the meal.
(4)
Sarah T.
I have very strange and random food obsessions and cravings: spinach, cheese...among others. However, since moving to NYC about 16 months ago, good ramen has become something I crave and obsess about. Having been to multiple different ramen places around the city already (Sapporo, Rai Rai Ken, Momofoku Noodle Bar, Menchanko-Tei), I decided to scope this place out after reading some great reviews on Yelp. First of all, I'm glad Yelp has a picture of the outside of the restaurant because it can be very difficult to find the place because it does not actually say the name of the restaurant outside. LOOK FOR THE YELLOW AWNING. There's also a sign on the door that points out that this place is CASH-ONLY. I came in at around 6 pm on a Tuesday night and the place was fairly empty. I ordered the Tan-Tan Ramen - which is advertised as ramen with spicy pork. Authentic Tan-Tan ramen is supposed to have a sesame-based broth. I received my order fairly quicky (under 5 minutes!) - but it was sans sesame-based broth, but perhaps sesame-flavoring? The noodles were honestly the best part of the ramen dish for me....it tasted fresh and "bouncy." The spicy ground pork was actually not very spicy, but something with a tang of flavor! The broth was not authentic, but very tasteful. And did I mention the price? $8.50 for the bowl. Fairly reasonable for a bowl of ramen in NYC. Thumbs Up: Great-quality ramen for a reasonable price, lots of ramen options!, small & cozy (not crowded) Thumbs Down: Location, Appearance, cash only
(4)
Daniel K.
First time trying the ramen house and was happy with the food and service. Quick service with Japanese hospitality and clean setting adds to the experience. Good sake collection as well. (the actual visit was on 12/11/2012)
(4)
Tiffany L.
I came here for work and it was recommended by one of the locals. I am so glad I found this hidden gem. We all got the chan pon. This is the best dish if you want a hot bowl of soup and ramen, but without all the MSG/fat. The broth was delicious and noodles perfectly cooked. If you see a wait, don't worry..it goes by fast.
(4)
Elizabeth L.
While the East Village location has a slightly nicer ambience, the quality of this branch's food is better. I love the Chan-pon -- seafood noodle soup with thicker ramen. It's soo satisfying in the winter, and has shrimp, squid, tons of veggies, and fishcake and pork slices. Yum!
(5)
Lukas W.
I'm getting to know the ramen scene more in New York and Menkui Tei did not disappoint for the price! I found a very friendly staff, very reasonable prices (essentially every dish is under $14, but prepare to pay $3 for extra noodles!), and pretty darn good ramen. The broth I had was not perfect but quite tasty. The noodles were PERFECTLY cooked in my opinion, slightly al-dente if you will. And yes--CASH ONLY!
(4)
Eric S.
Very good (not the best I've ever had but better than average by quite a bit). Had the sushi/sashimi combo platter for $28, which came with miso soup. The fish seemed very fresh, and I even liked the mackerel, which I normally do not care much for. Also had two pieces of yakitori at $2 each (funny aside: the iPad on which I am writing this review keeps auto-correcting "yakitori" to "halitosis." I just find that to be very humorous.). Only drawback to me was that the oolong tea I ordered came in a soda can, which was a bit disappointing. Had I known that, I would have ordered an Asahi or a coke. Part two: after the large meal, I was still a bit hungry and very curious about the ramen place next door... So I left Ise after paying and went next door where I plunked down $10 cash (the noodle bar next door doesn't take credit cards) for a huge bowl of ramen with gyoza dumplings in it. In hindsight, I should have ordered only a couple of pieces of sushi at most at Ise (because I was craving sushi) and then headed next door for the entree of ramen. Next time I will definitely do that. For $10, the ramen next door is exceptional. Not that Ise is bad... But if you are debating between the two, take my advice and go for the ramen.
(4)
Kevin C.
Solid ramen spot in midtown, especially on a cold winter day. I frequented this place during the colder months, since it's only two blocks from my office. It's a good idea to get there before the lunch rush, cuz it gets pretty darn crowded. I'd recommend groups of 2-4. Anything more than 4 and you're in for a long wait. The tonkotsu ramen is my favorite. The chasu is tender enough and juicy. And the noodles/broth are great. The real stars are the side dishes: gyoza and curry. MMMmm. In comparison to other ramen houses, the gyoza and curry here are much better. The rice that comes with the curry is perfectly cooked. I'm starting to salivate, just thinking of perfectly cooked japanese rice. *drool* I might make a meal out of side dishes next time and skip the ramen, especially now that summer is here.
(3)
Joel G.
Very disappointing.
(2)
andy t.
I arrived on a tip from Diane P., a Yelper from California who knows her shit and told me this is where to find the best ramen in town. Little did I know Menkui Tei was located down the street from where I work somertimes, so I plotted my first visit and came for lunch this afternoon. I took a counter seat right before the noon rush and ordered the house ramen (aka # 1 -- Menkui Ramen). For $8, you get a heaping bowl of curly ramen noodles with 3 pieces of succulent roast pork, sprouts, bamboo shoots and scallions. Now I don't consider myself to be an expert in ramen -- but I do know that when it's served, with steam rising and that distinctive soy-seaweed aroma in the air, life in general seems pretty fuckene sweet. Also I'm not a huge eater, but I slurped this shit up so fast I surprised even myself. As I devoured my ramen, I couldn't help but notice the guys behind the counter, frying up a pan of gyoza. Damn those little puppies looked tasty! Next time, my friends, next time. Oh hell yes, maybe tomorrow. POSTSCRIPT Later in the day, I pulled out my iphone and made the mistake of showing my Dad the photo I took of my bowl of ramen. "Who takes a photo of their lunch?" he asked me, bustin my balls. "Why don't you take a photo of your dinner tonight? That ought to be really exciting." Another co-worker asked: "You were alone when you took that, right?" He then stuck a big, fat chocolate strawberry halfway in his mouth and taunted me. "Hey Andy take a photo of this."
(5)
Michelle H.
If you are around Midtown and don't want to make the hike to Ippudo in order to wait for a long ass time and pay the premium for a flashy, modern, Asian-fusion ambience on the price for your admittedly great bowl of ramen, I would urge you to seriously consider Menkui Tei as your alternative ramen spot. The unpretentious, homely atmosphere complements their ramen immensely. The broth is very savory and hearty (albeit a bit salty, but that's the risk we have to take when we get ramen, I guess) and really hits the spot when I have my unpredictable hormonal ramen cravings. Whichever ramen you get, make SURE you get extra roast pork to go along with it--the pork is what makes Menkui Tei what it is :) And in case you don't want to take my word for it, I will add that my Japanese then-boyfriend fully approved of the joint. According to him, it was a pretty authentic rendition of any neighborhood ramen restaurant you might find off the main path in Japan! Don't we all love authentic cultural dining experiences?
(4)
Min K.
4 stars? Really?? The wait was ridiculously long (went on a Saturday afternoon). The ramen wasn't even good (I ordered the miso ramen cuz I don't eat pork, but I guess that's my fault). Totto ramen is better imo.
(2)
Ben C.
Excellent gyoza and very good selection of Ramen. Authentic Japanese-style menu, service, and decor. Highly recommended!
(5)
Tushar K.
I haven't been to too many Ramen places, but I thought this one was pretty decent. Flavorful and tasty. I had a spicy ramen and enjoyed it.
(4)
Alan T.
Staying at a hotel near Rockefeller with a bus to catch mid afternoon on a Sunday. Torrential downpour. Craving ramen. Yelp seems to suggest Totto is the best in the neighborhood, but it's closed for lunch on Sundays! Next best = Menkui Tei. I've tried a few ramen places in NYC and haven't really found one I would go back to; I would go back to Menkui Tei. For me, ramen has to be quick, cheap, and satisfying which is what Menkui Tei was for me; I'm never paying $20+ for a small bowl again. You can also opt to add a small side order of fried rice or curry rice (I went with the curry rice, which was a little spicy, which was nice) for only $3. I had the tonkatsu broth ramen and the little lady tried the house special. Honestly, mine was better. She agreed. Win. One piece of detail was that we both really liked the "feel" of this place... whatever that means. Anyway, I'm looking forward to trying Totto sometime, but for the moment, Menkui Tei is my go-to place for ramen in Manhattan, having tried about 4 other places. I'm not really a super picky eater, but I am a thrifty eater. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there like me, so hope you find this rec useful!
(5)
Tony T.
I have never had a bad meal here. The place is cash only so make sure you have enough before you come in. The last time we went, I had the jar jar ramen, a cold noodle without broth that is mixed with pork and vegetables. I like the spiciness of the sauce that comes with the ramen. The nira reba, chicken livers and leeks, is probably my favorite dish here. it is a little salty but the livers are tender and not broken too much and the leeks are cooked enough to lose their toughness but not the bright green color. The mabo don is a good rice dish, with tofu and ground pork, but no real vegetables. The sauce is spicy but is you are not in the mood for noodles, this is a great alternative. The gyoza are pan seared on one side to give it a nice char and the sauce that comes with them is a little sour but gives the gyoza a needed kick of flavor. Add some spice to the sauce and it is perfect.
(4)
Mike K.
Scott and I came back here to circle up and confirm that this is our favorite ramen joint in the city. Menkuitei has a sign on their walls that says you can tell them to adjust the strength of the broth and the firmness of the noodles. We ignored this when we came last month, but decided to take them up on it this time, which was a really good call. We both requested strong tonkotsu broth and firm noodles, and they delivered on both. The broth was very rich, maybe a shade lighter than Terakawa's, and the noodles were perfectly al dente. I know in my previous review I wrote that the food was 3.5 stars, but based on this it's easily four. If you like your broth or your noodles a certain way don't be afraid to ask your waiter - it makes a difference. That's a wrap for weekly ramen! Menkuitei, you win! For now.
(4)
Tunyaluck P.
I had shoyu ramen. Also add a small curry rice to the set. The curry is good. Gyoza is good too. But for the ramen, both mine and my friend, we didn't like them. The broth is so so. Not bad, but not notable. I guess I am a big fan of thick broth. Anyway, the price is very reasonable for the location. $7-8 for most ramen.
(3)
Jennifer Z.
Stopped in for lunch on a random Thursday and was seated within 10-15 minutes. I had a bowl of the Miso ramen while the bf had the Seafood ramen. I loved that their noodles were completely different depending on what you order and not all that varied was just the broth. I loved his broth which was also filled with a variety of veggies. The Miso had too many scallion in it for my liking, but I think it just more didn't fit my preference. The gyoza was great as well. Overall, would definitely come back again- especially give the great prices and short waiting time for quality food and great service!
(4)
MJ H.
MJ's Star : 3 Price : Ramen $8 (excluding tip and tax), Cash Only.
(3)
Gorgon Z.
EPIC FAIL. Only reason I'm giving one star is because I have REPEATEDLY asked if the Sarah Udon sauce is made with meat and repeatedly told it isn't. Turns out, they take the pork and chicken stock and make a sauce out of it, and put it into a dish that I have been told "only contains fish" (when I asked for the pork to be omitted). In fact, they basically have no true vegetarian noodle options. This is something I had to ask about repeatedly before being given an accurate response. Vegetarians and people that don't eat pork and / or foul, BEWARE - the broth and sauces contain both. Please make sure you make your dietary restrictions very clear to these people, because they obviously don't have a fucking clue what "I don't eat meat" means. I have eaten there four or five times before I was clued in that I was eating something that contains pork and chicken stock. And I would become violently ill after eating there each time.. now I know why. One star for MT's irresponsible and careless disregard for customers' dietary restrictions and preferences, and their shitty way of (not) remedying the situation when I brought it up. Way to go. This review has nothing to do with anything else. The rest of the food is fine. The customer service just sucks. But then again, what can one expect of an establishment in the black-hearted, soulless, cultureless void known as Midtown Manhattan? I would give you no stars if I could. You suck.
(1)
Hank C.
Fair warning, the place is fairly hot on a summer day, not sure what it is, because their thermo is at 67, but it feels more like 85 inside and humid. That being said, a decent ramen place. Miso and tonkatsu varieties were hot, not-too-salty, and decently sized. Service is swift and the cost isn't too bad - cash only. The pork I've had better at Ippudo and Mitsuwa, the boiled egg I expected to be soy boiled but instead was a plain cold egg, and the miso wasn't strong enough to flavor the soup, but overall not too bad. The savory was there, and hot, but the heat made it a sweaty experience just for ramen. Not a good place for groups of any serious size above four. You'd have to wait a while or sit at the bar and arrange yourselves in smaller groups.
(2)
Cin Z.
If you love Gyoza, this place has some tasty ones. I have also had their Char-Han (fried rice) and that was very good. However, this last time I went, I decided to try something new - the curry rice. I wanted to get it as a side dish, but their "policy" is that you can only order a side of rice with a bowl of noodles. Huh? Now, I was already getting gyoza and a beer, which totals $11.00, so a side order would have been more than enough and they would have gotten around the same amount of money from me as if I had ordered noodles and rice. I did not find the curry rice to be that satisfying (too much cornstarch) and I ate about 1/4 of the plate. Lesson learned.
(3)
Lauren B.
Amazing pork ramen. Salty, but delicious.
(4)
Hudson W.
This place is amazing. I go here for lunch/dinner and am never disappointed - friendly staff, very fast service, and all very inexpensive. Some ramen noodle soups are MUCH larger than others (such as the Chan Pon), so if the dish costs more than 11-12 bucks, be prepared for leftovers.
(5)
Joseph L.
Second time here for lunch, stopped by here with a friend and luckily there was no wait at all (around 12:45pm on a weekday). Decor: 3 out of 5 - OK Very small place, hard to get in and out but it looks pretty decent (japanese style). Service: 3 out of 5 - Good service The waitress was very nice, took our order and got us our food very quickly. Food: 3 out of 5 - OK I ordered the wonton ramen and gyoza appetizer. The wonton was pretty small compared to many other restaurants I've eaten at. The gyozas were good but tiny as well. Portion size of the noodle soup was filling, however you can taste a lot of the artificial flavored seasoning. Made everything very salty. Prices: 3 out of 5 - Average price for midtown city lunch but over priced for ramen. You can estimate around $10-15 per person.
(3)
Jin C.
The tonkotsu ramen had an unpleasant sourness to it, probably a result of the pickled vegetables in it. It's pretty cheap and came quickly, but it's otherwise very mediocre and not worth a special trip at all.
(2)
Eric L.
i used to love this place, and it used to be one of the better places to get ramen in the city. 5 years ago i would have given this a 4, but frankly, the emergence of ramen as a popular foodie thing in America has upped the ante and men kuite hasn't kept up. however, moreso than other establishments, this feels very "japan" to me, so i'll still hit it infrequently, but unfortunately its nowhere near the best ramen in the city anymore. noodles lack body, are sometimes slimy, soups can be thin or watery feeling. if you like ippudo, don't consider getting something where the broth is supposed to be rich -- change genres entirely for something like tan tan men or hiyashi chuuka.
(2)
Bogdan T.
Straight up, being cash. No Credit cards in this place. Real deal Ramen joint. Not a real hole in the wall place since its uptown and got your suits walking in here and there. Also since its in a touristy area or next to it, If your flying in from Asia and miss that good bowl of Ramen...This is the place. Food arrives relatively fast and the portion is good. The curry`s and noodles stand strong. Get a beer or two...and you are good.
(4)
Loc V.
Best Ramen in the city. Loaded with Japanese patrons and "in the know" patrons waiting in line patiently for a seat to open up. Ridiculously delicious authentic Ramen soup and the best fried rice in will ever have. Gyoza is also top notch. CASH ONLY. Prepare to wait during lunch.
(5)
Ty R.
This is one of the better ramen shops around the area. The place fills up quickly during lunch so it's best to get there before or right at 12. I've had the tan-tan, curry, and menkui ramen dishes, as well as the pork gyoza and shumai. The shumai here is actually pretty tasty. Sometimes the broth is saltier than I'd like but every now and then I'm in the mood for that. There's katsu and rice dishes similar to other ramen/Japanese spots and a variety of beverages both alcoholic and non. The service is very fast which is great for when you're in a hurry, but makes you feel rushed when you just want to chill out. There are 2 ramen joints right next to my office, but I always prefer to walk the 6 blocks up to this one.
(4)
Alex O.
Really good, really great portion size. I'll go back for sure because it's a super deal. Service was a little rough at lunch, it was pretty busy. But if you want a really filling $7 meal in Manhattan- that isn't eating garbage or a handful of hotdogs- give it a shot.
(4)
Superfoodie A.
Want a steamy bowl of hot ramen and fast, friendly service, all at a great price? Get to Ise! Delicious!
(5)
J L.
was not what I had expected it to be.. another overrated restaurant. it's a very average ramen place.. ordered the seafood pork broth ramen (upon the waiter's recommendation!) and it was BLAND. plus, I highly doubt that this is freshly made broth. It did not have that any sign of fresh pork flavor. It just tasted like it was right out of the pre packaged packets. I've definitely had better. BUT the portion was huge... The menu is very limited and restaurant is designed like a "railroad". the additional $3.00 for the curry rice was a waste. completely out of the box style. You get what you pay for (quality). Probably would not go back.
(3)
E C.
Texture of the noodles were just right and broth was flavorful. Fried rice and gyoza were also tasty. The only negative is that when we walked in (first customers on a Sunday) the place had a dirty rag smell. Otherwise, service was good.
I've been on the fence for awhile about Menkui Tei. I thought it was a solid four star dining establishment until I had Kambi Ramen House. It's very true. You don't realize how good you've had it until you've had it really bad. Immediate extra star fist bump for Menkui Tei. On any menu, I immediately gravitate towards anything spicy. The first bowl of soup I had at Menkui Tei was the Tan-Tan Ramen (shoyu ramen with spicy ground pork). A huge bowl of ramen was laid in front of me. First sip and first bite. Not too spicy. Not spicy at all. But definitely flavorful and with a mild kick. The soup itself was simple. Soy flavored broth, fresh ramen and ground pork with chiles here and there. I shared an order of gyoza with my friend and ever since then, gyoza has been a must every time I eat at Menkui Tei. Since I love all sorts of dumplings, the next soup I tried was the Wonton Ramen. The menu said it comes with 8 wontons. Woo hoo! I was envisioning the gyoza dumped in a bowl of ramen. Much to my dismay, the wontons served were the smallest nubbins you could ever imagine. Menkui Tei blew it on this one. I will let them slide though. Wontons aren't even Japanese right? Third time was a charm because I ordered the Mabo Ramen (spicy tofu and ground pork). Now this was the perfect bowl of ramen to me and even though there are how many more variations of ramen on the menu, I will be sticking to Mabo. The tofu was soft and the broth was really thick. I'm sure they added cornstarch to it. Sometimes it's like jelly but in a good way. The noodles are abundant and the texture is perfect. Crisp with a bite, this was a far cry from Kambi's over boiled starch. And the gyoza? The wrapper is thin and you can tell the whole thing is homemade. Sometimes the pork is still pink (no worries, I'm still alive and I ate that pink meat weeks ago) and sometimes the bottoms (although they plate the bottoms face up) are not as crispy as other times. But when it's crispy, its really really good. I don't feel guilty at all eating a whole order by myself. In fact, the next time I visit with my friend I am going to tell her that we need two orders of gyoza, one for her and one for me. The service is fast at Menkui Tei. I have never seen a line out the door for a table. The longest I have ever waited was about 5 minutes. I haven't been to the EV location but I could imagine that the only difference would be the space, menu (from what I've read in the Yelp reviews), and clientele. EV is probably a little more young and rowdy. Here in the Midtown location, it's all business people. In fact, Menkui Tei has become my go to place after a 10 hour day at work. So if you see me here, then you know I've had a rough day and Menkui Tei is just what the doctor prescribed.
(5)
Jane M.
Since the renovation, I don't get the same vibe from the old days. Maybe the food is about same, though I see other tables having ramen more. The service is still about same. Nothing to complain, but nothing special.
(3)
Dana H.
This is a great place, great food and great for a cold day; but the only reason I'm giving this place a 3 is because of one of the servers. I had two servers when I went, and I came here almost 4 times now., The asian server, was very nice, polite, lots of patience and got us whatever we needed. However, while I was leaving another server, probably a college/high school student, wasn't giving the best.. attitude for his customers. I had said, check please, and his back was facing me so I couldn't here him. So I repeated it, and he says "I said sure," in a rude tone. Besides that one waiter, this place is great. But beware when going at night! It gets full quick!
(3)
PT L.
Glad we found this nice little place. We ordered an extra spicy ramen and a Tonkotsu ramen. The latter one was slightly lacking something in flavor - plainly, not salty enough. The extra spicy ramen was delicious! It appears red hot but it's not really spicy, more flavorful than spicy. But if you want to drink the soup, this is not the bowl to do it. It's way to salty to drink. Overall it was a cheap, filling, yummy meal. We would definitely come back again.
(4)
Galvin C.
I am not often prompted to update a review, but this seems to be as noble a reason as any: UPDATE this place no longer smells vaguely like a giant urinal cake like I swear it did six months ago. (For any proper ladies who might be wondering what a urinal cake smells like, first imagine what the gathered pee remnants of ten thousand dudes smells like, now imagine science trying to brutishly overpower that scent with the cheapest chemicals possible.) And this is about as commendable an improvement in atmosphere as I could possibly imagine. You'll notice, however, that I'm leaving them at three stars, and while it might say a lot more about me than it does them that their no longer smelling like an oversized pee-target DOESN'T appear to appreciably affect my enjoyment, the fact remains that the ramen here is just okay. The weird part is that while the broth is pretty rich, somehow little of the flavor seems to stick to the noodles, like it slides right off the instant the noodles leave the soup. The result is kind of like eating toast and jam in separate, successive bites instead of together. On the bright side, the noodles themselves are nicely chewy, the pork slices are of decent quality, and no matter how you slice it, $8 for a giant bowl of even decent ramen passes as a pretty good deal in NYC, this area especially. Still, hope remains; for all I know, Menkui Tei is in the midst of a strictly coordinated two-part plan: Step 1: Smell like a giant urinal cake, and then, six months later, don't Step 2: Have our ramen be better (IMPORTANT NOTE: ONLY ATTEMPT STEP 2 AFTER COMPLETION OF STEP 1) So I look forward to seeing where they are six months more from now. For the time being though, they remain firmly in "it'll do" status. Still, they still have the best curry I've had in the area, and I'd certainly come here over Menchanko-Tei.
(3)
Anna M.
More like 4.5 stars. Seriously, this place is one of my favorite lunch spots. I usually take less than an hour for lunch, so this place is perfect. I am always seated right away, and I usually have my food within 5-10 minutes of ordering. The wait-staff is super friendly, and while small, they make good use of the space so that you don't have to wait for a table. The ramen is delicious for its price. My favorite is the wonton ramen (shoyu ramen with dumplings) which never disappoints. The Vegetable ramen is also pretty tasty. If you're super hungry, I would also recommend adding a side of fried rice or curry rice (both are yummy) for 3 bucks.
(4)
Raul D.
How do you know a good noodle joint? 90% of the patronage is of asian descent (did I say that nice enough?) and you're not in a "little asia" part of town. As soon as I stepped foot in Men Kui Tei I knew I was in good hands. This is hands down one of the most authentic bargains in town. The quality/authenticity of the food is top notch, you can take home leftovers for two and get out there at around $10, no joke. I ordered the Sara Udon and did a double take when it came to the table (promptly, mind you). It was easily big enough for two, if not 3 (also not joking). And the taste, my god the taste. Looking around I saw dumplings and rice dishes that looked just as incredible. I went on a Wednesday at peak lunch hour and was seated within a minute or two. The staff is friendly and efficient, the ingredients looked to be about as fresh as you can get in the center of Manhattan. This place dances circles around the corpo-kitchens in the area and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have written anything at all, place is too good.
(5)
Mike P.
Not bad - good soba, but portions are kinda smallish - but everything hot and fast... very typical little soba house, tight quarters and everyone screaming and running around, like it should be :)
(4)
Jonathan L.
Not bad. I'd have to eat here one or two more times to give it a more substantial review. I was in and out in about 20 minutes, which is what I wanted, so I was happy with the speedy service (it was about 1pm on a Monday and pretty crowded). I had the tonkatsu ramen. As the three-star rating suggests, it was ok -- pretty good, even -- but not great. There was nothing hot for me to mix into the ramen -- at least, not within arm's reach -- and I feel like I should have everything I need at the counter of a ramen place within arm's reach.
(3)
Matt B.
I am the first to admit I am no Ramen guru. Actually I just recently ventured into the wonderful world of this decedent soup outside the $.08 dried packets i lived off of as and Undergrad. After being jazzed for anything Ramen following an erogenous experience with Ippudo, I scoured Yelp to find a noodle spot near work in mid-town and found Menkui Tei. I had passed this place numerous times without a second glance. I do like the hole-in-the-wall feel, but usually only try these if someone suggests them. I am all about sketchy food, but I am also all about clean food. Being seated at the only open table, in front of the grill of course, the place didn't disappoint in the overly hot unventilated dining experience everyone promised. Fine I am ok with that. I was there for the food, not the ambiance. Based on every Yelpers recommendation I went for the Tonkotsu Ramen. Based on a coworkers recommendation, I also went for the fried rice and he ordered the curry rice. Rice came first and I was pretty happy, a little crunchy and well balance with the egg and shrimp, although the curry rice looked pretty damn good too. Half way through my rice I am all excited for a lock-step experience with the Ramen. The first thing I noticed when it arrived was the overpowering smell of MSG which would haunt the meal until the end. The pork was tender and fatty, the noodles were a little over done, and almost no vegetables. But the big downfall through out was the overpowering taste and smell of the MSG. It's sad, now I have lost some of my lust for goddess I had worshiped called Ramen. Hopefully its a short period before I am back kneeling before the alter.
(1)
Jane F.
i'm so happy i noticed the "larmen" sign and knew that that meant ramen. delicious broth, incredible noodles. my only complaints are that the bamboo shoots were far too salty and the egg was hard boiled, not soft!! but whatever, the basic ramen is $8, and those prices truly cannot be beat. atmosphere is appropriately nothing fancy. amazing pork gyoza!!!
(4)
Larry L.
This is the original Men Kui Tei location, located near the 57th St stop on the F train. Go early (or late) to avoid the meal time rush. Pull up a seat at the bar for a view of the kitchen action. The shoyu ramens are good, but I particularly like the pork bone broth-based tonkotsu (their spelling) ramen. The noodles have a great texture and soak up the flavor of the broth. For an extra $3 you can make it a set by adding fried rice (quite tasty), and you can alo add extras (such as bamboo shoots, a cooked egg, extra char-su) for a nominal fee. The dinner menu lists a respectable selection of sake. Once you've found your favorite ramen, try some of the other non-ramen dishes such as the yasai itame or nira reba. I like to start my meal with an onigiri - be sure to ask for the nori on the side so you can wrap it yourself. Men Kui Tei is cash-only, so hit the ATM before coming. Lucky for you there's a Chase on the corner of 56th and 6th.
(4)
John D.
One of my favorite hole in the wall places to grab a cheap bowl of ramen at in Midtown at lunchtime. If you have trouble finding it look out for the prominent "Larmen" sign. The tonkoutsu ramen and miso ramen are good.
(4)
Lauren S.
Recently came in for dinner with a good friend of mine. It is wonderfully empty for early dinner so I had no problem getting a table and the staff had no problem with me holding it for 15 minutes until my friend arrived. The space is teensy and if you blink you might miss it. I walked past it twice before I figured out it was behind the red curtain. When I came in I was immediately greeted with a huge smile and a welcoming hello. While I waited my server brought me water and deftly circled around the other tables, dealing with a demanding mother and a child who has clearly never missed a meal, and a couple of tourists who had five million questions about the menu. The kitchen is in plain view as the chefs prep the ever filling ramen, made to order just the way you like it. I was sorta ramen'd out for the month considering that was dinner evey other night at the restaurant and I had recently made a trip to Wagamama, so I thought to venture outside of the menu standards and try the soba. Not my favorite thing in the world. I always order the wrong thing. Ramen is fast becoming my nouveau comfort food. I will definitely be making this a regular stop in NYC. You can't beat these affordable prices amidst all the banks and high rises of midtown. ENJOY!
(4)
Jenny C.
I LOVE the tonkotsu ramen here! The ramen is curly and firm and the broth was amazing! It was rich and creamy, not oily like some other places. I just wish they would give you more noddles because I was still hungry after devouring my bowl of ramen.
(4)
Ave Maria I.
Fairly decent Japanese restaurant. Udon, rice balls, and sashimi platter are very good. I like the decent menu prices for this neighborhood.
(4)
Susan A.
For midtown, great deal. Considering the number of Japense ramen places in the City, I wouldn't say that this place is the best, but it is definitely in line with the others. Fast service & fast food... but then again, I usually go around 2pm.
(3)
Ann L.
After visiting Minca and Ippudo multiple times, I have to say that the ramen at this particular Menkui Tei failed to impress me (I haven't been to the other one downtown so I'll reserve that judgment for another day). The broth was very plain tasting, no depth of flavor like Ippudo's or Minca's. The portions of char-siew were about the same, and the noodles were a little too soft for my taste. As far as I can see, the only advantage this place has over Ippudo is the price and the lack of waiting time, but the midtown location and the underwhelming food make this place a one-time deal.
(3)
shawn m.
I've been searching for a good ramen place since I went to Japan a couple of years back. And, I finally found it. The food was great, the atmosphere was busy, but not loud and the people were there to enjoy some good japanese ramen. i went with the gyoza and tan tan ramen (spicy ground pork in a miso broth) and I thought it was excellent. The broth was not overdone with sodium as I've found with a lot of other ramen. I think I've found a place i'll be visiting everytime I'm in NY. A couple of other things to note: 1. they only accept cash 2. the gyoza is excellent!
(5)
Claire C.
Dear Men Kui Tei - I heart you forever. You are always good to me after a rough night out, a long morning at work, or just as a random stop after an exhausting shopping trip on 5th. You are never wrong and will never do any wrong in my book. Try the Tan Tan Ramen, it's my personal favorite. And get the fried rice set while you are at it, you just won't regret it. p.s. If you think you are going there for the decor or anything else other than the food, then you are seriously deranged.
(5)
Forza M.
This place is so close to hitting the spot. The waiter and waitress that are virtually always there (I've been there too many times to count) are always busy, but still manage to have a smile on their faces. They might miss you when you need them to get something, but when they see you, they are eager to help. The food is great. I've ordered almost every time of ramen on the menu and most of the sides, too. Some may call it cheap, but I'd rather come here than places 3 times more expensive. However, I have to qualify that with a statement that I am cutting back on the visits here because of cleanliness. We came here late once and they were dragging garbage past our table, leaving a trail of goo. How gross! Are you that eager to close up shop that you can't wait until customers leave?? Anyway, I do head to the other branch as well, where it is cleaner and they have more specials. If it weren't for those annoying Cooper Union and NYU students, I'd make the trip more often! :)
(4)
Dana K.
After a few months on Yelp, it's no secret that ramen is SERIOUS business to Yelpers. I've read other's lists, I've salivated over bowls of noodles I've yet to try, and I've decided that there is fierce loyalties out there to noodle joints. So, I do feel some pressure weighing in on the debate... here goes. I was cold and tired of walking by the time I stumbled into Menkui Tei. To be honest, I was looking for the other place on W. 55th, but since I went down the wrong street I was too lazy to back track. The yellow "Larmen" awning was inviting enough for me. Yes, it's small, yes, it's packed and yes, the food comes out fast. I had the tonkatsu broth ramen (a departure from the shoyu or miso ones I usually get elsewhere) and gyoza. Liked that fact that the noodles are topped with pork, beansprouts, bamboo shoots and ginger. The broth had nice flavor, and wasn't overly salty. Noodles were not overcooked or sticky. I didn't think much of the gyoza - I thought my gyoza at home was pretty much the same - out of the freezer and pan fried. However, the noodles were good. I would go back - it's a quick, reasonably priced and satisyfing meal. And next time, I would add the fried rice to my meal.
(3)
Justin C.
This is one of my favorite lunch places, I will ride the subway one stop just to get here and so I can squeeze it in in an hour. I give it 4 stars because I still think that, though comforting and yummy, this is not as good as the east village places - Setagaya and Minca. I love that they have bar seats to cater to the single eater - makes sense as lots of Japanese salarymen dine here - but otherwise, it is really small and gets very busy during lunch time. That's one of the main reasons I come alone, shorter wait! The Tonkatsu is a cool and interesting, mild flavored ramen. The pork is not really up to standard, but the noodles are soft, and the veggies are fresh. Hints of red pickled ginger are like tiny flavor eruptions nestled in a warm ball of noodle niceness. They seem to serve a better quality cut of pork in the Char-syu Shoyu ramen, which is really just pork and noodles in a soy broth, and, though this broth is unremarkable, I still enjoy this. The curry rice is SO good too, and you can add a small plate of it to your soup for a total of $13 with tip - great deal! In fact, dining here, I thought that I need to get after more Japanese curries. So savory, thick, and delicious. The food comes out very fast too. DEAL: $11 for small curry rice and bowl of ramen at lunch time!
(4)
Phillip L.
This place is tiny but delicious and pretty affordable. We had the gyoza, which were 6 for $4, great, and nearly everyone else in the restaurant ordered as well. I tried the Hiyashi Ramen, which is a cold ramen with a slightly sweet broth and lots of toppings. It was really good, but the roast pork is nothing special. We tried the Mabo Tofu as well and it's the best I've had in the city - lots of pork and just enough spice without being too spicy. I would definitely order that again. The only reason I deducted a star was the mediocre roast pork and it being cash only. If you like watching the cooks, request to sit at the bar, which is fine for groups of 1-3.
(4)
J I.
When I saw 80% of patrons were Japanese in this small joint, I knew it will deliver at least 3 stars. But I didn't see many Japanese exchange students -- which is not a great sign. I'll explain this later. Seaweed and pork are their soup base - and the soup tasted solid but I did not finish. Noodles were all right - main style medium size noddle, not chijirimen or futomen. Meaning, it is standard and cooked right. Their charchu is good but not melt-in-your mouth great. Overall it was solid and you won't be disappointed unless you were looking for a great ramen experience, which I have yet to find in the U.S. The main chef was chopping raw pork right in front of the bar, which is unusual even by Japanese standard, but the meat looked fresh except for the bits that hit his face that he casually wiped off without anyone else noticing. Two waitresses were rather slow in service for this tokyo style ramen place, but perhaps they've come to accept the slow NY lunch crowd. In Japan, real Japanese should finish ramen in five minutes! Talking can wait! Gyoza was good, a large portion you should be able to share it with your friend. And I did see a Japanese curry dish that seemed yummy -- but I didn't try it. Here's a good way to see how good a ramen place is -- count how many Japanese students and bored wives you see. Japanese salary men in NY do not travel more than 5 minutes from their offices to eat lunch whereas students and homemakers would, if they like the price and taste. This place was 90% salary men. And as such, the place is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. LA still has it better than here.
(4)
Steve C.
Very good ramen. What is it about ramen on a chilly evening that leaves you completely satisfied? Like you just had the best home cooked meal. I had the Menkui and the noodles were just firm enough but the soup was a little lighter than I would have liked. The bamboo was salty in a good way and the thickly cut pork was very tasty. If you manage to get a bit of both with each mouthful of noodle you'll be in Ramen heaven. The fried gyoza was also good. The skin is soft so it's probably better fried than straight outta the steamer. I watched them cook the fried rice and it looked yummy. The guy in the next table polished off a big plate in under 5 minutes so definitely have to try it next time.
(4)
Mary C.
A friend comes here a lot for lunch and recommended this place to me years ago, and it has become my favorite place to grab a bowl of ramen and catch up with her. I always order the tonkatsu, and usually an onigiri to start. The onigiri is your run of the mill rice ball-- nothing too special, but the tonkatsu ramen is SO delicious. The broth is rich, meaty, salty and flavorful, and the noodles have the perfect bite to them. I like watching the chefs prepare the broth too. The pickled veg on top of the ramen gives you something to chew as you slurp the rest of the soup down-- yeah, it's that good. It's easy to pass this place by, so you sort of need to know where you're going. I found the prices to be extremely reasonable considering the location and also the serving size. This is a no frills eatery and I would eat here over any fancy looking ramen place any day.
(5)
Anita A.
I stumbled into this place after late at night after watching the Moth at Cooper Union's Great Hall. It was my elixir after a long day-- the perfect, unexpectedly fulfilling meal. All my friends had returned home, so I just wanted a quick bite. I ordered Chukaramen, something I hadn't had since Japan, and was so pleasantly surprised. The noodles were chewy enough and the cucumbers and other vegetables made it a very fresh, uplifting meal. Menkui Tei has great atmosphere and I didn't mind eating alone, as I was browsing through a magazine. The next time I brought some friends and I ordered chicken wings and the Yuzu (slightly spicy) ramen. It was, again, well done and fulfilling. The waiters were also very nice and let us change tables to move into a more secluded spot that one of my friends preferred. Overall, one of the best places for Japanese food in NY. Very, very impressed.
(5)
Matt M.
Good for a dinner after a day's work, chat with friends while having a delicious ramen!
(3)
Kevin W.
Would like to give props to all the NYC yelpers and other yelpers who have reviewed and suggested this place. Went on a trip to this place after my father and I tried to get into MoMA's free night a bit too late apparently during a family vacation. Maybe walked past this place twice due to the sign in Japanese and different English name on the store front (like LeMen or something?). Waited like 5 minutes to be seated in a filled restaurant (we were so totally the only "gaijin" there also). Ordered the gyoza which was so highly suggested here, which I now understand why. Dad got a cold noodle dish while I got the Katsu-Don. Lots of food for cheap. If you're looking for good noodle and rice dishes, this is a great choice.
(5)
Chris P.
Some of the best ramen around
(5)
Brian C.
Food is great here. It's rather cheap for the portions you get. My favorite is the fried rice. So good. When I used to work in midtown, I would go here about once a week. I definitely recommend getting take out. It's a bit cramped and there's always a line that shoots out to the door around lunch time for take out and those waiting to be seated.
(4)
Mike T.
Thank you Yelp for helping me find this place on our NYC trip! We come from a place (Seattle) where you would think there would be good ramen but there isn't. Yes, this reminded me of Japan. My wife and I loved this place. I got the miso ramen and she got the shoyu ramen. The portions were large enough to split into a smaller bowl for our 2 yr old son. Gyoza was great. Crispy on the bottom and very delicious. We also got a musubi for my son. It was HUGE and he ate it up. We got one to go for later. So for 2 bowls of ramen, 2 musubi, and 1 gyoza, we spent $27. Not bad for New York.
(4)
Kelly E.
sluuuuuuurrrrpppp the sound of pure happiness. came here last night cos the boy was nursing a hangover and wanted some comfort food and i'm always in the mood for ramen. after looking at the pictures on yelp, i knew i'd be going with the tonkatsu ramen - love me some miso base. we got there just in time to grab two seats at the "bar" area. the place packed up quickly since it's small and narrow and soon there was a line going out the door. our waitress was super sweet and brought us our drinks right away, rubbing his hangover in my bf's face, i ordered the $5 small hot sake, quite a good deal methinks. while we waited for our food we watched the goings on of the kitchen, including the skilled hands of one of the cooks preparing dumplings from scratch (check out the pic). we noticed that the noodles were made to order and our ramen took longer than at other places. we didn't mind since that meant our soup was constructed just for us and the noodles were especially fresh. there's even a sign on the wall asking you to tell your waiter if you feel the flavor of your soup is too strong or not strong enough so they can adjust it for you. the ramen was delicioussss, two LARGE slices of pork, delicious ginger and radish. too bad the place is so small and crowded or i'd definitely be there more often. the cash only thing is a little annoying too, who carries cash anymore? i do plan on becoming a regular take out customer! especially for $8! maybe i'll be a baller and add an egg next time... strangely, i reviewed this place earlier thinking i had been here actually i'd been t menchanko tei, which is good but menkui tei is great. nice to have an alternative if this place is full though.
(5)
Michael J.
Come here often for their katsu curry -$10.00....highly recommend this dish! I personally also likes their buta ramen. I have been dared to tried the beef tongue...its not as bad as I thought it would be, but it isn't that good as well. The prices here are affordable...but they only accept CASH...which can be annoying!! The pros is that there are really no wait to get a seat.
(3)
Beatrice I.
Decent diner fare in a bargain-scarce area of Midtown. You know it will be good enough when there are a few Japanese language only items on the walls and the written menu is very short. These noodles are like the kind I remember eating in an average ramen shop in Japan. Not shnazzy, not gimmicky, just daily fare. Sometimes you just want competency, and don't want dozens of people yelling cheers at you.
(5)
Stephen M.
Gyozo was amazing, fried rice was great, ramen was good & $3 add-on curry rice was awesome! We left very full.
(4)
Marlene S.
Came here for lunch on a cold day...mmm. The ramen was really good and there was a variety of choices on the menu. Came here a couple months ago and ordered the Miso Ramen. Tasted like miso soup with noodles...so yummy!!! The space is a little small, but it was fine not a big deal. We also ordered the curry rice side dish which was really good. The staff was also friendly and quick.
(4)
Jobu B.
Sometimes, the standard eggs, bacon, toast, etc. breakfast or brunch for the weekend morning greasy hangover craving just doesn't cut it anymore. When I'm hurtin after a long night, I come here. Usually Saturday or Sunday afternoons for lunch. The ramens won't cure my hangovers, but I feel a lot better afterwards. Korean soups are good too after a hard night of drinking, but then I have a lot of gas for the rest of the day from all the kim-chee. Tan-Tan Ramen, Gyozas, and of course the Katsu Curry are all on point. All my Japanese softball teammates come here just for the Katsu Curry. You know it's home cookin, when your own people come here, then you know it's official. Just like at Minar during lunchtime.
(4)
Ben L.
Naive ramen eater. There wasn't a ton of flavor going on here, which may reflect my naivete: I pretty much doused it with vinegar-y and chile sauce. I was with experienced ramen eaters who said it was okay. We had the basic soy sauce ramen (shoyu?) for like $7. Gyoza was good, with a nice slightly crispy skin and good-textured innards. Cash only.
(3)
S H.
Pretty good Japanese fair. Service was fast and polite. Nothing special about it just good food.
(3)
Irene S.
Despite coming highly-recommended by several friends who mentioned this place to me, I didn't find the ramen to be spectacular or anything. However, it is reasonably satisfying and the taste is not bad. I like that the broth comes piping hot and there are several choices of extra toppings (char siew, boiled egg, butter, etc) available. The portion is huge and I think it's a really good bargain for the affordable price. I must note that the gyozas are perfect! Crispy bottom but juicy and flavourful inside. One of the best I've had in a while.
(3)
Kimberli M.
When going to ISE, be sure to bring along your favorite Japanese pal who both reads and speaks the language. They have a number of untranslated menus that have the goods! Had soft shell crab mid crab season, great tuna sashimi and most of their specials that night (from the mystery menu.) Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(4)
Dan B.
Everything about this place is awesome! Food, price, speed, atmosphere. As good as any ramen I have ever eaten anywhere
(5)
Chloe-Lynn O.
I love this place. It's right by work-- so when a friend visits, I like to take them here especially now that its cold. Lunchtime is always cramped and loud, unfortunately I've never been there at any other time-- but their turnaround is fast and if you're a pair, you can probably catch a fast break at a table for 2 or at the bar. My favorite is the Char-Shu Ramen: shoyu ramen topped with extra pieces of roast pork. EXTRA PORK = GOOD STUFF. My second favorite is the Tonkatsu: rich pork bone broth noodle soup with roast pork, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds. This place is definitely worth a try and it's cheap eats!
(4)
Reto E.
Not very vegetarian friendly due to all their base soups using a broth made with pork bones. Ended up with cold noodle dish that I quite liked. A bit disappointed that they wouldn't substitute the beef with tofu without surcharge. No credit cards.
(4)
yabad a.
THEIR WHITE RICE IS ALMOST ALWAYS TOO HARD!!! Good food, but somebody please tell them!!
(3)
Michael C.
i got to check this place out with some friends. none of us had been there so we decided to check it out. we know ramen around new york is pretty good and this place is no slouch. for appetizers we got the gyoza and a salmon rice ball. pretty pedestrian in all honesty and i dont mind saying to skip those. but when you go to a ramen place, what do you think about? the gyoza of course.... yeah right. the ramen here is solid. very good. i got the char shu (sp?) ramen. it was their soy based ramen with 7 pieces of pork for 9 bucks. not a bad way to go in all honesty. the noodles were cooked very nicely, broth tasting good and clean, and the pork was nice and moist. i was happy with my meal as were the rest of my friends. good food and good company is pretty hard to beat. all in all, y'all should check this place out. i dont think you'll leave disappointed. holler y'all
(4)
Nicholas R.
Amazing ramen!!! The best fried rice ive possibly had anywhere in this country! A friend of mine took me here on a whim while i was in NY for a quick day trip. I cant wait to go back again!
(5)
Laur T.
Not sure about this place anymore.... the gyozas and oyakadon were just aight... actually a lil less than aight.
(3)
Steff B.
Food was awesome just took forever to order because of the one girl they had working the whole floor. I love spicy food and the Extra Spicy Noodles couldn't be any more perfectly cooked. I think this is definitely going to be one of my new fav spots.
(4)
Olivia L.
I was soooo looking forward to some good ramen, but it was not to be. I had the tonkatsu ramen with extra corn and was ready to send it back after the first sip of broth. It tasted like something had died in there (possibly the ginger, possibly the bean sprouts which had come out of can or jar, maybe a small animal). I didn't send it back because the sour taste went away after I added a ton of shichimi (Japanese chili powder). But seriously! Adding pepper to hide the flavor of rotting whatever -- that's something out of the Middle Ages! (no joke)
(2)
Sarah I.
Okay I admit it....I LOVE this place. It has some of the best ramen outside of Japan(that I have tasted, and I have tasted my fair share). Its cheap, and you can add either a small curry/fried rice to your soup meal or a broth to a rice meal. So I can get the best of both worlds for around $10? Yeah! I am in heaven, and it shows, my bf and i eat here at least once a week.
(5)
J W.
I'd give this place 5 stars if the review was for lunch. Get the lady set, but be warned, you probably have to get there before 12:30 or they'll sell out.
(4)
Fabian M.
I come here alot when I work in the area and feel like getting some noodle soup. I usually get the Miso Ramen and add some wonton's to it. I have so far tried most of the ramen soups and I find the Miso one my favorite since it the most simplest one they have. I also have tried their gyozo which is basic like any other fried dumplings you can get anywhere else. If you do get the ramen, I always ask for their house spice shaker (which they sometimes give you and sometimes don't if you don't ask or when they are busy which is usually during lunchtime and dinner time). Next time I am there, I am probably going to try out their fried rice since I've seen it been made (I try to sit in the counter so I can see them make it infront of you) and it seems like a good portion.
(4)
Jennifer L.
Good and satisfied!!
(4)
Sofia M.
came here, because we were hungry, and stumbled onto this place ... this place is definitely not a a 'date' place ... just where u can eat quickly and go ... place is pretty petite, a few tables, food ... ramen - nothing special, but at least it wasn't expensive, ... the gyozas - so not worth it, i rather get the pan fried dumplings from chinatown which are juicy, delicious, and inexpensive ... these are just regular and nothing great
(2)
Wendy Y.
More like Men "Cootie". I had the ramen, of course. The broth was watery and lacked flavor, the noodles were not fresh (not chewy or eggy which I like), and the pork was underwhelming (not fatty or freshly bbq'ed tasting). Worst of all, I got a big, throbbing migraine after eating it. Nice big bowl-full of MSG.
(2)
Tony M.
It's good NYC ramen. Most bowls are about 8 bucks, and the service is mighty quick. Mostly filled with Japanese businessmen during the lunch rush. An easy place to eat if you're by yourself--at the bar. One of my standbys.
(4)
Takeshi S.
Went to Menkui Tei. Ramen was... well I've had lots better where I live (San Jose, CA area) where there aren't as many Japanese... The men was OK the tonkotsu broth was OK. The chashu was tough. The best part was the curry rice that came with my combo. Now the curry was very flavorful and good. And the fried rice my neighbor was having smelled really good.
(2)
Meryl S.
This place is AWESOME for curry and the people who work there are incredibly sweet! It was cold outside and my boyfriend and I placed an order for take-out. They sat us down at a table and gave us a pot of green tea while we waited!
(5)
Jenny B.
3.7 stars I got take out and ordered the Tonkatsu. Everything was good except it was a bit salty. Came with two thick slices of pork, pretty tasty, but a little bit tough. Had bean sprouts, bamboo, scallions, and I tasted some ginger. Maybe the portions were a bit small compared to the ramen I usually get. Can't tell since it came in to go container. I'd come here again though.
(3)
Wyatt D.
Do yourself a favor and go here and order the Extra Spicy Ramen. Very good.
(5)
Liana A.
Yea I'm a fan. I got bit. I know the Ramen bug that has taken over NYC now. But, I've been coming here a long time before it became hot. It's a good amount of bang for your buck considering the neighborhoods rapid gentrification. It's yummy, fresh and hot .You also can't beat the drink specials, ok maybe you can but it just seems to make a cold evening better.
(4)
Elaine H.
Very "authentic" hole in the wall type place. Holds a special place in my heart. Cool, comfortable and welcoming. Worth a visit!
(4)
Captain G.
Very good Japanese noodle place and they also serve rice. Place is crowded during lunch and lines are usually out the door. It's worth the wait thought. One of my personal favorite Japanese noodle shops. Soup can be a bit salty (w/ some MSG). Service so-so.
(4)
Mark G.
I just had lunch there. This place is average when compared to similar authentic Japanese ramen places nearby. Average ramen, average side dishes. Would recommend instead Mechanko-Tei on 55th (slightly better), Sapporo on 49th (much better, however always packed) and Iroha on 49th (much better, however more expensive for lunch) over this place.
(3)
Yosh H.
In all of midtown, this is my family's favorite restaurant for a good and quick meal. Not only is it affordable, but you know you're in for a good meal when even though there is a line, the quality of the food doesn't suffer. I recommend the gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), the cold noodles (lots of great toppings but the broth can be too salty at times), the fried rice, the tonkotsu curry rice, and definitely the pork-bone broth ramen. It's all soooooo good! And, as I found out today, the side order of "Spicy Greens" is excellent with or separate from your ramen! So if you're ever in the neighborhood, follow your nose to this little ramen shop for some good eats. Note though, the lines can get long around lunchtime but if you're not in the mood to wait, there is almost never a line around dinnertime.
(5)
Ian S.
This noodle shop is an oasis amid the desert of delis, prepare-your-own-giant-salad joints, and lunch chains in this part of Midtown. The ramen is good, and the pork-bone-broth ramen (tonkotsu) is excellent. However, the curry rice with pork is far and away the best dish here and probably the best curry rice in Midtown. Do yourself a favor and try it. Other great dishes include the leeks with chicken liver (only served at dinnertime), the gyoza, and the katsu don. My favorite thing about Men Kui Tei is the cartoon Japanese chefs -- there's a tiny little chef with a tall hat who's always carrying pots way bigger than he is, an extremely tall chef with a short hat and a big floppy mustache who folds all the gyoza, and a medium-height chef with puffy cheeks who chops the pork cutlets with vigor. Service is fine. Pro-tip: if you show up and the line is out the door, you can walk to the front and place a take-out order that should get filled in five minutes.
(5)
Ji-Soo P.
I once had a bowl of ramen in a food court stall while waiting for a connection in Narita. This does not make for a convincing ramen resume. That said, I hit this place up about twice or three times a week for lunch. Midtown has its share of ramen shops, but nothing matches the delicious and casual nature of Men Kui Tei. Once the seasons turn and you begin to see your breath on the walk to lunch, very few things are more saisfying than a steaming bowl of ramen and mini fried rice set. Some of the stars here reflect the proximity from my office and my love of noodles in hot broth. But after having dropped roughly eight hundred dollars into countless bowls of ramen from this place, it would be silly of me to rate it any other way.
(5)
Eric C.
3.5 stars. rounding down it's a solid bowl of ramen. is it perfect? no. but as long as you don't expect an authentic bowl of ramen, you'll be pretty happy
(3)
Arthur O.
This place is tasty, but I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the general quality of their pork. I felt the pork in the ramen was a bit oldish tasting. In addition to the ramen, I've tried the Tonkatsu Curry. Damn, man, it's a huge serving. Cross-out getting any work done after that meal. You're going to be stuffed and primed for a siesta. Good stuff. But once again, I didn't think the pork was the freshest piece of meat. Give me FRESH pork! I will settle for no less!
(3)
Janie W.
Satisfying tonkatsu, not as rich as in other ramen shops, but it's cheap and
(3)
Julie Ying X.
This is my favorite place for ramen! I come here for my lunch hour all the time during work especially in the winter. Nothing beats a hot bowl of tonkatsu ramen to warm you up and then go back to the hellish cold. Their broth is better than any other ramen places I've been to and reasonably priced (ahem, Ippudo/Momofuku and their ridiculous $13-$15 ramen). It gets pretty crowded during lunch hour (12-2pm) and it's a small place so there will be a wait.
(5)
Pamela B.
I'm always happy to find a restaurant that'll serve me ten don. A nice find for the West 50s, as I had already found my go-to yakitori joint (Yakitori Totto) and my go-to sushi joint (Fuji) (not that it's great sushi, but it's so close to work!), but had been hankering for a restaurant serving good donburi. This is it.
(4)
bryan l.
Classic ramen house. Nothing is better than a warm bowl of noodles on a cold nite, and if you're near Rockefeller, I strongly recommend this place. It's cheap with fast and friendly service. There is an open kitchen and you can get a good view of the food from the bar. I ate here twice on my last business trip. Gyoza and shumai are both pretty good, but it's the ramen that shines here. Wish I could add more, but yeah....check it out! You won't regret it.
(4)
Grace G.
Cheap, huge size and super tasty!!! Love Sara Udon!
(5)
Alessia E.
Quite a small place which you've probably passed by before & never even notices, but what an authentic ramen joint!!! My fiance & I came during lunch rush hour, and waited only 5 minutes for EXTRAORDINARY ramen noodles. The portions are huge, partially due to the flavorful soup that comes with ramen (my favorite part is the soup!) Overall very, very affordable; very, very delicious; and very nice wait staff :) One of my TOP faves in the city. You have nothing to lose :)
(5)
Chris C.
The tonkotsu ramen is amazing. This is a great hole in the wall place that is cash only, but well worth the trip to the atm. Make sure you layer - it's hot as all getout in there. Sit at the bar. Watching the cooks make the Ramen is super cool. Very soothing.
Walked in late in the afternoon of the Great Friday Slushstorm, tired and hungry after a long, wet day of puddle-hopping and taxi-hailing. I wanted gyoza. Found it easily, but only because I'd written the address down. It's a small warm place, and it was nearly empty. I was immediately pointed to a seat at the counter. Needed protein and carbohydrates, but also wanted some roughage, so I ordered a bowl of vegetable ramen and a plate of gyoza. Watched the four cooks on the other side of the counter mince, chop, scald, and otherwise mutilate a few hundred pounds of plants and animals while I waited. Not that I was waiting long, far from it; these guys were just heads down and chopping as if they"d gotten the catering contract for whatever passes for The Rapture in noodle houses. Had fun watching them work for a few minutes. Choreographed mimes in cooks' whites. With knives. The ramen arrived first. It was really good, and the vegetables and noodles were *perfect*, but I think I would have preferred a tangier broth. This one was light and almost...coconuttish. Tasted a bit like a vegan virgin must taste to a cannibal. The gyoza arrived about halfway through my noodles. They were prettily cooked, piping hot, and accompanied by a clear soy/vinegar dipping sauce, as well as a chunky chili sauce I ordered after I heard someone else ask for it. My first bite of gyoza was like being hit in the mouth with a pleasure plank. MFFF! They were ####ing GOOD! Rich, bright flavor. Equally delicious dipped in both sauces, but didn't really need either. Definite standout plate, those. Service was courteous and brisk; water glass was kept topped-off; restroom was clean enough to use. Prices were damned reasonable. Food I ate was Good to Outstanding. Not a romantic date destination by my lights, but I'd bring any fellow dumpling-lover there in an eyeblink for a quick restorative. Marked down for a certain return visit for me next time I'm north of Grand Central. I mean, c'mon; gyoza that good, four bucks a plate? Hell. Cover the table.
(4)
Wynne K.
Pretty good ramen. Try the cold ramen in summer, especially refreshing. Even the curry there is pretty good. ***Bring cash, they don't take credit cards...
(4)
Kathy W.
i got the name-sake ramen when I came here. I was decent, but to be honest, not something i would get again. however, it is much better than the east village location, where the ramen was inedible (too salty). my favorite ramen place continues to be totto ramen in midtown west.
(2)
Nancy H.
I liked the ramen and broth and not having to pay $16 for the bowl. The noodles were great, but I still liked Ippudo's noodles better. The broth was not as salty, which I liked and the pork pieces were better than Ippudo's. I also had the side of curry rice which was very tasty. I wish it had an egg in it, but that's alright, I still liked the taste.
(4)
Lee S.
This place has a huge, sprawling handwritten menu. Just when you think you've seen all the types of ramen you can order, you notice another menu on the table with specials, along with specials written on the wall. If you don't like ramen, they have oddly juxtaposed American foodstuffs like Coke floats and fire wings. Anyway, this was the first time I've had ramen in a restaurant (being used to the Cup Noodles variety) and I enjoyed it greatly and would go back. Not too expensive, either.
(4)
Terren J.
Just an average ramen place for me. Nothing too exciting. I've had better at cheaper prices.
(3)
Danielle D.
This place is really good! I found it by accident and was really impressed with the food. I got the #11, I think, and it was exactly as I expected. I lived in Okinawa for 3 years, so trust me when I say I know good ramen. I'm new to the city so I don't have any other places here to compare it with, but comparing it to Okinawa is as best as I can do. It took me back :)
(5)
Helena F.
I came here after seeing how long the line was at Ippudo. The wait was long here too though, I think there just way too much ramen hype these days. Anyway, we got the special of a pitcher of beer and free chicken for 15 bucks and everyone else got ramen. The beef brtoh ramen looked good, I got the spicey ramen with egg and it was weirdly tangy. I would not recommend it. The curry on rice was good. I would definitely come here with a group of friends for a pitcher and fried chicken and share some noodles and curry! As long as the wait is not a half an hour.
(3)
Aaron C.
excellent ramen & gyoza place with consistently great service too. Their tonkutsu ramen (pork broth noodles) & charhan (fried rice) are excellent, but what makes this place a cut above the rest are their wonderful thin-skinned gyoza (pot stickers)... best thing is, you can watch all the steam and pyrotechnics while it's being prepared by their skilled, experienced cooks!
(5)
Tony L.
A no-frills, better-than-average ramen joint. Had a quick and casual bite to eat with a friend here, and only wish they had ramen this tasty in San Francisco. On the other hand, there are enough budget-savvy, easy-access ramen houses in NYC to put the west coast to shame. Menkui Tei definitely fits in the category. How many hyphenated adjectives can I use in one review?
(3)
Jannie Q.
I went to this restaurant after reading all the raving Yelp reviews here. Somewhat disappointed. I went by myself and sat at the bar. Not a bad environment to eat alone. I ordered the Men Kui (House) Ramen. Broth is more on the salty side. That taken aside, the cha sui was so rough!! It was thickly-sliced and tough to chew. I've definitely tasted better elsewhere. I also ordered the Gyoza, which was pretty good. Fresh and pan-fried nicely. Taste was kinda bland but after the salty ramen, it was actually a good thing. Place is really stuffy because there is no air ventiliation there. Sit close to the door.
(2)
Joel N.
the signboard says LARMEN and not menkui tei. you're clued in on the name of the place by the menu posted on the front window. having read so much about this place and received a newsletter commending it, i just had to check this place out. it's closer to 6th than to 5th, on the south side of 56th. the place is very small and narrow, and lunch or dinner crowds in peak hours could make one testy and prone to being bumped by diners and servers. ambience: zero. service: very good and friendly, if too hurried and harried. price: very good. $10 for a huge bowl of ramen with 3 slices of pork. had the menkui ramen. one of the worst i've had in the city. japanese food is all about subtlety and this one was overly salty: the shoyu-marinated roast pork could have provided the sole salty element in this dish, but no, the broth had to be more salty. i couldn't finish my bowl. i love my kidneys too much. i recounted my experience to my japanese student and he asked me details. i told him about my disappointment and he said he would tell his friend, who works as a cook there. turns out his friend was not at work the time that i went. i'll go back again, but only if the japanese cook is around.
(1)
Thessa V.
I looked forward to this place as my plane landed. But.. it mademe sad :(. People say this place is cheap.. but I ordered a really small sashimi pair that was over $35. I never sacrifice quality for price.. but even I thought it was pricey. I wasn't fond of the service either. Granted I just got to the city and had no idea they were closing in about 15 mins but I had a cranky lady assist me. Maybe if the time was right and the waitress was nicer I would look forward to come back. But I think I'd rather experiment with other restaurants than come back.
(2)
Alex M.
I have been here a few times and I must admit, I walk out of the place very happy. I enjoy their gyoza, their ramen (mainly Tonkotsu), and their chahan (fried rice). The last time I went, I got the Tonkotsu ramen and mini-chahan. The chahan was delicious. Had a nice wok flavor with bits of crunch. Amazing. In terms of the Tonkotsu ramen, it was awesome. The noodles were al dente and it was very good. I REALLY enjoyed the pork slices; the flavor was just something that kept coming! The only complaint I had was the soup wasn't as good as the noodle or the pork itself; but that is ok. The rest of the package was so delicious that it didn't make that one downfall that bad at all. Also, the price was very reasonable too. For the mini-chahan and ramen I paid $12 (including tax). It was delicious and I left with a full tummy!
(4)
Susan W.
This is one of the best ramen restaraunts in New York City. I walked a couple times up and down the block to find this restaraunt in the rain but it was definatley worth it. You walk in and are immediatly seated in a very homy environment. I ordered the vegitarean ramen and it was delicious! The portions are huge at a very low price so I would recommend sharing with another person. I would definatley come back here many times on any day because it is amazing!
(5)
Kevin R.
I eat here often and enjoy the good service and fantastic ramen. This place is a gem!
This ramen restaurant is good but it is no Ramen Setagaya in East Village. We had the Extra Spicy Ramen (comes with 3 pcs of pork and scallions) and the soup tasted like chili spices mixed with miso paste and also the Menkui Tei house ramen which was simply a typical pork ramen. The 2 waiters had trouble keeping up with the ever increasing crowd waiting by the door and I wonder first, did all these people find this place from Yelp because its not that noticeable off the street and second, does this restaurant usually do not have such a crowd because the waiters were running back and forth trying to fulfill everyone's request for water, check, orders, etc. Its a great brunch stop before heading out to nearby Moma Museum about 3 blocks away on 53rd st.
(3)
Estelle T.
This is a very casual ramen place. My two star rating reflects the fact that I've had better ramen in the city at cleaner places for similar prices. The reason why I didn't give this place one star is because I doubt there are casual ramen places found in this area of town, so Menkui Tei gets a bump up for convenience for people who work in midtown.
(2)
Kevin Q.
Came here on a wintry weekend which proved to be the perfect time. As mentioned in the other reviews, it is very warm inside and on a cold day it feels like you're walking into a womb. It was packed and there was around a 15 minute wait to be seated. I had the House Ramen, gyoza, and tea(strangely, as mentioned by another reviewer, there was no green tea). It was very filling and tasty all around. At one point in my meal, I saw what seemed to be the old master chef walk by with a large metal bowl of gyoza filling. However, the service is subpar. We were served pretty fast but afterwards, due to the packed nature of the restaurant, the waiter seemed to actively avoid me as I tried to call him. I even looked into his eyes for a moment across the room and it was pretty clear that he could see me, yet he turned around and walked away. I can understand that it was very busy but there should have been more waitstaff.
(4)
Shane N.
My boyfriend and I went to this place after it showed up in the Yelp weekly e-newsletter. It was pretty bad. I ordered the vegetable ramen served in pork bone broth and it was so salty it was like eating a cow lick. I mean inedible. It seemed like someone may have spilled the salt when they were making the broth. I talked to the waiter about this, and he brought me a big bowl of ginger-infused water to dilute the broth in my soup, which I thought was kind of pathetic. They should have just brought me another bowl of soup. Given that the noodles were cooked in the extra-salty broth, there was no way to water it down enough. I didn't complain again because I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible at that point. Waiting for them to make another bowl of soup would have been a waste of time.
(2)
Helen B.
My favorite ramen place in NY. It's small, quick and friendly no fuss service, and always good. In the winter I go here about once a week. The canton ramen is the best and the curry rice is soo good. Home-made gyoza's are excellent as well!
With all the new ramen hype these days, Menkui Tei is a must for the real Japan experience w/out all of the smoke, mirrors and long lines. Reminds me of a few down to earth ramen shops I visited in Osaka. Be sure to sit at the counter for an entertaining view into the world of the three chefs prepping the gyoza, ramen and chahan. The donburi and curry are also quite tasty. If you're a fan of mapodofu, try it, you'll like it. You really can't go wrong w/ any of the items on the menu. The price is right too for an added +.
(4)
Amanda W.
This is one of the best low key, low cost dining spots from a local perspective. You will not get pretension, decor or romance but you will get thoughtfully composed fare, and good Japanese beer to go with it. The Meinkui Ramen with the house seaweed broth is fantastic. The flavors are nicely balanced and satisfying. The Tonkatsu Ramen is deliciously rich with pickled ginger adding a special bit of flavor complexity. Roast pork - yum! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Drawbacks: Probably not the best vegetarian spot and I would stay clear of the Miso Ramen b/c for me it was a bit too much salty Miso. Otherwise, go eat, drink, chat and remember what it used to be like when you could easily find delicious inexpensive restaurants in Manhattan.
(4)
Chris W.
great hole in the wall ramen joint. the prices are reasonable and the portions are huge. add a bit of sesame oil and some red pepper flakes to your bowl of deliciousness and you're good to go :] the gyoza's are good but nothing special. it is cash only place but there's a chase bank right around the corner
(4)
Yi J.
Their pork bone ramen noodle is my personal favorite. It's very rich, packed with flavor and only costs $8. On those days when I don't feel like going down to EV and wait in line for an hour to get Ippudo's ramen, I'd go go to Menkui Tei. The dining environment there is probably not so great. It gets really hot with all the steam from the noodle cooking. I'd suggest get take out and eat in central park.
(3)
Catherine S.
This place is such a great value for the quality. Add the wontons for $3.50 it's worth it. It's a really really small restaurant, a no frills kind of eatery. The service is quick, they close at 9PM and last call is @ 8:30ish. I saw many customers refused entrance at the door but were allowed to order take out and many did.
(4)
Amita K.
I've been skeptical of the ramen craze, particularly because I'm not a huge fan of pork or pork dumplings... This cold winter NY weather had me down and my husband suggested warm ramen soup to help me out. We checked out this hole in the wall and it was well worth it - giant bowls of ramen, no skimp on the noodles, I had the veggie ramen and the broth was absolutely delicious.. I had enough to take home a bowl for lunch the next day. They have a pretty extensive selection of ramen, the waitstaff is very attentive, and looks like a locals kind of joint. Yay for Ramen!
(4)
Drinky C.
Great spot for ramen in the hell hole that is midtown. Had their Menkui ramen and it was delicious. I'd have liked my noodles a little softer, but then I saw the sign on the wall that asked to please let them know at the time of ordering if you'd like the broth lighter or stronger, and if you had specific tastes as to the "rigidity of the noodles." Now that I know what the default is like, I think I can get a perfect bowl next time around.
(4)
Stephan H.
Ramen is decent, but the pork can be dry sometimes. Gyoza are excellent.
(3)
lora c.
Ok. Let's be honest. The milky tonkotsu broth here is kind of amazing. Definitely flavorful and complex. However, the rest could use some work. Noodles are superior at the nearby Menchanko Tei and I was a little disappointed to see that the default pork was char siu (though, for an extra charge, you can upgrade to fatty pork or pork belly). Surprisingly, gyoza was the highlight of the meal. Freshly made, this was not the usual minced pork and cabbage, but also included plenty of garlic and other veggies. Very delicate skin and you can watch the guy up front making them. Prices were reasonable-- my ramen and gyoza, with tax and tip, came out to about $15. I will caution that I may or may not have seen a baby cockroach crawl over my napkin though.... (I squished that sucker without mercy) but hey... what eatery doesn't have a few pests... right? Hum.)
(3)
Craig H.
Went here on a Friday evening and it felt like we were no longer in NY. We had searched this neighborhood for a decent and quick place and I was a little irritated when we stumbled upon Ise. We were seated immediately at the Sushi bar in the back and were surrounded by Japanese clientele drinking, eating and laughing. The staff was friendly and accommodating. And the sushi was excellent. Super fresh salmon (best I've had in a long time) and wonderful shrimp tempura. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Cindy H.
Great authentic Japanese midtown lunch hot-spot. They are famous for their great lunch special selections which cost $12 ~ $16 and range from bento boxes, donburi, udon, to katsu. I had the tonkatsu sashimi lunch special and the portion was BIG! Most lunches comes with salad / soup, and dessert. Definitely great value for the portion, selection and location. Although always busy, the servers are very friendly and helpful. If you are lucky, you might even get to sit in the limited tatami rooms in the back and enjoy your meal in traditional Japanese style. The restaurant caters to the casual diners thus their sushi, although fresh, is not of the highest grade and their tonkatsu, although big and crispy, is not made with the most katsu suitable pork. I would recommend trying their daily specials.
(3)
Dee C.
I'd never expected to find a ramen place here but this is one of the best raman places I've tried so far and their prices are affordable compare to a lot other places. Service is good, there's always a wait.
(4)
R K.
Four Stars for dessert. so i was with 4 other people and we just finished dinner but we're still craving some sweets. over course we trust other friendly yelpers and we find Ise Japanese Restaurant. we ordered each desert for $4-$5 each and we liked them all. it's not too sweet but hits the spot. we also ordered a sweet sake recommended by the waitress. it was delicious. we had no reservations but we managed to sit in a private room where we had to take off our shoes to sit. it was nice and private and cozy with pillows lining the wooden bench. cute place. i 'd love to come back for dinner another time.
(4)
Norman S.
what a great deal for midtown! you get pretty decent ramen, you get served fast, and the price is right. the noodles are pretty standard, you can tell they are machine made. the tonkotsu broth is really flavorful and thick (beware if you are one of those who don't like a rich broth then stick with shoyu ramen). the gyoza and side of char-han fried rice is good. they only carry one daiginjo and thats onikoroshi which is good enough for a peasants meal. only complaint is the place is really hot. it must be at least 82 degrees in there and with no cross breeze or fan it can feel oppressive.
(3)
Jacob R.
I think almost everyone that goes here agrees that the gyoza are delicious - tender crispy skins, a vinegar-based light dipping sauce - very nice. I also got the miso ramen, a favorite of mine when i was in Tokyo. This was very middle-of-the-road. The broth was pretty good, although towards the end of the bowl the flavor fell apart to reveal a fatty undertone that somehow got in the way of the flavor. The toppings were perfunctory, and the pork was far from fatty. It was lean, but not too tough. While this may be healthier, I miss the tasty fatty pork that looks like it would melt in the bowl if you left it in too long. 3 stars for the ramen, 5 for the gyoza.
(4)
Huba G.
it was so cold today and i happened to be in the city. the first thing that popped into my head was getting some hot ramen and when that craving hits, it menkei tei for me. authentic japanese ramen. nothing like it on a cold cold day. remember to bring cash and enjoy some tonkatsu ramen.
(5)
Helen F.
my all time favorite - the menkui tei ramen~~
(5)
Esugi I.
I really like ramen. I ordered the wonton ramen here tonight, and it was really disappointing. The soup had no taste (though the menu said it'd be shoyu ramen broth), but the noodles weren't bad. i tried to ask for a little bowl to put some vinegar in for my wontons but the waitress forgot it and so did another waiter i asked later in the meal. the place was very busy, and i'd say the quality was definitely compromised. the waitstaff was japanese but the cooks were a mixed bag. overall a disappointment; will be looking for a better place soon.
(2)
Elisa K.
I know lately there are tons of new ramen joints opening up, but I do believe Men Kui Tei is hands down the best. Place is very non-descript, but when you see even non-Japanese coming in to eat at the bar by themselves, you know this place is no joke! I agree with other Yelpers, don't just settle for the ramen (shoyu w/ extra corn is my favorite). I always get Gyoza, side of kimchi and also side of curry rice. I know, a bit excessive but no need to skimp b/c of the affordable prices. I love this place.
(5)
Meli F.
Good ramen and gyoza. Charsu wasn't fatty enough. Would go back. Friendly service.
(3)
Jason Y.
i freaking cannot believe i havent reviewed this place before. ichi-ban number 1 ramenya in manhattan. BY FAR. 1 order char-shu ramen w/extra noodles and side order of curry rice and 1 order gyoza. and then go immediately to sleep and have nice dreams. puts momofuku to SHAME. completely craps on the stuff they serve to diners at ippudo. and it's now withing walking distance from both my apartment and office. life is good.
(5)
Randall F.
Great Ramen joint in midtown. More authentic and less trendy than Momofuku. I've been to this location and the other one near St. Mark's. We came here on a rainy Friday night and boy was that soup yummy in my tummy. You must order the gyoza!
(4)
Charles S.
So far this is my favorite Nihonshoku joint in New York. The menu is good, the price is very reasonable and personally tastes a little different but better than the East Village branch. I've tried Momofuku and Ramen Setagaya through recommendation from friends and I think they taste too "American" - I grew up in Japan. If you want to get some good Japanese food, not sushi, in Midtown this is the place to be.
(4)
j w.
After reading some of the reviews I decided to see for myself how this place stacks up against some of the more popular ramen joints in greater LA. I had the Menkui ramen and shumai. The shumai was very tasty and just a tad larger than most. But, you get four along with slivers of cucumber versus six I've been served in just about every other restaurant. The broth for the ramen was in the top ten that I've been fortunate enough to experience. While the noodles had good consistency it seemed like the quantity was about that of the small order from Santouka in SoCal. Good bamboo but they were stingy with the green onions. Also, and this is something I have noticed about ALL ramen places the past few months, the pork slices were diminutive. Maybe there's a shortage or something. All in all, a good but not memorable ramen shop.
(3)
Gary L.
I'm always on the lookout for good ramen, and this place definitely had that. I had the Chashu ramen and it was quite good. The broth was rich and meaty, and the chashu tender and flavorful. If it was on food alone, this place would've gotten at least 4 stars. But what killed it was a massive cockroach that was crawling around my foot and started crawling over my messenger bag. We don't have roaches like that on the west coast. I shook it off my stuff and stepped on it. There came a very satifying crunch sound from beneath my feet, but when i lifted it up, it was still moving! Seriously, WTF? I ended up killing it again with the leg of my chair.
(3)
Brave G.
marlowe was sitting in the back corner of a very nondescript japanese noodle restaurant on west 56th street, eating fried rice at three in the afternoon. hey marlowe, where's your cupcake? ha ha, got any extra CRUMBS laying around? he gave me a look, as i knew he would. all was right with the world and i knew my place in it. just kidding, man. hey marlowe, you know someone's been writing some stuff about you. there's this girl food reviewer who's been making you out to be some sort of romeo or something, writing about all your adventures. you hear anything about that? marlowe very intently and deliberately finished his rice, then he signaled to the waitress. he sat back in his chair. it looked cheap and uncomfortable. damn, he said, that is some good shit. it has a kind of burnt taste to it and no grease, really clean. i tell you, this would be mighty fine eating if i was ever hung over and needed a cure ... as if that could ever happen ... haw haw haw! marlowe was just being marlowe, it seemed. so what's this you say about me being a romeo or something? oh yeah, i know all about it, whadday think? i'm a detective, right? some chick pretending to be betsy sue getting all romanced by some "marlowe" character, of course i heard. not me, no sir, some other marlowe dude, maybe just a coincidence of nomenclature or something like that. i hear that happens a lot with these internet people, talking to their computers and all. it's no big deal. no, man, i think it's you. all those weird places people been saying they've been seeing you lately, she got them all, puts you right there, acting really strange and-- a bowl of steaming ramen appeared and marlowe held up his hand and stopped me. now just lookit this. this is some good shit, i'm telling you. check out all these little wontons, nothing chinese about these, i tell you what. oh man, this is some good japanese shit. marlowe started slurping noodles in a frenzy. i've known marlowe a long time, and this was about as close to marlowe-heaven as i'd ever seen. suddenly he paused and looked up. so all this romeo marlowe stuff, what do you make of it? do you think this is a situation i'm gonna have to do something about? i mean, do you think we have a PROBLEM here? i could see where this was going, and i didn't want to have to deal. the bowl of ramen was working magic on him, and i didn't think this girl meant him any harm. so i figured, let sleeping dogs lie. so i lied. naahhhh, i said, it's nothing, you know how it is, people write whatever they want about anybody they want on the internet, happens all the time, nobody ever reads that stuff anyway. forget about it. marlowe wasn't even listening anymore. he was busy slurping. ok marlowe, i gotta get going, i gotta meet somebody downtown. later, man. he gave a little wave as i made my way out. i was in a hurry now. i had to find that girl and warn her: marlowe was nobody's fool and he was nobody to play around with either. marlowe didn't seem to care at all about what i'd just told him. but i'd known marlowe a long time.
(5)
Andrew N.
I gotta say, some of the other reviewers might be overhyping this place. Yes they serve ramen but the best? 5 stars? I'm not sure. It's good, I enjoyed it, but to jump into saying this place gets the A+, 5 stars, might be a little much. I actually preferred Menchanko tei more.
(3)
karine M.
It is not fancy or beautiful but food is fresh and properly cooked. Good flavors. Try the menu special A, it's always a good choice and a part of it is changing everyday. Fish is fresh, tempura are really good, not too oily. Green tea is not that good unfortunatly. Be careful it is full everyday for lunch (and good sign with a lot of japanese people) so arrived in advance or be ready to wait a tiny bit.
(4)
mimi c.
meh. disappointment. miso ramen and menkui ramen were both pretty salty. i've had better ramen in LA.
(3)
Joanna G.
just like the fast ramen places in Japan. Solid ramen of different varieties plus other izakaya fare. the atmosphere is very casual and bright.
(3)
Jason C.
Midtown ramen lovers, rejoice! Men Kui Tei is a great place to recharge your batteries after long day at work....or shopping along 5th Ave for that matter. The place is easy to miss, so keep your eyes open on the south side of W56 as you walk between 5th and 6th Ave. I have a penchant for good ramen as it's my comfort food when I want something warm and brothy. Ramen is deceptively simple in presentation but getting everything right is an art form as anyone who has seen the movie "Tampopo" can attest to. It all starts with the broth which is harder to make than one might expect. It takes time and care to get it flavorful. The noodles need to be nicely cooked al dente-esque. The pork is best when it is firm yet tender to the bite. And the other accoutrements in the bowl, such as pickled veggies or egg need similar attention. Having said all that, Men Kui Tei doesn't disappoint. I ordered the cha shu shoyu ramen and enjoyed the generous portions of noodles and pork. The broth was nicely done, nice and hot and not too salty like some other places can be. I will be coming back here for ramen when I crave it. While the menu is very ramen-focused, but they do have a few other side dishes that I am curious to try out the next time I'm in the area. As far as getting here is concerned, the closest subway stop is the F train at 57th/6th Ave or the NRW at 60th/5th Ave. They also have another location in the East Village over at 63 Cooper Square.
(4)
H T.
after a week of not eating any asian food, i sat down to a huge bowl of chanpon and fried rice. the chanpon was huge, so it's a good thing i shared w/ my friend. this really hit the spot and was filled w/ veggies, seafood and pork. the broth was light and unfortunately, not spicy at all. i heard the gyoza was great. this place gets quite hectic during lunch, but service is swift, and patrons know that this is not a hang out spot, so they basically eat and leave immediately.
(4)
suzi a.
favorite lunch place when i'm at work. comfort food for rainy days. warrants a special away notice in AIM that says "mmmmmm nooooooodles" best time to go: 2pm when the lunch crowd is gone i need to try more things here. once i am done obsessing on the noodles they may get a full 5 stars to be continued....
(4)
Wafa Y.
Yes i am really fan of this traditional japanese restaurant ! Everything is perfect. They have lunch menu very good value and so good. OMG .... Yummy !
(5)
Michael M.
My favorite Ramenya in NY. My go to is the Tonkotsu Ramen (add corn) and a mini curry.
(5)
Carolina M.
Surely one of my go-to lunch places. It can be a bit cramped and on a cold day you may have to wait to be seated, but it is worth it. The price is just right for the large portions. Must order the gyoza. You can even watch it being made. It's definitely the most popular appetizer. The curry ramen is thick very filling and tasty. The pork ramen is delicious with great sliced pork pieces, not too fatty but just right.
(4)
mary l.
midwest portion sizes - wut wut!!! small, great service, nice owners, casual and fun atmosphere. i'd give the ramen a 3.5 but the place and prices overall is 4. the salmon rice ball was yummy and only $1.75! in midtown west!!! and the portions are gigantic. my chicago roots were happy.
(4)
Thierry S.
Every so often I get that need for the perfect springy ramen noodles that you find consistently at Menkui Tei at their two outposts (56th St, Midtown and 3rd Ave, East Village). This little bit of heaven has been my favorite ramen temple for over 13 years. The broths are flavorful and varied as they should be and the noodles are dead on perfect. The Hayashi (cold noodles with a slightly sour broth and many toppings) remain my favorite while the Miso and Mabo are close 2nds. Great appetizers and small sides are available. The Mid-town location supplements their menu with items available from the restaurant next door (e.g. a very good Oden), while the village outpost has many more specials. Expect the typical noodle bar bare decor and cramped quarters (especially in mid-town) which I wouldn't want any other way.
(4)
Krista P.
Not the best ramen I've had, but solidly good. I had the tan tan men, while my boyfriend opted for the signature Menkui ramen. We also had the gyoza and a bottle of the unrefined sake. Service was good, the atmosphere is unobtrusive, the wait was short (always appreciated on a Friday night), and the food was good. I don't expect to have erotic dreams about this ramen or anything (oh, for my old haunts in Bangkok and LA. . .), but I'll probably drop in again when I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)
charlene c.
Their ramen is just like any other typical Japanese joint in America. salty but flavor is a bit blend. I am shocked at all the good reviews because it is really not that great. Not as good as Ippudo.
(2)
Eran L.
Solid mid-town ramen joint. Good sized portions, tasty broth, and just a little bit on the spicy side. It's a few dollars more than the Korean place around the corner but it is the ramen is better at Menkui Tei (too much red pepper at the Korean place).
(4)
Joseph B.
this place has great lunch specials. the raw fish is fresh, food is tasty and service is fast!
(4)
Nathan T.
We searched far and wide for a fatty pork ramen broth like the kind we cracked out on in Tokyo. And Menkui Tei is the closest we've come so far in New York. The beer is cold, the soup is hot, the salarymen are drunk. What more can you ask for?
(4)
Jeff L.
I've become somewhat of a regular here. Not because it's amazing, but because the price is on par for the Rockefeller Center area and they can have a takeout order ready in under 10 minutes even during the lunch rush. All the Ramen bowls come up to be just under $10 after taxes. I've yet to have any bowl of ramen here that I didn't enjoy. The most alluring ingredient is the broth which is not bland and has more flavors than just pure salt and miso. I've had better noodles down by NYU (I think it was called Rai Rai Ken or something of the sort), but the noodles were still decent. Lines start forming out the door at about 12:30-12:45 and stay until about 1:45. Typical lunch rush. I think they have seating for about 40-50 people. My recommendation is to order by phone and pickup if you need to eat during that time. Also, last bit of info: the spicy ramen uses Korean hot pepper bean paste for its spice. I didn't know what to expect from their spicy ramen and had thought they'd would've just went the cheap route and use chili oil. They didn't, and once again the broth was tasty. **Edit, just tried the Katsu Don here. It's a Katsu Don't. Pork was dry and there was way more sauce than there needed to be. The sauce drowned out the flavors of veggies and egg. Toppings were: caramalized onions, shitake mushrooms, and green peppers. No reason to bump down the score though since it is a ramen shop**
(4)
Arthur K.
Quality noodles and it's a good midtown alternative to Sapporo. The lunch time can get quite long but it usually moves fast.
(4)
Chioma N.
Menkui Tei (at this location) is a sure bet for me. Hot or cold, rain or shine, I have always eaten a great meal and received friendly service. I have tried almost everything on the menu and all have been good. My personal favorite is the Chan-Pon, but that is because I am a seafood lover! The portions are plentiful and the price paid is reasonable. As for the restaurant itself, it is a no frills spot. If you are looking for excellent furniture, mood music, ventilation, and eye-candy servers/hostesses, go to Ippudo. Menkui Tei is a no frills/come to get your grub on/ forget the ambiance type of restaurant. The four stars is for the food and friendly service. If the restaurant itself was a little nicer and had more windows open, I might have given the restaurant 5 stars. ...but then again, I would hesitate to come in after a run in Central Park, which is what makes this place great. It is okay if you come in dressed down.
(4)
Mike X.
This joint is pretty solid. Decent Tonkotsu and gyoza when the lines elsewhere are over an hour long.
(3)
Julie W.
Only had lunch here a few times and each time, ramen was always good and soup base was wonderful. Great to warm you up on a cold winter NYC day! Weird, they have kimchee here, makes me feel as if they're more Korean than Japanese
(4)
George M.
I'm not the biggest fan of ramen, but I did enjoy eating at this place. I've also been to the Menkui Tei in St. Mark's, but I prefer this one much better. Food was good and reasonably priced.
(4)
Leon L.
Ise Ise Ise Why am I so in love with you! This place is absloutley great! food and waitstaff have always been above standards for me anyway, and price is just right!(What is Nobu?) I always feel welcome when I come here(I also try to go as much as possible!) I once had blue fin tuna and it was like butter melting in my mouth the guy next to me had it as well, and we both looked at each other in amazement all he said is "that aint french fries" I almost peed my pants! The waitress named Rie(she is fantastic by the way) recommended it and from then on I try to order if they have it(the regular tuna ain't to shabby either), Decor is a bit traditionalist nothin fancy, but who needs fancy when the food is great! and attention to service is a plus!! So yeah if you are in this area don't dissuade yourself from going especially if you like suhi , sashimi and the like(many other yummy thing to order as well), Open wide savor and enjoy!!!!! Oh and by the way the house sake isn't to sweet which is just what I like with a nice cold Sapporro from draft! Boy oh boy Im gettin hungry just writin this review! ISE may you have all the luck you deserve and more! Nuff said!
(5)
Jay W.
Good noodle. I had the pork ramen. It was delicious. All the fat in the pork are cooked away. Space is limited and line can be long during lunch hour. It's a little cheaper than Sapporo.
(4)
Tina E.
nyc's current heat wave does not lend itself to great ramen feasts. i mean, the last thing you want in this heat is, well, something hot, so thank goodness for menkui tei's hiyashi (without crab) and jar-jar ramen, cold ramen dishes that satisfy the noodle craving without causing me to break into a sweat (or more of a sweat). and if you're still hungry (and in the mood for a hot dish), the gyoza and the fried rice are tasty (and sizeable) portions.
(4)
Robert P.
Took the wife and kids here for dinner while visiting NYC on business/pleasure. Quick and friendly service, thumbs up on the Char Shu and Miso ramen. Kids had the Won Ton Shoyu ramen and didn't finish - maybe because they prefer the taste of Pho. Sake was a bit pricey - $10 for a medium. Total tab with tip was $66. Good midtown location 2 blocks from Central Park; would be nice if they accepted credit cards.
(3)
Amy C.
Unlike the highly overrated Ippudo in st. marks, this place has the best ramen in the city, as evidenced by the abundance of asians in the tiny restaurant. It's the same huge bowl of ramen for about half the price and much tastier than Ippudo. I've been here twice, and i highly reccomend the tonkatsu (the basic pork ramen) and the fried rice, which is the best fried rice i've ever had, probably because it's fried with lard (mmm). The ramen is cooked so well, you can tell it's made with love. The broth is delicious, with the perfect amount of pork flavor and msg, without being overly salty. You can also request your noodles either crunchier or softer, but i thought that it was perfect they way they made it. Even though the space is tiny, i never had to wait long, but i don't suggest coming here with more than 4 people.
(5)
Zach W.
I had a decent bowl of tonkotsu ramen here today: satisfying, but not the best around. To be honest, the flavors and textures of both the broth and the noodles reminded me of (the good things about) instant ramen, whereas when I eat a great bowl of ramen it's always astonishing how little the dish has in common with the version that comes out of plastic. I liked the presentation, but missed some toppings I have come to think of as standard, like half a tea egg and a small square of nori, among others. The slices of pork were nice and thick but were tough and lacking in flavor. That said, no one was holding a gun to my head. I could have stopped eating at any time. But my bowl was empty at the end of the meal and I was happy. Then something unusual happened. The waitress brought the bill to the table, but the price was just too low. She'd made a math error. She'd only charged us for one bowl of ramen instead of two. I mean, I know how she did this but if you looked at the bill, you'd be thinking: how could someone do this? The two bowls of ramen were both listed, she just hadn't added them up. It was an ethical dilemma. I was psyched to catch a lucky break. But I could see complications, too. If you found some money on the street you'd take it, right? But if you saw who dropped it, you'd try to return it to that person. That's what I was thinking and I was able to draw a parallel to the scenario I was in. So I told the waitress that there seemed to be an error on the bill and we'd been undercharged. She thanked me for my honesty and made the correction. I paid and we left. Well, in case you were wondering, you don't get like a gift certificate or anything.
(3)
Nie K.
This was my regular place for really great ramen. It's a really small place, everytime I go there's always a line but the ramen is really authentic and delicious. Make sure you get the fried rice set with your ramen, it's actually very addictive. The price is really cheap and you get so much. The only thing I have to complain is that I smell like the food when I leave but that's not so bad is it? :)
(4)
david y.
tiny place great for a quick slurp. not worth the trip if you're not already nearby.
(3)
Tessa V.
I brought my brother here yesterday because of all of the good reviews (also because its about 5 stops from my apartment). I'm not a huge soup person at all, let alone ramen, but the soup was great. I got the tonkatsu ramen, but my brother's the one who really scored. I dont remember what his dish was called, but the broth was rich and dark brown (mine was much lighter) and it had ground pork, tofu, and scallions in it. The soup portions were enormous, I couldn't even finish half of mine (and this girl can eat), my brother pretty much owned his though. We also ordered the gyoza which is definitely worth mentioning... The gyoza was AMAZING! I eat gyoza everywhere I go and I've never tasted any as good as these! Next time I come here my meal will be 3 orders of gyoza. Maybe. But regardless, I'll definitely be returning.
(4)
yvianne c.
a taste of authentic japanese ramen in nyc! perfect ramen "chewy and solid" broth was tasty! :) absolutely a must especially during the winter!
(4)
John W.
Used to be my go-to hole in the wall ramen restaurant. Sadly it has gone way down hill... dirty, scattered kitchen service, run down interior, poor attention to the little things which mean so much to a nice steaming bowl of traditional ramen. The wait staff is friendly and efficient but I'm not sure what happened in the kitchen. More often than not when there's two or more of us at a table one of our dishes comes out and then it's sometimes 10 minutes before the other bowls begin to arrive. Appetizers show up after the ramen, the cold sake is room temperature, any minor changes such as no onions go unheeded. With so many incredible ramen joints popping up in the neighborhood such as Toto Ramen on 52nd, Tabata Ramen on 9th and 40th, Terakawa Ramen on 9th and 58th as well as the old reliable Menchanko-tei on 55th bet. 6th and 5th I will now no longer deal with Menkui Tei. Unless it pulls its act together, I'm afraid it's not long for this world and deservedly so. Get it together Menkui Tei, you used to be so great!!!
(2)
Leah T.
They make the best gyoza. The ingredients taste really fresh. The ramen is delicious. Come here on a cold day when you don't feel great and you will feel better after eating some ramen and drinking hot tea. I like the Mabo Don. PS- There is pork in almost every menu item. ...mmm
(5)
Stephanie L.
i mean look, different ramen places have different advantages and disadvantages. what men kui has is options. not like setagaya, which has like three, not like menchanko, which has two, not like momofuku noodle, which has one--there are like 10 seriously solid nonredundant bowls of ramen. they are not the same. it's not like. . .one with the soup on the side, and one with the soup in it. it's not like. . .one with one slice of pork, and one with two slices of pork. they are actually all distinct dishes. so yea, that's what it's about. ace!
(4)
Amy W.
Jeez, for the longest time I thought the name of this place was Larmen! Regardless of the name though, you can't find cheap hot and satisfying ramen anywhere in the city. Try the miso ramen, it's darn tasty!
(4)
Arthur S.
Their ramen was delicious, but I've tasted better. Although there are some better places, the ramen was still very very good. The soup was very rich and tasty. The noodles were also very nice. Toppings were a nice touch. Their Gyoza was also tasty. For the price, I am impressed. Pretty crowded during lunch time, but reasonably priced.
(4)
Jackie C.
The ramen and gyoza (total for both = $15) at Menkui taste more homestyle, which fits with the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. I was seated quickly because the place was fairly empty, and I got my food in less than 5 minutes. Service was friendly and fast. The flavors are more delicate -- borderline bland when compared to Ippudo (which is admittedly fairly salty). Overall, the food and experience were a little underwhelming, and I probably won't be back (despite that it's located ~2 blocks from my hotel).
(2)
Justin O.
loved it. wish we had a ramen place in pittsburgh.
(5)
Aaron L.
I decided it was time to experience real Japanese ramen and I read the reviews here on Yelp about this place. I wasn't disappointed. The ramen was incredible and I would highly recommend visiting this place. Actually I liked it so much I'm going back for lunch tomorrow.
(5)
Hanney D.
I miss Menkui Tei, we used to get this stuff for pick up, and no matter whether it was 2 ft of snow or torrential rain, it was worth it. The fried rice is addictive. I was always looking over my shoulder to see what the next person was eating so I could try it next time. If I could apprentice there I would. The broth for the ramen is amazing. Servers are really nice, but you'll walk out smelling like food when you leave.
(5)
Felicia C.
After a long day of trekking from Chelsea to the Lower East Side, then all the way to and through Central Park, followed by a lengthy, barely survived visit to The Met to check out the fabulous exhibits (all of this while very hungover, mind you) I needed a warm bowl of Ramen in my tummy. Quickly. Menkui Tei did this for me, and at a great price. Sure, it may not be Ippudo, but for something like $11 or $12 I had the Tonkotsu Ramen set, complete with a generous side of Curry Rice. It filled me up and I was quickly satisfied, once again a happy bunny. I can't say I loved the Tonkotsu Ramen...it was just ok. If I were to go back, I'd order a different kind. But for the price paid and job done speedily, I would happily return. Don't expect any sort of fancy interior- just a simple ramen spot. I don't think "Menkui Tei" is even written on the outside. But an added bonus is that since it's just a block away from tons of great shopping, you can walk off all that food when you're done. A bowl of ramen followed by shopping...now who doesn't love that?
(4)
alex c.
I love the ramen at this place. it has good texture and the broth they have is very good too. It has a very cozy atmosphere. The staff is good and fast also. Only downside is that it is cash only. i love their charshu ramen. .
(4)
Amanda V.
visited my cousin in nyc and he took me here. we don't have ramen places in houston so i thought it was pretty good. my cousin says it's good ramen for the price. and there you have it.
(3)
Tim M.
only thing that could make me feel more at home would be if i were wearing a pair of pajamas. however, i can only give it 4 stars though, cuz the 5th is for my mom. sorry.
(4)
Geoffrey W.
it is exactly how it looks: a simple ramen house. loved it. my spicy pork ramen was delivered quickly and it was very delicious. not too salty, great tasting noodle, effective service. i'll be a regular. 10$ for dinner. loved it.
(4)
Jim A.
Love the place. High in my rotation of midtown lunch spots. Love the Jar Jar Ramen-- cold noodle dish, perfect for muggy summer days. Also like the salmon onigiri.
(4)
Akino T.
This little place has pretty good ramen. I also like that you can get a half fried rice (cha-han) and gyoza set. Kinda reminds me of the little noodles shops in tokyo. The tonkotsu ramens soup is rich but awesome nonetheless. Nothing fancy here just a great simple cheap bowl of ramen noodles. The one in the village is not as good btw.
(4)
Lily T.
working in such a touristy area of manhattan can make it difficult to find affordable yet filling places for lunch, so this little spot is one of my favorites. i particularly love the spicy ramen -- the name doesn't lie (my nose is always running by the end of the meal) but it's full of flavor and absolutely delicious. i've taken many, many friends here and every one of them has loved it.
(5)
alisa o.
love this place. highly recommend their house special ramen. its very very good. the soup, chashu and noodles are cooked to perfection!
(5)
Sonia C.
my friend and i came here last night for dinner a few months ago. we ordered the lobster tempura, sauted ginger pork, and the "queen" roll. each thing was approximately $15. the waitress was very nice and honest when we asked her for a recommendation (we went with the pork because of her). the place is pretty quiet too, so it was really easy to get a table. unfortunately, the food was just not very good. the tempura batter was thick and weighed down by oil, so i couldn't eat more than one piece. the pork was very dry, cut into thin slices, and tasted like airplane food. the roll was ok, but it was just tuna and avocado sprinkled with some sprouts. i was pretty disappointed with the food. for dessert, we split the green tea mousse with sesame and rice cake dessert (it had a long japanese name i don't remember) and the red bean ice cream. the green tea dessert tasted very powdery, like they had dumped too much green tea powder and not enough water. the rice cakes were nice and chewy, though there were too few of them. the red bean ice cream was ok, but i found that it tasted more like melon than like red bean. overall, i probably won't come again because there are other restaurants in the area.
(2)
NYCYELP R.
I have been to ISE twice in the past two years. It is consistently good with nice service and incredibly reasonable prices for the freshest fish, veggies, and meats. This time we got yakitori, sauteed chines broccoli, the grilled snapper head (on the specials menu), skate sashimi, summer rolls, shumai and grilled whole pike makerel. We were seated at one of the tatami rooms on a Sunday night. The waitress translated the specials menu and recommended a nice cold sake. She was attentive, but unobtrusive. We sat and ate slowly and enjoyed a great dinner. The previous visit was on a Friday night when the place was packed and yet the service was just as attentive. It really is the go-to place for Japanese ex-pats. We were the only non-Asians there and we were made to feel very welcome. We paid $90 for seven dishes and three bottles of cold sake (each sake bottle serves about nine small cups). It was a peaceful, lovely bargain Sunday night meals. I can't wait to return!
(4)
Rico B.
Always a must when I visit new york. I couldn't get enough of their Curry ramen and gyoza.
(5)
ellene h.
this is one of my favorite japanese noodle places in midtown. i used to go all the time when i worked in the area, and still tell friends to meet me here a lot. (it says something when the working lunchtime crowd is mostly japanese men.) my friends from taiwan rave over the gyoza here and there's not a bad bowl of noodle soup to be had on the menu.
(5)
Spencer K.
I wouldn't say that I have an iron stomach, but it's not weak either. I ate ramen here and my stomach turned sour right away.
(1)
Stephen S.
For Japanese ramen, not that great, for ramen in NYC pretty damn good, for ramen in this part of town, amazing! But if you don't eat pork, stay away.
(3)
Dario B.
Went here in between my girlfriend's rehearsals at Carnegie Hall and while it was snowing outside got a bowl of tonkotsu ramen. The vibe is definitely low-down but there is an authenticity that you can feel. I still have in my head the sound of the chopping block while the chefs were preparing the toppings for the ramen. Now, to the ramen: it was good, nice and chewy with a deep broth that, alas, had something styrofoamy/plasticky to it. Can't really describe it but take it this way, it wasn't exactly refined... I got the same flavor yesterday from one of those broth pouches that come with instant ramen. But hey, way better than the ramen I always thought being good. So, of course I cannot take a flight to NY everytime I want some noodles but I still have to find a place in SF that even gets close to NY in terms of ramen. And if you love Katana-ya, please, come here and you'll agree with me.
(3)
John C.
This reminds me of eating ramen in Japan. It's quick.. fast paced. The ramen tastes great. This *is* fast food in Japan. I had the ten ten ramen and the extra spicy ramen. The broth is very rich and flavorful. The noodles are very good.. and the gyoza is what you'd expect. :) We shared a small curry rice plate with our ramen. OMG. Japanese Curry, you can't beat it. Highly recommend the curry. :)
(5)
Gene C.
I came here in hopes of finding great ramen and was unfortunately somewhat disappointed. Hole in the wall is a perfect description, although they keep it tidy. Food comes out very quickly, since the broth and curry have already been made. The ramen broth wasn't seasoned particularly well and tasted mostly bland, the pork was ok but not particularly memorable, and the curry rice plate is literally straight from a box, seeing as how the boxes of curry flavoring were stacked in plain sight in the kitchen. Cash only, you can get away with spending under $20 here, but really, if you're looking for great ramen then I suggest you move on.
(2)
Christopher D.
Thank goodness this place exists in midtown! Usually, it's sub par or expensive eateries around this neighborhood, but Menkui Tei is a oasis from the East Village. Cheap, delicious, and extremely satisfying.
(4)
H H.
A cheap, wonderful hole in the wall. If you like pork and you like noodles, you will be very happy here, and it feels worlds away from the other soulless midtown delis in the area. A warning, however: the menu is extremely pork heavy. I think there are 2 dishes that aren't pork based, plus some rice balls. I don't dig swine, but I still like this place, and my inner cheapskate is happy enough having beer and rice balls here while my pork-eating friends slurp what looks like mighty fine ramen.
(4)
Jimmy Z.
Without fail, every time I am working from Midtown, I will make an excuse to come to Menkui Tei for lunch. The deep bone marrow broth caresses you, the springy noodles reinvigorates you, the tender pork pieces titillates your senses, the light ginger warms you from within, and the crispy vegetables fills ever crevice of your body. Life, after Menkui Tei, is breathed a-new.
(4)
Tyler C.
As below. Ramen and izekaya type stuff (hiyyayako, fried octopus balls, etc). Not fancy, but done well. best of all: similar ramen to the famed Ippudo 2 blocks up the street, but at about 2/3 the price!
(4)
Louie D.
Authentic Japanese noodle shop. Soup is great. Meat is awesome. Dumplings are so so but good add-on to entree. If you're going during lunch, best to go when they open @ 1130. Or you can wait till after the rush and visit at 1:15PM or so. I also like their Katsu Don - egg + pork over rice. I am a freq visitor. Almost once a week.
(5)
Brad M.
My roommate and I went for the first time this afternoon. I ordered shumai (pork dumplings) and Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen. My roommate got the curry ramen. The shumai were great. A little wasabi sent it over the top. The Tonkotsu was very nice. Stock, it comes with two pieces of pork, ginger and bean sprouts. Nice spice was imparted by the julienned ginger. Lots of firm noodles and a lovely milky broth. Great portion size for the price. My roommate seemed thoroughly pleased with his curry ramen. True, the place is somewhat cramped but not uncomfortably so. Zero wait and great prices will keep me coming back without fail!
(4)
Dan S.
Low key Ramen that's satisfying under $10. Small but easy to get a seat. I'll be back to try the other dishes, I had the tonkastu ramen with kimchee and an egg.
(4)
yoshi u.
I live in Midtown, I eat Ramen or Soba for lunch just about every day off I get. Sapporo, Menchanko tei are also with in walking distance. I like going here just to sit at the counter and eat a quick bowl of Ramen while watch Yoda makes Gyoza right in front of me. Tonkotsu ramen, Hiyashi chuka I like, They just started serving Seiryumen-Cold soup ramen which I haven't tried. Weekday lunch time you have to wait but weekend lunch is chill.
(4)
Peter G.
Great ramen, bleh atmosphere, fast if not for the wait. Pretty reliable for a noodle meal.
(3)
Al A.
Fast. Relatively inexpensive. Good food. Too much Chinese influences in the menu.
(4)
Yvonne L.
We ordered #1 (seaweed soup w/ pork) and #7 (shoyu soup w/spicy ground pork) ramen noodles and they were both good. They give you a lot of noodles so you won't leave the place hungry. The gyoza is pretty fresh so definitely worth trying. Overall, I would come back here again the next time I visit NY.
(4)
Lu T.
Great lamen, simple place but nice service. And the prices are very good too.
(4)
Angry D.
I came here a couple times years ago. It was pretty good. Until one day I had extra bamboo shoots and eating it almost made me vomit. And if you pack up your ramen to go, once it gets cold, you might wonder what bodily fluid is mixed in with the soup.
(2)
Kev M.
this place was a life saver when i was craving ramen late night in midtown. the ramen was ok.. gyoza was homemade... and the mapo tofu was a little bland. the secret here was the onigiri. in which we took several to go as a late night snack..
(3)
Andrew C.
After visiting Japan a few months back, I can always go for a good bowl of Japanese Ramen. I know what some of you are thinking...why would I go out for ramen when I can make it at home for $0.59? There's actually a big difference. If you haven't tried Japanese ramen, I suggest trying this place out. I checked out Men Kui Tei on a Sunday afternoon and we got seated right away. I took a fellow Yelpers suggestion and got Gyoza with the Extra Spicy Ramen. Service was fast, the food was affordable, and I left a satisfied customer. I'll be coming back here as soon as I can.
(5)
Bonnie C.
went for a quick post MOMA dinner and had the cold ramen which was one of the hand written specials on the wall. pretty good, tsuke men like. solid for the midtown ramen offerings but still no setagaya as far as cold ramen is concerned. could've used a touch more texture/diversity to the sauce. most refreshing on a hot summer's day howevs
(3)
Sue L.
In 2002 my aunt was working on 57th st and insisted I come meet her at a wonderful little Japanese restaurant she'd just discovered. That restaurant was Menkui Tei. I was in college at the time and so instead of having ramen (which I didn't understand would be nothing like those dry packets I had in my dorm room), I had the Curry Rice and absolutely no other Japanese curry I have tasted since has been as good. Since then, I've branched out to their ramen and it is certainly delicious as well. Perfectly al dente (or mochi-mochi as the Japanese call it) ramen noodles, the broths are a little on the salty side for me, but still tastes better than most places I could think of for lunch on a work day, and the meat in the broths are done nicely. Almost all the dishes are less than $10 and the food comes quickly. A great place for lunch or a cheap, quick dinner.
(3)
Miles G.
This place gets 5 stars for their lobster tempura. I've always ordered their shrimp tempura (not greasy at all) for lunch and on my last visit, they had the lobster special. I was blown away by the flavor and amount of food I was served. Even the leftover was amazing the next day. This sushi joint ,conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan that offers great service. I give their sushi and bento boxes 4 stars. Ask Joe, the manager, to hook you up with a tatami room. He's the best host in the block!
(5)
Ishmael V.
i'm going with ippuddo as ichiban ramen in manhattan, even though i've heard great things of setagaya! the service sucks, i know the waiter tries to keep up with the whole restaurant but i think one person can't handle it, even if they were anpanman! the chasu-gohan and ramen special is pretty awesome and that's what i always get when i come here. this is still the best deal for ramen for the price in the city. make sure you get the hard noodle (tenderness of the noodle, at least that's how i always order it). the only thing that i don't understand was that other than the waiters, all the cooks making this traditional ramen are all non-japanese! we've got an old chinese man making the rice and gyoza, and the mexicans making the ramen. i hope they can make a fusion burrito flavored ramen, i would totally pay for that!
(3)
John B.
This place makes a great Misu Ramen! Tasted like a big bowl misu soup with pork and assorted vegetables in it. The prefect mix of sliglty on the salty side goodness. Too bad I was already pretty hammered from drinking with the Couzes or I would of got MenKui's 35 oz. Asahi Beer special. Sounded rockin'.
(4)
Michael L.
This place offers up a pretty decent bowl of ramen. Nothing even close to the best I've had before, but the best I've had in NYC, which is something of a ramen wasteland. I have yet to find a truly good place to get ramen from here. The food here is enjoyable and cheap, and I'll be back, but it's not without its flaws.
(3)
Jh M.
i love places that give you incentives for getting boozed up - like $2 skewers only if you order alcohol. awesome! i got the shrimp wrapped in bacon, which is genius. what is also genius is fried rice with your ramen order for only $3. the ramen was also superb. only knock i have on this place is MORE MEAT is needed!
(5)
Orlando E.
If i could review this place based on the dessert alone, i would give it about 4.5 stars. I have just been spoiled by other Japanese places that the food here did not surprise me. It was all solid Japanese food. Good flavors, good service, Fairly nice accommodations. Just about all was good at this place and I'm sure I'm coming back for more. It is better than other similar places around. But not quite as the good ones I've been to. We had some yakitori items from the menu. Yeah, this is not the other yakitori down on 55th, but it was solid food, nicely prepared and plated. Chicken wings, steak, and so on. All very nice with a good sear. To close it all up, we ordered the one dessert i hadn't heard of, or couldn't pronounce. It was a green tea soup with these Japanese squishy balls in it, at the bottom it had powdered vanilla beans. It was really nice. Had a bit of the tea bitterness with the sweetness of sugar and the nice touch of natural vanilla bean. Very nice.
(3)
Opinionated B.
The staff here is unbelievably NICE. The food here is cheap in price but not in quality. My date and I split a pork belly appetizer, two bowls of udon, and a green tea dessert. Total bill came to about $30. The pork belly was tender and mouth watering delicious. And, the udon portions were huge. I'm giving this place less than a five star only because our waitress was a little spacey towards the end. Not sure what happened, but it took a reeeaaaally long time for us to order dessert/ get the dessert, get the check, etc. She was nice the whole time, just inattentive towards the end. Probably just a fluke, so yeah I'm def a fan.
(4)
Burgundy I.
The most authentic ramen I have had in the U.S.! This place has the selection, big bowls of steaming goodness, staff, brusque environment, and MSG content to rival their Tokyo counterparts. Plus, the price is right.
(5)
Sora B.
This is my place to go after bleeding my wallet to death on Madison and 5th avenue. Turn around the corner is Menkui Tei that will take you in with its open arms as long as you're paying with cash. I've never been disappointed with their ramen. My usual fix ix their Shio with Gyoza.
(4)
Kent W.
Stopped here on a gorgeous day for lunch - w/ my best friend. A hole in the wall on 56th. To sum it up: there are tons of places that serve ramen places and this place will never stick out for me. The pork slices in the ramen wasn't too bad though. Prices. Unbeatable.
(3)
Karen S.
Ramen was just ok. I ordered the char-shu ramen. Broth wasn't anything spectacular, neither were the noodles or pork. It was perfect for the chilly day though. Was a bit hard to find since the address isn't labeled on the door and there is no sign outside. I figured it out by looking at the menu pasted on the window. We waited about 5 min for a table for 2 during the busy lunch rush. The gyoza is hand made which is a plus, though that was also just ok.
(3)
Ang L.
Poor quality compared to places like setagaya, ippudo and kambi. Ramen was lukewarm and waitstaff rushed us when there was absolutely no wait. Kitchen staff wasn't very clean and kitchen floor looked dirtier than normal, all wet and dark like the floor of a fish market. Would probably not go again.
(2)
Season L.
If you like to eat Ramen, this restaurant will be a good choice for you. I LOVE their ramen because it is really delicious. Hakata Ramen is my favorite in this restaurant. The soup is is rich pork bone broth flavor, and there are some roast pork, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts and scallions inside. I also tried their Mabo Don, Katsu Don, Fried Rice and Gyoza before which are also good! Anyway, If you love to eat ramen, I really recommend this restaurant to you! :D
(5)
Mike R.
As I was looking for somewhere not necessarily expensive or pretentious near where I was staying, I stumbled upon this place. It's no frills and the menu is nice, full of traditional types of Ramen (they don't have the typical Shoyu or Tonkatsu types). The ramen is pretty good - not earth shattering at all, but it's pretty good especially given the price. Out of the ones I've tried so far, I think the Hakata is the best. Service is OK. The last time I was there, I asked for a large cup of water three times and they forgot within 5 seconds. For what it is though and given the location, it's actually pretty decent.
(4)
Chris C.
Good portion for the price. Wait staff was extremely attentive, I didn't have to once ask for a water refill, and they brought chopsticks when they saw me clumsily drop one. Overall a decent meal. I wish yelp had half stars, this totally was a 3.75 star experience. I would come back if I was in the area.
(3)
Leah S.
A decent ramen spot. I ordered the Mabo ramen; broth is delicious, the noodles could be better. Ambiance is nice; it is way more spacious on the inside than it appears to be. The servers are also great, very attentive and polite.
(4)
Paige Y.
It was so crowded, and there was a long line. Luckily they let people line up inside. I guess that was also a clever way to let the diners not to linger on unnecessarily. It seems the place has become so popular among non-Japanese clients, which is great! We saw a woman getting ramen noodle on the range spoon, neatly arranged the noodle so that every strand would rest in the renge spoon before eating it from the renge spoon. You do not eat pasta like that, either. It was SOOOO unappetizing to see it. The noodle would be cold, and she absolutely abandon any soup from the ramen noodle. If you do not want to slurp the noodle during the date, maybe you should not agree to go to a ramen place! Service was fine, very efficient but not much "friendliness". There was a Japanese waiter, and he was very courteous. Now food - it was not a traditional champon as my Nagasaki friend is used to. Traditional Nagasaki CHampon is chicken based, not pork based. It was very good, though. Wish there was not much soup as it was salty and simply too much, and I had to bottom-fish ingredients at the end. Chahan was good. My son got the chicken katsu curry, which he said was very good. However, the spoon that came in the dish was very sticky at the handle. All in all, it was satisfying dinner!
(4)
Mike W.
This place is riddiculously overpriced for it terrible quality ramen, that tastes like salt added to Cup Noodles and mixed in a bag with charred gargabe. The staff are extremely rude and and push by you when you are trying to wait. Don't go to this rat den excuse for a restaurant with it's bland, salty, pork noodle soup.
(1)
Greg W.
Tax season is upon us. I decided to go for some ramen before meeting the accountant. I started with the tasty cucumbers. They are a must. Now I am about to dive into their fish based ramen with poached egg and thick noodle. The broth is flavorful, delicate and tasty. Perfect for a rainy cold day. The poach egg done right and runny. Glad I got it. Staring at the curry rice the guy next to me got. Maybe next time maybe later who knows. I would say food is good. Decor is blah. The beer a tad over priced but in the hood again would come back.
(4)
Stephanie C.
So I came here a few years back and realize I didn't think the ramen was special. Found myself back years later with bf, eating a quick, no fuss quick on Saturday around 8pm. Bf had the takata ramen which I tried and did enjoy- the pork was nice and tender, the broth was porky, salty (from pork bone broth I think), and the ramen nice and al dente (he requested the wavy ramen). He got a poached egg on the side which he said didn't add much sadly. This was good so now I feel I will give Menkui tei another chance in the future. $8.75 for the ramen I had the sashimi special, which was 6-7 pieces of tuna, yellowtail, salmon (all good and fresh but light on the portion size), nicely flavored and light shrimp tempura (2 pieces) with veggie tempura (broccoli, radish), pickles, and rice. Of course the set was very authentic and I felt not feeling sick with fullness. $20 It's kind of nice they offer a broad Japanese, authentic menu, not just ramen (though they're known for ramen). This place is now in good standing with me.
(4)
Jean-Luc B.
Menkui-tei is excellent. My favorite ramen that I've had so far in the city. I've tried 5 of their ramen varieties several times over, and adore each one. I really appreciate their speed of service, the heat of the soup, and how they pair each soup with the appropriate noodle. Detailed food review below: 1. Tokyo Ramen This is the standard soy sauce broth with roast pork. Very clean, tasty broth, and perfectly firm noodles. Very good for people who've never had ramen before, or enjoy clean flavors. 2. Hakata This is the rich pork bone broth. It's been hard to find a good pork bone ramen in the city, and this one is the best I've had. It's orange-brown in color, with deep, deep pork flavor. Comes with roast pork and bamboo shoots. Very good if you're into meat and comfort food. 3. Stamina ramen - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED This is the ramen I order most frequently. It never disappoints me, and is perfect for the winter. It's a spicy garlic miso broth with leeks, pork belly, and a poached egg. The pork belly is nice and fatty, the egg is rich and not overcooked, and the leek adds a nice contrast to the miso. The noodles for this ramen are my favorite--thick and firm. It's not too spicy and I always feel better after I eat it. 4. White Tan Tan ramen This is one of two tan tan options they have. A slightly spicy white sesame broth with ground pork and scallions. Very tasty, and a nice alternative to roast pork. 5. Black Tan Tan ramen - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED However, it is the Black Tan Tan ramen that I prefer. A pitch-black broth of ground black sesame with spicy ground pork and scallions. The flavor is so deeply sesame it almost has halva notes to it. Perfectly seasoned. Service is always incredibly friendly, and I never regret going here. Definitely give it a shot.
(5)
Darieus Z.
Fantastic Tokyo Ramen and service. I whole-heartedly recommend this to anybody looking for great food.
(4)
Peggy C.
I wanted ramen, and the other ramen place wasn't open on Sundays until evening. So a quick look on Yelp and this was the closest decent joint. While I'm not a ramen expert, I share the same feeling as some other reviewers have pointed out regarding Isa Menkui-tei's ramen - great noodles & soup but lacking toppings. The 2 slices of dry pork in my Hakata Ramen for $9 just didn't give me a warm & fuzzy feeling. I substituted the straight noodles for the curly ramen noodles (I probably have just offended Ramen God). I love the bounce in the noodles. The soup was rich but not too salty. Overall for the money I guess it's acceptable. The service was quick and efficient.
(3)
Trevor L.
I went to Menkui Tei last Thursday during the Nor Easter. As you can imagine, it was a cold and rain evening. Menkui could not have been a better place to keep warm. The soup was hot and it came in a huge bowl. I did not even come close to eating all my food. Each of the different ramens range in the price of $9-$12. The restaurant is not too large, and the ambiance isn't somewhere that you would want to bring a girl on a date. One thing to be careful of is the sign out front. We originally thought the restaurant had moved, or it had taken over new ownership because the sign out front just says Ramen, not Menkui Tei. In short, the restaurant servers great food. If you are not sure what to get, go with the Miso ramen. It is simply delicious.
(4)
Inci T.
Very busy yet not sufficating little place. Good food. Nice and fast service. More Japanese clients then Americans , and for me it's an indication of good food. Try salmon sashimi and nice tempuras. Reasonable price for a healthy and fresh lunch.
(4)
Goo F.
It's enough tasty for me. Becuse there is no such ramen around my living area!
(3)
Jenny F.
Considering I got my ramen for take-out, my experience was probably a lot worse than what I might've had in the restaurant when the food was more fresh, but the soup was bland overall and lacked a lot of substance in terms of anything beyond noodles and soup. For a midtown work-week lunch, the line can still get fairly long but it's manageable if you get there before the noon-time rush.
(2)
Cat C.
Delicious! Had a major craving for ramen so Esther L. and I decided to hit up Menkui Tei. Good thing I had done my Yelp research beforehand and was so forewarned about the deceiving yellow "Larmen" awning... otherwise I might have never found place. And that would have been tragic, considering how pleased I was at the end of our meal. I had the Tonkatsu Ramen and it was pretty. darn. good. First off, the bowl was bigger than my face so that already got me excited. I wanted to dig right in but I resisted and sipped a bit of the broth first to judge. Man... so savory and creamy without being overly salty... I was sold already. The rest of the bowl was just as good. The noodles are a nice chewy consistency. The tonkatsu - while not seared like Totto's - still melted in my mouth. Definitely worth the $8. I had a taste of Esther's vegatable ramen and was taken aback by how rich that broth was too... really hard to find a vegatable based noodle dish with broth that good. We also ordered a side of curry rice for and extra $3. Esther especially liked the rice - she said it was a nice kind of chewy. I personally have only recently overcome my distaste for rice (I know, it's shocking... an Asian not liking rice?!) and my taste buds were not refined enough to know what kind of chewiness she was talking about. Either way, it quickly ended up in my tummy to chill with the ramen. Thumbs up, Menkui Tei!
(4)
Adrian B.
Excellent tonkatsu and dumplings. Quick friendly service , a great lunch spot but gets busy really quickly.
(4)
Evan C.
Ambiance: 5 Food Quality: 5 Service: 5 Value: 5 The Gist: After trying many NYC noodle bars, Menkui Tei offers a great option for those that want quality noodles without the long waits at some of the more well known places.
(5)
Scott W.
For starters, if I could give half stars, I would add another half star. Menkui Tei is one of those places you can easily walk by without noticing, so you really need to know where you're going. Once inside, the atmosphere is pretty run-of-the-mill for a casual ramen restaurant. The ramen is all reasonably priced for New York standards (meaning that it's half the cost of some of the fancy Manhattan ramen joints). What you get is exactly what you expect from a good bowl of ramen. The noodles are cooked well, the broth is tasty, the meat is good and reasonable in portion size. You will get what you are looking for each time. What kept me from giving another star is that everything is good, but not great. But, you will never be unsatisfied after your meal at Menkui Tei.
(3)
Bryan C.
Still great. I just want to put in another pitch about the fried rice. I know it's a ramen joint, and their ramen is great. But their fried rice... I don't know what it is about it that makes it so great, but it's so great! Drizzle some spicy oil over it and you've got yourself a real winner. I keep getting it as a side (because for $3 why wouldn't you?) but I think I may have to switch it up and just go gung-ho with a full order next time.
(4)
Diana P.
Yum, I love ramen. This place is yummy. Not the best but is still pretty solid. Very quick service. Simple yet quaint furnishings.
(3)
Marc M.
I eat here at least once a week when I'm working in the area. For the price, it's extremely satisfying and filling. The staff is nice, fast, and helpful. Can't say much for the dinner service, since I only eat lunch here.
(4)
Scott J.
Anyone in the mood for some Fresh Hot Ramen to warm you up on a cold day in NYC? Service was fast and quick, my Fried Rice came out in seconds shortly after I ordered. My Wife ordered the Vegetarian Ramen, I could smell the fresh Ramen Noodle and tried some of my Wife's Bowl and found the Broth to be very Oishi. FYI: This is a Cash Only Restaurant, MT doesnt accept Credit Cards but worth visiting for some good Japanese Comfort Food.
(4)
Melissa M.
Until I discovered Totto Ramen all the way west, this was my favorite ramen place in midtown (though it also has a more varied menu). If I could, this would be 3.5 stars. Both the ramen and broth are delicious and, as I have been told by my Japanese co-workers, legit. The gyoza is especially good, though sometimes in their rush the dumplings would stick together and/or have the skin severely torn. Bonus points for having decent service for such a busy place, which is more than I can say for Sapporo on 49th (which is pretty mediocre in terms of ramen as well). Once again, I find as a general rule for midtown ramen shops, always try to go "early" ... think lunchtime for people outside New York City (11:30-12:30) rather than the general midtown lunch romp (after 1pm).
(3)
Anjili P.
The only kind of ramen I dig is miso ramen *shrugs*. Best. Miso ramen. Ever. We've hit up almost every midtown ramen spot but this is my fave. I agree that it is often crowded and the decor is not as nice as some of the others (Menchenko comes to mind), but I personally never had to wait more than five minutes and never felt rushed out. Service is fast fast fast!
(5)
Elly P.
When my boyfriend and I walked into this place, we noticed everyone was sitting inner side of the restaurant due to the cold, windy weather that day. We were greeted but nobody had assisted us to sit in certain table so we assumed we can sit wherever we wanted to. When we had sat down on four people sitting table, they told us we cannot sit there so we moved to two people sitting table. Then this guy came over and moved us to sit on the sushi bar which we didn't want to sit by the bar. We asked him if we can sit on that open tables, he made all this gestures saying no, it has reservations, you can't sit there. There was over 10 tables available including front side of the restaurant and he did not want us to sit on any table. This was most rude experience I've ever had with any of restaurants in nyc. Doesn't matter how good their food is, we had no chance what so ever to try it.
(1)
Nan C.
Above average noodles. The vegetable ramen was chockfull of cabbage, my mama would have been pleased. In terms of brewskies, there are Asian beers as well the typical offerings (Budweiser) & you're able to select the serving size: small, medium, or large. The staff is friendly & the kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m.on Sundays.
(3)
Howard L.
Absolutely love how they scrape the gyozas off of the cast iron surface. Gyozas were good and so was the ramen but nothing to write home about honestly. Totto Ramen and Ippudo are on another level. With that said, worth a visit if you're craving ramen this winter. Service was fast and courteous.
(3)
Debora L.
I went to the Midtown location on a Sunday night with my "When In NY -- Go Foodie" boyfriend. Menkui Tei is a hole-in-the-wall, conveniently located, pay-what-you-get ramen joint. My boyfriend had dinner here while I, lubricated by the house sake, moped about life. His experience? The ramen was good (but not as good as Ippudo), and the fried rice was your better-than-average comfort food (comfort being "decent food while listening to your girlfriend complain"), even if it was on the shiny side. It's not a particularly memorable dining experience, but it fit the bill in terms of price, ambience (or lack thereof), convenience, location, and fast service. The quality and experience is something you'd pay 1 USD for in Hong Kong or Taiwan, but reasonable at $7 in Midtown NYC. Things to note: it's cash only (but there's a WaMu down the street), and they stop taking orders 30 minutes before closing time. We went on a Sunday evening, ordered at 8:30pm, and were politely escorted out right at 9:00pm.
The tonkostu ramen was funky -- bad funky. It had a sickly sour taste to it, kind of like a bad liquid medicine. I suspect it's a victim of the pickled vegetables. The pork was spare and uninteresting. Besides the sour, the broth was bland. The noodles were a little firm. There was nothing on the table to improve the taste either, like a soy or chili paste. Service was quick and pleasant.
(2)
Ashley S.
Oh the pains of trying to eat in this neighborhood without going $$$$ It happened, I was sitting there at work minding my own business when the sushi craving hit and all I wanted was yuzu drizzled yellowtail jalapeno in a ponzu sauce.... (still haven't found it people ~ help!!!) I decided to hold ground to my price range of $$$ max in the 15 block area, even opting to spend twice as much on lunch today to chase this sushi dragon... le sigh. I knew this place was an izakaya and against my better judgement to not go to an izakaya for sushi I ventured in as yelpers said they had great Lunch Boxes.... Lunch boxes A, B or C- for $11, $12 or $13.50 are the most affordable and seem to be constantly changing, (in great secret gems this is always the route to go) here it appears to be a very hit or miss love it or leave it lunch special rotation. Mostly a MISS :( I opted for Box C and based on someones description of Box C one month ago its ever-changing. I was given a nice piping hot cup of green tea immediately upon sitting down, never even offered water despite it being a heat wave outside... I love green tea so I was fine but in terms of service it seems like it should be a given and also a kind gesture on a hot day. I placed my order and they quickly brought a cup of piping hot miso out. It was good, not great but again I like miso so I drank it despite the 90 degree summer weather I had just stepping in out of. A few spoonfuls into the soup (which had to be less than 2 mins, shockingly fast) my entire bento lunch box was set in front of me. Suspiciously FAST I thought... indeed....pre-prepared. I really wanted to enjoy my miso but there were grilled and fried elements to the lunch that would not be good cold so I had to abandon the miso soup to forge on brusquely! Elements of the 13.50 Lunch Box: - Deep Fried Beef wrapped around asparagus on a bed of shredded cabbage and scoop of potato salad - Grilled Spanish Mackeral - Four Sashimi Slices (2 maguro, 2 snapper) - Cellophane Rice Skin wrap (with romaine and avocado inside) It was all pretty awful.... save for the Cellophane Rice Skin with avocado but its kind of hard to mess that up, it had a nice tangy juice inside as well. The Fried Beef Dish looked like corndogs and the quality of meat was so low I did not even attempt to eat it. The spanish mackeral piece was tiny fishy and riddled with bones also very poor quality. The sashimi was cut in the weirdest tiny little scraps and was edible but not enjoyable at all.... (I ended up eating my bowl of free rice and drinking my cold miso soup : / ) Ill stick with the udon at the FiDi location and some of their fusiony rolls sushi craving FAIL...
(1)
Anthony C.
I may be a bit biased because this is my family's "go-to" place for authentic Japanese food in Midtown. I have yet to try anything bad; Must try: tuna salad platter, sea urchin, hand rolls, fatty tuna
(5)
Bill C.
This is a really great no-nonsense noodle shop. Don't pass it up if that's what you're looking for. 90% of the patrons appeared to be Japanese. Look for the sign on the awning that says "Larmen New York." It doesn't say "Menkui Tei"!
(5)
Julia Z.
We got seated in one of those traditional Japanese low table, screen door private booth, waaaay cool and definitely provided the right atmosphere. Make sure you take your shoes off and stick them underneath the step ( I just left them out and the waitress was not happy). The waitress served hot towels and hot teas along with the menu. This place have a very extensive menu, you can find just about all mainstream dishes here. We shared a bunch of small plates. The yakitori (grilled sticks) portions are huge compare to other restaurants. I like the udon noodles, definitely a must have on a cold wintery night. I did not like the asparagus & eggplant cold dish or the fried chicken. Overall the meal is good and if you close the screen door, you can almost imagine that you are sitting in a restaurant in Tokyo.
(3)
Yan W.
Decent and consistent spot for ramen. - Good selection of ramen for low prices. - Well balanced broths. I have tried their miso, tonkotsu, and shoyu. The soup base are not overly greasy yet they maintain a good flavor. So if you're health conscious, you will appreciate their soup. - Ingredients-wise - they give a good amount. And for $3 extra with a ramen order, you can get a side portion of fried rice or curry rice. It's not a bad deal. The bad: - The place is small and it's always packed during lunch time. Be there early. Or order to take out. - They are so busy during lunch hours, they have forgotten about my order once and just left it on the floor! I think the branch near St. Marks is better. They are probably managed differently.
(4)
Y M.
I like Ise, and it is probably my favorite izakaya in Midtown. I first visited Ise 56 thinking a regular Japanese sushi place because I had been to the Pine St. location a few times. This one is more an izakaya style. The food are better compared to other izakaya places in the neighborhood, but drinks are a bit more expensive.
(4)
Florence Y.
The ramen I had here...made me mad. I should have gone down a couple blocks to Totto! The service was good, waiter and waitress attentive but not overbearing. Noodles were bland. Nothing special...I ordered the Char Siew or something...all I got were bean sprouts, 7 THICK chewy slices of pork and tonnes of scallions topped on my noodles. It was hard to eat the pork as they were huge slices and hard to bite into smaller ones. Noodles were hard, and broth was alright. Should have known when I walked into a empty place. Tip-bits: Single one-stall bathrooms in the back Cash only The signage was horrid. Look for the place between 58W and a Korean sub place. Open kitchen concept- you may smell like ramen after.
(2)
Tae Hun K.
The place to go for good quality ramen for decent price for midtown. Do not expect much else. The standard fare miso ramen is solid, nothing fancy. Tonkotsu Ramen might be a bit rich for some, but for meat lovers, definitely recommended. For the spicy food lovers, Tan - Tan Ramen is the way to go. When you are suffering from hangover, go with surprisingly refreshing Wonton Ramen. There are other things on the menu, like Katsu Don, Kyoga etc, but I would stick to Ramen. Other than the good food, please don't expect too much. Service is spotty, long wait during lunch and I would have to say I have misgivings about the cleanliness of the place when I take a look at the floor.
(3)
Bobby C.
I looked this place up on yelp and it's relatively close to me so I text my GF, let's go here. She immediately texts back, IPPUDO. So I say, let's go there next time cuz it's far from me and I'm hungry and I don't wanna travel that far and I already picked out what I want at Men Kui Tei and plus I heard there's a wait... She says, FINE. This ramen place is pretty good. The service is good, friendly, and quick. I went on a Wednesday night at around 10 pm and ordered tonkatsu noodles... I dunno why they call it that. I thought it would taste a little bit like tonkatsu sauce but it tasted like bone broth. It was still pretty good. My GF got the classic Men Kui noodles, #1 on the menu. I liked hers a lot better. It had more tartness and kick to the taste. It reminded me of the ichiban noodles they sell in Asian grocery stores. The noodles had a good texture, and I liked the vegetables in the broth. This is definitely a good place to go for lunch. It's relatively cheap for a big meal and it's quick.
(3)
Cindy C.
$8 ramen. Delicious, flavorful and fresh $8 ramen. A HUGE, steaming bowl of ramen for $8. No lines (ahem, ippudo), no pretense, simple, small, and wonderfully delicious. I tried the miso ramen, and was delighted by the flavorful broth. Towards the end, it did get slightly salty, but a sign on the wall informs customers that if the broth flavor is too heavy or light, they can make adjustments. Chris C and I also tried the gyoza - it was really good, and the ingredients inside were fresh, and definitely not the frozen type. Can't wait to return to try other things on the menu!
(4)
Ken S.
Delicious food for around $10, including tax and tip.
(5)
kevin w.
A solid, though somewhat ordinary ramen dive. got the wonton ramen (shoyu broth). wontons were unspectacular and broth was ok. but dirt cheap! $9 for the ramen and $7.50 for a large Kirin beer. a good cheap option for midtown.
(3)
ThanOng S.
I went to both Menkui Tei already and i liked this place a lot more. The other place is bigger but the service was poorer too. Their ramen was soooooo good!! I literally ate them all - till the last drop!! I tried many dishes ( sorry i cant remember the names) but believe me, my boy friend and I are so picky and we loved everything we ordered!! Im going back again and again and agian!!! By the way, its cheap too!! the only con is that they dont accept card and i keep forgetting it so I had to walk around to find my bank!!
(4)
Steve C.
Very good food and very reasonably priced. The ramen was delicious. This place is not good for any parties larger than 4; as it is a hole-in-the-wall type restaurant. Had a party of 7 and we waited over an hour for enough seats to be free. Lastly, you have to be on top of the waiters about anything you order. Our rice was forgotten about.
(3)
S Y.
I thought the shoyu ramen soup base was lacking compared to Ippudo. There is a richness and intensity that Ippudo has that Menkui Tei doesn't. I feel bad saying it, but it's one of those things I've come to expect from a restaurant that is in Midtown. The pork in the ramen was a little too chewy and not flavorful enough for me.
(3)
Dennis Y.
Second to Yelpers who say that this place is hot like hell. This is not a joke. It's smoky inside because the kitchen is right there and they are constantly making stir-fry and pan-friend gyozas. The floor is greasy and slippery. You'll definitely smell like an oily kitchen after you leave. You have to be mentally prepared. But if you can look past these, you can then try to enjoy the no-frills food and "raw atmosphere" here. Whenever I am in midtown and crave for a good bowl of hearty ramen, this is where I go. 15 minutes (quick!) and I am satisfied and happy (true comfort food). Oh yeah, you can go to Ippudo and get a bowl of pricey and fancy ramen with sassy decor. Well, that's gourmet ramen. But what about a bowl of street-food style, back-to-basics, and fast ramen, that reminds you of streets of Japan? On a hot summer day, try the jar-jar ramen (spicy ground pork over soup-less ramen, a Japanese version of the Chinese jia-jian mien), mix it really well otherwise the ground pork paste is quite salty by itself. Or try the Chinese cold ramen (hiyashi chuka). Add a few dollars and you can have a side of fried rice, if you crave for the extra carbs.
(4)
Daniel S.
Had a nice evening at MOMA and dinner at a really nice ramen shop two blocks away. They hand made their shumai, which seemed to melt in my mouth. Delicious. And my lady had a wonderful shiitake mushroom ramen dish, which tasted amazingly earthy and was filled with seafood. Mine was a rich miso ramen soup with added hot greens (wonderful foil). Reasibly priced. recommended. Off 56th street. Menkui Tei. Don't let the fact that it looks like a hole in the wall put you off.
(4)
Yufan W.
I was here couple times after work. A quite space to sit by yourself (unfortunately I was reading for the exams) during all my visits. I always go with either Tonkotsu ramen or Meikui ramen. Great ramen, both meat and noodle were tender, soup was just about the right amount of saltiness.
(5)
Cathy M.
If you walk a wee bit pass the shop you may get distracted by the other resto's along this block...so pay attention! This is above average ramen at budget prices..excellent for cold rainy days, but watch out for the extra rickety chairs..one too many gyozas might land your tush on the floor if you don't get the right chair!
(3)
Tone E.
It was about 90 degrees outside and once I walked into this hole in the wall type of Ramen spot... a wall of heat smacked me right in the face. Don't even think about sitting by the bar...its an OVEN! How in the world does the cooks deal with the 120 degree heat? Now to the real review...the food . . . for about $7.50 to $9.00 a bowl, you can get good quick meal filled with rich broth and ample amount of noodles. I ordered one with extra pork and it was pretty tasty. How does it compare to Ippudo or Ramen Setagaya? ...ummm I would say it's a bit behind in the flavor department but screw it...its close work and hope to come here in the winter when it's 30 degrees outside and a toasty 80 degrees inside.
(4)
Bill M.
Love this place. When I'm in NY, I spend a lot of time in midtown and this is my go-to spot for a quick, filling and delicious meal. Its definitely not fancy. Its a hole-in-the-wall kind of place with half-curtains at the entrance. Veggie Ramen with a side of gyoza is all it takes to send me on my way in about 20 minutes, happy and satisfied. I knew I was in the right place at lunch one day, when I looked around and I was the only non-asian in there. Almost hate writing such a positive review because I don't want it to get too crowded but it is very good and worth a try.
(4)
Trent C.
The ramen noodles are solid, especially when you add sesame oil to the soup. I like the char shu ramen, just not enough to give it a 4.
(3)
Eric T.
My friends took me here for my birthday since we all had a craving for ramen. When I saw the menu, I had a sudden crisis of conscience because I saw curry rice and it looked pretty good on our neighbor's table. Fortunately for me, they do a ramen/rice combo so I could get a full bowl of ramen and a half order of curry rice for only $3 more! Happy camper... Food Tonkatsu Ramen: The ramen noodles were some of the better ramen I've had in the city, but from a personal taste perspective, they tossed on way too much ginger. The pork that came with it was excellent - very tasty with just the right amount of fat. Curry Rice: I think I'm pretty picky about my curry tasting authentic and being made from scratch (or at least tasting like it was). While their curry could have used more substance (potatoes, carrots, onions, etc.), it was still very tasty, and for a plain curry, kicked Go Go Curry's butt. Atmosphere Typical cozy midtown Japanese restaurant - nothing too fancy, but clean and welcoming. We had six people eating and had to have two people squeeze on the corners of a four person table (two tables together). You can probably have a larger group if you call ahead and have them put together tables in in back for 6-8 people. Note: If you're having people meet you here, it's easier to describe the outside or refer them to the picture on Yelp because there's no visible sign on the street w/ the name of the restaurant.
(4)
Ani V.
Little hole in the wall place for Ramen. Food is good enough but have had better. Service is friendly and quick.
(3)
Luis M.
In spite of the fact that it was hot as ass crack when I came here I still ordered a bowl of the char siu ramen. There were 7 pieces of char siu floating in a bowl of hot steamy broth and noodles. I was a sweaty mess before I even started in on the bowl but I pushed through and finished it all. Nice broth, good noodles, decent char siu and I did not regret ordering it even though the weather made this a very unwise lunch choice. They have an extensive selection of ramens to choose from and their rice dishes seemed to be very popular as well.
(4)
Jackie Y.
Before I found Ippudo, Menkui-Tei was my go-to Ramen joint, but surprisingly NOT for the ramen w/ soup! I actually ONLY get the soupless ramen... AND just so you know, I LOVE SOUP, so something needs to be abso-friggin-tastic for me not to go w/ soup...FYI, as you might've guessed, the broth here isn't THAT great... GET: Jar-Jar Ramen (cold ramen w/ seasoned ground pork, shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, ginger): my excuse for eating lightning fast (don't like it when food gets cold) doesn't hold here as the noodles are already served cold. but does that slow me down? NO...I gobble it all up. Anyone who eats w/ me needs to be a speed eater, otherwise they will go home hungry. Katsu Curry (Pork Katsu w/ Curry [few chunks of tender pork in the curry too] served over rice w/ the pink pickled radish): I can't resist this dish and I'd have to say it's probably the best Japanese curry I've had to date in the city... Gyoza (thin skinned pan fried pork dumplings - Japanese style): light and crispy it would be a SIN not to start off w/ these. SKIP: Ramen w/ Soup...if you want soup...go to Ippudo!
(4)
Bobe B.
"Great food, friendly service. We had some problems with the order&payment, but it's a good place."
(4)
Emilie L.
The ramen is good, prices are reasonable. The gyoza is great - the wrappers aren't too thick unlike some places that serve gyoza/dumplings in the city. The filling is great and they're always perfectly pan fried. It is cash only but at most it will cost you $15 for your meal. I generally go for the shio which is never too salty. Their fried rice is also very good.
(3)
Lianne Z.
Loved their Tonkatsu Ramen. This place has great variety for reasonable prices. I thought the broth was savory without being too salty and the pork was meaty and laced with savory melt-in-your-mouth fatty portions. Their Gyoza is yummy and their Katsu Don and Mabo Tofu Ramen were incredible. The portions are perfect and the service is decent. Everyone was really happy with their choices. The only complaint I had was that they didn't have marinated eggs. For $1.50, all you get is a plain white boiled egg. Oh well :( Can't win 'em all. I would definitely return. Even if I have to brave that smokey smell.
(4)
Quinn R.
Sadly I don't remember the name of the dish I ordered but whatever it was it was perfect. Its hot out so ramen doesn't sound all that great? So go here and get some delicious COLD noodles. So good, so perfect. Ted W and I found ourselves here recently doing just that. One of the best meals I had in NY.
(5)
Derek M.
Nice, traditional Japanese restaurant. Ala carte menu is excellent for building your own meal. I had the agedashi tofu, kani zosui, and hamachi kama. All were well prepared and very tasty. Service is a little slow, but the place was very busy. Prices are VERY reasonable for NYC. Sushi was also good.
(4)
Jason P.
There are so many different ramen restaurants in the East Midtown area, so next in line to try was Men Kui Tei. I'm a big fan of ramen and I've been looking forward to try their ramen. A group of 5 of us made the trek around 11:50 am, and the place was only about half full. Luckily, they had 3 tables in the back that they were able to put together and seat us immediately. There were about 15 2-person tables in this establishment, so I would plan coming a little early to beat the crowds. Service was great. There was only one menu on the table, but the waiter immediately brought another menu for us to look at. Right after, he brought over a round of waters and asked if we were ready to order. We asked for a couple more minutes which he gladly smiled and patiently came back in 2-3 minutes without rushing us. I found it very accommodating because just after we were seated, the place became completely full. I usually find other restaurants who have waiters trying to rush you with your order and dropping the bill midway through your meal, hoping to get you to rush so that the next customer can sit. I did not feel rushed at all. The waiter even waited until we were almost done eating before he dropped the bill over, and did not hover over us waiting for us to pay the bill. For lunch, I ordered the Menkui Ramen (Seaweed Broth Flavored House, Special Noodle Soup, with 3 pcs. of Roast Pork, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Scallion) for $8.00. We also ordered 2 dishes of the Gyoza (6 fried pork dumpings in each order) which are $2.50 before 12:15pm. Thereafter, it is $4.50. Our meals came out in about 5 minutes from ordering, ramen and broth steaming hot... The bowl was pretty large with a generous portion of ramen and broth, but I found it lacking in much of anything else, 3 small/medium slices of roast pork, some bean sprouts, and about 20 slices of bamboo shoot. The ramen was slightly firm to al dente, the roast pork was tender but more than half of each piece was fat. The broth was very ordinary in flavor, tasting similar to the typical instant ramen noodle broth. The gyoza was cooked perfectly, but I found it average-tasting with or without the small side of soy sauce. The saltiness of the soy sauce did not seem to bring out the flavors of the pork very much. I was satisfied with my meal, and did not leave hungry, but I did not find anything too spectacular with the food. The only thing going is that this is a quick lunch and would probably be great in the winter. As we were leaving, there were about 15-20 people standing against the wall waiting for tables, so I'm guessing this place must be really popular. I possibly did not order the right dish of ramen, so I just might have to come back and see what else they have to offer. FYI, for those not in the mood for ramen, this restaurant is primarily a ramen/noodle house, but they also have different types of fried rice and rice with pork/chicken/etc.
(3)
Lindsey H.
Ok, it's totally freezing out today and I was really craving Ramen at work so did a quick yelp search. Menkui Tei came up, only 3 blocks away! So I walked on over and got some carry out. #1 for me and #6 for my coworker. We both loved what we ordered. For the price, location and huge quantity, this place is fabulous. They were also very fast getting my order together, I waited maybe 10 minutes at the most. Can't wait to try the spicy ramen next time
(4)
Rebecca L.
This was the place that I retreated to for delicious ramen both times after I indulged my other addiction, going to Tiffany's. Seriously, this is "as good as it gets," which is what Yelp deems a five star-worthy review. I have ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen, the Gyoza appetizer, the Curry Rice, and the Fried Rice. Everything was sinfully delicious. I recommend ordering the Tonkotsu with extra pork, because it's just too good to have only two pieces. I like my meat a bit on the fattier side, and this certainly fits the bill--just melts in your mouth. If you like leaner cuts, then it might not be for you. The broth had a clean and crisp taste to it, and it had complexity too--it was clear that they didn't just dump some miso in water and hand it to you. In fact, you can see them cooking everything if you sit at the bar. It always amazes me how efficient and quick they can be in a tiny space like that. Gyoza--hand made, not frozen! Two thumbs up. Fried rice and curry rice--both flavorful and deliciously filling. Curry rice was really cheap, too!
(5)
Saharat S.
For me, this place has become a solid and affordable food option near MoMa. Its one of the few noodle restaurants where I don't find the broth to be too salty. None of the ramen dishes are exceptional, but all of their dishes are well above average. If you prefer rice dishes over ramen, I have a particular affinity for the Mabo-Don. They serve a good proportion of rice, ground pork, and broth.
(3)
Tracy T.
Still in search for the perfect ramen in New York. I had the tonkotsu ramen as recommended by the other reviewers, but the ramen itself was soft (yudesugi) and each strand was rather thick. I like ramen thin and al dente. The soup was good, but not the best. The gyoza was actually rather tasty and I would go back for that. Perfect proportion of pork and vegetables with a crispy, but not crunchy exterior. If you decide to go, make sure you go before the 12pm rush.
(3)
Jeff B.
It will be tough to add something new other than to say that this place is great and tasty and filling and inexpensive. I ate here yesterday with a friend and had GREAT soup, Shoyu Ramen and Onigiri (fish balls with Salmon or other fillings inside). We had the house hot sake as well. All of that food, 2 bowls of ramen, 2 onigiri and the sake was $32 dollars total....TOTAL! 40 with Tip. That was a deal anywhere, but especially in midtown!
(4)
Hideki K.
Better Than Menkui Tei in Cooper Square The ramen here is good, though not as good as Santouka, Minca, or Ippudo. But if you're up in Midtown, those places aren't really an option. This Menkui Tei is a specialty ramen joint. I usually order the pork stock tonkotsu here. A friend ordered the veggie ramen once, but I didn't like it. They also have a mabo ramen (mabo tofu with ramen?!), but I have yet to try it.
(3)
J B.
shio ramen and curry rice are great! yasai ramen is good, but not as good as stuff I have had at other places. I thought it was too rich. the tofu mushroom ramen was good, but not as good as other places, I forget why. Good, not expensive. Lychee drink is tasty. Noodles were maybe overcooked once, but there was a sign on the wall saying they would redo the noodles however you want, which we didn't notice. I liked the gyoza.
(4)
Edgar F.
First impressions We were staying on 56ths street near Lexington and was happy to see that we found a noodleplace open later in the evening. My family and I always ate the packgages of ramen and wondered how a restaurant can offer a more robust meal that usually came in a small package for 59 cents. Just as in the photos, this retuarant stood out in the neighbrhood with its yellow awning. It was 10 Pm and still had a few people in and around the bar and tables. Menu The menu is a simple one with ramen being the center piece. If one is looking for ramen this is the place to be. Other than that there were other typical items such as gyozas. Ambience This is a small intimate place with a few small tables and a bar along the cooking area. Service The waiter was responsive but it appeared that English was not a primary language. Location This location is one block west of East West line, just shy of Central Park. Overall opinion This was oneof our first experiences of a real Japanese Restuarant. It The noodles were fine and the Katsu Don was delicious. All in all an enjoyable experience.
(4)
N. R.
Pork Ramen was so good I creamed my pants and saw heaven. Everything was cheap too... Dinner for 2 with 2 beers and a coke for $26 bucks? Man, I'm not complaining... It was fun sitting at the bar too. Even though in the end I got all sweaty from the steam coming from the kitchen and my soup, I loved watching that old chef chopping up scallions with ginormous cleaver. ll
(5)
Tawana S.
Enjoyed the ramen immensely and the pork gyoza was out of this world!
(4)
Harvey T.
Great Ramen for the price. I was paying about the same for ramen back in Japan. The mini-curry rice/fried rice is also good. When I went, they made a mistake on my side and gave me a fried rice when I asked for a curry rice, but they changed it right away. Great, quick service, even though I was in the middle of a lunch rush. I got the Tonkotsu Ramen, which was pretty good. It's the best ramen I had in the states.
(5)
MIMI K.
It's all about the Ramen. When I think of Menkui Tei, I only wish I knew about it earlier. Ramen was fresh and full flavored. Fried rice was an excellent side dish however way more then I needed to order.
(4)
Lisa H.
Perfect little hole-in-the-wall ramen place with great prices and the best ramen I've had in a while. My friends and I went here a few weeks ago when it was about 70ish degrees around dinnertime. We literally took a picture of the thermometer inside..it was 86 degrees! Even the chef was fanning himself and we were all sweating into our food. But mmmm the ramen...we each ordered different ramen and devoured it all. I had the pork bone ramen and the soup was rich and tasty. The noodles were the right amount of chewy-ness and the portions were just right. We were lucky we didn't have to wait at all.
(5)
Terry K.
Really, really good authentic Japanese ramen. Not too sweet, very flavorful, reasonable prices. Been back here many times, tried several things on the menu all of which were great. Just don't get the grilled squid app, total ripoff. Everything else - fantastic, highly recommended for a warm meal. Whoops, just realized this is for the Menkui Tei in Midtown. This review is meant for the East Village locale.
(4)
Jenny L.
dang dude, this was msg heaven. my mouth tingled so much afterwards. i had the wonton ramen, which is basically shoyu ramen served with 8 tiny wontons that had really nice wrappers. it was essentially just a bowl of food.. not great, not bad. the broth was very light which i appreciated, but there was no in-depth flavor (not sure if i was supposed to find that kind of broth here? maybe the tonkotsu?). same went with the mabo ramen-- the spicy pork wasn't spicy at all, and in addition were hardly seasoned. i really liked the noodles themselves, but i'm pretty sure it's not made in-house... so as if it weren't bad enough that there was a huge garbage pile right outside the front door of the restaurant and people kept leaving the door open so that the entrance area consistently smelled of garbage, in the middle of service, one of the porters went back and forth down that tiny hall where the bar was to put garbage out on the street. it was SMELLY. this was at 9pm or so-- i hadn't eaten all day, but i lost my appetite after that.
(2)
Christina C.
This is a good place for ramen... Have been visiting this place since autumn 2008... have tried most of their ramen soup dishes.. the noodle is fantastic, just the right texture and bite, soup should have been pre-made, broiled over several hours, not too salty, the roast pork is delicious (which is in most of the soup dishes). The gyoza or dumplings is yummy too. Personally dislike the rice dishes. Overall I really like the ramen but this place can get stuffy and hot, a little cramp, with little decor which resembles many of the typical little restaurants in Japan.
(5)
Olivia W.
I work nearby so this little ramen shop is super convenient. I've been by twice now in less than a month, mainly because my boss is a huge fan, but I have to say that I'm becoming quite partial to it. It feels very authentic ramen shop-esque and you can tell that it's Japanese people running it, which is always a plus (lots of signs in Japanese not to mention most of the workers speak in Japanese to each other). The first time there I had the Chuka with noodles. It was like fried noodles (the crispy ones which I love) with an assortment of seafood and meats and veggies on top. The portion was huge and it was quite good. It took a little longer to prepare, but it was worth it. The next time I went I had the Curry Ramen, which had a slight kick to it, but definitely was not short of curry. My only issue with it was that it didn't have enough other stuff (like meat and veggies in the curry). There was lots of onion and a couple of carrots and a few pieces of meat, so that was a little disappointing, but the curry was still wonderful. The portions sizes in general are pretty big. The ramen comes in an oversized bowl with TONS of soup, and just enough noodles. I can guarantee you won't go hungry. I would be impressed if someone drank all of their soup. I also had their gyoza, which was what I expected from a fairly authentic japanese place, as well as their fried rice, which I would definitely recommend. All in all if you're looking for a relatively cheap noodle/ramen place for lunch that serves quickly, this is a great option.
(4)
Will C.
Good ramen. A little salty but I'll adjust it next time. Great for value and flavor. I like how the place is under 10 bucks. They have a saying on the wall. If your soup base is too salty or spicey or not enough, tell us we will adjust it to your taste. That is SUPER cool. The ramen is also my favorite type of noodle. The not too thin not to thick ones. Soo perfect.
(4)
Sushi M.
(I am sushi man. I review sushi.) 1. this is a perfectly typical, utterly unexceptional Japanese izakaya. If you're looking for an experience you'll remember (see, e.g., totto), don't go here. 2. in Japan, this would be a decidedly low-end izakaya based on the interior: fluorescent lightning, plain walls, slightly beat-up screens separating the private rooms. And the food (more on that soon). 3. in New York, this place attracts a higher caliber of client than it would ever attract in Japan, due to the scarcity of centrally located, high-class izakayas here. The private rooms are filled with Japanese businessmen; the place bustles. 4. in Japan the waitresses would be much cuter, although this place has a couple lookers (who also look pretty easy -- again, authentic). Almost all staff are Japanese -- good. 5. food. Nothing fancy: I didn't look close enough at the menu (shame on me) but I don't think you can do any cook-at-your-table type stuff, and there isn't anything exotic on the menu -- just real izakaya standards, like tuna-avocado salada (yes, that's now sort of traditional for an izakaya), yakitori, tempura. Portions are quite large for an izakaya. All is solid enough; nothing is memorable. Again, contrast with a place like Totto. 6. there is sushi here, and it's like most izakaya sushi: don't bother. The chef is a good guy -- nigiri are nicely cut and formed -- but fish just isn't worth bothering with. 7. like any good izakaya, this place succeeds in getting you to spend much more than you expected on merely average food and drinks. It's a great business model. conclusion: an authentic example of an utterly unexceptional izakaya. But it'll do the trick.
(3)
T L.
Reminds me of Japan. Food arrives relatively quickly. The broth--oh my, soup of love. A lot of time went into this tasty concoction. I haven't tried Ippudo yet, so I will update this review with a comparison.
(4)
Mike R.
You could walk past it twice, like I did when looking for it, but after you find it, you will eat there at least twice.
(5)
Josh W.
A very good bowl of ramen for $8. I would have to say I liked Ippudo's ramen better because its a bit more refined and the noodles are better there. But for almost half the price, it's a much better value than Ippudo and I would definitely come here if I wanted to avoided the ridiculous wait there on weekends. Highly recommended.
(4)
jayda i.
i really really like this place. met up w/a gf for a catch up session - needed to find a place near her work (midtown west). found menkui tei on yelp. had 2 bowls of menkui ramen (house speciality), gyoza, large house sake +2 bowls of ice cream - all for $40! no c/c folx, so bring em greenbacks. ramen is delicious. and i'm hard to pls, being a japanese ramen snob! i think this place is better than minca in e.village. just saying. 2 thumbs up. also, we stayed and gabbed for 2 hrs, and waitress did not rush us.
(4)
Wen Z.
We went to dinner on Saturday night and the restaurant is almost filled. Didn't have to wait for a table for 2 ppl. Most of the customers spoke in Japanese with some older Japanese guys sitting by the bar drinking and eating. First impression was pretty authentic and good value. ISE is one of my favorite Japanese restaurant in NY due to it's great value (low price and good sushi). However, this 56th street location's sushi was a disappointment! I ordered a sashimi rice bowl and my gf ordered a sushi deluxe. The fish is NOT fresh and my rice tasted like left over rice, dry and hard. Sushi rice need to be moist and soft so it can stick together. I have 30 years of rice eating experience on a daily basis as an Asian. The basic requirement for good sushi are refresh fish and good rice. That fish need to melt in my mouth with fresh taste. This place fail at both rice and fish. We ordered the grill squid and that was pretty good for $6. Never will go back for sushi at this place but I really want to try their noodle since so many people talk about but I have high expectation for a $9 bowl of Ramen. The bill over $50 for 2 ppl.
(2)
Jeff C.
Went here for lunch today. First of all the awning outside doesn't even say the name of the restaurant. I initially thought that this place had changed mgmt, but fret not! Had the Katsu Don ($8.50). The rice was heavenly. Shitake Mushroom flavor all over it, texture was on point. The Tonkatsu ramen ($8) was above average and very authentic as well. Oyako don ($8.50) didn't disappoint either. I love sprinking spicy pepper flakes over my chicken & rice ($7.50). I have been there 2x to date. Note: If you get there before 12:15pm, an order of 6 gyozas are $2.50 instead of $4.50 =). This special is by request only and is not on any menu. Alternatively you can tell them I sent you but they won't know who I am (yet!). You want to get there before noon anyway as there is a line out the door past then. Lunch came out to $12/pp after everything
(4)
Lindsay I.
I've hesitated writing a review on this place, desperate to keep it my little secret. A few months ago you could enter and it'd be dead as a dog. Now, even before the midtown dinner rush, more than half the tables are full, and with Japanese business people no less! They've got fantastically fresh raw fish (I always end up getting the Chirashi), and various authentic appetizers and main courses that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. The cost is decent, the wait staff is courteous and attentive, and they surprise you with a mini appetizer and hot towel when you are seated at a table or the sushi bar (the appetizer is different everyday, ranging from unidentifiable marinated meat to stewed potato). Ultimately, is my default dinner joint when I'm in the area. It's got a lovely atmosphere, like you've been shipped off to a cozy little restaurant in Japan (complete with tatami mat rooms if you have a bigger party), and being utterly surrounded by people speaking the language only increases the experience.
(5)
Kara K.
3.5 stars really Ramen was good but not that great - the broth was a little tasteless. Still a good place to get ramen without the wait of Totto, although the flavor really doesnt compare!
(3)
Stephen C.
I think just one notch lower than ippudo and much less wait time. This place is our go to ramen joint in the city. I'm a big fan of their tonkatsu ramen!
(4)
Courtney M.
I went here a couple weeks ago with two other people on a Friday night. It took them 20 minutes to seat us, and we had to just stand at the door to hold our spot. That was a bit uncomfortable. The tables are very close together and I'd say the place can't hold more than 25-30 people at a time. But the wait was worth it! I had the Chop Suey Ramen...so yummy. They soup was thick and the vegetables weren't mushy. =] And the service was really quick. But it only takes cash!! I'd go back.
(3)
John O.
Standard, working class ramen shop that has a distinctly Japanese feel to it. I enjoy a nice bowl of miso ramen here accompanied by a plate of gyoza and a cold Sapporo. My only complaint here is that the pork can be a bit tough. All of my favorite places have melt in the mouth pork including Ippudo, Setagaya, Santouka and Naruto. Overall, a good solid place to nosh down some noodles.
(3)
Yu T.
Lunch spot for mid-towners. Went here with my ex-assistant for a quick bite. They have nice teishokus, but nothing to write home about.
(2)
Jenni Q.
We had trouble deciding between Ippudo and this place because they both got really great reviews. But since I'd already been to Ippudo and this place was way cheaper, we decided to give it a try. And am I glad we did! I had the Tonkotsu Ramen which came with two pieces of roast pork and my boyfriend had the Vegetable Ramen. Mine was absolutely delish! I thought it was way better than the equivalent at Ippudo - the pork bone broth was deep and flavorful but not so overwhelming that it assaulted my senses. The noodles were wonderful - not too mushy not too firm. I usually eat slower than my boyfriend but I devoured my dish before he was even half done with his. And all for only $8! I didn't come close to finishing my dish at Ippudo because the broth was too strong. The vegetable ramen was also good - at first sip, the broth is pretty mild and tastes like the cabbage its cooked with but it definitely follows through with other flavors as you keep sippng it. I couldn't tell which broth I liked better - they were both so good! However, I wasn't a fan of the veggies the dish came with (cabbage, carrots, etc) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend the veggie ramen. It's good but if it's your first time having japanese ramen I would probably go for one of the other ramen dishes. This is definitely my new "must-go" japanese ramen spot!
(5)
Jett T.
Solid, authentic Japanese food with friendly service and cheap.
(4)
Brendan L.
Imagine walking in from a freezing New York winter day. As you open the door you are hit with a blast of warm humid air, thick with the smell of stock, pork dumplings, and fried rice. The primary dish here is ramen noodles. They run the gamet from mild in flavor to extra spicy, and they are all good. I usually get umplings to start and fried rice on the side if I'm with a group. This place is a great value, but remember to bring cash because they don't take credit cards. You're in and out in 45 minutes (max), so I prefer to go here for a quick lunch.
(4)
H. W.
Good solid choice with a wide variety of ramen, gyoza, katsu, curry rice and other staples. Place is super casual and service is friendly and fast. Perhaps nothing on the menu stands out as great but everything does seem to be consistently good.
(4)
Melissa V.
Holy Ramen. Hungry, cold, and in desperate need for something good that would warm me up from the inside out I retreated to Menkui Tei. I remembered seeing this place on Yelp and decided to go here on a whim. It took two tries up and down the block to find this place; from the outside it looks like a bodega. Once inside the the staff was prompt and friendly. We were seated right away and given menus. The menu is limited but if you're a ramen connoisseur you won't care. I ordered the House Ramen, with bean sprouts and three pieces of pork and an order of Pork Gyoza. My eating companion ordered the Shoyu Ramen with Pork. The ramen was exactly what I was looking for, a large steaming bowl of broth goodness. The pork was moist, perfectly salted and packed with flavor. The bean sprouts added a nice crunchy texture to the dish. The gyoza was good, however it was average, which was no surprise since that's not their specialty. Definitely the best Ramen I've had in the city so far. Make sure you bring cash, they don't take credit cards. If you're with a group of six or more, expect to be broken up unless you sit at the bar. The place is small and seating is tight, so expect to have to move if someone needs to get by and its packed. While the staff's English is limited they are very good at making recommendations, so don't be afraid to ask. Happy Slurping!
(5)
george t.
Decent ramen at cheap price. However I won't label it as authentic because I am sure the lady taking my order is Chinese. That would explain the brooth too, its clean and a little salty, which is typical of cantonese soups. However the flavor profile is quite nice and its near my office. I would pick this over Sapporo just because of their flavor, and they have better quality ingredience.
(4)
Ting S.
The more generous and favorable sibling of the East Village location, this is the perfect spot to fill up on a quick bowl of soup and noodles. Since I've only eaten solo here, I only know the ramen and never have room to try the side orders. The toppings definitely add a dimension of taste and texture, the noodles are perfectly chewy, and broth flavorful depending on what kind of ramen you get. I do have to come to terms with the paltry 2 or 3 slices of pork, but i guess if I was greedy for a more generous portion of meat I should stick to the chinese versions of noodles in soup! Service is great: speedy, attentive, and polite. no whiff of pretentiousness at all. Cash only.
(4)
Stephen A.
For relatively inexpensive Japanese food, this is excellent. We were a group of 8 customers and all enjoyed their raw found, especially Sashimi & Chirashi. But best of all were their appetizers, lightly flavored and never over-salted. And there is no music --- what a relief! I had the Chirashi dinner, very fresh fish & seafood, though the rice itself was somewhat boring. But still excellent overall. And it's located in a NY neighborhood where less expensive restaurants are gradually disappearing, replaced by noisy and often overpriced places.
Buddha M.
Fast yummy and piping hot bowl of ramen. I can't compare it to any other place but it was good!!!!!
(4)Josh K.
It was good before (as plain old menkui-tei on the west side of 6th) and it's still good. The ramen is cheap, flavorful, good firm texture noodles (you can adjust the firmness to your liking.) Even sapporo, the closest equivalent in the area, is not so cheap. Salarymen get drunk here, which is as good of a seal of approval as you can get. It's not gonna be gourmet food, but it's going to be satisfying, fast, and made with care for a japanese palate. Look around the shop for the special menu and don't be afraid to ask your server what things are if the postings are only in japanese. A good place to relax after a long busy day.
(4)Christie S.
I ate here once years ago by myself, had stopped by for a quick lunch on a Saturday while running errands. Luckily it was sort of an off-peak time & the place was not too crowded and I was able to eat in peace/solitude. Service then was great and my food came out quickly. They also let me enjoy my lunch (& beer!) & did not rush me out at all. I haven't been here since then, only because I now work across town on the East Side & keep forgetting this place is here (I blame old lady brain). The day of my most recent visit (a Friday) was a chilly day in NY & I felt like eating ramen & randomly remembered this place. Decided to get the same dish I got last time (Tan Tan Men, ramen w/spicy ground pork), but opted to get it as takeout this time. Wait time was fast, I received my dish in less than 10 minutes. The older gentleman host who took my order was very very nice, but the young woman I paid my tab with was not as much so (not outright rude, but not very warm either) - I took 1 star away for that. My Tan Tan Men was just as delicious as I remembered it. SO good! And hit the spot on a chilly Winter day. I think I found my go-to ramen spot!
(4)Annalise L.
This little joint gets three stars, one for having decent service that is not particularly in your face, one for cheap fairly quality food and one for having a a delicious broth for their pork tonkatsu ramen (called the Hakata Ramen) in house. The downsides: I tried the gyoza and it was, ehm, not good. Traditional size, average filling but the skin texture was just off - I tried letting one cool to see if it was any better cold and it was not. I could barely finish my set and I thought it was expensive for $6 at it's size. I also thought the actual ramen could have been improved, but the broth was fantastic so it was enough to get me through 2/3rds of the bowl and be fairly satisfied. Actual pork was inconsistent - the bowl came with two pieces, one was extremely fatty and the other extremely lean. It was good value for the ramen, but ultimately this place was less of a hidden gem and more of a cheap ears with food for a cheap eat.
(3)Magnus N.
Nice place with good ramen. Still think Stockholm has better noodles though. Would give it 3,5 if I could.
(3)Anya A.
If you are coming on a weekend, try to get here before the main dinner crowds (prior to 7 p.m.) otherwise you will be lined up against the wall, watching other diners with hungry envious eyes. The dishes that stood out for me and my friends: black cod with miso, salmon and yellow tail sashimi, tongue and green tea custard.
(4)Jerry J.
I'm in ramen heaven.although it is a small hole in the wall place that if you blink you'll miss it,a definite must not miss while in New York .,.every time I'm in the big apple I have to come here for my ramen fix..the absolute best ramen in New York..
(5)Matt F.
After a delicious bowl of ramen, my mouth was dry all afternoon despite drinking water. This tells me they use lots of MSG. The ramen was good but the pork was thin and dry and lean. Service was ok. They do their job. Prices are reasonable. Nothing great about the experience.
(2)Jenny L.
The food is pretty good. I got the Katsu Don while my boyfriend got the 1 (forgot the name) on the ramen menu. The Katsu Don was okay. It was just super salty with a puddle of way too much soy sauce on the Katsu. The ramen was so good and the broth was super tasty. However the service was meh. They ignored my boyfriend when he was trying to get the bill and giving them the bill. They pass by like whatever. The water service is a 0. They poured refills for others but apparently we were nonexistent to them when they poured water to a table 2 feet from us. I would probably come back here when I have ramen cravings AND whenever I'm in the neighborhood. But would never make a trip just to go here.
(3)James M.
This place is my go to ramen spot during the week. They are super efficient and very friendly. The broths are very tasty and the noodles are always cooked perfectly. My personal favorite is the Kurogama ramen which has a puréed black sesame broth. For about $3.50 more, you can also add on a side of curry rice... Which is excellent also. The only bad comment i might have is that the pork slices are sometime hit or miss, sometimes they're super moist and sometimes they're a little dry. But all in all its a reliable place to get a very good bowl of ramen.
(5)Tate K.
I lived in Tokyo for two years so admittedly I'm a bit of a Japanese food snob...that being said last night I was not let down by this establishment. Luckily I ate with a group of 6 which gave me a chance to try various dishes, the two types of Ramen I had were pretty dam good. Service was nice and friendly and price was very reasonable. Folks this is a real Japanese restaurant, owned and run by Japanese people...serving real Japanese food.
(4)Arthur Z.
One of the best authentic ramen noodle places in town. 5 stars for the price and great food.
(5)Kaye D.
I have only come for lunch, and it's usually busy. I will comment on the layout of the restaurant. There isn't a large amount of space because of the framework of the building. It isn't so wide, so it's more of a hallway feel if you are seated near the back of the restaurant... If that makes any sense at all. It's very simple with no fru fru frills in decorating. But the food is pretty good in my opinion. I do like the spicy ramen dishes, perfect dish for me during winter time! I've also had their katsu, which tastes great as well. I feel like the food orders come out pretty quick even for a party of 4. And the heat is just about up my alley. I do ask for the spice rack to amp up the heat in my food just in case.
(4)Lily T.
it was ok Got the miso ramen, while the broth and the ramen was good, the pork was bad pork should be tender and soft..but the pork in the bowl was hard, flavorless and dry there are much better ramen places in the city
(3)Paul C.
This is a review specifically for their vegetarian ramen, which was incredibly underwhelming. I eat fish sometimes too, so I was hoping I could get something with miso or bonito but no--even all their non meat bases have meat mixed in. So, I opted for the one soup with no meat. Oh man, bad call. First the "veggies" consisted of a few flakes of cabbage, an eight of a carrot cut into shreds and I think something that may have been zucchini. And LOTS of sprouts. Essentially--the dish was all noodles. The worst part was the broth though. It almost tasted like dishwater--like if you were washing dishes and used it as a soup base. No, no soap--it's not like the bowl was badly rinsed--just tasteless, grainy foggy grossness. And it's not like I paid six dollars for this--it was a few bucks. The only reason I'm giving two stars is because the service was fantastic. Quick and very nice. If they could have actually understood what I was saying, I know they would have tried to help me out. Maybe they're just not used to vegetarians.
(2)Celia Y.
I've been meaning to try this place out and I can say for sure, it's a quick, cheap, and fulfilling lunch spot, although it may not be the one of the best bowls of ramen you'll have. Prices range from $8.50-$12! - The charsiu was thick and dry but very flavorful, although borderline salty. - The broth was weak in flavor for the Menkui Ramen so I had to use a lot of shichimi togarashi (the pepper flake mix for the broth). - There was a nice balance of veggies and chewy noodles, but the noodles were not that memorable. - My friend's ramen, the Hirata Ramen, was overly salty, she couldn't finish it, even after adding water to dilute the broth. Overall, I'm not sure if I'd eat here again as there are other quick and yummy options in the area. But I may give their rice options a try!
(3)L Z.
I'm gonna say it: I thought the noodles here were better than Ippudo! I got the Hakata ramen which was amazing! My only complaint was that the pork seemed dry and salty. Otherwise, it was stellar! Def not trendy or fancy but super yummy!
(4)Chelsea T.
Perfect for lunch. Excellent, quick service. I had the spicy miso vegetable ramen - healthy and very filling.
(5)Kelly J.
LOVE THIS PLACE Canton ramen is so good, and they do offer it without pork. I used to work down the block and this was my go to lunch place. The fried rice is also good. I legit head there whenever I need ramen although I no longer work in the area, and the prices are great. The service is always good and fast, but not rushed.
(5)Nat F.
I almost didn't come here based on the 3.5 star average but so glad I did as we were in the area. Really tasty broth and ramen texture spot on - a bit chewy and good thickness. I had the black sesame dan dan mien and it was super satisfying. Hardly had to wait either for a seat, dishes came super quick. So bonus points for that! Definitely coming back to this gem.
(5)Angela L.
This a noodle ramen place. I came here with a friend on a weekday around 6PM. When we got there, it was still pretty empty but it definitely picked up within half an hour, with a good amount of people having to wait for tables. The noodles were pretty good and pretty well priced. I got the tan tan ramen and my friend got the Tokyo ramen, both were flavorful. The noodle was not too soft or too hard. We also got the gal birthday appetizer which was very soft and moist. It had a sweet taste to it. The service was friendly and quick, but since it did pick up, I felt like they rushed us a little. The decor is simple, the place place neat and clean. The menu is filled with appetizers and maybe 15 noodle dishes, some of which are pretty similar. They had a few rice dishes that were not as appealing but its there if you want it. Overall, I would come back to try a few of the other noodles.
(4)David P.
Beautiful value.. Beautiful Quantity. I am a noodle lover and they have all good noodle selection on less price with more quantity.. RAMEN had perfect soupy flavor.. The service was okay and decor is good as the casual restaurant should have.. Recommended!!!!
(4)Felix C.
They literally kick us out into the cold. Because they rather serve multiple small party than one bigger group AND WE WERE WILLING TO BREAK UP INTO SMALLER GROUPS. We told them that we will seat 5 and 6 or what ever sitting is available. They refused and said: "no no no, this is impossible" and signaled with their hands to get out. One person in my group think that they did not say it right, but their hand signal is pretty straightforward and they even shoved my shoulder lightly. No other word is needed for me to know that they don't serve our group. One more note: to avoid overcrowding the line inside, half of my group was waiting outside, yet they refused us their service.
(1)Erika S.
This will always be one of my favorite lunch spots. Not the fanciest ramen joint but the flavors are legit. The Tantan men tastes just like it does back in Tokyo and the hakata ramen is also delicious! I recommend this to anyone that lives or works in the area!
(4)Bill G.
Excellent choice for a warming ramen lunch after a day of 5th Ave shopping. Tasty at a great price.
(4)Shohei I.
This review is not about the noodles here. It's mediocre at best. I'm crazy about the Chuka Don. Chuka don. A staple of Japanese-appropriated Chinese food. It's basically a bowl of rice smothered with stir-fried veggies, pork, seafood, quail egg in a super thick / gooey ankake sauce. This place has the best chuka-don in town. For whatever reason, the chuka don here is far superior and fresher than the one at the East Village location. Weird. It's also a great place to take a lunch break if you are out on Fifth or Madison going on a shopping spree (well, maybe not because you can probably afford to go to a much nicer place if you were actually on a shopping spree in the area).
(5)Clemens W.
I used to eat Menkui-tei at the East village location, and I absolutely loved it because it was the perfect place to slurp down noodles between class. When I was a poor college student, I would treat myself with a nice sit-down meal before cramming for more exams. Now that I've expanded my ramen palette and actually lived in Japan where I was spoiled with fresh ramen daily, I think this place is slightly under par. My par, however, is rather high and snobby, so you can take my advice with a grain of salt. When compared to other places, I found the ramen to be tender, but fairly ordinary. The broth isn't too salty, but doesn't have the rich boldness that I've come to enjoy at Totto or Ippudo. It wasn't terrible where I'd return the order and ask for my money back, and it's certainly still much better than anything I would be able to make, but it's also not close to the best out there. In terms of atmosphere, I love how they hire Japanese-speaking waiters/waitresses and their overall demeanor. It's also relatively inexpensive for ramen in the 56th and 6th street area, so I could find myself coming here again if I were in the area and had that ramen craving.
(3)Thy L.
Tokyo ramen = shoyu ramen broth wasn't as hearty as other places. Only redeeming factor is you get a side of fried rice with any ramen for $3.50 which was tasty. Fried chicken was crispy dark meat which I always like. Skip the cucumbers because you get ONE Kirby cucumber for $5.00 Surprisingly there were many Japanese diners, still I probably would not return.
(2)Raymond T.
Awesome for lunch. Delicious ramen and a side of fried rice GOOD GOOD GOOD. if you're in the area stop by. I try and go around 1:30 to beat the lunch crowd but if you're alone you might get seated quickly. The service is quick and friendly. Enjoy!
(4)Morgan U.
So awesome here! Service was fantastic and the place is so clean! Price is very reasonable, and again the food is awesome!! I can't wait to go back for more!
(5)Bruno D.
The noodles were great and I really appreciated being able to choose the firmness of the noodles and the thickness of the soup. I thought for sure I will be back until.... I found a paper napkin (or piece of toilet paper maybe) soaked in my soup. Apologies and a free dish will not make me change my mind: I will never go back.
(2)Maki S.
Cozy place, friendly service, a good place for a quick meal. We ordered 3 things - Hakata Ramen - rich pork bone broth with tasty noodles, the cha siu is average, not the best I had but overall it's a very nice bowl of ramen. Gekikara Ramen - Also tasty with red hot broth, friend says it's not spicy enough but she can take the heat. Tatsuta Age (fried chicken) - Looked nice when it brought to the table, fried but not deep fried, chicken is fresh and tender BUT it's greasy on the plate if you let the chicken sit there long enough, by the time we finished the pieces, the paper underneath was soaked with oil. Good fried food shouldn't be greasy.
(4)Mandy L.
Haven't been back to this midtown location in years until recently and was pleasantly surprised that they went through a renovation--the place is cleaner and almost double the size it used to be. The menu includes more non-ramen options now. The ramen is still good and I do prefer their ramen compared to Menchanko-tei which is just a bit further downtown. The roast pork is meaty and the portion size of the ramen is plentiful. If there's anything I was disappointed in, it would be the dashimaki tamago--tasted like a plain omelette, missing the rice vinegar, fish stock, mirin, sugar, etc. taste.
(3)Chad K.
Decent lunch spot with reasonable prices. The place gets crowded during lunch hour. I would recommend going a little before noon or after 1:30pm. The only downside is the soup base for the ramen is really salty compared to other establishments.
(3)Rosalee L.
This is my favorite ramen in the city. The one in the East village is just not as good. The pork is always perfect here and the soup stock is amazing. When I use to come here use ago it was usually Asian people, but more people have started to find out how good it is. Can't wait for my next trip back!
(5)Peifang H.
They serve the food really fast. We got our food within 5 minutes. The food is decent
(4)Tiffany T.
The first time I had Menkui Tei, I would've given it a 3. But after the disaster known as Mabo Ramen (DON'T GET IT), I'm taking off 1 star. We started off the meal with an order of tempura because I was craving something fried. However, the breading was very disappointing - instead of panko bread crumbs that should be used in tempura, they had a very thick, floury, tasteless, and cakey breading that quickly became soggy and greasy - this tends to be typical in American-Japanese or fusion joints that don't know what they're doing, but this is a Japanese establishment, so that's pretty unacceptable. I ended up peeling all the "skin" away from the veggies and and shrimp before consuming. Well, I thought my mabo ramen would redeem the unappetizing tempura, but I was WRONG. I was expecting tofu + ground pork in a bowl of soup with spices typical of the namesake, but what I got instead was a cornstarch-laden, viscous, salty mixture of tofu & pork poured unforgivably on top of a perfectly good bowl of noodle soup. The mabo mixture was so starch-laden that if I tipped the bowl over the mixture would probably still stay in the bowl. I don't know how else a bowl of soup can be more unappetizing than that... Throughout the meal I was pushing away & picking in between the viscous mixture to try to get to the uncontaminated soup, which was actually broth-y and edible, and noodles at the bottom like I was picking through a toxic dump. If the kitchen wasn't closing (we ate really late) I would have sent the bowl back (first time ever) because it was nearly inedible. With that said, there are other more palatable items on the menu, such as the tan tan ramen and canton ramen. But skip the tempura & mabo ramen. You've been warned.
(2)Baramee C.
The weather was a bit chilly...and it would've been worth the trek out to Totto, but would it be worth the wait... Well, it would, but a girl's got to get back to work. Darn the man! I got the ramen here...and the pork gyoza. The gyoza was awesome. Delicious steamed dumplings. The ramen, was unimpressive, but it definitely hit the spot. I really only wish they would've given me hot sauce options to go with it. Nonetheless, I finished the bowl and was satisfied as I went back to work. They were nice...and seated us pretty quickly (3 people...during lunch...less than 5 min wait). It's a good go-to kind of place.
(3)Sonny D.
i absolutely cannot rate this place any less than 5 stars. the gyoza is crazy amazing, i think there are trace amounts of crack in those things- they're that good! (disclaimer: crack is whack, kids). i am a classic/traditional ramen kind of person, and while better ramen can be had elsewhere in the city, theirs do not disappoint, and in fact, can hold a candle to the best of them. the ingredients are consistently fresh, the broth is flavorful but not overpowering, the noodles are not too springy but not too soggy, either (but you can specify your preference when you order). while my go-to is the shio, my new favorite is the canton ramen. really fills you up, too. ordering the small fried rice (+$3.50 with any ramen) is a definite must. friendly, attentive staff. probably the best thing about menkui tei is that you don't have to wait for a table in most cases. it's really just ramen, and personally i think that waiting an hour or so at the other spots is borderline ridiculous. oh, and the proximity to carnegie hall is an added bonus. i have at times abandoned my seat and walked straight to menkui tei during intermission. recently, when i skipped the entire 2nd half of yuja wang's recital (!), missing her numerous encore pieces and foregoing the sight of her walking back to the stage in a different dress (usually to audible gasps from the audience) -- because all i could think of was the gyoza and ramen! -- that's when i knew i have some thinking to do. time to re-examine my priorities.
(5)Mike G.
Surprisingly bad food. The pork was too dry and tasteless. Even rice was absolutely terrible. Big disappointment.
(1)Donna D.
Good sign when they speak Japanese and chef is Japanese. Really attentive service also.
(4)Nadia K.
One word.....BANGIN!!! Yup that's the word! The broth was rich and creamy, the pork was tender yet had a nice chew to it. Yes, I don't like all my meat fall of the bone tender. The noodles were so good, nice and long, great chewy texture, and they will adjust the thickness at your request. How can it get better? Wait it can! You can add a side of curry rice for 3.50! Yes ma'am you can! You gotta go and try it!
(4)Pheng L.
The best ramen i've ever had was when instant Cup-O-Noodles came out with their Kim-Chi flavored. I am not capricious, is all i'm sayin'. I had the Tokyo Ramen bowl. The broth is rich with all the spices settling at the bottom. Stir to get a full bodied taste, The meal was served quickly. In and out for less than 10$.
(4)Michelle L.
Came here on a Tuesday night, a little before 7pm, and we were quickly seated. I got the Canton ramen with extra kimchi on top, and boy did it hit the spot! It was a very generous bowl, and by the time I got through the kimchi and the vegetables and finally got to the ramen, I was already pretty full! The broth was a little thicker than I had expected, but that wasn't a negative, just something different. You get a lot for the money, and the service was great (and by service, I mostly just mean they were attentive and re-filled our water glasses haha). Possible new go-to spot for those chilly winter nights!
(4)Mandy S.
I normally go to Totto or Ippudo for my ramen, but today I decided to try this place instead. I ordered the Hakata Ramen (pork broth, pork, bean sprout, bamboo shoot, scallion) with boiled egg. Prices are cheaper than Totto and Ippudo (the Hakata Ramen without egg is $8.50; ramen at the other two places go over $10), which is a surprise given this restaurant's proximity to Fifth Ave and midtown. The service is pretty good, and good air conditioning. Not crowded or loud like in Totto or Ippudo, so if you're into a peaceful ramen experience this place is your pick. The food is good, but not great. For a quick fix, this place would suit your needs. If you want some good ramen, though, head elsewhere. Two things about the Hakata were off: first, the soup base is not as flavorful as the soup base of the other two restaurants. You could say that the broth is more unidimensional in taste. Second, the pork pieces in the ramen were tough and not tender. At Totto and Ippudo, the pork pieces literally fall apart when you bite into them. Here, there is very much resistance to the teeth... I would come back, but only if I don't have the opportunity to head to Totto or Ippudo.
(3)Saju J.
Interesting Japanese food. Great misu udon, most other dishes are good with an interesting twist. Went with 5 kids who loved the place
(4)Wanxin C.
Definitely one of the best ramen place in mid-town! I had the wonderful hakata ramen (I definitely spelled it wrong...)
(5)Brad P.
Very cheap and good for what you pay. Dinner prices were equivalent to normal restaurant's lunch specials. I ordered the #1 ramen, which wasn't bad at all. It was only $9 for a large bowl. The curry rice was delicious, also $9. For those on a budget, this is a perfect place to get some japanese food.
(4)Allison G.
I come here occasionally for lunch and the food is always pretty good. I usually get ramen here..because that's what they are known for, but this time I tried their lunch special which is sorta like a bento box. My friend and I both had the grilled salmon. I thought it was alright...for the price it was good. The salmon was a bit overcooked though. Overall, I'd still just order the ramen dishes next time. My 4* is for the ramen. 3.5* for lunch special. It's a nice sit down spot for lunch and definitely stop by for delicious ramen!
(4)Angela S.
Excellent! The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The service was fast and friendly.
(5)Anthony W.
Jar Jar Reman for lunch today. Cold brothless noodles for the summer! Noodles - Thin and wavy with a pleasing flavor and texture. Very good. Toppings - Spicy ground pork, Sticky and sweet soy with a little heat. I liked the sweet component, although the spicy wasn't that spicy. Still very good. Bean sprouts really added nothing to this bowl in either flavor or texture. A slight miss here. Sliced cucumber - here's the crunch and texture your need. It also helped to cut the heat, which I supplemented with table side togarashi. Scallions - add flavor and crunch. Pickled Ginger - flavorful tart bites when mixed in that changed the taste profile. A welcome component to the dish. When all mixed together it was a delightful summer lunch. I even saved some of my mini fried rice to mix in with the last remnants of ground pork. A solid 3-1/2 stars. If not for the bean sprouts (I wonder what could be substituted in their place) this would have been a solid 4 stars. Worth another visit to this restaurant!!
(3)Johnny Y.
Ramen was pretty good and flavorful but when I finished it I said what that's it? I should've added more noodles to my entree.The gyoza was good also. Besides that this place is amazing. I'm definitely coming back since I work around the area!
(4)Shaunna F.
What an awesome gem for ramen! So clean and fresh tasting! Had the menkui ramen with kimchi. Generous, beautifully prepared and delicious! Had gyoza as an app, which were great! They were full of pork and cooked perfectly. Also had pork buns, which could have used a little more pork or sauce but still great to start out! Service was prompt and food came out quickly, but not too quickly. Will definitely be back!
(4)Julian P.
Listen, I love ramen. I've had a lot of it in NYC. Some is good, most sucks and few are great. I would say this place hovers between good and great. I enjoy getting an extra large menkui ramen with extra noodles (if I am feeling like a fat bastard). The Oyokudon is also very good. The service and cleanliness is fine for a place like this. If you want fine dining go to Colichio and Sons. If you are a ramen snob (get a life) you will probably dig this place. The staff is also very nice.
(4)Randall F.
Ramen right up there with Ippudo, without the massive wait. We had a late lunch and waited only about 5 minutes for our table. Authentic Japanese selections with a very good variety of Ramen. I had the Chanpon with a rich looking pork bone broth, tasted lighter than it looked. It comes with the thick noodles but I requested the thin ramen noodles instead. You can order side curry dish for an extra $3.50 which is way too much food as I discovered. Their portions are not skimpy. An excellent reliable ramen place with 3 locations.
(4)Taiyo O.
My experience today was very different from the previous one. I had Spicy Ramen. It overpowered bythe spiciness. I was pleasantly surprised of my Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth). It was Japan-delicious, intensely porky. The opaque and a potage like rich broth was tasty. Melty Char Sui and, must-have, Beni Shoga (pickled red ginger) as toppings was very Japan. Beni Shoga's acidity balanced off the fatness of Char Siu and its fatty broth. A moment, I dreamed off to a back alley of Tokyo and enjoying myself at a Ramen cart with a red lantern glowing my ramen. thisismypicture.wordpres… but newly renovated space doesn't do that anymore. I will stop by again, especially after MOMA, to have Tonkotsu Ramen.
(4)Ken P.
I have heard many good things about this place from NYU students so whilst walking around EVil with few of my friends on a frigid Sunday afternoon, Menkutei seemed like more than an adequate option. Hot sake, anyone? Simple plain decor was unassuming. Waitresses were very friendly and quick to serve. Drinks were moderately priced - House sake (L) will set you back $8.50. They also have Kirin, Saporo, and Asahi on tap! It has definitely been awhile since I've had Kirin on tap so it was definitely a nice surprise. We weren't hungry so we didn't order many things, but grilled squid was delectable. Table next to ours had curry which looked and smelled really good. Overall I was not taken by their simple and plain decor, but enjoyed their delicious hot sake and friendly service! Cash only!!
(3)Peter Z.
Excellent midtown location for ramen lovers.
(4)Julia Z.
Ordered takeout with my coworkers. The tonkatsu ramen broth is salty and fatty. You can see a layer of oil in the broth once you open the container. The char siu was tough and overcooked, the ginger was overwhelming. Pass on this, I rather eat instant noodle.
(2)Linda C.
I work in the neighborhood and heard a lot of reviews saying that service is quick, so I gave it a try. Not the best ramen I've had but it was definitely good enough. The side I got was great. I liked it better than the ramen. It was cheap too!
(4)Benjamin V.
This place is legit - exactly like what you would get in Japan. I highly recommend the the miso ramen, which was absolutely amazing. My wife had the spicy miso ramen and gyoza, which were also excellent. We also brought our two kids - 8 and 4. Unlike most ramen houses in town, we had no problem getting a table for the four of us (granted it was 2pm). Kids really enjoyed the curry rice - once again, exactly like they serve it in the Tokyo area. Service was friendly and attentive. And to top it off, the bill was like only $45, which included three drinks, and extra rice and edamame. Only reason this wasn't 5 stars is the pork slices seemed too think and not tender enough....we will be returning, though!
(4)Paya P.
Get the pork bone soup ramen!!! I know it sounds a little scary but it's amazing. I've had it at least three times and loved it every time. Very very good price and you get a lot of great ramen. Service is quick, especially if you go alone at lunch and sit at the bar.
(5)Javier C.
My favorite restaurant in New York. I love Chan Pon and order it every time I come here. It started 7 years ago when I worked nearby. I'd come at lunch, sit wherever they'd take me (there was always a line) and sweat as the steamy noodles heated my face and insides. Tonight I arrived in New York and thought about what I wanted - what was special that I could only get here. I thought, "Empanada Mama?" No! And raced here.
(5)Joanna C.
Ramen ramen ramen! I'd been hearing so much about New York's ramen cafes and was so excited to go to one! My friend and I originally thought about going to Totto Ramen, but because my friend was too hungry to brave the long wait, we decided to come here. Luckily, Sunday around 6:40 PM was not a busy time so service was good and the food came out quickly. I had the Tonkatsu Ramen and enjoyed it. I never thought pickled ginger would work in a broth but somehow it did. The portions are really big and it's super filling. That said, I feel like there could've been more flavor, especially after going to Totto this past Tuesday. But with its unbeatable prices and quick service, Menkui Tei is definitely a great spot to check out for people who want ramen without the wait.
(3)Hugo P.
Good food and brilliant location quite close the hotel - the best veggie gyosa i've eaten. Service was nice but food was only good. Quite a few japanese which is always good as an authenticity check, and packed. It was very cheap, and value for money was very good - less than 10 dollars for a meal in these parts with decent quality is amazing. It has no sushi and quite a lot of pork on the menu so if you're looking for sushi don't come. There are vegetarian options though so don't be shy if you're one.
(3)William W.
This is my go to place when I'm coming from the Museum of Modern Art. The ramen is good but what's great is the katsu curry. The pork chops covered in a rich brown gravy over white rice is the perfect post-museum fare. The stamina ramen is quite good (tasty, enjoyable, filling just not the best ramen in the whole city) and if you want an appetizer I suggest the gyoza. Kimchi I had there was also good, not crazy good but tasty.
(4)Jing W.
I come to this ramen place a lot because it's close by my work place and I don't have to wait like ippudo or totto. The ramen is pretty satisfactory. Maybe not as special and hyped by the tourist, I still enjoy the comfortable ambiance and relaxing service. You won't feel rushed.
(4)Matt B.
I had the 'Gekikara ramen' ($9.50) and I'd probably give it 3.5 stars. The noodles were absolutely perfect but the soup itself was sort of one-dimensional. The seasonings started to precipitate out and sink pretty quickly, to the point that after about halfway through the bowl the remaining broth really wasn't so great. We had gyoza for an appetizer; they were good but nothing special. I'm rounding up to 4 stars overall though because the price was fair and service was exceptional.
(4)Cheroya D.
Good for quick ramen spot. Food isn't amazing but it's good if your hungry. Good place for going out with friends ... not good for kids kind of small. Surroundings are peaceful but I don't like the music it doesn't match the theme
(3)Christina X.
Second time here, and I definitely would return! Came here with a friend and had the Menkui ramen + curry rice ($12ish). The curry was rich, a perfect pair to rice + garnished with a complementary crunch. The pork had a good balance of fat, and the noodles were my favorite part. The overall experience was better than others that I've had in New York (personally prefer this place to Minca + Chuko)!
(4)Jennifer S.
I have only come here for dinner but it is always good. It gets packed on a Friday night but the line goes quickly. I was so happy to see they have takawasa on the menu - it is my favorite dish and I have a hard time finding it around the city nevermind Brooklyn where I live. The ramen was good but what really knocked my socks off was the Curry Katsu Pork. SO. GOOD. The red pickles on the side mix so well and the portion is huge. I like to come here by myself, sit at the "bar" area and pig out.
(4)Venessa C.
So, I have mixed feelings. As a foodie from Colorado I was stoked to grab some ramen while in Midtown, since ramen is kinda just breaking into the market in Denver. Prices were good, especially for Manhattan, and I enjoyed the ramen that I got - broth had incredibly rich flavor, noodles had good texture and consistency, and the dish had a lot of harmony in terms of flavor. (I can't remember exactly which bowl it was, I believe the #4 [beef bone broth]) Service was attentive, but average. The space looked moderately clean, not sketchy like some places I've visited in Brooklyn or Chinatown. As for cons, it supposedly had beef in it, but the meat (although tasty) looked awfully gray and unappealing. As a relatively adventurous eater with a strong-willed stomach, I figured what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and it didn't make me sick, but it definitely was an eyebrow-raiser. The big concern was what my bf ordered. He wanted eggs (as it was our first meal of the day) and ordered the Katsudon. He had to send it back because the egg wasn't fully cooked and the dish was basically inedible. Fortunately I don't eat much so he got to munch on mine :) Decent stop for lunch if it's on your way, but I wouldn't stray from ramen and I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again.
(3)Daniel C.
A pretty busy ramen joint in NYC that is far larger than it looks. We both got the Menkui Ramen (just under $10) and shared the Gyoza appetizer for a quick lunch. Food came out real quick - under 10 minutes. Gyoza were excellent - scalding hot and juicy, so eat carefully. The ramen had nice chewy noodles and three pieces of pork that was soft, but not super juicy so it still required some chew. The broth is a bit lighter than we're use to. For the price, the ramen didn't have much extras compared to other places. Still, a good place that's fast and efficient. Plus, they have among one of the larger ramen menus I've seen. (Black Sesame ramen?!). Three stars.
(3)Shelley L.
This place gets crowded quick! Lots of seating and was surprised there was a line at noon on a hot summer day. Who would want a hot bowl of noodle soup in the heat? Besides me? My mom and I got a seat quickly and the waitress took our order immediately. I really enjoyed the ramen here. Plenty of flavor and HUGE bowl of noodles. Definitely worth it for the price. Very affordable for such great taste and quality. Highly recommend!
(4)Trina T.
My husband and I both ordered ramen with the set. I had the nekigara ramen with a small gyu don, and he got the menkui ramen with the curry rice. The sides came first and we both thought that the portions were large. The sides were as good as a meal itself and it tasted great. For the curry rice side, they were very generous with the curry, not so much with the pork. The gyu don side was delicious. Shortly after, the ramen came. The quality was not as good as we expected as the broth and the pork slices were not like the authentic Japanese kind. Usually we'd expect the pork slices to be slightly fatty so that it melts in your mouth. The pork slices here were a bit dry on the bite but it was fair nonetheless. Poached egg costs $2 and it wasn't the typical ramen poached egg either so we were disappointed. Broth didn't feel like it was prepared in house, felt almost like it was bought. However, service was amazingly fast and the place was clean and big enough for groups. Overall we enjoyed dinner but wished the ramen bowls were more authentic.
(3)Lawrence H.
Fantastic lunch spot! I'm normally a ramen snob, but this place hits the spot for quick and dirty ramen. They have a huge number of options and with the huge number of additions, you can create your own interesting and Frankenstein-y bowl. It's also insanely cheap in a world of ramen that is quickly getting more and more pricey. My favorite is the shio ramen, a chicken and pork broth based ramen. The broth is clear, clean, flavorful, and perfectly salted. I hate sprouts though, and this bowl comes with a lot of them. Minor things that also annoyed me: overcooked egg, pork a little too thick. But things I did enjoy: wavy noodles to hold on to the delicious broth as it transferred into my mouth and an addition of the marinated egg was super wine-flavored and intense. Other great things: you can add toppings as diverse as wontons, two kinds of egg, seaweed, corn, butter, and other oddities to really make your bowl your own. Overall, good value for the money and interesting enough to keep visiting. Not particularly a ramen destination if you're super picky. For that, go visit Sanshiro or Ippudo.
(4)Joe P.
Good lunch spot since the turnover-time is pretty fast. Their Black Sesame Ramen is the ramen you should try from this place. Add additional Corn & Egg into your ramen (or any other toppings) for a better taste. The price is pretty average same as the other places around the area. The place it pretty spacious so you can bring a group of ppl there for lunch.
(4)Sally L.
The food was filling (big portions) but nothing really stuck out... I was disappointed with the gyu(beef)ramyun, noodle was good but the broth was meh.... However I did like the curry w/ rice.... The beef bowl was okay but rice and toppings were not portioned well for rice to be mixed....
(3)Jiro M.
I had the Menkui Ramen. The soup was light, but had a slightly strange taste. Wasn't to my liking. Noodles were okay. Chashu was below average. Scallions weren't cut nicely, big chunks. Need a better chef, better knife.
(2)Maya S.
The decor is much nicer than the last time I was here. It looks as though they remodeled and made the place slightly more spacious. I still wouldn't bring a huge group here, but you can comfortably sit 4 at a table. Luckily the prices are still quite reasonable, and now they take credit cards. We sampled the gyoza that everyone raved about. They were tasty but could have been a touch crispier in my opinion. I enjoyed my Tokyo ramen; I had the miso ramen last time, which I think I prefer, but I wanted to try something new. My husband loved the canton ramen but wasn't a big fan of the curry rice. Granted he doesn't like curry, so it wasn't really the dish's fault. :)
(5)Jessica D.
I fell in absolute bliss with Ise Menkui-tei and I have to thank my friend for taking me and my boyfriend here for dinner one night in September. It's quite spacious inside especially for a ramen spot. It's warm, bright, and cozy inside. The wait staff were very warm and friendly too. There's lot of menu items to choose from and over 7 types of ramen to choose from. Pork Gyozas - seemed quite small compared to ones I've had before. It was moist and cooked just right. I just wished there was a slight crunch on the bottom part of the gyozas. Grilled Squid - this was presented very nicely and neatly. The grilled squid was a little dry. It would have been better if there was sauce over it. It had a slight crunch and sweetness to it. Curry Rice with Pork Cutlets - My friend ordered this and man there was a lot of curry sauce drenched over the rice, pork cutlets, carrots, and onions. It looked so good, hearty, and delicious. My boyfriend ordered a side dish of this and I tried it. The curry had a slight but bearable kick to it. I liked it very much. The sauce was warm and just yumazing! Canton Ramen - my boyfriend ordered this and it's very different compared to the ramen we're used to having. His ramen had an assortment of vegetables and fish cake, as well as pork. The broth was rich and thicker than we expected, not that it's a negative thing, but it's just something new and different and we liked it. Hakata Ramen - I was eyeing this even before we got to the restaurant. The Hakata Ramen consisted of a rich pork bone broth with two pieces of pork, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds. This was definitely one of the best, most savory, and delicious ramen I've had so far! The broth was fantastic and rich with flavors of pork bone. It had a slight garlic-like aroma and taste to it, but I liked it! The noodles were slightly al dente which I also liked and they were thin too. I like that the pork wasn't fatty. I really and truly enjoyed the Hakata ramen because the flavors and the texture were above and beyond what I had imagined and it really hit the spot. I am so happy that my friend took me and my boyfriend to Ise Menkui-tei because everything from the food to the service exceeded our expectations. I was very surprised at how inexpensive and reasonable the pricing was especially for a restaurant in Midtown. We will definitely be returning to Ise Menkui-tei in the near future to try their ramen and other foods as well.
(5)Xiaoyan G.
The Udon is very great there!! There are chicken, shrimp and egg inside.
(5)William D.
Let me Tell you, From a Very Casual Date time, to a Casual Meeting with a Friend or on rainy cold day in Need for Food with great taste, Quality and Price this is the Joint to go to. I keep On Coming back because it's True to the place and theme it represents.. no Bluff, Great Chow!! Try My Favorites= Curry rice with Pork Cutlet, Gyoza, Seafood Udon (Sara Udon) and Try their Grilled Skewered Chicken. That will Satisfied you.
(4)Maria G.
One of the better meals that I have had in a long time! Definitely a new fan! My party tried its grilled chicken, beef over rice, and Hakata ramen. The prices are definitely on the more affordable side among the ramen shops in the city. One more reason to love this place. My party got seated fairly quickly since the place wasn't that crowded on a weekday evening around 8pm or so. The service was not bad. The food took some time to prepare but the wait time was average. I debated adding an egg topping to my ramen dish and was choosing between poached egg or flavored boiled egg. I asked my waiter and he recommended the flavored boiled egg and it was such a good choice! The egg was extra special and flavorful! I don't know how they were able to make it so tasty and yummy! This place is good for small groups (up to 4 people) and not good for large groups than that. I would definitely come back if I am in this area again. Highly recommended!
(4)Matt L.
The ramen here is very basic. Decent enough, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Joy L.
This review is for the ramen only. The ramen is very mediocre. I ordered the Hakata ramen without the bean sprouts and pickled ginger. I wanted to substitute corn in place of those two toppings, but was told by the waiter that wasn't possible. Most restaurants would have allowed me to do that, so I thought it was a bit strange for them. Anyways, for the ramen, the noodles were great. They were slightly thinner than you average ramen noodles and were perfectly chewy. Since I wasn't able to substitute another topping, the ramen was pretty limited and boring. It came with bean sprouts, two pieces of pork, and a generous amount of scallions. I found the soup on the saltier side and ended up not drinking most of it. Overall, besides the noodles, a very subpar bowl of ramen. Prices were reasonable, and the service was solid. However, if you're looking for great ramen, look elsewhere. A decent meal, but nothing special.
(3)Lil S.
I usually come here for a weekday lunch if i wanted something quick. Need to come here at 12pm otherwise you will have to wait for a table. Service is quick. They renovated it the year before so the place is nicer and bigger. Hiyashi ramen is pretty good and all the other ones aren't bad either. Typical ramen place. I don't think they have different types of ramen noodles. They usually use the yellow wavy ones. One thing i noticed was that they offer more ramen dishes compared to other places. They have cold and hot ones too. They also offer nabeyaki udon and have set lunches. Gyoza was also pretty tasty.
(3)Ferdinand W.
I found this place very unique. I did order from ise menkui tei today special menu. Grill tuna belly was superb, and BBQ beef so succulent. The waitress recommend me miso marinated black code and add a miso soup to complete my meal, and I did not regret those choice.
(5)Yolonda R.
Good cheap eats. Perfect spot after MoMA. Staff was fast to keep the turnover high as lots of people come in. Ramen was good. Broth could be heartier, a little salty. I will return as it's very convenient.
(3)Charles R.
I have been to Menkui-Tei (now Ise Restaurant) quite a few times. Now remodeled for space, many of the food items have not changed. Names may have slightly varied but still the same taste! Now they accept credit/debit with no minimum charge. One of the best dishes served here is the Curry Rice. The menu provides a choice of Chicken or Pork. I went with the pork with Kara-Age as an appetizer. The curry is a very rustic dish and is presented as so. The long oval plate comes to your table with most of the curry flooding the sides. The katsu is drowned in the sauce with the rice being the bed for the meat. Chopsticks are an optional utentil but a giant spoon is given in case you don't use them. Kara-Age are small pieces of fried chicken usually served with wedges of lemon. It comes in a small plate or basket with several pieces. I highly recommend them with beer if you wish for somewhat of a Japanese experience. These delicious pieces are very hot so let them cool down a bit before consuming. The lemons help them cool down and offer a subtle refreshing flavor. The curry is thick and piping hot. The crispy cutlet breaded with Panko provides a wonderful crust for the juicy meat. The rice is great for scooping up all the goodness of the sauce with some bite. The dish may seem like it is a lot of food but I was able to finish everything and left the plate fairly clean. It's a great place to dine in if you work in the Midtown area of Manhattan. Staff are very friendly and make sure all your needs are met.
(4)A C.
It's important to understand what this place is and what it isn't. This isn't where you will get the best tasting ramen in NYC. This is a place you can get some decent ramen grub at a reasonable price. Absolutely spring for the flavored boiled egg. My boyfriend got the Mabo ramen and said the noodles were good but the broth tasted too much of pork fat. I ordered the miso ramen which was okay. We both believe a more neutral broth is needed as the base to build a good ramen. The service was good. We were neither impressed nor unimpressed- but we were grateful for something warm & filling on this cold NYC winter night.
(3)Tony L.
I always feel like I've discovered buried treasure when I find any restaurant that doesn't suck and isn't too expensive that is east of 6th Ave. I go to New York City Center maybe 5 to 6 times a year and always struggle to find anything affordable, quick and good. Finally, I've found Menkui Tei! After a recent (irritating and underwhelming) venture to Totto Ramen, this place with its acceptance of credit cards (including Amex) air conditioning, friendly and fast service, great prices and great tasting ramen (and pork shumai) was a great surprise. Being the only two white people in the restaurant was also reassuring. We were going to be in good hands. Miso Ramen (miso flavored noodle soup with 2 pieces of roast pork, bean sprout, bamboo shoot & scallion) is the way to go. It's a huge portion and the tender pork on top is perfect. You should also start with steamed pork shumai for only $4.50. Throw in some great house sake (get it cold for a refreshing drink on a summer's night) and you'll be all set. Dinner for two before drinks is right at $20. You can't beat that anywhere else in the area.
(4)Art A.
Pork ramen broth is amazing and selection of ramen is impressive. The goyza is truly delicious and worth the small wait we had. Small place but it's a quick pace. Great find in midtown!
(4)Mandy N.
I got the number 4 and my friend got number 1. Both was relatively good. I wish they had given us more meat than just 2 slices though, so it would actually be worth the money.
(3)Vinny I.
Visited during the height of the Christmas season, it was incredibly convenient to Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue. The servers were very friendly and were very patient with my younger family members' questions and requests. I had Tokyo Ramen with a hard boiled egg... Which was delicious except the egg tasted a little stale. Would definitely return though, the price were excellent and the place was packed by the time we left!
(4)Erika C.
My husband and I saw this place next door to the Central Park Tour place right after we returned our bikes. So we gave it a shot. I am glad we did. It's a really small, narrow, cozy restaurant. I ordered the beef bowl (just like Yoshinoya except with savory noodles and onions on top of the rice.) My husband ordered the Hakata Ramen. We also had the fried boneless chicken. All the dishes were delicious and came out quickly. Service was fine too. They are efficient and have a good, delicious selection of ramen and Japanese dishes. Definitely a lot better than what I was expecting. Next time I am in NyC I will eat here again!
(4)Dean D.
Ramen was really good. The best was the Currie pork with rice my oldest ordered. Maybe the best I ever tasted. 20 minute wait for two tables to clear getting there at 6pm on a Saturday night. The line just got longer form there. Prices are very reasonable for quality, service, and portions. Putting this I my short list of places to return to in NY. Easy 5 star.
(5)Pat P.
It's not the greatest ramen joint in the area, but it's certainly not the worst. This place has fantastic prices and is always a dependable weekday lunch spot. The service is good, and the food comes quickly. Again, the prices are fantastic, so there really isn't anything wrong with frequenting this place. Check it out if you're in the area, even if it's the weekend and you're just looking to get a quick lunch before continuing on with your day!
(3)Lesie H.
There's a Menkui Tei in Midtown! I love Menkui Tei! Mainly for the Menkui Ramen, their special. Nicely seasoned seaweed broth with roast pork, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. Oh, and scallions. To me, this is the perfect combination to create a full flavored bowl of ramen. Miso broth? Too standard. Soy sauce broth? Too plain. Pork broth? Too meaty. But seaweed broth? Great choice for a ramen broth. The ramen itself was bouncy and springy, great consistency for ramen. It might not be fresh made on the same day, but it's definitely no instant noodle. I think for the price and the quality, this is a great ramen joint. Until I find something better.
(4)Stephanie Q.
I was disappointed with the ramen here. I had the miso ramen and the broth wasn't good. And one of the most important keys to making good ramen is the broth! During lunch, you can add $3 to your meal to have a small portion of fried rice or curry rice. The fried rice was decent. I don't think I will come back... might as well cook instant noodles myself at home.
(3)Thomas A.
Solid ramen for the price. Honestly, i prefer this place over Menchanko-tei and definitely over Sapporo. They have expanded their ramen offerings, so that's great. Great midtown east location, and also dont forget they have one off of St. Marks.
(3)Erik F.
This is like a bar with an ok burger...nothing special but you are probably there for some reason other than the food. The staff is perfectly friendly and the prices are what you would expect for the area. I tried an onigiri which was good. Curry rice which was a common sugary slop. Fried oysters that were so so. And a Japanese veggie special...a green veg in garlic which was fine. Details told me they weren't taking close care of the ingredients. For instance they served the oysters with a tomato garnish which was interesting because it had an artful curve to it but the tomato itself was mushy and ugly from the fridge. To me this says they are operating by habit and not looking at the food closely. This is probably a fine lunch spot or like me when you are looking for somewhere to get out of the rain.
(3)Justin Y.
I was wavering between a three and four star, and decided to be generous because they let us stay and eat even though we arrived like 10 minutes before closing. The staff and service was pretty normal (though a bit rushed because they were closing up shop). The menu is pretty extensive, running from udon to sushi to fried rice, and of course ramen. My friend and I had just come from a two-hour bike ride through Central Park and the Hudson Greenway in the dark and rainy night, so we wanted some nice, warm broth. She ordered the Tantan men, which I thought was on the blander side but it still tasted good. I had the Hakata Ramen, which was made with "Rich Pork Bone Broth." I love the white, murky broths in ramen. The bamboo shoots were chewy and juicy. The pork pieces were good, but they weren't like the thick, fatty chashu pieces that were in the picture. I can't really say much else for this place because we were rushing and I really wasn't concentrating on the food - too absorbed in our conversation. This is perhaps my least informative Yelp review... sorry...
(4)Swan Z.
This place is basically the model for quantity over quality. Huge portions makes you think that you're getting what you pay for, but are you really? Champon ramen is really disguised lo mein (same noodles, seriously) with leftover small, thin scraps in concentrated ramen broth. You can't really call this ramen. Don't get the oyster mushroom gratin either--felt like I was eating flour/cornstarch by the spoonful. Seating is tight and uncomfortable. It was also extremely hot and stuffy inside. Not an ideal setting to have ramen in... I don't know if this place related to the Menkui-tei in East Village, but I like that one so much more.
(1)Vanessa L.
great fried rice. I usually would order pick up for lunch while at work. Looses stars just due to the fact that they are in midtown and should accept credit cards. Delivery would be nice as well.
(3)Geoffrey N.
Not the best and not the worse. After checking out my other spots like Ippudo, Momofuku, Totto, (all with 45-90 minute waits), Ise Menkui-tei was more like a last resort. I had a ramen craving I really needed to satisfy. Clean and friendly staff. Ramen was pretty good. Ordered the Gekikara Ramen but was a bit annoyed that you had to pay extra for the poached egg. The poached egg was also not done right. I suggest the chef to watch some YouTube videos on "how to poach an egg". The egg yolk wasn't properly cooked. It was really runny, plus the egg yolk was still cool. Whoa, cool egg yolk in a hot ramen broth? Even the broth should at least warm up the egg but I'm just describing how undercooked the egg was. Everything else on the menu seemed to pricey for what they are in my opinion. $3 for 1 yakitori stick? No Thanks. According to their menu, they seem to have a little bit of everything. Ramen, yakitori, don, sushi...which in my opinion is a bad thing. Variety is a good thing but I have no doubt their choices are not perfect. I'd probably give Ise Menkui-tei another try though. After all, my favorite ramen spots all became popular now and it's annoying...
(3)Janai S.
I came here a few weeks ago and must admit I was very impressed. We went on a whim so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a great experience. A cozy spot right near Central Park, this Japanese spot is a must-visit. The price for the deliciousness of the food as well as the service is incomparable. I had the Curry Rice (with chicken) and my partner the Oyaku Don which were both extremely fresh and light but filling. Pros-Delicious cheap food, good service, & good location Cons-Limited menu options for those who don't eat red-meat.
(4)Sharon B.
Definitely a fan. I don't know a whole lot of ramen places that are easily accessible, but out of the ones I know, this is my favorite. They gave me a huge portion for only $9.55 including tax and it was delicious. It was filling enough too which I often find lacking in many ramen dishes (they never give enough and charge too much). This place was a good price and a great portion and a very good authentic taste. Like I said in my tip, I was already a fan when I heard the staff speaking in Japanese to each other.
(4)Loooking F.
Um. It will be a 3.5 stars. We were hungry, and wanted some simple Japanese food. So I found this Ramen place in Yelp. Walked in and it is still crowded when they are almost time to close. But luckily no wait line. I ordered the Miso Ramen. The noodle is good, a bit chewy. And the soup is okay. No excitement, but it is good.
(4)Michael B.
First off the portions are very large. You get a lot of food for the money. I got the number 3, which is a miso ramen bowl and the pork in it is to die for. Very solid mix of flavors and the ramen was cooked perfectly. The edamame was really good too.
(5)Joyce K.
Ramen: The noodles are not chewy or al dente... not great quality compared to Totto or Minca or Ippudo. Soup for Menkui Ramen was too plain. The hakata was better.. but a bit salty. Side orders: Fried rice was really plain.... The curry rice was so good though! it was my favorite dish.
(2)Kelsie B.
The veg ramen was bland and it looked like they used cheap vegetables. Also b rating.
(1)Hanna K.
A good cheap and quick meal after shopping. The ramen wasn't great nor was it bad. It was decent. Nice meal fix for a busy day.
(3)Lils Y.
Nice + quick service, easy to find seating, decent ramen. The ramen here is cheaper than most other ramen shops in NYC, but my BF who is the ramen connoisseur found their ramen to be too bland and unoriginal. I agree, the soup is bland and there isn't very much in the soup. But I like the soup to have less salt which = healthier. Say NO to hypertension! There is a good amount of ramen in the soup to keep you full and satisfied, and the pork I had in it was tender and flavorful. This place opens for lunch! And accepts credit.
(4)Caleb M.
Great authentic ramen, cheap prices, polite and prompt service. A+++ definitely will noodle again. Onigiri here is cheap and delicious, really helps to fill you up if one bowl isn't enough.
(5)Lolo F.
Awesome ramen and the curry pork to die for. Flavor was excellent. Quick service and moderate prices
(4)Suanne L.
Tasty ramen and other authentic Japanese eats can be found at Ise Menkui Tei - Ise. (Apparently two Japanese joints on the same block were too much, so they merged.) This location is casual and authentic without making you spend a fortune. Its much more laid back than the Ise downtown location, feeling much more like Menkui Tei rather than Ise downtown. That said, the prices are good for Midtown and the food pretty consistent and tasty. Tonight I ordered the Menkui Tei ramen with a poached egg and seaweed, which was perfect in almost every way. The egg was very delicately poached, and verry runny and soft. The noodles were springy, the pork had a good meat to fat ratio, the scallions were chopped to the right size, and the bamboo shoots were fresh. My seaweed was plentiful for my extra $1.50 and added just enough veggies. The broth was also quite good, but got a tad salty at the end - I definitely drank a lot of water after dinner too. For a late dinner on a weeknight, the fully bilingual staff still had impeccable manners and a spring in their step. They we're pretty responsive and got my meal out quickly. They also smiled a lot! There is a $15 credit card minimum (which I did not meet for my bowl of ramen). I think the value is pretty good here and the quality of the ramen is definitely better than Sapporo or the old Menkui Tei. Also, not having to wait (like at Totto) may be a better option for some. They also deliver.
(4)Jack C.
Definitely a wonderful find from my friend that works in NYC. He works right around the corner from this place. If you are looking for a decent/legit place for ramen, and not wait hours (toto ramen/ippudo) this is the perfect place! Warning this place isn't as amazing as toto ramen and ippudo, but it will suffice and gourmet/authentic ramen cravings and will not be disappointed! I got a bowl of ramen with a side of curry rice (also has the choice of fried rice). If you get the curry rice with the ramen it is only $3.50 extra (same with fried rice) and the ramen is around $8-9. You would end up paying just around $15 which is well worth the trip due to their awesome quality and quantity of food! Their service was also very quick and attentive. We came here with a party of 3 during the lunch rush (12:30) and was seated right away! Definitely will go back here if I'm in the mood for some good and quick ramen! Enjoy!
(4)Virginia T.
Menkui Tei makes for a quick and tasty lunch on the weekdays. I met up with some friends during my lunch hour and we were in and out of here within 30 minutes. I ordered my go-to hakata ramen which had a decently flavorful broth and abundant noodles. For a few bucks you can add a side of fried rice or curry rice, but I didn't find this necessary. I did, however, sneak a peak at my friend's curry rice which was less of a side than it was an entree judging by its hefty size (and yep he still demolished all of it + his ramen). Service is brusque, but can't blame them for trying to feed crowds of hungry corporate types during the weekday lunch hour madness.
(3)alex P.
Came here on a bitter-cold January afternoon for lunch. I was by myself and was sat in the back at the bar, which was fine. I had to ask for ice water a couple of times before I received it, but they were really busy. All of the staff members that I encountered were super-courteous, and the place is bright and clean. Now, to the food: my ramen was really just okay. Also, I was surprised that when I was served, my pork slices were cold! I get that it's a hot soup and it'll heat up the toppings as you stir them in, but i always take a bite of the pork first, and it was very jarring to put a cold hunk o fatty pork in my mouth. I stirred and went back for my pork chunk later and it was tasty. Not as expensive as other ramen joints, and I had no wait because I was dining solo; I'd come here if I was hungry and walking by, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get here again.
(3)OpineAway C.
Reasonably good food, good for the price, but nothing to write home about. A lunch eat and go...count your change :-(
(3)Amanda R.
I cannot believe this place only has 3.5 stars. I cannot come to NY without having lunch here. Its the best of the best. The choices are abundant, the service is attentive, the prices are very reasonable and the food is just outstanding! Its not easy to see walking down the street, it is easily missed, but geeze, once you know about it, its just a gem.
(5)Rosa W.
SOLID RAMEN. New spot on 56th. Brand new and clean. Prompt, courteous and speedy service. Great place to bring the "out of towners" to. So so so good. Everyone enjoyed their ramen selection. This is my new go to RAMEN JOINT. Enjoy Yelpers.
(5)Sharon T.
Every time I walk in a traditional Japanese restaurant with no pretentious and obnoxious decor, I feel a little more heartsick for Japan. So Midtown isn't really the ideal place to put a small, traditional-like restaurant like Menkui Tei (as opposed to the East Village) but it's always there if you need a cheap, fast lunch. My friend and I came here for a quick lunch. Since she's Japanese, she despises the common Japanese food, populated in the West, like sushi, udon and most of all..you've guessed it, ramen! Being the good friend she is, it was an impulsive decision. We both ordered the Shoyu Ramen and now I really have mixed feelings about ramen. Maybe she's right - certain Japanese foods have been saturated in the West...or maybe i don't know how to savor ramen. The great thing is that the noodle is thick and nothing like the 50 cents crap you can buy at Asian markets. I think this is the real deal - authentic hand-pulled noodles! The soup did taste like pure MSG and I had no appetite for it as soon as I took the first slurp. On top of that, the bamboo shoots tasted like it came straight out of a can. The pork slices were fine, but requires some extra yanking. I'm not making this too sexual, am I? I really wanted to like this place because the waiters kept coming back to refill our cups countlessly but the meal just couldn't cut it. "That's why it's cash-only," my friend said.
(3)Owen H.
Delicious foods and reasonable price. I had a Gyu don and my gf had a fried rice. Strongly recommend.
(5)Liz S.
So, so delicious! I love the spicy miso ramen - my favorite anywhere in NYC. It can get really crowded at lunchtime, which is pretty par for the course for midtown, so go with a 20 minutes' buffer before you get hangry.
(4)Mikael O.
A perfect dish for the cold NYC weather. Was a while since I was here and I don't understand why. Good service, cheap prices and superb food with a home cooked feeling. Great midtown lunch.
(4)Grace P.
Menkui-Tei merged with Ise!! It's not a 100% ramen-ya anymore, unfortunately. And I liked the atmosphere of Menkui-Tei as a ramen-ya :/ This is the place I frequented to eat lunch after classes, mostly because it was quite near my college. I would normally get the lunch set: one ramen + one side dish. Miso Ramen: (2/5) Seriously...I've had better. The noodles are not that great and the broth is a bit above mediocre. I tried this many times, only because I love miso ramen and I was hoping the taste would improve...but alas, it did not. Shoyu Ramen: (3/5) By itself...it is bland. I put A LOT of shichimi in it to adjust the flavour. Tan-Tan Men: (2/5) There were too many conflicting flavours. There wasn't any SET flavour. Did not like the conflicting taste :/ Keywords would be salty, spicy, thick. Curry Rice: (5/5) I basically come here for the curry rice set. Although it is very simple, the curry is pretty good along with the red pickled radishes. Cha-han: (3/5) Bland. Not too bad, but bland. I'm assuming Menkui-Tei makes it bland because we are ordering it alongside salty ramen...but I do not enjoy eating bland food regardless. It needs to be a bit adjusted. But it's not too bad. Service: (3/5) Normally, the staff members are very busy, so they don't refill your water unless you ask for them. However, when they're free, they are very attentive.
(3)Raych D.
Cute little hole in the wall place with mainly Japanese workers and customers. came here as a walk in because I was craving for something warm. I got the spicy ramen and the bf got the beef don buri. His don buri was full of beef and huge! My ramen was also huge..I was kind of annoyed that they didn't substitute the charsiu for egg for free. I thought my ramen could of tasted better and it should have had more garnishes and vegetables in it rather than just green onions. Price is reasonable. Good place if you just want a cheap and fast go to lunch.
(2)Joseph H.
I can really only speak to two dishes here: The curry and the Hakata Ramen. The curry (which can come as a side for ramen) is par for the course. It's really good, but frankly it's not hard to find decent curry. The Hakata Ramen is not far away from what you would get in Japan. For the price they charge, it's a real value. The broth is full-bodied and savory, unlike other ramen in the area.
(5)Kristy K.
I'm a big fan of Ise Menkui-Tei. It's been my go-to ramen spot for the last two years or so. Since they've joined with the restaurant next door (I think the management may have changed as well), the ramen broth seems to be a tad thinner. Overall, it's still well worth the trip there after work... especially on those chilly nights where only a nice bowlful of noodles will do. The service is decent there- food to table time is quick and it never takes more than a few minutes to get the check. The staff are friendly but efficient- no overlording and annoying waiters here either. Ise Menkui-Tei has a casual, relaxed environment; If you were looking for the popular ramen spot with the 2 hour minimum wait after an insane day at work- you're at the wrong place. It may not be the trendy ramen spot everyone's raving about, but at least you'll get authentic Japanese ramen without waiting for what seems like a lifetime in the blistering cold. You'll always leave happy and full of noodles... isn't that what ramen is all about? :)
(4)Stella A.
Menkui Tei has moved into Ise's spot and they SEEMED to have combined. I say SEEMED because the new joint is really a nice and newly decorated Menkui Tei. The old ISE is almost 95% out of the picture (service and menu wise). The best deal is to get a ramen, add $3 and add a small rice! The service was awful last night. Not sure if it's because they just moved over to ISE's spot. I do miss the older cooks behind the counter making the ramen and the gyoza. The food is now prepared in the kitchen and there is no more "action" to watch. The old location has sets of condiments a seat or two apart at the counter (where I sat). Last night, I only saw ONE bottle of soy sauce at the counter, a few seats away from me. My neighbor had to grab it for me and then it was grabbed from me.... CASH ONLY.
(4)Magritte C.
Home of the hottest ramen soups (temperature wise) in the planetary system. Rich, flavorful, and thick broths served in cauldrons packed with plenty. Perfect on a chilly or rainy day -- Ise Menkui Tei is pan-Asian comfort at its best and not haute cuisine. All priced very moderately and the setting is beyond casual as well. Before I forget, they serve good dumplings too!
(3)Blair L.
great ramen i even haveï¼
(5)Ki Y.
Best ramen in the neighborhood. Quick take-out option if you just call ahead. Not a bad place to eat in either.
(4)Jason L.
Decent food and decent service, but I was met with an extremely rude lady yesterday so I had to drop a few stars. I go here with my friend quite often and their rice dishes are actually decently portioned. I usually go for the pork katsu with rice and it's pretty tasty. Rice entree comes with a free miso soup too. I also usually get the cooked salmon onigiri and my only gripe is too much rice, not enough meat. The salmon is seasoned really well though. It tastes amazing with the rice. The waitress with the tattoos is very friendly and observant. Always refilling my glass of water with the quickness. Only going to give it 2 stars because of the host. I went in yesterday around 1:30 and saw a line of people waiting. I went to the counter to put my name down and the host rolled her eyes and gave an attitude to tell me to get in the back. Call me petty, but whatever. If you're going to be rude, you're going to have a bad review.
(2)Pinky L.
The noodles aren't salty, which is great! The proportion of the food is just right size.
(4)Kristina K.
I can't speak for what's considered good ramen. In other words, I'm not an expert. For many years, I thought ramen only came dry in those small square plastic packages. Nonetheless, here's the review for Menkui Tei. I choose the pork bone based broth, and it was very meaty in flavor. The noodles were al dente. It was a win win. Saturday's night service was fast. The beer was cold and the soup was hot. Now I just have to figure out how to avoid sweating while eating ramen in the summer.
(4)Vicki Z.
Very disappointed with the overall experience. Food: very fake broth. the side order roasted pork is not even fresh and tasted like dead flesh... Service: the waitress with long hair for whatever reason decided at the beginning that she just doesn't like us so she ignored us the whole time even we were quite generous at our order. She didn't give us the hot tea we requested, she didn't even check at us for a sec the whole time. I really hoped this place could be okay since it is only 2 blocks away from home. however, it became a no no choice.
(2)Boon K.
I was shopping and I got really hungry so I stop in for a quick bite. I got the ramen with the pork broth which was really good as it was creamy and had good favor. The braised pork was tender and pickle ginger was a nice touch. I can't say it was a stand out place but good when you are in the area and their wasnt a wait.
(3)Justin S.
Wandering around NYC and looking for decent Ramen.. Found myself here and I was very pleased. No hidden agendas.. Portions are huge, food was delicious.. I will 100% go back when I return to the city.
(4)Helen L.
As I slothily waddle down the street in an agonizing bliss, unable to widen my gait, full to the point where only short, fast breaths were able to be taken, stomach galloping with each step from the weight of the liquid I just consumed, I wondered: At what point should I have stopped myself? And how?! The Menkui Ramen, my inaugural selection in which I chose for its namesake (that of the establishment) and its proud placement at Number One in the Noodles genre of the menu, was a visually lackluster bowl of semi-wavy noodles in a transparent amber broth, insignificantly sensationalized with hearty pinchfuls of bamboo shoots and finely cut scallions strategically placed on top. I drenched it in the red-but-not-spicy-but-might-be-considered-spicy-Âto-some sesame oil and added a dash of vinegar. These were the only condiments on the counter and I must admit I was disappointed I didn't have the options to make my broth spicier. The first sips and bites were somewhat uneasy. I was unable to shake the thwarting helplessness of not being able to spike my ramen. This uneasiness did not last. Before long, I was adrift, lost in the rhythm of my slurping, idly watching the tango between my chopsticks and soupspoon as they lead the twirled noodles and bouillon toward the center of my puckered bottom lip before ascending into my coveting mouth. Time was at a loss, for what felt like an eternity of pleasure seemed to have somehow also passed in the blink of an eye. When I came to, I was desperately scooping the last droplets of this delicate "seaweed flavored" pork-based Menkui Ramen soup (pork according to the server when asked) from the bottom of the bowl. I placed my soupspoon down and wrestled with the desire to pick up the large bowl, hands fully wrapped around its body, fingers spread wide for full grasp...to finish it off...with a happy ending. It took every morsel of strength within me to resist, reminding myself that I was in a country where this practice is not common nor viewed as acceptable behavior in public. I am compelled to add that I have never consumed an entire bowl of liquids after consuming its solid contents. I've just never done it. If I had any control over it, I probably wouldn't have committed such an act here, but I had no control. As I slothily waddle down the street in an agonizing bliss, unable to widen my gait, full to the point where only short, fast breaths were able to be taken, stomach galloping with each step from the weight of the liquid I just consumed, I wondered: What should I order tomorrow?
(5)Jules C.
It was cold out and I craving a hot bowl of soup. This place caught my eye because of the queue inside. The waiter was advising most customers that there would be a 20-25 minute wait but, as I was by myself, I was able to secure a spot at the bar immediately. I ordered the hakata-style ramen (pork bone soup base) which was somewhere in the vicnity of $8.50 and added a soft boiled egg. I waited less than 5 minutes before it arrived. The serving is decent size - you won't leave hungry - and is well presented with red ginger and shallots sprinkled on top. The broth was quite tasty but not as tasty as some of the other hakata-style ramen broths that I've had in the city. It was also on the saltier side. The noodles were also a little too soft and thin but this might be a question of preference (I prefer spongier, firmer, and thicker noodles). However, the pork was tender and delicious. In terms of service, it was prompt and friendly. All in all, it was a decent ramen and the only reason I didn't give the place a 4 is that I don't think it is up to the standard of other ramen venues that I have visited in NYC.
(3)Dan T.
Went here after trying to find Menkui Tei 2 doors down which was not there...according to other reviews Menkui Tei merged with Ise but Yelp still has it as a separate restaurant. Just trying to find a place to eat before seeing Sleeping Beauty at New York City Centre which was fun for anyone who is interested but a very non-traditional ballet. I was a bit unsure about trying Ise but upon entry I saw a lot of Japanese people in the restaurant and it was pretty much full. A good sign... Our group had Ramens all around, I'm not an expert but i have been getting an education since arriving in NY. They're not Ippudo or Momofuku worthy but more homestyle ramens - tasty and great value for money. Bottomline - There are not many options near New York City Centre for food and this is a solid choice as a pre-theatre venue.
(3)Nicole L.
The portions are huge and delicious!!! The service is also sooo wonderful. The wait staff is very attentive and is always accommodating. You can ask for a larger portion of ramen and they will not charge you extra!!! You should definitely try to finish it out of Asian courtesy. ^_^ In short, one of the hidden gems in Midtown. If you're drunk and not craving chicken and rice, this place is a great alternative.
(5)Melody N.
This is my go-to ramen spot during lunch. There usually is a wait especially now since it's colder but I haven't had to wait longer than 10 mins but this is also for a group of 2. My two ramen choices are the Menkui Ramen and the Hakata Ramen. These both have 2 pork pieces included. The pork at Totto Ramen are better but these are quite good too. There are many types of broth to choose from, to help you make your decision. The broth tastes good but I usually add the chili pepper for more taste. Also, towards the middle to the end of my meal, the broth started to taste a bit saltier. I'm not sure if it was unnoticed because I was hungrier in the beginning, or if my taste-buds could only handle so much salt. Anyway, I do recommend this place. It's quick and tasty. They accept cash and credit.
(4)Allene T.
Just came back from here for lunch... service was decent and my party of 6 (though separated into 2 tables of 3) was seated immediately upon arrival. Couldn't decide between the house special and the tonkotsu ramen. Finally chose the tonkotsu and told them to hold the pickled ginger (after reading several yelpers' reviews about how it made the broth sour - great choice!). Giant bowl... almost uncomfortably full for lunch. I loved the texture of the ramen - slippery, bouncy, and springy. The broth though, was mediocre. It was rich, but something or some flavor was missing and I can't really put my finger on it. Perhaps not cooked long enough with the pork? Wasn't a big fan of the [probably canned] extra-salty bamboo shoots. At $8.50 a bowl though, these giant bowls of noodles are pretty alright for the price.
(3)Nina B.
The place is casually cozy, the service friendly and efficient, but (as it should be!) the food is the thing to write home about. Absolutely delicious! I have yet to order something I don't love there, but I particularly recommend the Stamina Ramen. Last time I went there, I had a bit of a cold and that wonderfully warming, fragrant dish instantly made me feel a million times better. It's like a big, comforting hug, in the form of a soup. If you don't feel like Ramen, the Katsu Don is also very yummy.
(5)Janel Y.
Having been to Menkui Tei many times, I wanted somethign different to try so opted for a cold noodle dish since it was hot outside. The Jar-Jar ramen ($8.50) had no soup and came with an abundant supply of ramen (I would say more ramen than Ippudo), spicy ground pork, bean sprouts, thinly sliced cucumbers and pickled veggies. The dish wasn't cold, but it wasn't hot either. It was filling and there was enough meat and veggies to be mixed with the ramen. 5 stars because after multiple visits and trying different items on the menu, everything has been consistently made well with fresh ingredients. Service is always pleasant and efficient and, I think, a good bang for your buck (compared to Ippudo and Momofuku Noodle Bar and considering NY food prices). *Note: Cash only!
(5)Allison P.
Testing out ramen places in the new 'hood. Found this place while walking the streets. This place is very packed at lunch time. Get there a little before noon and know you'll be in and out (and standing up to let people at trapped tables out) fast. Price - As reasonable as could be. Most bowls average $8.50 (pre tip and tax) Options - SO many. There is something for everybody. Size - BIG. I nearly felt ill after eating ALL my noodles. Heck - you could share one bowl for two. AND they offer to wrap it to go for you. Nice much? Add the ...Side of fried rice for $3. It's a pretty large plate and it's only $3. Sold. Most fun - Looking at what everybody else orders. A woman my size (just older) ordered a bowl that was DOUBLE the size of mine. YOU GO GIRL! Know it's CASH ONLY.
(4)Sean E.
This is the best spot for Japanese curry I've experienced in NYC. The sauce is rich, hearty, and served with a heaping portion of rice, which I'm never able to finish. It's good with or without the cutlet, which is a few dollars extra. Unfortunately, the place is always packed and it can involve a fairly long wait at lunchtime. Further, though the staff are polite, they herd you in and out more or less like cattle. At $15 not including tip for the curry pork cutlet over rice, it's a bit steep for a place so tiny and basic in terms of decor. Especially considering the volume of business they do, the prices could probably be dropped a few bucks. I've always had good food there, but today, my cutet was so fatty and gristly that I couldn't even eat half of it. Perhaps the quality control in the kitchen could be a bit higher. I've never had the fried rice or ramen there, as it doesn't look nearly as good as it does at my go-to spot, Hide Chan.
(3)Steve G.
I had spicy white sesame ramen and it was probably the best ramen I have ever had. I'm not enough of a ramen aficionado to say if it was truly authentic, but I don't think I care because it was so darned good. Served only with ground pork and scallions - no egg or other toppings. My wife had a spicy soy ramen that was also very good, but still not as good as mine. It was served with four large slices of pork.
(4)Jean H.
Cheap food Cheap beer so far so good. oh wait, you want more? well there's actually more to be had! Delicious noodles Delicious broth good enough for you? wait wait wait.... you want MORE?! well... um, theres only a LITTLE bit more to be had, but more. Attentive waitstaff old-timey no frills atmosphere run by real Japanese people (but quite a few cooks look rather... Hispanic than Japanese to me....) Enjoy!
(4)N L.
My go to place in Midtown. I usually order from the appetizer/isakaya menu. *Burikama- salt grilled yellowtail neck. My favorite place to get this in NYC *Fried chicken-I don't think they call it karaage here, but it's succulent pieces of tender boneless chicken, served with tartar sauce, but ask for the japanese mustard sauce *gomae-ae- the spinach salad with sesame dressing *ebi chili-shrimp in a sweet chili sauce MUST HAVE: the green tea crepe cake. DIVINE and one of the best thing about this place. I've had ramen and other things here, but they were all ok.
(4)Elaine L.
So I came here because I was starving and cold and needed some comforting and maybe a hug after waiting on a 3 hour line to get into the Game of Thrones exhibit. What better place to find respite than in a warm bowl of Ramen of course. (Disclaimer: hug not included but our waitress was nice enough though it would be creepy to ask.) I walked up and down the block looking for Menkui tei because I wasn't looking to pay midtown prices and did not want to wait on another line for an hour in search of the best ramen. But this place was what served my needs at the time. The Yellow Larmen sign was shuttered and quite disheartening but apparently Menkui-tei moved in with Ise japanese which is right next door and here is where I found my noodles. I got the Miso Ramen and opted for a set of the curry rice side to share (or small fried rice if that is your pleasure). Miso had good flavor with its white milky color and this one has wavy noodles, char siu, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and diced scallions. They have a lot of things you can add for extra cost and for some strange reason you can add butter as well. I wish someone would explain this to me because I don't understand but I guess maybe some people enjoy a little butteryness in their noodles?? No need to add extra really unless you want to make your bowl of noodles like a cobb salad because it is actually a pretty big bowl. If you are a broth drinker this will leave you quite full. The noodles were springy and not overcooked but the broth was a tad salty. I definitely needed some extra hydration throughout the night. I actually wanted a spicy miso but it cost more with less veggies and I enjoy veggies so I did not get it. They only have red chili powder on the table but not chili oil which I like when some japanese places have it. The curry was no joke it had a very strong curry flavor that was dark like brown gravy and very thick almost stifling in consistency. It had red ginger on the side which is good because I need it when I have curry and also had very small tender pieces of stringy pork. Good for a side but not necessarily a full meal. The hakata ramen was also good with the same amount of veggies and straight white thin noodles. We added a poached egg because none of the ramen had egg or naruto in it which I think makes a good bowl of noodles. But you have to be careful or it will burst open and be lost in your broth. I like the soup spoon they have which has a small crevice to hang onto the side of your bowl and not slip off into the depths of your soup. I wish they had a ramen set that included gyoza instead they have the gyoza for $5.00 at the time which makes no kind of economical sense to me at all. The picture shows a plate of 6 pieces and the math does not add up for me. Unless these were specialty dumplings and they had mastered the art of gyoza with a special cut of meat inside my wallet was not parting like the red sea. Where I come from I can get 4 pan fried dumplings for a dollar- chinese style not japanese style. I may have missed out on the best dumplings of my life but I honestly think this place needs a price adjustment on some of their items. But I guess if I wanted chinese style dumplings I would have gone to Joe's Shanghai on the same block. They also serve sake (hot and cold), the beer was a $1 more than normal. And featured a new sake called Mio not to be confused with the energy squirt phenomena of the same name. There are skewers and a whole list of other items like sushi and fish and tofu. They also have a specials menu and I spied that they had green tea mille cake to my joy but the price to my displeasure. I will save my mille crepe appetite for the nearby Plaza Food Hall if necessary at that price. Then again I was quite full after the curry miso ramen set and am not necessarily a green tea dessert person. But they have this dessert option if you want to try mille crepe. The decor was very bright and austere and library quiet as opposed to the comfy hole in the wall ramen joint I wanted to crawl into but the staff was welcoming. This place is almost touristy but still a good place to grab a quick bite of noodles and go if you are in the area.
(3)Shambavi K.
it is a great lunch spot near the office. it is particularly great on a rainy day and you want hot soupy meal. My go to dishes are the Chan Pon and the Oyako Don. My only complaint is when we order to go, the Oyako Don is never packaged well and spills everywhere. They really need to just change the take out containers for this dish.
(4)Evon T.
Love this neighborhood no-muss, no-fuss ramen joint. Folks, this isn't the fancy stuff you get over at Ippudo. It's more along the lines of Totto's classic Japanese ramen, the Five Guys of ramen, if you will. It's not perfect - yes, the menkui ramen could use some more flavor; yes, the char siu could be more tender; yes, the flavored or poached egg could be better executed - but it sure does hit the spot when you need some Japanese comfort food. Bonus: $3.50 for a plate of curry rice with any soup order: gimme!
(3)ignacio a.
our fave! have been coming here for yrs and it has never let us down. consistently good, really good! the toughest thing is deciding whether to get the ramen or the katsu curry!
(5)Matthew L.
I came here for ramen two times and both experiences were average. The first time (in June) I came here, I had the curry ramen, and the second time (a few weeks ago) I came here I got their tonkatsu ramen (which is what they're supposed to be known for). Both ramens can be described as: (1) too salty (2) uninspiring, boring flavors (3) nothing special / typical of any other ramen house. I was not impressed either time I came here. The first time I came here, I had a bad impression from my curry ramen...but I figured it was because I ordered the wrong thing. But when I came here a second time, getting their special tonkatsu ramen, I still was not impressed. Another thing that bothered me about their tonkatsu ramen is that they put a lot of bamboo shoots. I like bamboo shoots to an extent, but they just put way too many in the tonkatsu ramen that the ramen broth was overpowered by the bamboo shoots. Essentially, I felt like I was eating a large bowl full of bamboo shoots... GROSS. The service is also very poor. There's like only 2 waitressess to serve the entire restaurant, and they are overworked as they have to take orders, clear tables, calculate bills and make change. So, they will only come to your table to take your order, bring you your food, and check. Since the food was on the salty side (MSG???????), my friends and I needed to drink a whole lot of water. We had to ask the waitress many times to get more water. If the restaurant is so busy and understaffed, maybe they should consider using larger glasses for water. It was a little annoying to have to flag the waitress many times to get our tiny glasses filled with more water. The joint, like most Asian restaurants in NYC, is cash only. So, bring your cash! Also, if you are coming with a larger group, EVERYONE needs to be there otherwise you won't be seated. BOTTOM LINE: I would avoid coming here. Nothing was really special or very inspiring. It is cheap, but you can get much more better ramen elsewhere for the same price.
(2)Yihui W.
solid midtown ramen joint. come here for takeout work lunch. it's the same as the menkuitei in east village (that has closed for renovations) but it's about $1-$2 more for each entree given it's midtown location. my fav dishes are the chicken katsu-don and the veggie ramen (with veggie broth, not pork broth). wld definitely recommend.
(4)Kathy H.
New favorite ramen place! Humongous portions at reasonable prices. I had the agedashi tofu in a broth which I have never had before and the #4 ramen (I forget the name), but it was a pork bone broth with charsu and bamboo shoots. They do take credit card. This is my favorite place after Ippudo.
(4)Joyce G.
came here for a quick bite before a show. there's not a lot of choice on the menu. i had yakitori's and they were all very salty. i think most of the patrons that come here are people who work nearby who are catching a quick bit after work. i probably wouldn't go out of my way to come here, there are a lot of other good places to try in that area.
(2)David M.
This review is for those who may have eaten there pre 2012 before they renovated the restaurant The 2014 ISE is not that place in any shape, form, or taste of its former self. Literally, the restaurant was totally re-done. For those wanting a current review, would skip this minor essay for current information and avoid any reviews older than 2012. The "pre ISE" was wonderful. Sukiyaki that was so flavorful, tender, and delicious -everything was simply like eating home cooked Japanese food - comparable to my mother's cooking (which has wide praise from foodies from around the world that have tasted her cooking). It is now basically a quick food noodle shop with a shadow of some Japanese food pre-merger. You can get sashimi, but no sushi. Huh? The koroke had a nice presentation and I was anticipating a delicious firm filled delight, but it was so wet it melted over my chopsticks when I cut it in half. Something is amiss between the wait staff and kitchen, as we received our appetizers but no main course (basically ma-fa chicken, I forget what it was called on the menu, (something boneless chicken). After about half an hour ( I timed it), our server asked if we needed anything else, thinking we were done. Um, yes, we'd like our main course please. She was mortified and there was a flurry of activity and we received our meal shortly thereafter To their credit, they didn't charge us for the main course, and did what they could to remedy the situation. I guess if our server had checked in a bit more frequently could have avoided the long painful wait for our food. I will say it was an anomaly as others received their food fairly quickly. Just stating what happened to us. I don't think there was any ill intent. If this was my first visit, it would have been fine, but I was looking forward to this trip, in part to visiting ISE. The old restaurant had such great memories attached to it since I was with my mother on our last visit. She thoroughly enjoyed the food and gave high praise to the service and flavor, sadly this isn't even a shadow of the old restaurant. There were many older patrons the last time, and this time around looked like students and young couples.
(2)Eric N.
Eh. Ippudo much better. Fried rice is good but broth is lacking. Overall, disappointing. Why not go to Ippudo, and get the best?
(3)Pinky C.
Really awesome service. They were really welcoming :) The place wasn't that crowded and food came by really quick. I was starving. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen $8 and got the curry rice with addition of $3. The plate of rice was bigger than I expected. I thought it was just a bowl since it was $3. I was really happy when it was a whole plate! The ramen was pretty good. Soup was yummy. However only 2 pieces of pork it was still really filling since there was a lot of noodles. The place is quite small but enough space. Pricing is definitely good for being in that area of Manhattan. Good for quick lunch! Run by REAL JAPANESE PEOPLE! haha :)
(4)Satchmo A.
I came here for lunch and while I left full it was really mediocre at best. I got the tonkotsu broth which wasn't very rich just sort of "thick" with veggies. There was a nice variety of vegetables but I tried adding soy, and chili powder, and anything at the table to add to the flavor and it just didn't help. It's a decent size, relatively cheap, I just wouldn't go back. My usual ramen partner (a vegetarian) didn't love it either and he thought his broth was cold.
(2)Vivian H.
It was very cold tonight and after studying nearby, I really needed something to warm up my soul. No better way to do that than to slurp on a big bowl of ramen noodles! I found this place on my yelp app and marched over for dinner. Around 7pm, the place was brimming with people, but not completely packed. I was able to score a seat right by the open kitchen. It is fun when the kitchen is open, you get to see everything. The good and the bad. There was an older Japanese cook shouting out things every so often and he was just adorable to watch and listen to. Now ramen isn't very vegetarian friendly, but they did have one veggie ramen dish, so I ordered that. In less than 5 minutes, my big bowl of piping hot broth, veggies and ramen were delivered to me. It was a very decent bowl of ramen, chocked with cabbage, carrots, snow peas, and bean sprouts. The broth was a bit on the salty side for me, but it was good. The noodles were standard, nothing too exciting. For $9.25, I was able to warm up my soul and walked out with a full and happy belly, ready to face the cold of the world!
(4)Hector F.
Oh man the ramen here is fantastic. Talk about warming you up on a cold, rainy day in NY. This place has some amazing entrees and ramen choices. Order extra pork and eggs with your soup, because you'll immediately want more. And the beauty of it is, it's all affordable. Not cheap, but just right for what you're ordering. You'll leave with a full stomach, having paid a fair price. The wait to get a seat can get a little unbelievable at points, so you really have to get your timing right when you go. I'd say between 2-3pm is a good sweet spot, but no promises. This is the perfect example of a great Ramen joint in the United States. Good wholesome food at fair prices. Doesn't get much better than this.
(5)Katrina L.
The broth and portion was good, but wished there were more and better toppings. Lots of ramen, but the pork was a bit dry and the only other thing in it was bamboo and bean sprouts. Not bad, but would prefer other ramen places that have more variety in a bowl.
(3)Ryna D.
My coworker took me here for lunch the other day. Being that it's in midtown I thought lunch time would be a nightmare but we actually got seated in less than 10 minutes. The ramen itself was pretty good. Substantial portions. The noodles were cooked right and the broth was delicious. I'd rank it along the lines of Setagaya. I also liked that they had gyoza. I would still say go to Hide-chan if you're in midtown but if you can't afford to go all the way eastward then this is a pretty good alternative.
(4)Christina Z.
Actually pretty good ramen - they put a lot of stuff inside and are not stingy when it comes to food. The servings are quite large and it does not feel heavy (even if I had the pork based broth)
(4)Debbie F.
Gyoza: 4/5 Gyoza is made fresh by a chef who folds the dough and wraps the meat by the counter. The scallions inside were actually green, and not faded from freezing etc. Lightly fried on the bottom, they're not overly oily, and the skin is thin. Menkui Ramen: 3.5/5 Solid broth with fresh ingredients, but overall not memorable. BUSINESS HOURS: Monday - Friday 11.30AM - 11.00PM Weekends 11.30AM - 9.00PM
(4)Kevin W.
It pains me to see one of my old favorites fall so far ... to the point of a DOH violation. I remember the days when I used to consider this my go-to Japanese place after my other nearby favorite Ten-Kai (aka Kiroi Hana) went out of business. I loved ISE for their dependable and very reasonably priced dinner specials. They served tasty sashimi along with your choice of entrees like beef teriyaki, tonkatsu, etc, along with a nice scoop of ice cream. But as time went on, their dinner specials got rid of the dessert (but kept the same prices), and overall the quality of the place seemed to slide. On one occasion one of my friends actually got horribly sick after eating here. It's just these little things that prompted me to reduce my visits here in favor of other establishments. But now I see this health code violation/closure and it just saddens me. My lady went here a lot for our dinner dates during our early years and we've always loved the coziness and dependability of the food. Alas ... times change. ISE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 58 WEST 56 STREET MANHATTAN 10019 212-707-8702 Violations recorded in the following area (s), a Notice of Violation issued and establishment ordered closed by the Department of Health at the initial operational cycle inspection conducted on 01/07/2013. "Critical" violations are displayed in red. Violation points: 59 Sanitary Violations 1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. 2) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. 3) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas. 4) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided. 5) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared. 6) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. 7) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. 8) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist. 9) Mechanical or natural ventilation system not provided, improperly installed, in disrepair and/or fails to prevent excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation vapors, odors, smoke, and fumes.
(1)Phillip K.
SOOO GOOD! In town for a few days, so what better to do then grab your chef friend and dash around this vibrant city sampling a cornucopia of delectable bites, each one forever burning into your brain a delectable memory and ever so often, a totally new idea of what flavor can and is supposed to be. Yes, I'll attribute a great deal of my satisfaction with this dining experience to the great company I was fortunate to surround myself with as well as the completely approachable lunchtime ambiance.. still, it was the absolutely delicious selection of jar-jar and tonkotsu ramen that we shared, which really cemented this place as a fantastic location for the type of ramen that feels like a nice big warm embrace and puts a giant grin on your face. We left completely satisfied, in higher spirits than before, off to continue our expedition across this great city.
(4)Leslie D.
Ise is an authentic Japanese izakaya restaurant located in Midtown West near the Park. So far I have only been twice and have gotten their bento box lunch specials. There's an A and B option priced at $14.50 which comes with a miso soup. When I went, Option A consisted of salmon teriyaki, california roll, 3 pieces of sushi (salmon, tuna and yellowtail), shumai, shrimp and vegetable tempura, salad, and fruit. Option B consisted of beef negimaki, sashimi, shrimp and vegetable tempura, salad, shumai, and fruit. Obviously, you get a nice amount of food for your buck. Typically I don't like spending over $10 for my lunch during the week but if I feel like treating myself, I always consider Ise as an option. One of these days I would like to go here just to sample all of their sushi items. Till then, it's a solid A-OK place for a Midtown lunch.
(3)Louise P.
This is my new favorite restaurant in midtown (I know, not saying much, but it's good to know). It feels pretty authentic. I ordered two appetizers and a sushi/sashimi platter that came with soup. I also ordered another soup and an eel roll, plus they gave us complimentary green tea at the end. All this for only $65. I felt like it was a really good value and the food was excellent quality. I spilled my diet Coke and everyone in the restaurant basically came to my aid with towels and napkins and fresh soda. Everyone was so nice and the service was great. I can't wait to go back for my next lunch break and see what kind of specials they offer. Tip - the blackened cod appetizer was excellent - soooo tender! I highly recommend it.
(5)Alison L.
Pretty average place. Donburis were about 9-10 dollars, as were the ramens. The cut in the Gyo-don was a bit fatty. I would like it to be leaner next time. There are a lot of japanese here, however, so it's probably pretty authentic.
(3)Gregory K.
Probably the best and most affordable ramen in the area. Seeking the best Ramen in New York, I always found that this one on Yelp was the most interesting. The front of this place looked like it had been written all over by Banksy...which isnt a bad thing. HOWEVER! this place was like (insert cheesy idiom here or any Disney movie quote) Seeing as this was a cheap ramen place, I was thinking that this place would be the level before being classified as Top Ramen. But this place really can compete with all those other places that make you wait 30 min for. I had a standard miso ramen. Broth was nice and rich and noodles were just the right chewy. Stuff hits the spot. The waiters are really nice too and will be very accommodating. Looking for Ramen? Quit waiting in those lines for Ippudo NY and get yourself a deal!!!
(4)Rowena Y.
Ramen is ok and by far, one of the cheaper ramen shops in the city. Their ramens are about $8-$11 on average, which is not bad. I like that their broth isn't too salty and didn't feel it was drying up my mouth. Like other ramen shops, you can add extra ingredients to your ramen for a few extra bucks. But, in my opinion, their portions are fairly reasonable. Their gyozas, on the other hand, need some work. It wasn't exactly pan-fried the whole way and didn't have much flavor. Service is quick.
(3)Andy R.
My old standby for solid Ramen in midtown at a good price. Its not Ippudo, but its more reasonably priced and you'll get a seat much easier. Big bowls. Lots of variety. Very fast. Authentic. Most bowls are under $10 (unless you add in extra meat). I typically get the extra spicy ramen, tonkotsu, or shoyu. If I get the shoyu, I add in spicy ground pork and its delicious. If I'm splurging, I'll get the curry ramen. Thick and luxurious, but definitely on the heavy side. I also really enjoy their pork slices. This is definitely a lunch or early dinner spot. if you're looking for something more hip or on the late night tip, head to Ippudo or Totto. If you're just craving a solid bowl of ramen at a good price, go with Menkui. You won't go wrong.
(4)Phil L.
What makes the perfect Ramen? Good broth and perfectly cooked noodles. In my overall assessment this place is pretty standard. the broth was ok and the noodles were cooked to a nice al dente. There wasn't a whole lot of meat but the portions were large with the generous serving of ramen and the prices are surprisingly good for Midtown.
(3)Sean C.
Absolute best ramen-ya I have ever had. Broth is amazing (and vegetarian). Noodles are precisely perfect in bite and flavor. Cannot recommend it more highly.
(5)Jennifer C.
There are two things in life that are very near and dear to my heart. Noodle soups and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Menkui Tei delivers on both accounts. Had dinner in December with a friend who is a well-traveled and knowledgeable foodie. Before him, I had never heard of this place so I'm glad I went without protest. I remember it was really windy and cold that night, and for me, noodle soups are always the perfect antidote to weather like that. It just makes sense to sit down to a bowl of warm soup and slithery, soft noodles. Comfort is easily obtained this way. We shared an appetizer of gyoza which was status quo and nothing extraordinary. But the true delight came in my miso ramen which was everything I love about noodle soups. Scooping up spoonfuls of tender ramen with broth, rich in tasty soy bean paste is simply luxurious. The pieces of roast pork made it robust while the shreds of bean sprouts added a nice crunchy bite. A complete success and fix for my comfort-food craving self. Menkui Tei is cookie-cutter Japanese ramen house. Bustling atmosphere of patrons and waitresses scurrying to clear tables, take orders and serve steaming hot bowls of noodles, whilst in plain view of the masters at the noodle station. And with cheap prices, it's a perfect symbiosis.
(4)Sandra S.
I'll get the ramen here if I'm absolutely committed to staying in midtown, and I must have ramen and nothing else. The menkui and shoyu ramen are both pretty bland, and the miso ramen is too salty (while still lacking flavor... yes, it's possible). The rice bowls, however, are pretty good. And, all things considered, they do a pretty good job managing lunch time traffic. Even when there's a wait, I'm usually in and out of here within 45 minutes.
(3)Cheryl Y.
i wasn't ravenous walking into this place, so that being said, the food was not shabby. i stole bites of my boyfriend's cold noodles (the summer promotion) and it's addictive. it was the ideal meal for the steamy weather with bits of taberu rayu in the broth.
(4)Tina C.
After working four consecutive days this week filled with extreme agita, frustration, irritation and negative vibes from the world which broke my shield to drain my lively spirit, on my day off after a doctor visit I yearn for Ramen noodles. As an Elite for three consecutive years in Yelp, membership has its priviledges, of receiving weekly newsletters and exculsive invites to events Men Kui Tei (as dutifully noted the correct spelling from their business card) was mentioned in this week's e-mail newsletter. Men Kui Tei is very easily to miss for patrons walking by as the outside awning is different than stated on their business card. It's pretty much a "hole in the wall" small restaurant that is good for lunch in the fast lane and zero ambience. The atmosphere during my visit of 12:45pm to 1:05pm is hustle and bustle to the extreme in typical New York fashion of "time is money" for all the staff are hands-on from taking orders, cleaning tables, serving, cooking, preparing meals to distribute clients' check/bill. This restaurant is so small that every space is packed for elbow to elbow grind and bump, which I came here with the Power of One for take-out. With my bad timing of my visit at peak hour the wait staff was rather inattentive due to the overwhelming flow of business, thus I felt brushed off. The broth of the noodle soup is just right as it's not too salty, yet my tonkatsu noodle soup does not contain any tonkatsu as it was just pork. Where is the breaded pork? My former love can cook tonkatsu from scratch with Panko bread crumbs. The kitchen is at the bar in traditional Japanese fashion where patrons visibly see the chefs and cooks prepare meals. While waiting for my take-out order at the very narrow cooridor the pan-fried Gyoza reminisce my visit to Tokyo as it intrigued me for a repeat visit. The take-out menus at the entrance is NOT Men Kui Tei as it's next door's Isle for there are no menus.
(4)Mark S.
We were debating to go either here or Ippudo. This place was closer to where we were and it was a lot cheaper then Ippudo. The place was packed on a Saturday around lunch time. The waiters were extremely friendly and nice. The food was brought out quickly, however getting a check took a bit longer. The outside does not really say Menkui Tei so it is a bit hard to find the restaurant. It is not until you go inside you then see a small sign that says Menkui Tei (along with their menus). I highly advise looking at the photos for this restaurant that someone posted of the outside building. It helps. If you get ramen, there is a note at the bottom of the menu that allows you to get a plate of rice curry for only $3 extra. We ordered 1 rice currey and 3 ramens.. and it was all delicious! really great on a nice cold day. I will definitely go back when I'm in NYC again.
(5)T T.
They have the best noodle soups and broth. It's a comfortable and authentic place. The menu is much more limited now than it was years ago. Now you can get noodle soups and sashimi, but no sushi. So it's a thin menu but I always enjoy the food here.
(4)Katrina B.
Solid ramen that'll run you 8.50-12 bucks a bowl. This is a great place to stop by between lunch and dinner; we stopped by around 3pm and were seated immediately. Small and cozy but still very respectably decorated, this is a great spot for a date but I wouldn't suggest bringing a party of more than 6 since space is limited (hi, yeah, NYC). The Tan Tan Ramen (shoyu ramen with spicy ground pork) was delicious, and the perfect choice for a chilly Fall day!
(5)Katie B.
I love their ramen and the stuff is really friendly. Every dish I had there was delicous!
(5)Alexandria B.
Hands down, my favorite ramen place in the city... I've gone there so much that the waiters don't even ask me what I want anymore: I love their shoyu ramen with a side of curry rice. The waitstaff is super nice. The food is GREAT... Seriously... Their gyoza is something my mom goes there for as well as their chuka don... When I am not in the mood for shoyu, I go for the tonkotsu... And for dinner, my sig other usually gets Mabu Don. The only down side is that the place gets really packed (lunch and dinner crowd beware). Great place to sit and meet friends, but watch out: big crowds can be tough to seat.
(5)Chris R.
Won't blow your mind but a sound choice when taken into account speed of service, location, portion size, and price.
(4)Wesley M.
Fast, clean and extremely open to anyone with food allergies. I ordered a tofu / egg stone bowl and the portion left me actually feeling full for the first time in this city. Price was perfectly reasonable as well... if anything it was cheap which is a steal for the quality of food that was served. Definitely going back whenever I'm in the area.
(5)Dan X.
Ramen is not as good as Toto Ramen and Jin Ramen. But given its location and price$9 Ramen vs $11 for the other two, you got what you paid.
(3)Nikki B.
This is one of my family's go-to ramen places in midtown. The service is quick and ramen is really good. I think the broth is the best part. We ordered the miso, spicy miso, and tan tan men and everything was delicious. The restaurant itself is quite small and can get packed quickly, but if you go during an off time definitely recommend sitting down for a meal.
(4)Daniel C.
I want to rate this 4 stars but I just saw the cook walk out of the bathroom and then I walked in to find piss all over the toilet. Only to see him working the open kitchen with the ramen. Still. Menkui Tei is a solid place. Not superbly flavorful like the famed Ippudo nor distinctive like the infamous Totto but just delivers solid ramen without fanfare.
(3)Chey H.
An excellent yet tiny place to get a quick bowl of ramen in Midtown. They are cash only but service is quick and the bowl of ramen is huge. I usually get the Menkui ramen (seaweed broth and three pieces of pork) and it does the job and fills me up. I've tried some of the side dishes and found them to be alright, but the ramen is the main reason I come here. I only go on Sunday's during my lunch break, so it's very relaxed and quiet and I'm in and out in about half an hour.
(4)Yvonne Y.
Thanks Yelpers for your reviews so I tried the Mabo ramen with curry rice. Very delicious and I wish I had an appetite to finish it all. My friend had the ramen with pork bone soup and it looked fabulous. Very good service but it can get very smoky inside if they keep the door closed. No wait for party of 2 on Sunday at 1pm. FYI, for Mabo ramen, it's the shoyu soup and you don't get to change it. The mabo sauce has a bit of cornstarch to make it thicker and beware of the layer of oil on top. Personally, I loved it with all the soft tofu pieces.
(4)Naoko I.
I use this place for my lunch. I like it especially their fried rice or chuka don. Oyako don was also good too. I like their ramen too. It is ok and acceptable ramen they have and I go there often for midtown lunch. Their gyoza is oishi (delicious too).
(4)Doreen H.
Wow, this was disappointing. Miso broth was tasteless. Roast pork wasn't that good either. Noodles were slightly soggy. Pros: no wait, and it was cheap at $8.50 for their miso ramen.
(2)Kenny L.
I love the Salmon Onigiri. I had 3 before my large ramen bowl. $10 for a bowl or ramen boggled me, but when it arrived, price for size proportion equaled out. Wasn't exceptional, but I enjoyed it. Cramped seating and you have to ask for a spot. Waiter & waitress simply stare at you.
(3)Pinky S.
Very good ramen. Been to Japan and has had my fill of Japanese ramen, and this place is comparable. The noodles has the right chewiness and the broth is rich and tasty. Only drawback is that the space is tight, but I guess for NYC, one must make do.
(4)S L.
Not too bad but not that great. The prices are reasonable considering other restaurants in NY. Service was good. The food was so so.
(3)Eve Z.
I love this place with all my heart. The wait staff is super nice and I think they're starting to recognize me. My usual is the katsu curry rice dish. I'm not a huge fan of ramen so I never really order it unless it's part of the lunch special. Speaking of the lunch special, there's enough food in there to feed 2 people (gyoze, ramen, half a plate of curry or char-han) . And it's just a bit over 10 bucks!
(4)Tiffany H.
I am decidedly in food hell - also known as Midtown. My lunch prospects are limited and I usually stick to places that I know. But today I felt adventurous. I felt like Ramen. I am a frequent guest at Ipudo and Totto and a few other spots I keep hidden for myself. Granted they are not that far from me but a 5 avenue walk seemed a little much in this humidity so I went to Menkui Tei. I ordered the Hartau Ramen (classic pork bone broth). Initial inspection of the broth with its thick creamy fluid was looking good and I had a vague memory of eating here before...? But the fist spoon sip told me it was not. The broth has a weird bamboo shoot or woodsy flavor. It is more greasy than thick. The pork was almost inedible. I was tough, dry, no fat, and lacking flavor. This pig had died a long time ago and then was killed again when it was put on a plate. It was pressed particle wood in the shape of pork slices. The amount of sodium in the soup was staggering. My feet, hands and waist started to swell before I could get in a third bite. The noodles were not bad, I mean they are noodles there is not much to them if they are not handmade. I was starving!! So I ate most of it. Now I am itching, swollen, and 1 keystroke away from a coma.... I wrote this review so I will remind myself not to go back.
(2)Mary S.
Tiny, tiny ramen go-to. Super crowded during lunch so don't come in a big group. The ramen is delicious and cheap! (about $7 or $8) I never end up finishing the whole thing. Perfect lunch spot, especially in the winter when all you can go for is a big bowl of soup!
(4)Stan P.
My favorite in the city. The prices are vey reasonable. In my mind best ramen fornthe price. Ipppudo is tasty but 16$ a bowl? Plus the fried rice here is amazing, as well as other Japanes-Chinese dishes
(4)Kevin P.
After coming to this spot for lunch regularly for the past 3 years, I've pretty much tried almost everything on their menu. One of the more authentic small hole-in-the-wall ramen noodle shop, just like the ones in Japan(my Japanese friends told me). My favorite remains the tonkotsu ramen, the creamy and rich broth is to die for. The roast pork they serve with the ramen is sometimes hit-or-miss. It can be really tender and flavorful, or blend and taste like a regular piece of pork. I guess it depends on how long they've marinated them and which part they give you. Other than the ramen, they have some real good rice dishes too. You can never go wrong with the Katsu don or curry rice when you're not in the mood for ramen.
(4)Rose W.
im surprised that this place was so packed on saturday morning considering it's located in midtown east. it was a somewhat chilly spring morning perfect for ramen, and i tried the shoyu ramen w extra seaweed. the food was good, and the prices were reasonable ($7 for the base + $1.50 for the extra seaweed). although im not sure how hard it is to make ramen, i will probably try this wknd.
(4)Elsie W.
I love that I got a full, beautiful bowl of ramen, a big plate of curry over rice for less than 10 bucks. Early bird specials if you are willing to show up before 12:15pm! It's one of those places that look small and dingy on the outside, but the inside is full of that authentic air... and aroma of hot hot ramen waiting to be devoured by savages like me.
(5)Sarah Y.
I made an hour long trek up to Midtown (oops - got lost) to meet up with some friends for dinner. First of all, this place is incredibly hard to find. I must have walked past it at least 2 times. The words "Men kui tei" were nowhere to be found anywhere near the entrance or on the building itself. Instead, a ghetto looking sign proclaiming "Larmen" sits above the door. What is Larmen? Is it the name of the owner? A fobby pronunciation and misspelled attempt at 'ramen'? A deliberate tactic to deter potential Yelpers and undercover food critics? Needless to say, I was extremely perplexed. After finally making it inside, I ordered the following: Mapo Tofu Ramen with extra egg and pork belly: While I award props for originality and like the concept of mapo tofu ramen, the dish didn't quite live up to its name. The broth was neither spicy nor tasted like mapo tofu. I did like the ground pork in the soup. However, the egg was mediocre (especially compared to Ippudo's), and the tonkatsu was tough and not fatty enough. Side of fried rice: For $3, this was a giant "side" of fried rice. Perhaps my expectations were too high after hearing other reviews here raving about the rice, but to me, this was just mediocre. Gyoza: The gyoza here was also supposed to be good, but I thought it was just OK, as well. Note - Portions here are huge. Everyone at our table over-ordered. Stick to one dish, and don't overestimate your ability to consume (no matter how hungry you think you are)! Overall: 3 stars for good price to quantity ratio, but I'd highly recommend Ippudo over this place if you can afford the wait.
(3)William W.
Overall I feel that this is a decent ramen spot. I thought that the noodles were fair, I had the number 5 ramen. Yet, I thought that the broth was not bold, it was tasteless. The gyoza was a bit bland for my taste, I disagree with the majority of the reviewers on yelp which stated it was the bomb. The only dish that I kind of enjoyed was the fried rice. Here, the portions are big and the food cost are reasonable. I do admit that I have high explications of ramen because I lived in Los Angeles and I would frequent the little tokyo ramen houses. The decor of the place was nice and I felt that the people which worked here where friendly. The restaurant was half empty on a Friday around 9pm thus my server was very attentive and my water glass was always full. I may come back again is the bottom line.
(3)Stephen C.
Confusing LARMEN NEW YORK signage on the awning, but you're at the right place! I am never disappointed with Menkui Tei. First of all, the ramen is good. The broth is flavored well and not too salty. The noodles are a nice al dente. The pork slices are tender. My favorite is the Menkui Ramen which comes in a light, refreshing broth. Second, the ramen is a good value for Midtown. One bowl of ramen will run you about $8. Versus getting an average $8 deli sandwich? No-brainer! Unfortunately, the place looks a bit ghetto and it can get pretty cramped in there, but I guess that adds to the charm of this little ramen joint. To avoid waiting for a seat during lunch rush, get there at or before noon or get there around 12:45p so you can grab a seat vacated by the first wave of ramen lunchers.
(4)Tiffany L.
excellent (and relatively cheap) ramen (though not as good as ippudo) tucked away in midtown manhattan. my fiance, roommie, and friend came here for a sunday lunch and i sampled... 1. Menkui Ramen, a seaweed broth flavored house ramen. came with roast pork, bean sprout, bamboo shoot, & scallion. standard ramen done well. 2. char chu ramen, a shoyu ramen with extra roast pork. yummy, though i preferred the menkui ramen 3. Jar - Jar Ramen, a cold noodle mixed with spicy ground pork soybean sauce, bean sprout, cucumber, pickled ginger, scallion. when the dish came i realized that it's the chinese cold noodles, zhajiangmian! 4. Hiyashi Ramen, another cold noodle with sesame seed sauce, bean sprout, roast pork, cucumber, egg, imitation crab, pickled ginger. this was my favorite dish - refreshing and salty/tangy/sweet. definitely coming back :)
(4)Barb L.
I'm always in search for a good bowl of ramen, so I found this place through searching on FourSquare after a Yankees game. It's not really the most noticeable place and the sign for the restaurant may have read something different. The ramen is quite good - I had the curry flavor, since it seemed to be one of the favorites here. I was hoping that there would be more in my bowl to eat but the portion is still decent. The gyoza, which I ordered after as an afterthought, was great. The filling is great and the texture of the dumplings are spot-on.
(4)Tara T.
Came here on a whim on a Saturday afternoon, around 5pm. We were seated right away and our food came out about 3 minutes after we ordered. I ordered the tan-tan ramen (spicy ground pork) and it was amazing. I slurped it down in record time and lapped the bowl clean. Soup - aromatic, flavorful, meaty without being overwhelmingly thick or heavy. Noodles - quite good, fresh-tasting with that bounce when you bite into it that indicates a well-cooked noodle. Tons of pork and bean sprouts and whatnot in my bowl as well. The other ramens seemed equally solid, and the curry portion was huge. For a good quick eat with fast service and hefty portions, stop in here. Quick note: for some reason, the storefront says "Larmen." It was a little hard to find but worth it in the end.
(3)Mila K.
Very good place to go with your friends . Very authentic and very Japanese . Atmosphere is ok , nothing fancy , but I coming there for food .I like private cabins but you can sit in one only if you have at least 4 people . Food is delicious , specially I like cold asparagus and eggplant appetizers and I LOVE duck carpaccio (forgot japanese name ). The things I don't like are : calamari plater , snails and hijiki salad . But meybe it's only because I'm European and not get to use to such exotic for my taste food . Overal : food 5 ambience 3 prices 5 (cheap) service 4
(4)Caroline L.
LARMEN! Oh, Engrish. It's not Ippudo. Don't get it twisted. But, it's a pretty darn good bowl of ramen. And, the old Japanese men standing in the kitchen deftly pinching together the delicious gyoza? Excellent. It's too salty, you say? Do you know what you're eating? It's ramen. Come on. I haven't been to the new joints popping up all over the area. But, for now, Menkui Tei is still a contender!
(4)Chloe W.
Fingernails in my fried rice.
(1)Paul B.
Take a deep breath and clear your mind as you step into Menkui Tei, and absolutely positively DO NOT think of your credit card number. The waiters here are mind readers . Notice how low the prices are? They manage that by scalping peoples credit card numbers straight from their brains. No one even suspects it because they don't even take credit cards. How do I know? In our brief meal there one Sunday afternoon they read our minds TWICE. First when my girlfriend was looking for the little hot pepper powder shaker, just as she got the waiters attention and started to say "do you have...". BAM there is was. Hot pepper shaker. In her hand. THATS NOT POSSIBLE. How did he know? Then the moment I sat back and thought "alright I could probably get the check now" WAM there it was. How did he know? Impossible. Ok to be fair mind reading doesnt exist so I'm clearly full of shit about the credit card thing. But the service really was scary good. The ramen was really tasty, although I don't think they will dethrone my favorites. Above par noodles with really nice pork but only average broth. I loved the rice balls though. We each ordered one to start (with salmon) and they were sooo tasty. My god I want one right now. So definite 4 starts for tasty 9$ ramen, delicious sides, cozy atmosphere, and ridiculously good service.
(4)Maggie L.
Quite often I have a craving for nice and easy Japanese food. Not sushi, not expensive sashimi, but something warm, easy, quick and affordable. There are many sushi bars and fancy Japanese restaurants all over Manhattan but Menkui Tei is a great spot if you have the same kind of craving. The place is low profile, but neat and cozy. Simple menu with some good rice and ramen options. Very reasonable price. Quick and attentive service. The appetizers are pretty decent too (esp the gyoza).
(4)Amanda K.
I keep meaning to go to the East Village location but when I'm close, I always end up at Ippudo, Oops. This place is much more convenient, but it's a bit meh for a location that's within walking distance to Hide-Chan and Totto. I got the Hakata, which was saltier than it was porky. Still a nice milky color, but all the sodium prevented me from downing it like mother's milk. The pork was a bit tough - it was tasty but mine were dry and a bit hard. So not that appetizing. The noodles were not al dente - softer than I like, and had that chemical taste mentioned in some magazine review lists. That taste hit me very quickly. I didn't mind the pickled ginger, which came in a small mound on top - if you don't like it, you can eat around it since its color makes it easy to pick out. I normally don't eat pickled ginger but I thought it cut into the richness of the broth nicely and was a pleasant surprise when a sliver wound up in a spoonful of noodles. If I were in a rush, this place will do but I'd much prefer walking a bit more for a better bowl.
(3)Carol L.
I got the spicy ramen that had a miso based broth. THe broth was honestly pretty bland and flavorless...and the noodles were decent as well. My friends got the tonkotsu ramen and that one was pretty good. I do feel that the soup was a bit overly salty and I ended up eating a bunch of the 3$ side of curry rice. The pork is a bit dry...not a bad deal though, and hassle-free ramen (unlike momofuku, ippudo and totto ramen). Not the best, but not too bad either.
(3)David B.
Traditional!! I hate to say it but the entire restaurant except for my family was Japanese. This was great. I truly like to experience what the "locals" like. I loved the traditional menu and the food was excellent. The sushi was fresh and the every item we ordered you could taste the food. Great new selection reminds me of Tokkubei on E86th, really good and really traditional.
(4)Kelly S.
I became obsessed with Japanese curry and ramen about a year ago, and this place is pretty darn good for midtown. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall and not fancy by any stretch of the imagination, but the food is good, solid, satisfying homestyle Japanese fare. I like the tonkatsu ramen and the curry best, but I've also had the mabo tofu and fried rice - very good as well. An order of gyoza on the side never hurts . . .
(4)Matthew B.
The decor and service are nothing exceptional but Menkui Tei serves good ramen for a reasonable price in an area of town where it can be difficult to find quality food. I particularly like the tonkatsu ramen and the shumei are exceptionally good. I recommend this as a no frills noodle shop.
(4)Matthew L.
I am a big ramen fan. Came across this place on Yelp and it had solid reviews, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about... All the ramen are reasonably priced and you have the option of adding a small fried rice or curry rice for $3. Since ramen usually doesn't fill me up I opted for the curry rice. It was a fairy good sized portion considering it was just an add-on. The rice was nice and sticky. The curry itself was mostly veggies but I didn't expect much meat for the $3. The taste was above average, it needed some more heat, but that's probably just me. I ordered the "Char-Shu" ramen. It's their shoyu ramen with 5 extra pieces of pork ($7 vs $9). The broth was just 6/10. I thought that there was way too many bamboo shoots in my bowl. The smell was messing with the flavor of the broth. The noodles were nice and al-dente a little chewy. The pork was cut thick and it was big pieces. It wasn't as delicate as others I had, but still good. A huge plus for me is that they loaded my bowl with green onions. I love that stuff. Also, the serving was huge (at least 1.5x an Ippudo ramen). Final Impression: Another great ramen spot in NYC. Very very good value here. This place leaves you stuffed and there's no crazy wait either.
(4)Sami C.
Found this place by accident while roaming the streets of Midtown. I had been hoping to find a place that had cold soba, but wanted to avoid Katsuhama, having been there only 2 days ago. However, rather than find a cold soba place, I actually discovered a great ramen place! Cool! I had ramen with pork - it was very good. Menkui Tei's ramen are very good value for money. The soup is very tasty (I prefer the soup here compared to Ippudo as I find it less salty). That said, while the ramen noodles are good here as they are curly, it makes me wonder whether they are either fresh or handmade? I'm not 100% sure, but am comparing to the ramen at Ippudo which are straight not curly. Not being a ramen connoisseur, I will leave that to others to determine. Overall, I loved this place and will be back next time I am in New York!
(5)Kealan C.
Probably like a lot of people in the city, I'm an aggressive walker. I go from point A to point B without really paying much attention to anything but traffic lights. Because of this, I've walked by the very low awning of Menkui Tei just about every day without much thought. When I finally tried it for lunch, I was shocked to find how many people that awning was hiding beneath it! Don't be too alarmed by the line if you're taking your ramen to go - I was able to move to the front and was out of there relatively quickly. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen and some pork gyoza, which was way too much food for me. It was still fantastically cheap cheap cheap, though, especially when you consider the fact that the meal comes with a spa treatment - that little place is STEAMY. The ramen was some of the best I've ever had; the broth was super rich and flavorful and the pork was delicious. Overall, a very filling, cheap meal perfect for a cold, windy day!
(4)Scott C.
Good soup, good noodles, no wait. Not quite sure why people are willing to wait for so long for ramen at other places. The presentation is not fancy at all. Just a plain white bowl, but the contents in the bowl more than make up for the appearance. I had the tonkatsu ramen. The pork was so tender, you could almost cut it with a spoon. If you are hungry, you can get a nice side of fried rice for just $3 extra. The broth was rich and flavorful without being too salty. That said, i came home really thirsty, so i suspect some msg in play. Still, with no wait amd reasonable prices, i will be coming back.
(4)Eva G.
That $8 bowl of ramen is BIG! This stuff is no-nonsense. I got the menkui tei (#1), and the pork is really tender. The ramen is, like, al dente. Not mushy or stiff, just chewy enough. No more than 15 tables inside this small, warm ( no seriously, where's the AC?) place. I don't care; you won't find ramen for much cheaper than this in NYC, so it's a bare-bones good deal. Cash only.
(4)Deborah H.
If you work in midtown, having a sushi craving at work inevitably leads to disappointment. But alas, three days of non-stop chile and Mexican-ish food will do that to you. After combing through multiple Yelp reviews, I sacrificed cheapness and quality for location. Right after stepping into the restaurant, the host and hostess welcomed me and handed me a to-go menu. After deciding on the chirashi, I was offered a seat and a hot cup of tea. Nice! I got my food about 5-10 minutes after ordering. The chirashi was very mediocre. While the rice and ginger were good, the pieces of fish were flaccid and a bit wilty, though not stringy. The fresh, rich, miso soup was the highlight of the meal. At $17.50, I would probably try to scope out a different joint the next time I have a hankering.
(3)Resa W.
I wanted to love Menkui Tei, but my experience was somewhat satisfactory. At $8 a bowl, the price is really what you should be paying for ramen -- but it just wasn't as good as I'd anticipated. I ordered the pork soup (tonkatsu) ramen, and the soup lacked depth, though a dash of spicy oil helped. The noodles were a little too chewy for my liking, though I noticed later that there's a sign on the wall saying you can ask for your noodles to be adjusted to your liking. Service was fast and the food came out quickly. And the portion was very generous. Note that the place is easy to miss -- as far as I could see, the sign says Larmen, not Menkui Tei.
(4)Peter C.
The chirashi was very delicious, and I really warmed up to the environment. A bit crowded, but actually lent the authentic Tokyo eatery experience. Why so few stars? I was seated at the sushi bar with a perfect stranger. We finished eating around the same time, and the waiter wrote up our checks together. A quick chuckle later, I asked the waiter to split the check, and he actually chided me for not telling him sooner. DUDE, THIS GUY IS A STRANGER!! I don't know him, and certainly can't presume he will pay for my lunch (though he was wearing expensive shoes). The fuzzy feeling faded fast, and I left feeling embarrassed. May be a courteous apology or simply ask before you rang up the bill would have made a world of difference. Yes, a costly oversight, three stars, in fact, for rudeness. Take that, rude waiter, you have dishonored your fine restaurant.
(2)Teresa L.
My review is not to compare Menkui Tei to other NY ramen places. It's to compare Menkui Tei as a food in general. I've come here twice; the first time I ordered the Menkui Tei ramen and the second time I ordered a variation of the first with some basil or ginger in it. But I can't remember, and I don't care to. The price for a bowl of ramen is $9-16 so it's border line two dollar signs for a decent size bowl that will fill you up for awhile. The place is TINY! They always try to put me into the very back where there is 6 inches of space between me and the table and zero inches between me and the window and opposing wall. The sushi bar stools were much more spacious looking. People are nice, food comes in a timely manner, and water refills are slow. BUT if I ever have an unpredictable day, you'll find me here.
(3)Andrew S.
yep, like other yelper, I almost didn't find this restaurant since the sign outside is: Larmen New York, not Menkui Tei. Thanks for whoever that posted the pictures so I could still find it. I wanted to try this ramen place because usually ramen places in new york have those 2 dollar signs and this is the only place with 1 dollar sign and 4 stars average rating. Therefore, I wanted to try if this place was really going to be the salvation for a good ramen and cheap price. I ordered the Shio ramen (salt based soup) 8$ with extra charsiu +4$, total: 12$. I can just say that this was as far as economical ramen could go. The noodle was only a little bit higher quality than your instant noodle quality. My friend ordered the tonkotsu ramen (with the white miso soup base) and both of our soup tasted pretty much the same. There was no texture and it was really thin with average taste. The charsiu's cut was a little bit thick and it didn't melt in your mouth. The quality was also average. At the end I also didn't finish the soup since the taste was meh. I wasn't really happy about my experience but with that kind of price, this might be the best you can get with ramen. 12$ for this ramen, I would just go to Ippudo to get a little bit more expensive ramen with superior quality and overall taste. This place is okay, with friendly waiters (2 of them only taking care of the whole place). But, if you want a good ramen, it is better to go to another place and spend more to have much better ramen experience. I wouldn't go back to this place again.
(3)Miles H.
I go here waaaay too much. But love it, its in expensive fast and REALLY well priced. This is what true Ramen Shops in Japan are like! Always add the $3 curry rice!!!
(5)Eugene K.
I'm giving this joint an extra star versus the Village location. I don't know, the ramen just tasted better. It probably doesn't help that I got sloshed at a nearby bar up the block (which might I add, is ridiculous that no other bars/restaurants have a happy hour - I must've gone into 3 other places and asked, "Happy hour?" All frowns. Maybe I should've asked "Happy ending?" Hmmm, will attempt on my next go around). But yea, so they have this combo where you pick a bowl of ramen and for $3.50 more, you get yourself a bowl of fried rice or curry rice. Mmmmmm. And this curry doesn't make you go poo poo. Cross my heart. Not the BESTEST of curries but if you have that small fixing that you need done, you're safe with this. Shiyo is dope. The miso is dope. And the tonkatsu is dope. It's dope...man. What's up with the yellow awning? Had me running around like a drunk loony. Also, keep an eye out for one of the cute Russian waitresses (I know, at a Japanese joint, right?). She has like corn-rows/pig-tails. A bit hazy after the ginormous Asahi's...
(4)Marie L.
I've been here four times in the last month. Great for a quick lunch or a rainy day ramen fix. Fast service, abundant noodles, tasty broth. No more than $10 a bowl. The Extra Spicy Ramen is my favorite by far. Delicious! True to its name, very spicy but not intolerably so. The Menkui Tei Ramen with the house speciality broth is also really flavorful. I wouldn't order the Tonkotsu Ramen again. Thought I'd enjoy the combination of pork slices and pickled ginger but was slightly disappointed by the taste although the texture of the vegetables (bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and scallions) was great and the noodles impeccable as usual. The broth just wasn't to my liking but others have exclaimed over this one. Overall, a great place. And there's almost never a wait like at Ippudo or Totto Ramen. To nitpick a little, I'd say the pork slices are occasionally a little too fatty and the gyoza is only average but I come back for the quality of the noodles (superb) and the delicious broth. I've heard good things about the Curry Ramen so that's next on my list.
(4)Hannah C.
One hour in Manhattan. I exited the Port Authority half way between DC and Boston on a mission for ramen. Since I was so close to Times Square and 30 Rock, I scooted up to see The Tree as they decorated it, and popped into a Japanese Bakery to ask where to find the noodles that I, weary traveler, needed. They first asked, "Udon or Ramen?" I paused to love New York. I said "ramen", and they sent me here. I ordered take out as the clock was ticking, and ran to the ATM next door for cash as they're cash-only. There I found the receipt of the last customer at that ATM... S/he had $67,000 in checking. Jesus Maria and Jose! The veggie ramen is and was delish, with an almost creamy broth that makes my soul happy. Noodles were perfectly cooked and should last through the next 4 hour bus ride... if I don't eat them first. Gawd I love New York! Oh! The ambiance! Proletarian, but in a busy way - not a dirty way. Nice wooden tables, huge bowls of soup, good looking crowd of business shirts with the sleeves rolled up.
(4)Sam Y.
Five stars b/c the value here is awesome :) I did a ramen tour through NYC last time I visited, and this place + Ippudo were the best ramen joints based on ramen quality. Joint here is much more low key compared to Ippudo, but the broth is flavorful and the BBQ pork is really really tasty. If you want to save yourself the hour wait at Ippudo and just want a simple delicious bowl of reasonably priced ramen, Menkui Tei is your place :)
(5)D N.
Just visited here and am glad I read the reviews first. I had the spicy ramen and the broth was delish! But the real winner wasn't the ramen, but the fried rice which I ordered at the recommendation of a fellow yelper. It was flavorful without being too oily and had a perfect blend of scallion, shrimp and peas. For an additional $3 (if you order ramen), it was a very filling side to my ramen. The spicy broth was a perfect strength- I didn't need water every 2 minutes but I could taste the kick. My bf got the miso ramen- equally tasty but not mind - blowing. I'd come here if I wanted a change from my regular ramen place of choice, Menchanko-tei. The only downside is the location & the 'cash only' rule- but you will likely overlook this after you get your food (which comes pretty fast!)
(3)Captain T.
I grew up in the orient and I've been to many places like this, except normally it would require digging straight down for a long long while. So, I'm glad I don't have to risk the crushing pressures of the earth's core (or Demons, if you please) to get myself some authentic noodles. Overall quality of the food is what you'd expect in a typical Tokyo salaryman noodle bar, service still shouts "HAI!" out of habit, and most of them understand Japanese should you offer them mad props by saying "oishi-kata-des!"
(4)Ed B.
best gyoza and dumplings hands down. No curry on the day I went. Prefer the ramen at Menchanko or Sapporo you can also get dumplings in your ramen very delicious sliced pork as well pricing specials on lunch items before 12:15 - get there at high noon if you want a seat
(3)Zuzzi E.
This was one of the best bowls of ramen I've ever had! The menu is pretty comprehensive, but they'll let you customize your bowl and add/remove any soupy frills. My only gripe: no credit cards. WHAT? Why? I'll let them earn that last star when they join the twenty-first century .
(4)Branson L.
Yum... Yum yum... well sorta.. it was just... a bright environment, which i wasnt into, but the food, the food was pretty good. the ramen was far from orgasmic, but quaffable... i was expecting something more i guess... watched the guy make dumplings, that was fun... its so difficult to write a review on pure mediocrity.... id say its worth trying, like 51% so...
(3)Casmira B.
This place lives up to all of the good reviews it has. The ramen is good, and the prices are better. The vegetable ramen is packed with vegetables and absolutely delicious. When you order, they make your food fresh from scratch. I'm sure lots of other places in the city do that too, but there's something nice about being able to actually watch them do it out in the open and be sure. When you order, you can also specify if you want your noodles more or less firm. On top of that, the serving sizes are huge. A friend and I are able to split one order of ramen comfortably for lunch. I would give this location a 5 stars hands down if not for the cramped interior (going with a large group wouldn't be wise...) and the fact that their vegetable ramen comes with pork broth.
(4)Jane P.
This place is pretty cozy. I like how it feels like an authentic Japanese restaurant. I got the miso ramen and shared the fried rice with a friend. Considering how there's so few places to eat near Times Square (that's good), I would go here if you want something affordable and yummy. *Note: the outside of the restaurant doesn't say Menkui Tei. It says Larmen or something. Kind of confusing.
(4)Brandon M.
It's ok, if you are in the area and are craving ramen, then it is definitely worth checking out, especially given the prices.
(3)Nena G.
Do you love pork? This is your spot! Listen, my veggie ramen with pork broth was delicious. I wasn't even that hungry and I couldn't stop eating it was so good. Three stars for the following reasons: 1. My guest didn't eat Pork and you can't get ANY of their ramen AND almost nothing from their menu without ground, chopped, stewed, grilled, shredded or some other type of pork. This is horrible! Who would guess with 8 different Ramens on the menu not one is a veggie or chicken or beaf broth.. disappointing. As other reviewers say, they have a veggie ramen but it has pork broth. 2. The raw pounds and pounds of pork were piled in a heap right on the other side of the bar - at least 2 ft. above the top of the bar. So even though my guest was able to order a chicken dish we both had an up close view of a raw pile of pork the entire meal. (At least it wasn't frozen!) 3. Lunch time (1 p.m.) wait is at least an hour Not memorable, not special and I don't have to go back. I will if I'm in this neighborhood again but I don't have to - so three stars. For ramen Totto Ramen is still my fav. - inexpensive, great space and veggie/pork free friendly.
(3)Cyndi T.
*sigh* I had higher hopes for this location because of ALL the reviews. The Menkui Tei downtown is WAY BETTER than this one. This location is tight and small only really for the in and out business people in the area. We were seated right in front of the door where the line was right up against us so it was weird eating next to a line of hungry people facing you--literally 2 feet from you. The hostess seated us sharing a table with some guy so all our chopsticks and condiments were on his side and we didnt have anything. Mind you this was also 1pm where lunch time was in full force for business people...so probably NOT the best time to go. Food. Food was nothing to brag about. The food at their downtown location tastes MUCH MUCH better. They have ALOT more menu items to choose from too, like monkfish liver, pig intestine and so forth. Much more choices. You'll be grateful you went to that location instead!
(1)Sarah W.
Just had some ramen in Menkui Tei. It was goooood~~~. I have a happy stomach now and I know I am gonna sleep like a just fed baby tonight. This place is small and the menu is neatly short but I have to announce that I found THE place for my Japanese Ramen urge. I know it is early for the annual Ramen award but the winner of my annual Ramen award is decided. Please accept my Free-award Menkui Tei~~ I had Tonkatsu Ramen($8) with extra butter topping($1.50). The waiter smiled. Why? A big chunk of marshmallow sized butter came in my soup, floating. Whao.. But, as Juila Child says, never apologize and there is never enough butter. Creamy buttered up broth, It was heavenly comforting. Ahhhhh~~~ (sorry, I have been overusing this expression a lot lately..but... no other word to describe this) Ahhhhhh~~~ Hyun-ju, my cousin had Mabo Ramen($8) with extra roasted pork topping($4). Dark broth topped with some delicious but mysterious dark sauce (meaty and beefy) with soft tofus and ground beef. She loved it. It was really good but I liked mine more. hehe. Even though I might die named as Butter-Face................ I liked mine, she liked hers. What else do we need? The portion was big but we both finished everything to the bottom of our bowls. God bless these two cousins. Mostly I like the broth, it is not too salty nor too meaty nor too dense nor as some other places I have been. The roasted porks are perfectly cooked. yummmmmmmmm~~ This place is not fancy. But you can clearly see that it is authentic and people eat there know that food there are good. No decor cliche nor dreadful waiting lines - just plain all good ramens. Service was right on and friendly. I am coming back for the rest of my life.. Highly Recommended. Cash Only.
(5)Oski B.
Very tasty and just a block away from Le Parker Meridien. When you need a break from Burger Joint, just head east on 56th and you'll be here in no time. Don't be a doofus like me and scratch your head wondering whether the yellow awning that reads "Larmen New York" is Menkui-Tei. Got my ramen to go and it was still piping hot when I got back to the hotel. As I was waiting for my order, I noticed that most people ordered some gyoza to go w their noodles. I'll have to try that next time. Remember, cash only.
(4)Jennifer C.
An unassuming exterior lacking curb appeal gives way to one of the tastiest bowls of Ramen that can be had in NYC for under $10. Forget about waiting in line at Ippudo, if you're in midtown check this place out. I recommend the Ma Po Tofu Ramen if you like tofu but don't expect it to be too spicy. My fiance ordered the Seafood Ramen which was HUGE though the shrimp in it were TINY. His broth was a little less flavorful but the Ma Po Tofu broth was a little thicker and pretty tasty. I was tempted to drink the whole thing but decided I could do without the sodium. The ramen was super hot and service was quick and efficient, with no frills. We didn't have to wait for a seat on a mid-week evening. This is good when you're looking for something quick, not expensive and hot.
(4)Nhan B.
In New York for Labor Day weekend. Wife is Japanese so we hit a few Japanese restaurants. Very disappointed until on our last day we found Ise. While everything in NYC is expensive to us out-of-towners, the portions here were very generous and the food authentically delicious. Definitely coming here if we visit the area again.
(4)Cherry L.
A cozy place especially in the winter of Manhattan. Both the rice and soup tastes good with rich ingredients. But the noodles feel like the instant ones.
(4)Cheryl K.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars suckaaa. I've been to this place numerous times for lunch breaks with the pops. His office is right around the corner and he knows the people there pretty well by now, so this is his go-to joint for lunch. He always orders the same thing-- this chicken and onion stir-fry over rice. I tried some of it and it is the Japanese-style 53rd and 6th chiggin&rice f'sho. Over the course of my visits to this slightly hidden restaurant, I've tried a variety of rolls, the lunch special of tempura udon + crab salad over rice, and the chirashi (basically pieces of sashimi over rice-- think, disassembled sushi). Everything I've had was tasty and very fresh. The lunch specials are amazing! They have A, B, and C and I remember having a very hard time choosing. I believe I had lunch special C, but I'll try the other 2 very soon. I love that, despite the chaos at lunchtime in midtown, we always get seated and served promptly. I hear they have an Ise down by my apartment in the Financial District; could they be related?! I shall find out! Oh, also, I don't know if he's the owner, but there's always this smiling plump ole Asian man standing in the front saying hello and byebye! Def gave an extra .5 stars for the cutie.
(5)K A.
So they have moved into Ise's space next door, and replaced most of Ise's menu. Ramen is still excellent, but not cooked in front of you anymore (they told me its because they have a real kitchen area now). Nicer decor did not involve a credit card machine, so still cash only, although the seran wrapped cash register seems to be gone (RIP).
(4)Kris P.
Could've sworn that I had reviewed this place already... I came here often while living in NYC, especially because it's hard to find any decent ramen joint outside of the East Village. Living uptown can be hard for a ramen-loving girl, so when I came across "Larmen" I decided that it was authentic enough for me! I've tried almost all of their Ramen (except the Vegetarian), and was pretty satisfied with them. The best thing is that they can change their broth to your liking. I always ask for the "light broth" which is a perfectly seasoned broth - not overly salty. My faves: -Ramen: Menkui, Miso, Tonkatsu, and Char Siu -Gyoza: perefection! The filling is flavorul and the skin is light and crispy. -Fried rice: really good and hits the spot. I always get a side of it :) My not-so-faves: -table set up is crowded -smoky and hot: they need a new ventilation system (anyone wearing glasses will have foggy vision w/in moments of stepping in) -ambiance: decor and set up are average. although I do like watching the chefs at their open kitchen. This Menkui-Tei is better than the one down on Cooper Square/St. Marks. I'm not sure what it is, but I thought the ramen and the fried rice was better in Midtown, as was the service. I'd say this place is a 3.5 in my book, but because they're usually so nice, I'll round up this time ;)
(4)Mike G.
This is extremely well done Japanese food at a very fair prices. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone - they have a full range of the more traditional Japanese fare, and also flirt with more creative presentations, while still maintaining contact with a solid Japanese aesthetic and integrity. Their box dinner deals are unbeatable - you can sushi, tempura, together with all of the trimmings and dessert for a cool $20. Oh, and make sure to try their Sapporo beer on tap - it's mighty tasty. I'm only docking a star because the decor could use a refresh, it only has a single bathroom, and it has a slightly musty odor when you first walk in. Aside from those minor quibbles, you can't go wrong.
(4)Justin S.
This is the epic Ramen I've been hearing about for so long? On my latest trip to Manhattan, I made sure to try a couple of bowls. They were certainly enjoyable, filling, and a good deal... but there's this little thing called 'Pho.' It's like Ramen, but different. If this were a pho shop, I'd be giving it 2 stars for tough meat, basic broth, and average prices. If this is 4-star ramen shop, then ramen is a gimpy genre. People waxing poetically for missing things that can only be found in Manhattan have gone down another small notch in my totem pole of credibility. 3-stars for providing a decent meal at a fair price. ps The fried rice was exceptional... I found it significantly better than either of the soups I tried. It came with shrimp, pork, egg, and veggies and was well-prepared. Completely delicious!
(3)Josh E.
Ahhhh... Nothing beats a cool bowl of Hyashi Chuka Ramen on a warm/hot summer day. There are few places in the US where you can even get this stuff and, thank my lucky stars, I live in a city that has a strong Ramen-ya presence... New York. NYC, you come through again and again. Love ya, xoxo! So, Menkui Tei is a hole in the wall, and adorably so, noodle joint with not a great deal of seating and a narrow seating area. It's a bit dingy, but that's fine. They have a fine list of Japanese fast food that can easily keep me happy no matter my mood. Hyashi Chuka is the summer fix... A cool vinegary broth full of cold noddles and, in Menkui Tei's version, sliced pork, shaved radish, egg, cucumber, "k"rab, sprouts, a dab hot mustard, and probably more that I'm forgetting. Mix it all up and enjoy. It's typically only avaiable during summer, but it may be on Menkui Tei's menu all the time... it was hard to tell. My friend, and I, also shared a tasty order of gyoza. The prices are okay, or not too expensive for New York... Running $9 for my bowl. I'll go back. It's not amazing, but it's heart warming... comfort food for those with open palletes. 3.5 stars.
(3)Michael V.
4 stars only because I don't eat a lot of ramen and have no basis of comparison. The bowls are huge and steaming hot, quickly served and cheaply priced. It's hard to find a more filling meal for the price. I'm a fan of the curry ramen. My wife likes the miso ramen, and we both tend to order extra ingredients. We've also tried the gyoza and shumai, both excellent (though the shumai has a small edge, it's really awesomely good.) The people are friendly, it's super close to the subway - I have only one little complaint, and that's that the sign outside says Larmen New York, not Menkui Tei, so it can be a little confusing.
(4)Lisa P.
Thank you Yelp for helping me discover Menkui Tei! I'd been seriously craving good ramen for awhile. I'm not really into the "stand in line for 2 hours deal-e-o" at Ippudo or Momofuku (I don't understand why they won't just take a damn reservation)- all I wanted was comfort food in the form of a steaming hot bowl of noodles from a chill, unpretentious place. That's exactly what I got when I came here last Friday. I had the tonkatsu ramen with the butter topping (again, thank you Yelp!) and my bf had the menkui tei ramen. The noodles were great- I ordered mine a little on the chewier side (the sign said to instruct the server to adjust the "rigidity" of the noodles). The broth was perfect as well. Great food, great value, and in a location that's much more convenient for me than the LES (I live on the UWS). The gyoza are also delicious. They have a very thin and delicate skin (more like a wonton wrapper than a dumpling skin) that fries up nicely, giving a perfect crispy bottom. The meat inside is very fresh and light- yum! It is small, cramped, and steamy though. My wool peacoat smelled like fried dumplings and soup for a few days afterwards- but I'm not so sure that's a bad thing... :)
(4)Katie C.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS PLACE HAS SUCH HIGH RATINGS... This place is NOT even a RAMEN place. THE RAMEN HERE IS HORRIBLE! DO NOT COME HERE! Yes the ramen is cheap, but it's disgusting. And this place is difficult to find. AVOID! Stick with Totto Ramen or Ippudo. Trust me, the price difference is worth it
(1)Ben T.
Umai Umai Umaideee koko! The prices are reasonable, the food quality is excellent, the waiters are friendly, and you can watch the chef make you sushi or you can dine in exclusivity in one of their private dining rooms-highly recommended! I know the owner as I have come here often and I also frequent Menkui Tei next door which he also owns. Don't leave without trying: butabara, yakitori, some sashimi or sushi roles (if you're in the mood for sushi) and don't forget to take some desert!
(4)Elissa S.
My friend scanned the menu and said, "I'll have three sides of butter." Yeah, you can order butter by itself. Apparently, it's an accompaniment to the ramen. I have never seen anyone order the butter, nor do I understand why you would want to do that, but if you ever want butter with your ramen, it's there. In all seriousness, this is some pretty delicious ramen. It arrives piping hot, but not so hot you can't take a slurp the soup immediately. I've never had a ramen here that I disliked, so basically, if you order anything from the left side of the menu, you're good to go. That's not to say, however, that the right side of the menu doesn't deserve merit. In fact, their curry rice is some of the best in town. Thick and flavorful, it tastes like they've been cooking it for days, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken. If you want something warm and satisfying but aren't in the mood for a big bowl of soup, order the curry rice with some pork. If you have room, split some gyozas with your friends. Those little suckers are scrumptious.
(4)Kelly B.
The char sui here is delicious! Menkui Tei is more of a hole in a wall than anything, and the decoration is minimal (dry-erase board, beer signs, etc.) No glitz and glamour. But the ramen I had was delicious and more than I expected. Service was good, food was good, restaurant was good. Kind of peeved that it's a cash-only spot, but it's NYC you can find an ATM nearby!
(4)Jihye K.
Cheap, yes, but good quality? eh. It's as yelp suggests with its two star ratings, it's "meh, i've experienced better". It gets 3 stars because of its super cheap prices. Had the menkui ramen -- super cheap ($8) but overly salty and the noodles were slightly overcooked. It's supposed to be seafood broth, but definitely not what I tasted. The chasu pork pieces were decent and flavorful, but again, the overwhelming saltiness of the entire bowl just didn't lead to a worthwhile experience. Don't expect much more than basically a cheap bowl of ramen. If you come with that expectation, you won't be disappointed! The shumai (4 pieces) were larger than expected and not bad. but again, nothing absolutely mindblowing. Cash only here!
(3)Tian X.
If I really had to choose my favorite ramen in New York City, it would be a difficult decision between this place and Menchanko-tei, which has a location just down the street from here, but I think I would settle on Menkui Tei. Menchanko-tei packs a lot more goodies into their ramen, but Menkui Tei has much better broth. I'm not sure what it is that they do, but there is just something amazing about the broth here. I must note that this place is much better for dinner than lunch simply because the lunch crowd is absolutely out of control. Even in bitter winter, the crowd extends out the door, which can be a very painful wait.
(5)Roxane W.
Menkui Tei is solid ramen. The portions are huge, and the prices are cheap. A very casual place, with lots of seating, and a friendly staff. You can tell who the regulars are when you walk in. After discovering Totto Ramen, this place doesn't really wow me. The broth is a bit on the salty side.. a bit too much. However, if I don't want to wait in line, and have a craving for ramen, I may just come back here.
(3)Anita D.
Came here two Novembers ago for lunch. This place was packed. Wait was quick. Ordered shoyu ramen (if i remember correctly, as i was trying to nurse a hangover). It was good and portions were fair. Very cramped inside, then again, there's just not enough room in Manhattan.
(3)Sean M.
The ramen here is good, not my favorite, but there's not an hour and a half line for it. The service is really good (and quick) and they staff is friendly. This is a great place if you're in a rush but still want your ramen fix.
(3)Peter O.
If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with ramen here. Cha Shoo is probably my favorite. Remember you can always upgrade the quantity of noodles for less than 2 bucks. My only concern is that the sodium level is too high. Their soup base doesn't need to be so salty.
(4)Di X.
Absolutely LOVE this place! My boyfriend and i enjoy going these for bowl of yummi ramen. Good prices and ramen is sooooo good!
(5)Amanda L.
I enjoy the curry rice dish and the only place around the area where you can get it. The place is cash only and has a B grading - which is pretty accurate. The meat taste old and frozen even when they refry it. Also the last time I got the ramen my stomach was grumbling at me afterwards. The rice dishes are pretty safe though. There are definitely better places to go to ramen, but for a quick lunch it's fine. Service is great and really quick. I used to come here a lot during work, but since the last two times my stomach would hurt so I've been avoiding the place when I can.
(2)D V.
Solid Japanese izayaki. A nice respite from the hustle and bustle of work and city. Unlike most restaurants here, the staff are nice and attentive. Looks small, but it has a decently spacious seating area. For what its worth, more than half the customers are Japanese , and almost all Asian. You're not going to find anything particularly different or special compared to other Japanese restaurants, and I wouldn't go out of the way to come here. But what they do is well sorted and executed. They have a very good clam soup (hamasu), which though simple and tasty I have found difficult to find in the city. Their yakitori is also very good and cleaner tasting compared to Oh Taisho. The teriyaki and sushi are nothing special, a little bland and unfresh. $10 large/$5 small house hot sake. Don't mistake Ise for the ramen joint next door (which has the same owner). A few of the reviews on Yelp of Ise are actually for the ramen place.
(3)Jason W.
I've eaten here several times and the food is pretty good. I'm a huge fan of Japanese katsu curry which is about 8 and change. If you want pork cutlet its an additional $3... Kind of ridiculous especially cause you're already paying $8 for curry and rice alone -_- I remember getting the curry rice dish w/pork a couple months ago and them giving me a full cutlet! Unfortunately I've noticed that they really have been copping out on the meat and give you about half now. I agree with many others.. The ramen IS missing something. They only give you ~3 slices of meat.. Pretty disappointing. But if I had to choose, I'd go for the extra spicy ramen. Overall, the place is a little above average.
(3)Karen N.
Ohhh, I almost wish I work in midtown so I can have a bowl of their ramen for lunch everyday! I went by myself, sat at the counter, flanked by Japanese businessmen on both sides. I got the shoyo ramen and gyoza. What a satisfying lunch! You can see the guy wrapping the gyozas in front of you and the guy that cooks the noodles. I don't have a complicated rating system, here are my criteria: Do I want to drink all the soup? Do I wish I have more noodles at the end of the bowl? Did I burn my mouth in my first bite cos I just couldn't wait anymore? The answer is all yes! Will go back anytime I walk by that block.
(4)Laurie S.
I hate that its cash only. The door is kind of hidden and you don't see it until you are right in front of it. But there were lots of Asian people here, so I knew it had to be good. And it was. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Jen G.
Came here just before 11pm on a Monday night and were told that they only had 2 kinds of ramen available. We opted for the thicker broth ramen. The pork was good, but each bowl only had 2 pieces? Oh hell no. I wish i knew what the broth tasted like; the ginger on top OVERPOWERED everything. This place doesn't hold a candle to Daikokuya in Los Angeles. Very forgettable.
(2)M M.
Not bad, and not good. I would have given Menkui Tei 2 stars if it didn't have such friendly waitstaff. I had a tonkotsu ramen and a small fried rice. The ramen broth didn't have a WOW factor and had an off taste at the beginning, like they added something to make it creamier. The fried rice was kind of flavorless. The prices were ok but I can't really recommend this place even if you have a ramen craving and are in the area.
(3)David P.
My wife and I received a tip from a trusted friend about where to get great ramen...so we headed to st marks and was fortunate to find this place as most places in the area were closed. I had the amazing menkui tei ramen and she had a spicy seafood ramen (name escapes me). both were delicious and the broth was flavorful...not bland not salty. We also had their seafood fried rice which btw was the best fried rice ever...not greasy like most restaurants. Good Service also...even on labor day! We will have to go back as soon as we're able.
(3)Guillaume T.
nice place.
(4)Kurt M.
Very good Ramen here. Had a nice meal with the wife and also got very good service.
(4)Jang David K.
Menkui Tei's broth is worth dying for. It touches the deep parts of your soul as your drink this heaven-sent gift....i picture myself drinking this broth in middle of a cold winter in hot springs of Japan....ahhh... Lines can be long at peak hours but you should wait to have their ramens. Without a doubt, Ippudo's pork belly is tastier and tenderer than Menkui Tei's. However, I think this joint's broth is better because it's so well balanced unlike Ippudo's slightly salty broth taste. Ambiance, Ippudo wins again. I feel like I'm in Japan when I'm at Ippudo. In presentation, Ippudo is a bit better, not by much. All in all, Menkui Tei is a great contribution to NYC's ramen freaks. I wanna go to Japan....
(4)Food E.
Big menu..bigger than the downtown branch in the financial district. I had the chirashi and it was good. My friend got a couple of sushi rolls which were on the pricier side for rolls. The yakitori (chicken and pork belly) were good, probably my favorite part of the meal. The grilled octopus appetizer we ordered came out after our entrees and wasn't hot - luke warm at best - have had better.
(3)Emi M.
Favorite Ramen in the city. Both locations are delicious! Shoyu Ramen is my go to on the menu.
(5)Hiroko S.
I haven't eaten ramen since I moved to USA. This is my first time. I don't say this is as good as ramen in Japan but ramen was great. I tried, extra spicy ramen, menkui ramen, and champon. Our conclusion was champon was the best one of three.
(3)Chris C.
While eating our Ramen.... Boyfriend: I want to have an open relationship Girlfriend: (Pissed off face) What?........ Boyfriend: ...... Girlfriend: (with a pissed - pissed face with Ramen fumes coming out of her nose, arms crossed) So you want an open relationship?! Ex boyfriend: yes Let me just say, not the best place to break it off or have relationship talk with your girlfriend or boyfriend because (A) environment not that calming and (B) very easy for people to hear about your business. I promise I'm not a creep, well maybe I am, but it was super easy eavesdrop and when any drama is going down why not listen in?! That was Cindy C. and I's mini entertainment while slurping our ramen down. I had the mabo ramen because I saw the ** on the menu, basically the warning sign that it's spicy. Mabo ramen really didn't need any asterisk because it wasn't spicy. The Ramen noodles were cooked just the way I like it: soft enough to slurp it down but chewy enough to have a bit of a bite to it. After finding out that the soup wasn't spicy, I hit my soup with some spicy japanese pepper (you know.. the ones that are out on the table comes in a mini orangy capsule?). After going through about a 1/4 of the noodles, it was getting too salty for me. With 2 rounds of water, I attempted to level out the saltiness with a gulps of water. We also shared the dumplings. Very much recommended! Not the frozen kind... YES... it feels so good when it isn't because you don't feel jipped. If your in the area and you don't feel like trekking all the way down to Lower East to satisfy your ramen craving, then I think Menkui Tei isn't a bad place to do the deal. 8 bucks a ramen bowl makes the Cash Only feel not so bad.
(3)Raven M.
I was in the area and Menkui Tei had been compared to Ippudo as in it was better and cheaper- I'd have to disagree, although there was a vast option for Ramen dishes, most of which ARE delicious, Ippudo is much better- The noodles were thick and wonderful with the broth that also had a slight heaviness to it as well as great flavour! Good to try at least once definitely, twice if you happen to be in the area again- Again, just a disclaimer, I haven't tried anything else but the Ramens. *I found it a bit hard to find as the name outside wasn't exactly the same as what I was looking for- however it's the only ramen place on the block.
(3)Amy L.
Came here for lunch with a friend who just got back from a year in Japan. I got the $10.5 lunch special - an order of vegetable gyoza, half an order of tonkotsu ramen, and half an order of curry rice - and given the amount of food the came, what a great deal. It passed our basic tastiness test but nothing close to "ammaaaaaazinggg!!!!" Let's just say it's no Ippudo. Cash only.
(3)April S.
Great little place that was not easy to find! However, the food was AMAZING! I got the cold noodle dish with a soy based sauce. The portion was great for the price and half way through the noodles I was full. The roasted pork it came with was seasoned just right and complimented the noodles quite well. The only con I would say is the place is quite small. So sometimes when it gets busy I'd imagine there would be a wait. But it's worth it for sure!
(4)Ye P.
Will give 3.5. A nice place with authentic Japanese food to hang out with friends.
(3)Klane H.
A quick tasty meal. But I just can't find a good reason to pay 8.50 for a bowl of ramen in a joint that's a small step above the place you loiter for chinese takeout. I think there are better options in the neighborhood, at least for the tonkatsu I had.
(3)YK C.
My friend and I ventured in this hidden little ramen joint after work last week. They were packed! This little place offers nearly a dozen different type of ramen and standard rice dishes. I had the Tonkotsu Ramen (pork bone broth) and my friend got the Katsu Don (pork cutlet & egg over rice). We also shared an order of fried pork dumplings. All of this was just $31 (tax and tip included). Lets start with the appetizer. The dumpling was made in house with lots of filling. They certainly didn't skimp there. Grilled to nice golden brownness, they were just perfect. My Tonkotsu Ramen was really really good. The broth was excellent. Their pork slices (cha-siu) was good, but is a little on the lean side (I like mine a little fatty!). The noodles were nice and chewy--as it should be. I also got the extra curry rice on the side (only $3). It was good, but the curry is definitely packaged (hence the 4-star instead of 5-star). My friend's Katsu Don was quite good as well. The pork cutlet was nicely done (still juicy; not too dry) and the sauce was just right. All in all, I am a fan. Lower East Side probably has better ramen (such as Rai Rai Ken), but in this area, Ise is a sure bet. It's no wonder they are packed.
(4)Isabel L.
Simply put, I like this restaurant because it's real. It's not overly fancy or decorated. In fact, it smells like oil and kitchen in here if you sit in front of the bar. But it's that authentic taste of ramen that I go after. It reminds me of a Ramen house down some resident block in Tokyo during my visit in Japan. Menkui Tei might be local and low key, but their ramen is solid! Not overly salty or greasy. There's alot of variety so pick and choose as you may please. Besides Ramen they hv fried rice, Gyoza, Shumai and Curry. I can definitely see myself coming here all the time! NOTE: They close at 11pm weeknights
(4)Cody S.
Bottom line, there's better ramen for cheaper prices in Manhattan. Had a bowl of Jar-Jar ramen (cold ramen without soup that has spiced ground pork) and a side of Gyoza. The ramen was 'so so' and the same with the gyoza...the wrappers just weren't quite paper thin enough for my taste. It's adequate, and by no means expensive, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(2)Tom I.
This place has great value meal for lunch hour. $12~13 and you get four or five dishes plus rice and miso soup. Not only this is very authentic Japanese style business lunch, but also you get well balanced healthy meal. Service is fast, and friendly. The only issue I have is the price during dinner. I found it very expensive, priced for wealthy Japanese business people, therefore I usually eat ramen next door for dinner if I'm in the hood.
(4)Chris M.
I took a little field trip down to the city to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and walk around. I had done some research on Yelp as I was looking for cheap fare in Midtown East and Menkui Tei came up. When I read the reviews, I was captivated by the feedback about the wonderful ramen. In my opinion, there is nothing better to fill someone up on a cold night then a warm bowl of steaming ramen. The menu has about 10 ramen dishes but I ended up getting the Shoyu ramen. It came with two pieces of pork, bamboo shoots, and scallions. The food came up quick but I wasn't very impressed. The pork was very tough and there were way too many scallions almost overwhelming the dish. The noodles looked like they were straight out of a packet of Maruchan ramen. When I was in Vancouver, I got to eat at a couple of Noodle Shops that were much better than Menkui Tei. The only redeeming quality was the broth was warm and filling. I know that traditional Japanese Ramen is supposed to be all about the broth and that is why this place gets 2 stars but the accoutrements that are added to the ramen need to be of high quality to compliment the rich flavor of the broth. These weren't, the ramen suffered, and ultimately Menkei Tei's review suffers.
(2)Jack N.
I like the St. Marks one more, meat not fatty enough... Came here a while ago, but forgot to Yelp about it, but came by again recently, and at least this time, the ramen is more vivid in my memory than the last. This goes for all ramen places in midtown. Only go before noon or after 2 PM on a weekday unless you're prepared to wait. I wasn't, but my friend and I went after 2, but even then, they only had 1 small table, all the way in the back. Well, at least we didn't have to wait. As for the menu, its quite different from their St. Marks location. I have to say, if I didn't know better, these two restaurants have nothing in common except for the name. I was looking forward to ordering the Kyushu ramen, only to find that they don't serve it in this store, so I went w/ the Tonkotsu ramen (which is really the same thing, one describe the region where the ramen style is from, the other describe the actual pork bone broth use in the ramen). But sadly, I was disappointed, the ramen was not as good. The meat was kinda dry, they could have really put some fatty pork to enhance the flavor, and there was no egg in there. I guess I'm nit-picking, but that's what's in the Kyushu ramen in their St. Marks location. But given the disappointment in food, I still have to give them a plus for their service. They were very attentive, including filling our glass of water quite often. I guess I just have to get other items the next time I'm here.
(3)Laura H.
Best udon noodle soup I've ever had! At lunch, a huge, hearty bowl is served alongside three pieces of scrumptious sashimi over sushi rice. More food than I could eat, for only $12, PLUS that included green tea. It's a half-mile walk from my office and I will happily trek through ice & snow to get there for this amazing meal.
(4)David L.
This place is my favorite Ramen place in NYC. + The flavor of their pork tonkatsu ramen and miso ramen is to die for. + The pork itself is so flavorful and tender that it practically melts in your mouth. + The broths are good to the last drop. + The fried rice and gyoza also have a ton of flavor. I'd always order them with my soups. + Chicken liver and chives were tasty too! + Great midtown location that's an easy walk from work - Lines during weekday lunch are REALLY long. Overall, I don't think I've found anywhere that matches the flavor of their ramen and you can't go wrong with anything here.
(5)Angela K.
Had a ramen contest today with a group of food lovers. We surveyed a few ramen houses around the city by ordering just a little ramen to taste who served it the best. Menkui Tei took first prize. (My husband chose Ippudo... see my review of that on Ippudo's page.) I'm a purist who just wants good ramen noodles and soup. What I appreciated about Menkui was the quality of noodles and broth... fresh, not too salty, not too oily. (What is up with all of the grease and oil at Ippudo and other ramen houses??) The atmosphere is exactly how I picture a ramen house should be... unpretentious, easy, and busy. Hands down the winner for today.
(5)Alex W.
Closer to 3.5 stars. Another izakaya, I'd venture to say more similar to Riki than to Sakagura. Dishes are simple, but delicious. The yakitori is certainly not up there with the likes of totto and torishin, but to me the chicken skin is worth an order as it's so tiny and tasty but not chewy. Also, order the fried chicken and finish the meal with a plate of fried ice cream.
(3)W L.
Found roach in my Canton ramen today....the worst possible thing you can find in your soup. I been going to this place for years since i work 2 blocks away but never more! I'm sick to my stomach cuz i drank roach juice...yuck!
(1)Jacinda S.
Fans of true ramen rejoice. This tiny midtown spot makes some pretty amazing noodles. My favorite is the wonton ramen, with delicate little pillows of pork that make you want to cry. Don't expect anything fancy, this place is basic and busy so they serve you fast...this also means it's not a place to linger while on a date or catching up with old friends. I would give them four stars but for one little issue: they use MSG, which I typically avoid like the plague but in their case, I have to make an exception. It's that good.
(3)S. R.
I really don't understand the 4 stars here. I had the spicy pork ramen. It wasn't spicy and the broth was blech. If this is your favourite ramen place, then you need to get out more. The only reason I can fathom for such a high rating is that this general vicinity is ramen starved. Truly the ONLY reason. I won't be back. Sorry, Menkui Tei.
(2)Greta G.
Totally cute place and has a lot of ramen dishes. I came in here for lunch with a friend. Seating was very cramped but we were seated after a short wait. Food came really fast. Our ramen was authentic and came in a thick, delicious yellow broth. Unfortunately, they don't serve sake until 5 pm. Also tried their shumai, which was good. But the ramen stole the show. The place was very cheap. With appetizer and two large soup ramens the tab for both me and my friend came out to be $21. Liked it a lot and will definitely come back.
(4)Federico S.
this place doesn't deserve too many words beside..... it is cheap! and you get what you pay for. there is better ramen out there
(2)Chris T.
Not too shabby if you're simply craving ramen and don't want to trek to the East Village for the good stuff (Minca, Ippudo, Setagaya) -- but Menkui Tei's food is largely unremarkable. Menkui Tei serves large bowls of springy noodles and vegetables in steaming broth; the pork varieties come with two or three slices of pork and the seafood (chan pon) comes with a few small pieces of shrimp and fishcakes. The gyoza is solid and crispy, but the side dishes of curry and rice (mostly curry sauce over with minimal substance, such as veggies or meat) and fried rice (again, very little substance, but a few bits of vegetables) are probably not worth paying a few extra dollars. Decent ramen, speedy and friendly service, and proximity to midtown make this an OK option for me from time to time, but the ramen I crave most is concentrated in the East Village.
(3)Robert C.
It's a must for me and my family when we visit NYC. The noodles are fresh and the shoyu broth is perfect. The best time for the hot ramen soup is during winter. My girls are also big fans of gyoza.
(4)Eileen H.
I went to Menkui Tei with some friends after our attempt to get into Ippudo failed (1 hour and 40 minute wait at 6:40 pm!!!) We walked in and were seated immediately. We ordered 3 appetizers while waiting for our 4th friend to show up. They were decent - we got the beef short rib, agedashi, and broiled salmon. The agedashi was my favorite. The short rib was a little lacking in flavor, but maybe I am just too used to the Korean kalbi, and the salmon was salmon - can't go wrong there but nothing that wowed me. The ramen was decent. The noodles were cooked perfectly and broth seasoned fine. I ordered one of their special ramen but was able to sample my friends orders of tonkatsu ramen annd miso ramen. My special ramen had a broth that tasted very simliar to the tonkatsu ramen broth, but I liked mine better because it seemed to have a shallot/garlic flavor that was not in the tonkatsu ramen broth. The miso ramen broth was pretty good but it did taste a bit salty. Menkui Tei is a good, solid ramen place. The atmosphere was good for a group of 4. The tables are pretty close together so if you are looking for a restaurant for a nice, quiet dinner don't go to Menkui Tei. Also, it was VERY HOT in the restaurant. I never complain about being too hot (I am always slightly uncomfortable when it's less than 80 degrees) and I felt too hot in the restaurant. Even though they seemed very busy, their waitstaff was attentive to guests. Definitely go here if you are looking for a substitute for Momofuku and Ippudo, but be forewarned that it is not a fair substitute.
(3)H C.
SOLID ramen. Got the tonkotsu ramen on the recommendation of my bro and it did not disappoint. The noodles were a perfect al dente consistency and the broth was tasty. Everything was extremely complimentary. We took advantage of the additional curry and fried rice offer for $3 and that was also delish. Good value.
(5)Weili H.
Tried this place out as usual because I saw it on Yelp. Got the Tonkotsu Ramen and it was pretty delicious. The waiter recommended it over the namesake Menkui Tei Ramen. The soup had plenty of flavor and the ramen texture was good. The pork was done really well, especially the fatty part. The boiled egg was no comparison to Naruto Ramen's on the upper east side though. I also got a small order of the fried rice which is $3 if you order a ramen. It was a good deal and really delicious. There's some ginger that adds a kick to it if you're into ginger. Also ordered the Shumai, a little expensive at $4 for 4 pieces, but tasty if you're feeling like adding something to your meal. I'd come back again when i'm in the area, but I wouldn't say this place was head and shoulders above Naruto.
(4)Sasha M.
Solid ramen in a pleasantly Japanese-looking place at unbeatable prices. This food wouldn't rate nearly as high in Japan, but is great for midtown. Cash only.
(4)Briana M.
-This is actually a review for the other location. I'm stupid.- There is nothing more romantic than the sound and sight of sloppy ramen slurpage on Valentine's Day. Hungry for ramen and not willing to enter the dark swanky gates of Ippudo we settled on Me
(5)Jason G.
Really good, traditional Japanese food ... ultra fresh! Bento Box #2 for lunch! Also ... their mixed salad is as good as it gets! YUM!
(4)Wendy L.
Not bad at all. Ordered the Menkui Tei with gyoza on the side. The ramen texture and soup base were much better than Sapporo's. My only complaint is that there aren't enough goodies in the bowl. It would have been nice to have a piece of seaweed and maybe some corn without having to pay extra for it. The cha siu was excellent, not dry and super salty like another poster said. The gyoza was delicious, deep-fried goodness. I'll definitely come here again to try the rest of the ramen.
(4)JaShin T.
Have been here before for lunch since I work in the area, but I've never tried the Tan-Tan Ramen until now...and all because of the soup adventure I'm on to try all 50 "Tastiest" soups in NYC as dubbed by New York magazine. It's a small space, so don't go in there expecting the best ambience. It's what you expect out of a ramen joint, a no-frills environment with quick service. When my friend and I walked in, there was a line with other workerbees in the area, but we didn't have to wait long at all. I know you want to know how the ramen was, and why I gave it three stars. So check out my review on my blog: bit.ly/a39Riy .
(3)Anne D.
This place has been on my bookmarks for over a year. I can now say that I have tried it and was not disappointed. I had the Menkui Ramen to go. The pork was so juicy and the bamboo shoots tasty just like my mom would make, really tender. The broth and noodles were good too, but I don't really think anything to write home about. But seriously, the pork... yummy. Totally a place I will go to when I'm craving noodles, oil, and pork. The price is perfect - under $10. Maybe one day I'll have enough guts to wait for a table during lunch.
(4)Nicole C.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the ramen they use here. I ordered the ramen with ground pork and devoured the entire thing. The ramen they use is a perfect texture, and an excess amount. The broth is super tasty as well. Very well seasoned, and easily my new obsession. I will have to try the cold ramen at some point soon. Very small place, we did not dine in here, came for take out and had to wait until the food was ready for us. Not badly priced either.
(4)David C.
Pretty good ramen. Noodles were firm and broth very tasty. Pork was a bit fatty so that is why I am giving this place 3 stars vs. 4 stars. Would definitely like to try the gyoza next time.
(3)Quentin B.
It's all about the Ramen. When I think of Menkui Tei, I only wish I knew about it earlier. Ramen was fresh and full flavored. Fried rice was an excellent side dish however way more then I needed to order.
(4)Max M.
This is an awesome place for ramen in midtown. I got the Menkui Tei Ramen and was surprised at how filling it was. The broth is really satisfying and the helping of noodles is huge. The only problem with this place is that its cash only. So of course, I was $0.25 short of what my order was gonna cost when I came to pick it up, and I had to walk to the ATM, in the rain, w/o an umbrella, and get cash, from a bank that charged me a withdrawal fee.
(4)Tom D.
My last 4 visits to New York have included a visit to Menkui Tei. The gyoza are always delicious -- and while I usuaully order the Tan-Tan Ramen, on my last trip I had the Jar-Jar Ramen (cold ramen w/ seasoned ground pork, shredded cucumber, bean sprouts and pickled ginger). It was total comfort food and was the highlight of my day. Will return.
(4)Angela R.
This was the only place that we went to twice while we were in NYC, which says something in itself. And both times it was a total nightmare to find - the address is hidden, it's buried below sidewalk level, the name on the sign is different than what we had found on Yelp, etc. BUT - the noodles are worth the trouble. Once I had a cold noodle salad and the next time had hot ramen - delicious on all fronts. Highly recommended.
(4)Fused E.
I'm not a New Yorker, BUT I know Ramen. This place was good - the bowels are American Sized (a bit much for me) and the taste, for it being USA, was very good!!! I recommend this place very much - they speak Japanese, the location is withing walking distance of Time Square and Central Park, and the feeling is very authentic. Go with Friends/family or by yourself - eat and run is OK here! Def worth a visit! Oh - not a Luxury Restaurant, def. chill and casual.
(4)Noa B.
It was a comeback in a long time. I have been to both Menkuite here and in East Village and always prefer this place. We had Ramen and Mabodon. Both were quite good. Place was packed even on Sunday night. Then there were 4 people came in and gave us the look 'cause we were sitting in a 4-seat but already in the middle of our dinner(of course the waiter sat us there). When the waiter asked them to wait, they sort of talked as if we could move to the other seats. Waiter declined. Just hearing that conversation, I got pissed off, I mean, where's the manner these days? And where are we, Bangkok? (not that there's anything wrong with Bangkok). But then again, it gave me a good look at the restaurant as he knew how to handle such customers nicely despite his language barrier, not to mention he gave us a sense of trust. Anyways, Try No. 1 and Mabo-don. You'd know what I'm talking about.
(4)Trang N.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the ramen here is delightful... and thanks to Joe's shanghai closing early, I would never have stumble upon Menkui Tei. One of the best Ramen places you can ever visit in NYC. The broth is flavorful and the noodles just right. While the toppings is a little on the salty side, but the broth itself helps to balance the flavor. The price is reasonable but beware it's a cash only place. If you stumble here late like I did, expect them not to have hot tea.
(4)Mary B.
Very good midtown ramen. A nice big steamy bowl of tasty broth and noodles hits the spot all winter long. The service is pretty crummy--you really have to make sure they get everything you order, because they'll miss something. And then you'll never see them again, so if they didn't bring your rice, you'll pretty much never get it. And frankly, the "spicy" ramen is a misnomer. If it's in the name, it better have a kick!
(3)Albert C.
OK, I will throw in my two cents. I used to come here a lot as it was two blocks from work about 9 years ago and the food was always pretty decent. I've come back a couple of times now recently and while it's still rather casual, the food quality has declined. For example, I got the curry rice with pork cutlet tonight and the pork cutlet was way overcooked - basically similar to the quality of what you would get if it was something that sat at a Japanese grocery store for a day or two. The curry was a bit congealed and the rice was somewhat overcooked and at $11 for a place like this, I expect the ingredients to be much more fresh and I would pay more money to go to Katsuhama down a block or go downtown to Curry-ya, both of which are so much better. Obviously, Menkui-Tei is known more for ramen. It's decent ramen, but again, the qualities of ingredients used are reflected in the pricing. I'd rather pay twice as much at Ippudo for much better ramen, but this place is efficient and the service is friendly enough. I feel bad giving this place two stars, but I really was disappointed this time around.
(2)A W.
Great Ramen, fast service! I love the fried dumplings!
(4)Aimee A.
First of all, finding Menkuitei was somewhat tricky. The sign outside reads "La Mian" instead of Menkuitei, which got really confusing as I paced back and forth between 5th and 6ths avenues searching for the restaurant. Anyway, the inside of the restaurant was tiny. The tables are so close to each other, you can eavesdrop on other patrons' conversations! No reservations are taken here either. I ordered a Salmon and Cod Roe Onigiri ($1.75 each) to start. Nothing to rave about here, but I enjoyed them, especially with my Char Chu Ramen ($9) which arrived piping hot 10 minutes later. It was a huge portion for a $9 value! The broth was flavorful and the pork slices were deliciously fatty and soft. Coming from Asia, I've definitely had better ramen. Although I must applaud Menkui tei on serving up such great food. The service is fast, and if you're looking for a quick stop for lunch or dinner, then this is the place for you. 3.5 stars.
(4)Frank L.
I've always loved noodle soups, and ever since my stint on the JET program, I've enjoyed the Japanese derivations of the dish with great joy; ramen, soba, udon, chu-ka soba (pseudo Chinese-styled noodle soup made with the extra thick ramen noodles that you would normally only see in tsuke-men -- the cold summer noodles) -- I love them all, and I rotate between them whenever available. I walked into this place because they had a sign outside with the specials of the day written in Japanese. I thought this might mean that they were somewhat authentic. I was right in the most horrible way possible, Sitting down, I was delighted to see curry ramen on the menu. One of the staple ramen types in Japan, it's not often seen here, and so I ordered it along with some fried dumplings. The ramen came with a brown goop that was obviously made by dissolving those boxed Japanese curry flavoring cubes into regular ramen stock, and the gyoza were dried out and broken in several places, sure signs of them having been pre-cooked and either left under a heat lamp or reheated by frying. Coming back to the "authentic" bit. This place is authentic alright -- it's produces food that a Japanese junior high school kid who has never learned to cook might produce if he had to try and duplicate curry ramen at home, and reheat takeout gyoza leftover from the day before. This place left me not just disappointed but angry at the experience -- thoroughly pissed off by the fact that in a proper restaurant, they would drop cubes of instant flavoring into your soup and pass it off as restaurant food. One star for you Menkui Tei, and I am never coming back.
(1)Nils H.
Solid ramen place in Midtown East. We used to come here frequently for dinner at work, and were never disappointed. Ramen is good - nothing to write home about, but solid and always hits the spots (especially when its freezing outside). The rice bowls (especially oyakyo don) are awesome too. Don't think there are a lot of other ramen places in this part of town, so its a definitely good find. Also, it's very hard to find this place unless you know exactly where you're going, because there isn't a sign or posting anywhere.
(3)victor z.
Awesome ramen. GO HERE IF IN AREA. Best ramen around.
(5)John D.
WARNING CASH ONLY Good Chasu and Gyoza ....pretty standard soup though. I would go back but only if in the area
(3)Oliver S.
Is it cold out? Have some ramen to warm you up. Don't want to spend alot? Does an $8 bowl that's enough to feed 2 adults sound reasonable? I want to order something more than just ramen. GET THE FRIED RICE! It's only an extra 3 bucks after an order of a bowl of ramen. Seriously.. get the fried rice. Menkui Tei is so far the 3rd ramen place I have tried and it was great! I had the Menkui Ramen which had a clean tasting broth, noodles with good texture and were able to soak the flavor of the broth well and toppings such as the bamboo shoots, scallions and roasted pork. Out of everything I was actually looking forward to the roasted pork. It was good but 1. I was hoping for that melt in your mouth pork that I've had before 2. it had a pork flavor similar to duck but not. For some that may be what you prefer but I've just grown accustomed to pork in ramen that you can find at Ippudo or Santouka. Fried Rice. I don't know what it was, maybe it was the MSG talking but I don't care. This fried rice was great. Gyozas. Also good. Didn't have that thick noodle covering. Nice gyoza sauce. Menkui Ramen - 3.75/5 Good Broth, good noodles, good toppings Pictured Fried Rice - 5/5 It was pretty damn good and only for an extra 3 bucks! I didn't however sprinkle the ginger all over. Pictured Gyoza - 4/5 Pretty much what you expect from a good gyoza.
(4)Kat H.
This is our new neighborhood joint, and that's saying a lot, given that this isn't in our neighborhood. We're on the UWS, but we'll cab it down here relatively regularly to grab some light, (somewhat) healthful, and delicious comfort food. Must try: * Uni -- the boy and I have tried our fair share of uni at many of the sushi joints in the city, so imagine our surprise when this quiet little restaurant had one of the best uni offerings we had ever come across (second only to sushi yasuda) * We also like the nabeyaki udon to go with the sushi/ sashimi Overall, don't go there looking for a culinary experience that will blow your mind. Instead, come here if it's convenient and you're looking for some good food that tastes like it were a good, home-cooked meal (if your home had a Japanese grandmother in it).
(4)Ethan M.
This place is great. Great food and well priced. The lunch special -- bowl of yummers Ramen with a couple rice balls -- is worth the trip. Heck, the rice balls alone would be -- gooey, chewy goodness wrapped in a crisp seaweed skin. The ramen was just right -- though I loaded mine up with hot spices -- I see others said it was bland, not mine!
(4)huong n.
I have been here twice because the ramen and the broth were a perfect pair. So yummy with enough msg/salf to make me drink a whole glass or water and a cup of tea! My favorite ramen place in NYC!
(5)Lou M.
1 to 5 (lowest to highest) Miso Ramen: 2 (does not compare to other joints) Tonkotsu Ramen: 2 (definitely had better) Fried Rice: 1 (You got to be joking me - who made this?!!!) Menkui Ramen: 3 but is this even Japanese?
(2)Victoria C.
I love their tonkatsu ramen! The broth is delicious. I feel like all the other ramen places in NY is way too salty for my taste, but this ramen was just right.
(5)Alexis L.
To me Ramen=Menkui Tei I've been coming to this place pretty regularly for about 6 years or so. This is where I first had a bowl of Ramen so, it addes some sentimental values as well. Their noodle is chewy and has just the right amount of consistency. What I appreciate the most is their broth. It's very rich and wholesome. (I usually get the Donkatsu Ramen.) A bowl of Ramen with a side of Gyoza is a perfect meal for a cold windy day. I've tried Ramen in other places. But, they are just not the same. I find myself critizing other places' Ramen in comparison with Menkui Tei. Maybe, I am biased since this is the I first had a bowl of Ramen. Oh well.
(5)Nicole K.
I came here on a snowy day about two weeks ago. One way to describe this place is a cozy hole in the wall. It's very small but there's enough elbow space for you and your gargantuan bowl of ramen. Yum! It's inexpensive and there's a whole side dish worth of things you can add in (which isn't too expensive) Not in the mood for ramen (impossible!) order dumplings, rice, or any other assortment that you fancy. Delicious to no avail. I ordered the soy sauce ramen with wontons and was rolling over from its savory flavor to being too upset and not being able to finish (I did)! Albeit, the broth's flavor could have been stronger though. There isn't too long a wait for the food, luckily.
(4)Mark C.
Good luck finding this place!! Very small place, doesn't even have the name outside the restaurant. Once we discovered the door however, we found ourselves part of a very large line of patrons waiting for a seat. The restaurant is very small and cramped. The food however, is great. Large portions at a great price. The service is also excellent, especially for such a busy place with not many staff on the floor. Menkui Tei is the definition of hole-in-the-wall where the food is delicious and patrons only know of it from word of mouth (or yelp!).
(5)kay y.
Is good , good deal, +$3 you get to order a fired rice, or curry with your ramen. I think that was good... back to ramen...came here form one of yelp review, I guess word tasted better than the food itself.. I loved ramen... bur their ramen is alright... not that impressive.... I agree with some of other said.. their broth is tasteless... I guess if you like lighter taste food.. you should come here... I had tried some a few of the ramen place...which ever had Tonkatsu Ramen on their menu I will go try... so far...I will say.. Ippudo is the only one that close to the one I had in japan. If you like Tonkatsu Ramen like I do... you should go Ippudo.
(3)Hana Y.
Does anybody else feel like the ramen here has a lot more bean sprouts (moyashi) than noodles? The ramen's good. It's alright. Nothing special. But damn it, where are the noodles? I feel like I have two mouthfulls and they're all gone, and all I have is a mountain of bean sprouts left. Average. A little pricey for what it is. And toppings are so expensive. I miss Japan, where there's a pot of kimchi just for you to eat for free. Which might be slowly disappearing there as well.
(3)Kevin L.
I would not skip out on Menkui Tei if I were a fanatical noodle lover. I've had the pleasure of coming to Menkui Tei several times over the past several years. Some places decline in tastiness or quality or atmosphere over the years, but I think "MT" has not. It is quite a good ramen pit stop. The restaurant is quite nice to eat in - the constant orange glow of the lights and the cordiality of the staff both give it bonus points. The restaurant does feel a bit small even if it's quite spacious. Sometimes you have restaurants where you feel like you can reach over and tap your neighbor on the shoulder. Here, you can bump elbows and steal each others' food. The dishes, ramen specifically, are quickly made. This is because noodle soups are some of the quickest foods to make and the wait will be short, even if there are many people. I like the tonkatsu ramen; the pork is just wonderful in the soup base. In fact, I drooled just now thinking about it. It's one of those "yummy in my tummy" moments. I've also had the Ma-Po Tofu ramen which was delectably spicy. Manhattan is prone to a multitude of variety as well as clones of that variety. While some other ramen and Japanese cuisine places exist on the island, this is THE place to go if you want a delicious meal that is pretty quick and tasty. In fact, if you like any Asian cuisine or food, I highly recommend coming to Menkui Tei and having some ramen.
(4)Nathaniel C.
One of my favorite soup places in NYC. My favorite is the Chan Pon seafood noodle soup with extra big noodles! The servings are very large and can easily be split by two people. If you ask for an extra bowl for a friend, they will give it to you. The service is good but the restaurant can get crowded at peak hours, especially when cool out. The restaurant is sadly anything but cool and can sometimes be uncomfortably warm. It is worth it though.
(5)Diane L.
Finally, I ventured to a ramen place in NYC that actually serves the curly ramen noodles (IMO, they're the real kind), and not that thin angel hair pasta-like stuff! I like this stuff: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Im… NOT this (although that bowl of ramen does look pretty damn good): epicurious.blogs.com/pho… Menkui Tei was the perfect shelter from the two-hour rainstorm that hit the city for one day. I got here during the lunch rush (stupid me) and there was a line to be seated, but luckily, going to lunch solo allows you the opportunity to be immediately seated at the bar. I usually like my ramen broths thick and flavorful, but I opted for the Menkui Ramen which is comprised of a seaweed broth. It had the most pieces of pork (3 pieces) and the most variety of toppings (bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and scallions) compared to all other ramens. So, at $7.75 for a bowl, I think I got a good bang for my buck. The broth was light and simple, the noodles were great, and the pork was tasty. Everyone around me had different varieties of ramen and they all looked really good. I wish I had the stomach to order the highly praised gyoza, but portions at Menkui are very generous. There are numerous ramen places in the Midtown area. What sets Menkui Tei apart from most is that it's not only a great deal, but it's good too.
(4)Robert W.
We had ramen #1 and #4, ma po don, fried chicken, everything was good! This is from someone who lives in southern CA and eats ramen almost every week. This place really deserves a solid 4 stars, not 3.5. I mark down 5 stars because they deserve to be higher than 3.5. Not the best ramen I ever had but very good comfort food. Nothing tastes artificial, soup was good and hot, service was prompt, no waiting outside in the cold! Recommended.
(5)Ydnew L.
This is a place where I don't mind going more than once. I had Chanpon Ramen and it was so good. The place is not really huge but not small. I'm quite surprised that its not crowded even on a weekend lunch hour or maybe I'm too early.
(4)Ninja M.
Best Ramen for the price, fast delivery, awesome portion and taste. I've been here over 5 times. No waiting, unlike Ippudo. Come, you won't want to go to Ippudo again. I recommend the ramen with pork broth. That is better than number 1.
(4)Jules H.
What a great little ramen place. The focus is definitely on noodles and its different broths. There is a whole page just with the different styles. We had spicy miso and tan tan man soups. They were delicious. Big bowl of happiness! We shared some gyoza to start with, which were really tasty as well. It was also amazingly cheap, which is a suburb combination. As usual in these noodle restaurants its not a place where you stay long. They brought us the cheque shortly after clearing away the dishes. Quick turnover indeed.
(4)Snow J.
I don't really write reviews so much as partake of other yelpers' generosity, but I have to say this has now become my favorite ramen place in the city. They're under new mgmt I believe from a year ago, when it was pretty awful and I wrote it off as never go again. But now I've been back 3 times for my favorite ramen in the city - their Chanpon - and enjoyed every time. Great service, great atmosphere and great food.
(5)Tony W.
Solid ramen choice in the area (totto just has a ridiculously long wait so it's never reasonable to wait in my opinion). Very bare bones place though. Simple, not very attentive, brusque waiter service and rickety tables with not terribly appealing glasses etc, but good ramen. I suppose that's pretty common for lots of ramen places. Pretty quiet in there, which is nice for conversing though. I've tried 3 of their ramens so far and I've liked them all. I would definitely come back for the ramen. FYI, they DO accept credit cards. Not sure why it says they don't on the yelp page.
(3)Rachel P.
#NAME?
(4)Zaman K.
I stopped by for late lunch on a Friday and was immediately seated. They had a lot of choices for ramen but when there is tonkotsu in the menu there is little chance of me picking anything else. yelp.com/user_local_phot… My noodles came in just over 5 minutes and upon first taste my initial thought was that the broth wasn't very good. It lacked the depth of a good tonkotsu broth yet it was salty. However, the noodles were cooked almost to perfection and had good texture but they lacked the bouncy feel that you get at better ramen joints. It came with two slices of Roast Pork that were leaner than I expected. Surprisingly they were still pretty tender and flavorful so I liked them. Missing from this ramen was one of the key components, half of a boiled egg. That's just a crime! yelp.com/user_local_phot… Does the job if you're really craving ramen but it's not a place that I will be raring to go back to.
(3)Eunice K.
Wow, the way that this restaurants turns over tables makes me realize that I'm no longer in LA. CRAZY FAST and efficient. Though I was a little turned off by the gigantic line going OUT the door, I was seated within 10 min flat! So stick it out! Came here for lunch with a friend, and after seeing how BIG the ramen bowls were, we opted to share 1 Menkui Ramen ($8) and got an order of Rice w/Curry ($3). MORE than enough food for the 2 of us.. and we can throw down! However, I wasn't too impressed with the ramen. After having Daikokuya in Japantown (LA), my standards are just too high!!! BUT, the noodles were thick and chewy, the broth wasn't too salty, they were generous with the vegetable toppings (bean sprouts), and the portions were HUGE. Definitely a great deal for NYC and I would definitely come again if I lived here! Cheers!
(4)Kayla B.
Oh man let me start off by saying how i solemnly regret not finishing or taking home my fried rice. That rice was so delicious I find myself having dreams of it lol. No, but seriously I'd recommend going and trying out the soups too. It's not fancy, but its not a dingy place neither.
(4)Anna M.
I went here for lunch and got the hiyashi ramen dish.. It wasnt anything interesting but I also tried their lunch special my aunt ordered which had the beef croquette and it was delicious! I would go again for their lunch special!
(3)Lily H.
56th between 5th and 6th. One of my favorite ramen places in the sense that I've been here the most times. It's not blasted loud like Ippudo and it doesn't require you to hang out for an hour outside like Totto. It's also possible to come here alone, after your soul-crushing job, for some not too damaging comfort food. Minus one star for getting a B on their DOH test.
(4)Nida K.
We came here because the line at Totto was so ridiculously long and after a whole night of drinking, we were starving. I ordered the Mabo Ramen which came in a big bowl and was actually pretty good. Not as great as the ramen at Totto but good enough to satisfy our ramen cravings. I would've given 4 stars for this place, but apparently we didn't tip the server enough and he was complaining about it and wouldn't leave us alone until we gave him another couple dollars. i mean, if we didn't tip enough, it was because we miscalculated it. Sorry buddy, our mistake, but harassing your customers doesn't seem right to get one or two more dollars.
(3)Sherri H.
Authentic, delicious, and affordable Japanese in Midtown West! My friend and I stumbled upon Ise by chance after wandering around looking for just the right place for dinner and drinks without breaking the bank. We actually sat down and then left two other places before this, including the hellishly hot noodle shop next door, so when we walked into Ise it was like a sanctuary. Not overly crowded, air conditioned, peaceful. Ah... We ordered sake and decided to share a bunch of little things. Everything on the menu looked authentic and delicious so it was hard to choose, but we settled on chicken yakitori, wasabi shumai, fried tofu, octopus marinated in wasabi, sauteed pork with kimchi, and a piece of tuna sashimi each as a palate cleanser. Dishes were brought out as they were ready, and we even got complimentary bowls of seaweed salad to start. Everything was fantastic - highlights for me were the wasabi octopus and pork kimchi. The tuna sashimi was also the most beautiful color and so fresh. The chicken yakitori wasn't quite as good as Yakitori Totto, but it was BBQ'd to a nice char and the sauce was yummy. The tofu was the only thing that fell short for me - no sauce or any flavor, really. Half the people there were speaking Japanese, always a good sign. We decided immediately that we'll return with a larger group and reserve one of the private table rooms where you have to take off your shoes. It's also close to my office so I definitely want to go back soon for the bento lunch box (or maybe just some more pork kimchi and octopus!).
(4)Adrienne T.
Cute atmosphere. The food is all super affordable and cheap in New York standards. Food came out quickly. Authentic Japanese food. I especially loved their ramen and the broth.
(5)Christina J.
Yesterday I had an impromptu dinner at Menkui Tei. The curry rice is worth the trip to West 56th Street. The curry rice was lip-smacking good. The pieces of pork, carrots, and onion went well with the rich and savory taste of the curry sauce. Add freshly made Tonkatsu and you have a meal that requires both elbows on the table. My meal ended with a slice of the Green Tea Mille Crepe. The Mille Crepe was excellent and well balanced in flavor. The restaurant itself is comfortable with cozy seating. The staff greeted me warmly when I entered and was attentive during my entire meal. I had a quick meal but a satisfying one. My fellow foodies dining yesterday seemed pleased with their choices as well. Menkui Tei, you were an excellent dinner date. I love your curry and will be back.
(4)Jin Y.
I actually been to Japan and had ramen in Japan and I can proudly say that Menkui Tei creates similar tasting ramen, at least the very basic one such as the Menkui, which is what I had. It has a great broth, just the right green onions, bean sprouts, pork slices, and ramen. I also had their gyoza, which I thought was okay.
(4)Jen K.
The tonkatsu ramen is decent in the food wasteland of Midtown. The soup is very rich and flavorful, but I think the pickled ginger that they add into the soup is overpowering and completely ruins the meal. I usually request that it goes on the side. Service is friendly and ridiculously quick. If you're dining in during lunch time, they rush you out which is super annoying. The prices are reasonable compared to other NYC ramen joints and I've never had to wait on line just to eat a bowl of noodles (unlike nearby Totto or Ippudo farther away).
(3)Lily P.
cash only..great ramen! I had #11 and it was what? $8? Also the Tonkatsu was amazing and even the Miso which I normally am not that big of an fan of..was very good. The pork was probably better than other places I have tried sapporo, and on par with ippudo which is twice as expensive. The service is fast and the people are really nice!! The sides of curry are $3 and service is fast. Yummmm the pork belly pieces are great and you can def tell the difference with the diff broths. We were completely full when we finished at this place. Pretty small place but when we went there wasn't a wait. Great fast and simple noodle bar to go to if you are within walking distance! I went back again and again since I wrote this one. The Katsu Don was great!!! just enough meat on it with the rice. The curry here is thicker than you find some other places but that allows the flovors to soak in. We also got the 10 which was the cold noodles with veggies, sesame sauce, a kick of wasabi barely noticeable, and the ramen was better than i thought. It soaked in all the flavors and was not just cold hard ramen. I would def get this again. Their dumplings fried was not so much worth it. Thin skinned, not remarkable and a bit overpriced when you realize you could have just gotten whole huge order of ramen for a few dollars more. :)
(4)Giancarlo B.
Pretty much sucked. Food was salty as hell and nasty. Wait staff was very pleasant though. Did not look that clean to me either. I will never be back even if I am starving.
(1)Tasha D.
I had never had ramen before and decided to be adventurous on my first visit to NYC. We stayed at The Warwick hotel and this was just a few minutes walk from there. Staying in mid town is expensive but this little gem was very reasonably priced. I went with my husband and daughter and our bill including tip was about $65. It was a cute little bustling place with simple deco. We were greeted and seated immediately. Our waitress was very helpful when we told her we'd never had ramen. I ordered the curry ramen with pork and added scallions and a seasoned boiled egg with a side of curry rice and a sprite. The food came relatively quickly. The portion on both was huge and I was starving when we got there! I don't remember what my husband and daughter ordered but they both loved theirs and again, portions were huge. We all left with to go boxes. There were only chop sticks as eating utensils on the table, but the waitress happily accommodated my daughter when she asked for a fork. If you're looking for something different and delicious on a budget in NYC, we highly recommend.
(5)April H.
Great service. Amazing noodles! Mabo was just simply delicious! My wife had #4 (can't remember the name) and it was also very good.
(5)Sung Moo C.
Went there yesterday for lunch with my brother in law, he's choice. We both got the Hakata ramen and we snacked on the Karagi chicken. The chicken was good, but seriously how do you mess up fried chicken? The unfortunate thing about the lunch was that there was over a 35 minute wait from the appetizer to the ramen. The place is very popular amongst the local crowd and I can tell that they know how to handle the lunch rush. Even though the waitress acknowledged the unnecessary wait time several times, it took us over 35 minutes to be served our main course. The two guys that sat next to us that came in after us were served their ramen and were able to finish their meal and leave before we were served our ramen. UNACCEPTABLE. Only saving grace was that the ramen was above par at best. You would think that with the lengthy wait that it would be fantabulous, however it was just pretty good. They really need to shape up and communicate better amongst their staff.
(3)Vivian L.
Ramen so good, you'll come back for more. I've been here many years ago but they recently renovated and renamed the restaurant. Soup noodles are so tasty and flavorful! I wish they open another location downtown!
(4)Elaine H.
Want something similar to Katsu Hama and also do not have time to wait for the long line? Come to Ise! They had pretty decent oyako don as well as a variety of ramen and udon. Their new spicy garlic ramen with pork belly was another must-try, given the fact that they are serving it on a whole day basis. This place was definitely well suited for a casual lunch with friend/colleague. Last but not least, it is to the cheap side!
(4)Peter T.
Hakata Ramen with corn only!! I don't even look at the menu any more. I always get the same thing and it is excellent! I've been slurping Ise Menkui-tei Hakata ramen for well over a decade and I'll continue to return whenever I can. The broth is very rich and creamy and the noodles are timed nicely. The service is always quick and polite. While some may say that Menkui is not as refined a broth as some, their prices and "no waiting in line" factor make it a great place to go. The only time I find the soup lacking is on weekends. On a couple of occasions over the years I've found that the broth seems a bit weak and it is exclusively on weekends. During the regular work week, however, it is consistently awesome.
(4)meli l.
Absolutely perfect spot after spending a whole day at MoMA. Reasonably priced, delicious ramen and plenty of other options if you don't want soup. I need to go back and try the Stamina Ramen because that is a seriously badass name.
(5)Tyler Y.
Best authentic ramem ive had. Im from boston and you wont find anything as good. Their onigiri is also very yummy. The waitresses here are so so so nice and polite and are always willing to help you out. Try the cucumber pickles, onigiri, and the ramen. You can also order your noodles softer or harder. By far best ramem shop ive been to.
(5)Angeline P.
This is a great reward after spending an evening rock climbing at the Cliffs. They have curry ramen here! I've been obsessed with finding curry ramen since I had it at Curry Bee in Hong Kong (no lie, I had trouble finding it in Japan too!), and I'm so glad I found a place in NY that makes it, and does a delicious job! The curry is rich and thick, and goes really well with firm noodles. I love the broth. I also had a bit of the oden, which features your usual fishcake, a few other squishy absorbent things, and konnyaku. I love all of the things, and if you happen to be STARVING, then yes, I would recommend the ramen with oden. However, the ramen is pretty heavy (especially if you get curry!) and usually sufficient.
(4)Christopher M.
Menkui-tei got they groovee back BAM! GO! NOW!
(4)Jia L.
Love love love. There's always plenty of seating every time I've gone, and if you're a frequent solo diner like me it's a quick, easy, no fuss option. Extensive ramen and rice dish menu. Portions are huge and really hearty, similar to home-cooking. The actual presentation of the food and the ambiance of the restaurant is nothing glamorous, but best described as practical. Service is attentive and courteous. I do especially like the complimentary cup of hot tea at the end of your meal. Something small and thoughtful like that makes me a big fan of this establishment.
(4)Marcus B.
Was introduced to this lovely ramen place. We ordered, miso ramen, stamina ramen and some Bomb Ass Gyoza! All of them are mouth watering! The waitress kinda messed up my order but she changed it for me immediately without hesitation.
(5)Enrique C.
Came here during New Years with my family and had a really bad experience with Ise. My family and I waited outside for 30-45 mins while splitting tables in 3, 4 and 4 people per table. The host (restaurant owner) told us to wait outside while the tables cleared up, and he would come get us. We were okay with this fact, understandable this is a popular restaurant and all the tables were taken. I called ahead make a reservation and they said they didn't take reservations, so we just showed up. While been outside, other parties would go inside and get in front of us - how I know this? Because they would go in and not come out. I went inside to check after several parties had gone in. The owner told me to go because of my big party size. Everyone looked at us like we were aliens. Ridiculous! After waiting for 30-45 mins, we were told to leave by the host. So we left, and dined across the udon restaurant on the other block next to this one. Leaving a 2 star due to popularity and due to this extremely unfortunate experience. Miami family first time trip to New York City Ise ramen - not so Bueno. Even though we were looking forward to the food, I was very disappointed at the treatment.
(2)M L.
4 stars might be a little generous, but i really like this place. Came here on a sunday afternoon before heading to the MoMA. I think it speaks volumes that most of the tables were japanese families. I had the Sutamina (stamina) ramen--spicy broth with pork belly, leeks, and an egg. The pork belly was sliced a little thin for my liking, but otherwise it was a great meal. I would definitely go back to try other dishes.
(4)Joyce L.
I was visiting NYC and randomly stopped by here with a friend because he recommended it. I ordered the Tokyo ramen: the broth tasted fresh (perfect for a cold winter day) and I could tell the pork was pretty high quality. The prices are relatively cheap too, which is hard to find in NYC. The waiters are quick at providing service too. I'm originally from Los Angeles and I'm used to good quality ramen, and this place was definitely worth coming to. I'm planning on coming again whenever I'm in NYC and want to satisfy my Japanese ramen cravings for a relatively cheap price.
(5)Kat J.
Like the fact that they actually have a vegetable ramen option and that they have 5 different broth choices. Not much ambiance but pretty clean and staff is almost friendly which is great for an Asian joint ;) The bamboo shoot from the shio (salt) broth is crazy salty but nice and tender. The shio broth is pretty salty (but I tend to eat everything reduced sodium) but you can order it 'light'. Hubby didn't really like it compared to others he's had in the past. My soup came out boiling hot and I totally burnt my tongue so be careful!!!! And I'm not exaggerating - it was "just boiled" hot. Cannot say much for its taste as I couldn't enjoy it after that, but my MIL seemed to enjoyed her plate of the same vegetable soup. I wouldn't go back.
(3)Adriana M.
Wow, hit the spot! Love this pseudo-whole in the wall (more like little flags cover the entrance on the corner of 56th and 6th). I got there 11:30am, hungry and cold from outside. Instantly I felt welcomed and warmed by the bar where I got to watch the latinos and japanese make little dumplings right in front of my eyes. On a time constraint, after I sit down I immediately ask whats the best on the menu. The nice waitress points to #5 and #10 decisively, so #5 it was!! AMAZING. They gave me a bowl, I wolfed down as much as I could, and they even brought it back to put it to go! Wow by 12 the place is PACKED, but even the cooks and waitresses were thoughtful enough to wave and say goodbye as I left. So nice!! I definitely want to sample their sake menu for late night dinner sometime! (or thanksgiving haha since they are open)
(4)Plons D.
Considering the location, the prices aren't so bad. Service was quick. I had the Hakata ramen and was pleased with how the broth wasn't too salty. The pork was a bit dry though and it could've come with a bit more noodles.
(3)Vania K.
Disappointing :( Hands down the worst katsu don I've ever had. The pork was chewy, discolored (grey), and unappetizing... I think it might seriously be rat meat. We ended up only eating 3-4 bites of it. We also ordered the mapo don, which is mapo tofu over rice. Yes, yes, ordering mapo tofu at a Japanese restaurant is probably not such a good idea. It was actually pretty good... way too salty. Didn't order the ramen because the ramen bowls on our neighboring table didn't look good (generous portion though). Side note: CASH ONLY. Tiny, tiny little place... which would've been fine if the food had made up for it. My recommendation: walk away. If you must come here, don't order the katsu don.
(2)May L.
Yummy, solid Ramen Noodles. I'm giving a 3.5 in the Great Noodle Search. I think menchenko tei down the street is slightly better on taste. The noodle quality is solid, but Menchenkui tei is better, broth is better. The service is superior here, which goes a long way. Nice siumai, not quite as good as the Rei Rei ken in the LES, though. Oddly, I agree with subscribers who prefer this location to the one down in Cooper Square. Service is better, but also the actual quality is somehow slightly better. Weird... Definitely worth a try!
(4)Zashi M.
It's definitely fairly priced vs Ippudo and Totto Ramen. However, you pay for what you get! The broth was less than mediocre and they get you on the additions. I ordered the Hakata Ramen (thick pork broth) and it tasted funny, no pork flavor what so ever. My husband ordered the Spicy Miso and he didnt even finish it. That says alot. Kids had the Shio Ramen and if they can't even get that one right, definitely not worth it even if fairly priced. My family love ramen, we travel just to fill the kids ramen cravings so we know our ramen. The most decent part of the meal was the extra small fried rice I added to my order for the little one. That was really good and the gyoza. If not for that, I would have given them 1 star for taste. But I would not purposely come here for fried rice or gyoza :-( All in all, decent price...avg $9 for a bowl of noodles vs $15 but I rather pay good $ for good food than waste $ for something I couldn't eat.
(2)Lauren R.
Menkui, I've been looking for you! Two years ago, when I first moved to NYC, my ex-roommate took me here. Cheap, delicious ramen. My roommate peaced out, back to Cali, and I have not been able to find this spot. I couldn't remember the name, but remembered this little gem being somewhere on 57th or 56th below Central Park. Little did I know, they're located one door down from the address listed on Yelp. In my confusion/lack of effort to look down the block any further, I've ended up at the Korean spot next door on 2 separate occasions. Last night, I happened to venture a little further down 56th and found that delicious ramen again! It's not Ippudo, but it's everything ramen should be. Spicy miso is always my go-to. Add some gyoza and sake and you've made my day. The service was great too. Best part is it's only a few blocks away from my office. (I'm anticipating a 5 pound ramen weight gain this season.)
(4)Carmen C.
Experience was kind of a let down, unfortunately. I work in the area and was meeting my friend for a quick lunch without having to wait very long (like we'd have done at totto) since we both had to return to work or had other obligations after lunch. My friend arrived first and though the restaurant was not very crowded, they would not seat her until I arrived. Luckily, I arrived within minutes and we were seated. The host was very standoffish and only provided one menu. When we asked for a second, he handed it over with a big huff. The food was fairly quick so that was a plus...but it just ramen after all. We had to ask for more water several times, and even the check we had to ask for a few times. The waitresses, although nice, seemed harried and were not the most helpful with our requests. They even attempted to remove our dishes when we were still working on them. Sadly won't be returning.
(2)Damon M.
I can't recommend this place enough! Great price, great food, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It's the one ramen shop in the city that's completely genuine, no-frills, and unpretentious, and it puts me in such a good mood every time I walk in, especially when I know there's a hot bowl of delicious ramen waiting for me inside! Make no mistake, the ramen is slurping good! The noodles have a nice bite to them, and the broth, depending on your order, may range from clear savory (Shio) to decadent milky white (Tonkotsu). Both are amazing. And all will cost you less than half of what you would pay at other overhyped joints that I will not mention by name. You can request for the broth to be less/more salty and your noodles softer/harder depending on your tastes. They also have other tasty sides on the menu. Everything is fresh and homemade! A few recommendations: gyoza, fried rice, and (if you enjoy liver) nira reba It's usually full of people, but not slammed to the point where you'll have to wait.
(5)Yiwen S.
came over the weekend when it was freeeeeeezing out, and a steaming bowl of ramen really hit the spot. when in midtown and on the hunt for some good ramen, your options are pretty limited. but i'm glad we picked this place off the top of the list because it didn't disappoint. we actually passed this place the first time around because there's no sign outside that actually says "menkui tei." instead, the awning actually says "larmen new york" on it. we ended up figuring out that was the place based on the address. thank you yelp mobile app! tonkotsu ramen is a solid choice. the broth isn't extremely rich and flavorful, but it isn't plain either. at $8 a bowl, it does the trick when you want something warm in your tummy. comes standard with 2 slices of pork, bamboo shoots, green onions and pickled ginger. the pork was a little tough for me. i like really fatty pieces of chasu that are tender and melt in your mouth, definitely not what i got here. however, the noodles were just perfect. and there was a lot of it. there was a sign behind our table that said if you prefer your noodles cooked at a different consistency, the restaurant would be happy to accomodate your requests. so i thought that was pretty cool in case you wanted really hard or really soft ramen. my friend got the spicy ramen. definitely had a kick to it, which is more than i can say for most spicy ramen dishes at other joints. all in all, definitely worth the price. i'd be hard-pressed to find a good bowl of ramen for $8 anywhere else that already had all the toppings i wanted in it.
(4)Erica D.
Nakata Ramen was absolutely delicious! I added wontons and did not need to alter anything with the flavor. The pork was tender and the presentation was attractively colorful. Such a big filling bowl that starts under $10 cannot be beat. The service was nice too. I would return everyday if I lived in NYC :)
(5)Jared C.
Midtown is a really awful place to be, but unfortunately my MoMA membership and moviegoing on 53rd Street has forced me to look around the area for good eating options. Walking over to 9th and 10th Avenues is a good option, but I usually end up sitting down at Menkui Tei since it is just three blocks north. The place has a real good feel to it, walking down the stairs into the restaurant is definitely a transportation to Japan, a far cry from Midtown. Even the tourists that accidentally stumble into this place seem to be of a better variety than your average tourist. Maybe I wear rose-colored glasses. I have now tried three different ramen bowls here, and find each nice in its own way. The tonkotsu ramen ($7.50) is not the greatest rendition of the Hakata favorite, but is satisfying nonetheless. The broth is a little thin, but tastes very nice. My favorite option is to "splurge" for the char chu ramen ($8.75) a shoyu topped with extra roast pork. The char chu here is extraordinary, and worth the upgrade. One bowl with these extra pieces is almost too much for a meal. It's not on the proper menu, but the fish broth ramen ($9.50) is probably the weakest of any I have tried. We inquired about the sign above our table, which happened to be this, and went for it. Probably will stick to the menu from now on, at least for the ramen dishes, as even the pork slices seemed dry and unpleasant. When not in the mood for noodles, the mabo don ($7.75) is a very strong dish, tofu and ground pork slightly spicy, over rice. The place does get very crowded at times, but turnover is pretty quick, so do not let a gathering of five or six people scare you. Groups of two can almost always find a table or seats at the bar in under 10 minutes.
(4)Amy D.
I met a friend here for dinner since he wanted to try their ramen. I had to look them up since I never heard of Menkui and almost walked right past it as the name of the restaurant is really inconspicuous. Overall service was alright. The layout of the tables is awkward and slightly claustrophobic. I felt a little uncomfortable talking about anything personal as the patrons next to you are closer than arms length. Getting in and out of your seat also required apologizing as you would invade the personal space of the patron next to you as well. I'd say the ramen was ok, nothing to rave about. I've definitely had better ramen and wouldn't go out of my way to come back here again.
(3)Anthony T.
Been here a few time, it is a bit disappointing. Everything seem to be a bit water down, the food is cheap but it isn't really worth it. It doesn't really stand out as compare to miso-ya or soba-ya. But then again this place is a lot cheaper and there is normally no wait.
(3)Danny P.
Menkui Tei's ramen is just decent, it's not the best, but also not the worst. The broth and noodles are subpar to its competitors. Nothing about their ramen stands out or makes this place unique. The taste doesn't thrill and excite the taste buds like it should. It is not hearty and doesn't give you a warm happy feeling after eating it, like ramen should. The overall quality of the ramen is also subpar to its competitors. Try it if you must, but there are better ramen places in the city. The only advantage of Menkui Tei over its competitors is that, it is less expensive, but then again, the quality is inferior, so I guess you get what you pay for.
(3)Rachel W.
Used to be my favorite ramen spot until they switched to the new space. Now the restaurant perpetually smells like a wet rag, a very unpleasant odor greets you every time you walk in. Yeah, the menu got bigger, but the price also increased by a good 20%. The food is still pretty good and not much has changed, but I think this is no longer my favorite ramen spot. I made a special detour to go here tonight when I was in the neighborhood. The fried chicken appetizer was blander than I remember it being the past few times. However, the most disappointing part was when my ramen came out, I saw a small puddle of clear liquid in my spoon and thought it was just water. I was starving, so I proceeded to put noodles into my spoon and slurp them up and immediately a bad taste hit my taste buds and I thought it tasted like bleach. I spat out the noodles and smelled the spoon, and sure enough, it smelled like bleach. I called the waiter over and told him that there was bleach in my spoon. He looked at me incredulously and said "bleach, are you sure?" I told him to smell the spoon and he did and immediately realized it was indeed bleach. I told him to take away my bowl of ramen because I no longer had an appetite. He then blamed the kitchen for this mess up and said this shouldn't be happening. No duh, you shouldn't be feeding bleach to your customer. He took off that bowl of ramen from the bill, which was to be expected. He apologized again, but the damage has been done. The place smells like a wet rag and gives customers spoons with bleach in them. I don't think I'm going back anymore. I'm only giving this place 3 stars for old times sake because it used to be good and my favorite ramen spot. There are other options in the neighborhood.
(3)Daniel C.
My first time back since they merged with Menkui Tei. The new decor is a little generic, but the staff is the same friendly people, and the food has maintained a consistently high quality. Perfect for dinner on a chilly NYC evening.
(5)Seaver W.
This small hole in the wall is easy to miss. However, once spotted, it's kind of a cool place. It's cozy enough for families, yet I loved the ambiance and setting. It's not quite like the Japanese restaurants at Astor Place, but it was comfy enough. The waiter was nice. I had the Menkui Ramen. It was decent for $8.75. The broth wasn't bad, the noodles were thick and tasty. I did wish there was more roast pork. Two pieces of roast pork simply aren't enough for me. I liked the bamboo shoots and scallions as they added to the soup a little bit. The meal was small so I ended up ordering a $3 noodle refill. The whole thing came out to be $12.80 plus tax. One thing I love is that the check gives advice on how much gratuity you can give. That's a nice thing to do for people who aren't sure how much to give. Overall, the food was decent. Not spectacular, as I've definitely had better, but it passes. The cheap prices (especially in Manhattan, which is rare) also helps. If you're just exploring around, this place will fill you up without breaking the bank.
(3)Homer S.
I found the tonkatsu ramen a little bland for my tastes. Although I found the overall value (i.e., how full my stomach was divided by the cost) to be decent, and so I feel a bit bad two-starring these guys. I liked the $3 extra for the fried rice or curry; I had the curry and enjoyed it. I think I'll head back and try something else. If it impresses, I may raise my rating. I think that's only fair.
(2)Brian C.
Very good ramen place. I actually confused this place with Mechanko-Tei, which is one street over. Eventually I made my way over here. For the better part of 2010, I became obsessed with finding the best ramen place. I even took a trip to Japan and tried every ramen place I could find around my hotel in Tokyo. The competition in NYC is pretty stiff for good ramen places, but Menkui-Tei ranks among the best in the city. For those of you who don't eat pork (I went with a Jewish person and this turned out to be an issue), all of the soup broths are made from a pork base. Speaking of the broth, the soup was delicious! I got the tonkotsu ramen and while the noodles were pretty ok, the soup definitely made up for any small shortcomings of the noodles. The serving size didn't disappoint either. My dining buddy ended up getting some chicken cutlet thing over rice, which he said was pretty good. This place only accepts cash, so keep that in mind. During lunch hours, they normally have seating at the bar available, or it's just a short wait from getting a seat. If you don't feel like waiting an hour or two and want some satisfying, tasty ramen, this is the place to go. Ramen fans MUST give this place a try.
(4)Danielle C.
The ramen is pretty cheap, as far as designer ramen goes. I went with my sister and we both got Tonkotsu ramen, at the total was only $17 if I remember correctly for the both of us. Service was good. We got seated immediately, and waiters came by to refill our water constantly. I really liked the soup - the broth was rich and creamy, a sign that I will be smiling soon afterwards. My sister said that the cha-siu pork in there was pretty good. I nibbled at mine and thought it was decent. However, I was actually really disappointed by the noodles themselves. I felt like they were a bit dry and rubbery, and too salty. I'm not sure why the noodles themselves were salty, but I didn't find the taste that pleasant. It was such a shame though because the broth was so good. This place is cash only!
(3)Edwina B.
Delicious, quick and cheap. I had the shoyu ramen and it was excellent, very tasty. A relatively long line for a table at lunch, but the line moved quickly and the service was lighting fast. Highly recommend if you're in need of a lunchtime ramen fix.
(4)Tina C.
Yum yum! My family and I ventured here on the night before Thanksgiving. What a great place to dine. The ramen is delicious and quite filling. We also had the fried rice. I love that they put ginger on the side of the rice. It goes great together! The staff is very friendly and service is fast. I want to go back!
(5)V P.
They definitely know how to drop that base. Come here for the authentically flavored broth in the noodle soups. Dont forget to add a side of curry rice. A truly delightful experience. Find me here twice a month on Thursdays.
(5)Lili K.
I had the super spicy ramen which was not spicy at all, as most of these ramen places are. The portion was decent, the soup was not tasty at all, and some of the pork was too hard to chew. 'Eh. Service was nice, they took my scooter for me and parked it to the side (how thoughtful). My friend said it tasted like too much MSG, and it did leave me bloated w/o having more than a spoonful of broth.
(3)Nancy L.
The ramen here is okay. Can't complain about the prices for NYC, but both the soup and ingredients in the ramens we ordered were a bit disappointing. We had the Extra Spicy and Tonkotsu....not a huge fan of either. We also ordered some gyoza and those were pretty decent! Probably won't be back again.
(3)Sue G.
Love this place. Ramen is consistently good. So much better than Ippudo (never understood why they always have such long line there).
(5)Clare H.
Sorry, they remodeled, and seem to have changed owners. It is not the same anymore. Mushy noodles, higher prices. Kanashii.
(2)Tom W.
If I had to describe the MKT experience in two words, those words would be "pleasantly efficient." The service is anything but slow, but not pushy and overbearing either, and the interior is free of fake waterfalls, office plants, modern-looking ikea light-up orbs and gaudy gold nonsense like you see in every Thai restaurant ever, not to mention other nearby Japanese places with extremely similar names. And, though it's not a great group destination given the size, there's rarely a wait for one or two people and thus is perfect for giving coworkers the slip if you really just want to go play bejeweled by yourself for 20 minutes. Food-wise, there are several ramens, some donburis, and in my opinion the second best curry rice in the city after curry-ya. The ramen is pretty decent too, particularly shoyu ramen, everyone's favorite hangover killer. Maybe not quiiiite as good as totto or (god help you) ippudo but then neither of those fine establishments saw fit to be located 2 seconds from my office. In summary, quick, cosy, relaxing and tasty place for those above average days when you deserve a lunchtime treat and walk outside thinking you know what, go fuck yourself Pret.
(4)Kelly C.
the fried rice is a must! you can add just $3 dollars for a side of it to your ramen. there isn't a single time i've went and have not gotten their Cha-Han. it is absolutely delicious! this is a great spot to go after shopping on 5th ave :)
(5)Alla C.
Decided to give it a try one day for lunch, placed an order for take out, and was pleasantly surprised to hear it will be ready in 5min, so I ran to the bank and came back, order was ready, everyone was very pleasant and worked fast. I had the Hiyashi Ramen due to some of the recommendations on Yelp, it was good and fresh, and even though some have mentioned their portions have gotten smaller, I only used half of the ramen they gave me for my lunch. I definitely think I prefer my noodles hot though, looking forward to trying Tonkatsu Ramen next time...
(4)Sharon L.
A group of us went to Menkui Tei for lunch on a Wed. We didn't have to wait too long for a table even though the place was packed because the wait staff seems to really hustle people out of there when they are done eating. Known for their ramen, most of us tried a variation of that. One person had the Tan-Tan ramen which is basically the Shoyu (soy sauce) ramen with spicy ground pork. Another had the house special Menkui ramen in seaweed flavored broth. This is their house special. Another had a bowl of extra spicy ramen. I had the Shio (salt) ramen w/ 2 slices char shu, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and scallion in a clear, mild broth. The soup base was not slightly creamy, milky texture that I've come to expect of shio ramen. The noodles were chewy and cooked perfectly al dente but somehow lacking. They tasted similar to fresh ramen that I've purchased at Japanese markets. The char shu was the biggest disappointment though. It wasn't tender at all and did not have that melt-in-your-mouth texture that Japanese char shu should have! It was also very bland and the fat was congealed, giving it a very unappetizing appearance. I took one bite of my char shu and left the rest in the bowl. One person ordered a katsu don-- breaded, fried pork cutlet & egg w/sauce over rice. She said it was delicious.. For an additional $3, you can add a small fried rice or a side of curry rice. We had a side of curry rice to share. The curry sauce contained carrots, onions, and bits of pork and was extremely flavorful. The small dish would probably be a good sized meal for someone. We also ordered a side order of gyoza to share. The gyoza were piping hot and obviously fresh but were, unfortunately, soggy and bland. The prices were very reasonable for Japanese ramen.. $8-10/bowl but honestly not worth the cost. If I were to return, I'd def steer clear of the ramen.. I might try the rice dishes if I was forced to go back.
(2)Dannie W.
We ordered noodles and rice, and both taste good! I like the noodles and the pork in it. I also like the beef rice. The price is good for the amount and quality of food. The service is good too. The only reason I did not give a 5 star is because you can only order the eel rice in a set; you can't order the rice by itself. But I will definitely go back to this place for the food if I go to central park in NY.
(4)Kevin W.
I've been to many Japanese noodle places, and this one is ok. I tried the Chanpon noodle, which is always one of my favorites. The taste of the noodle soup is delicious, but the meat is a bit too fatty. It has quite a bit quantity though, which is enough to stuff your stomach. The overall decoration of the restaurant is fine, but not fancy. Overall, it's a good place to grab some quick food with friends, but not a place for a fancy and nice dinner gathering.
(3)Michael C.
When it comes down to it, their shoyu ramen + roast pork is just too salty. For the same style of ramen, try Rai Rai Ken. Those who are comparing Menkui to Ippudo, don't -- you're trying to compare apples to oranges. Not a bad lunch option if you're close-by, but Menkui Tei is not a destination joint.
(3)John L.
Since writing my original review of Menkui Tei on 9/3/2008, I've continued to return here on my trips to midtown, which are every few months on average. This week, I walked here to discover that Menkui Tei has CLOSED. The name now lives next door, at what used to be sushi restaurant "Ise". The menus now say "Ise Menkui Tei". To be clear: the old Menkui Tei at 60 W 56th, that most of these Yelp reviews prior to 2013 refer to, is closed; the restaurant now called Menkui Tei is at 58 W 56th, which used to be a different restaurant entirely. What happened, exactly? I'm not sure. I asked my waitress, who said the two restaurants had "combined." So far I've eaten at the new Menkui Tei only once, but on that visit I didn't see any of the servers who used to work at the old Menkui Tei, or any of the cooks; I think I recognize the manager from the old Ise where I ate a couple times. The menu items look generally like the old Menkui Tei's, with some changes: in particular, the tonkatsu ramen is gone. There is a different bone broth ramen. There are more alcohol choices, and the menu looks slightly more upscale. Since I only have one visit to the new Menkui Tei, I can't give it a very definite review. I had the new bone broth ramen, my companion had the wonton soup, we tried the gyoza. The bone broth was too salty and at the same time more opaque but less rich than the old Menkui Tei's tonkatsu ramen broth, and the noodles have also changed to softer, less curled, and thinner. There were two pieces of roast pork, rather than four. The gyoza were mostly steamed, barely pan-fried; the waitress said they were still "hand-made", which may not have meant (?) hand-made by the old cook who used to make them at the old Menkui Tei. The wonton was fine, we had no particular reaction to it. The prices seem about a dollar higher. My current feeling is: a convenient ramen spot in mid-town, bone broth ramen that is okay and gyoza that was also just okay. I'll come back in a couple of months and try the new Menkui Tei again. Make no mistake, it really is a new restaurant, and I don't see too much of the old Menkui Tei here. Yelp should really treat this as a different place. You should consider reviews of Menkui Tei prior to 2013 as null and void.
(3)Serkan B.
Chuko don was really good. Recommend. But salmon fish was one of the worst I've ever had. good restaurant, just stay away from salmon. Portions are really big and cheap.
(4)Joyce L.
hmmm OVERRATED and definitely expected better. I was pretty excited to try this place given all the decent reviews.. and I never realized that it is located 3 blocks from my office... "how convenient!", I thought. A friend and I have been on a ramen frenzy lately... so we decided to try this place out. We went on a Tuesday night at around 6:30pm. No wait for a table (1 STAR!) and our food was served very promptly (2 STARS!). I ordered their signature Menkui ramen and my friend had the Tonkotsu ramen. On the side, we had the gyozas and a bonito flake rice ball. Not sure if this was just me, but I felt like the soup base had more of a chinese flavor rather than a japanese one. Sorta reminded me of an oily version of a wonton noodle soup you would get from chinatown. Loaded with scallions and SUPER SALTY pork. The ramen was a bit under done. The riceballs... horrible... stale rice... dry and bland. The gyozas were ok, but nothing special. There are definitely better ramen places in the area.. I wondered why I never noticed this place so close to where I am.. and now that I've tried it, I can go back to not noticing it.. =D
(2)Michael L.
This place is for sure over rated. I ordered their much-talked-about tonkatsu ramen, added an egg and got an extra side of the char shu. There were definately more negatives then positives in the bowl of ramen I received. The good: Good size Noodles were chewy, although not typical of ramen noodles ginger strips, scallions and other tidbits had good balance in flavor The bad: The broth seemed watered down, not all that flavorful in itself. The egg was just a regular hardboiled egg. Not even seasoned, Not soft boiled where the insides are rare, yet intact. (go to ramen setagaya or ippudo if you donno what im talking about) The char shiu was THICK and it didnt melt in your mouth. It was overcooked and DRY. GROSS. If im sacrificing all those calories on fatty pork meat, it has to be cooked right. I would say this place is probably on the same level as sapporo. Worse then a lot of other places Ive been to. likely will not be back, as there are plenty of other options.
(3)Randy I.
Yum, yum, yum. I went to grab something fast; I tried the Menkui Ramen; and got a boiled egg with it. Got the side of curry rice; and I was stuffed. The pork was tender and the broth was very flavorful. Since I'm now in the area for the next month; I will be back.
(4)Tim W.
In my opinion, if there are predominantly oriental customers in an oriental restaurant, it's a score. Taking carry out back to hotel.
(5)Cecille C.
This review is about the ramen at this place. It really disappointed me a lot. The pork is way far away from being well cooked. I am glad I order the basic ramen with 2 pieces of pork only. There is also options that you pay a couple of dollars more for ramen with 4 pieces of pork. It's def no worth ordering at all. I even couldn't finish my 2 pieces because they are terrible. The soup of the ramen is also far away from being called a broth. Overall, don't order the ramen!
(3)Penelope P.
This is my favorite ramen joint in New York (with Chuko at a close second). Menkui Tei is authentic, relaxed, and delicious. My fav is the Tonkotsu ramen. It's beautiful with a creamy, complex broth. I say pass on the egg as it's not soft boiled... definitely grab some complimentary tea and a big beer if you're in the mood. Niiiiicccee.
(5)Lisa H.
Night and day between this location and the St Marks location. Their ramen is flavorful and bouncy. I enjoy seeing happy 70-yr old Japanese men making ramen :)
(4)Jacob Y.
DEE - LEE - SHIOUS! If ramen is your thing, then this is your place. Authentic, succulent noodles in healthy portions. Enough to share, but who wants to do THAT? Now, don't expect to come here for ambiance. This place is straight up about getting in, seated, order, slurp down all the delicious noodle, guzzle down the broth, wiping the mouth and exiting (after paying of course). It's just been quite some time that I have tasted such delicious broth! And top it all off with a decent sake selection...this place is a win win. And no, they won't rush it. There is just not much scenery except the big bowl in front of you waiting to be consumed.
(4)Boris S.
I do not like the place, even though I have to say that the food is good, and the staff appears welcoming. However, I do not think that the waiters deserve tips. All my waiter did was to introduce me to the seat, take my order and handle my payment. He did not even serve my food onto my table. I am never used to tipping at this kind of restaurant, and more importantly, I did not know that I HAD to tip. As soon as I stood up and was ready to leave, the waiter stopped me and asked me to take out my receipt, pointing at the bottom where there was the suggested amount of tips. He had a nice attitude, but I did not perceive his intention as nice -- as if I had to tip to get out of this restaurant. I gave in and tipped, since it was not polite to have an argument in this crowded place, but I absolutely hated what I did. Before I walked out the door I decided to use the bathroom, which was right by a desk in front of which another waiter stood. I opened the door of the bathroom and this waiter stopped me right away by saying "there's somebody ...". I was again not happy with that -- if someone was indeed in the bathroom, why was the door not locked? What if I was in there, and then someone barged in? And then I just left the restaurant.
(1)Rajeshwari C.
I am on a roll to try a new ramen place every week. Thats my new thing these days. Recommendations from Japanese friends led me to Menkui Tei. I haven't braced the two hour wait at Ippudo yet, so clearly less to compare to. First up, its so easy to miss this place, would have never entered if I was just walking by. The ramen is just about ok, something about the broth was just not in sync with the noodles. Service is super duper quick, just like a fast food restaurant. Brownie points on that. I noticed people ordering non-ramen dishes as well and perhaps they are better. But like I said, I am on a ramen spree these days and Menkui doesn't leave me impressed.
(3)Peggy W.
I really, really like this place. Better ramen than (dare I say it) Ippudo in my opinion. I tried the seryu men - it was chilled with green onions, pork, and bamboo shoots and I loved it. Just perfect for a warm day when you don't want a hot bowl of ramen. Their fried rice is pretty good too. Don't expect ambience but the service is friendly and the food is delicious.
(4)Franny A.
Old style authentic Japanese restaurant- not just sushi. Little rooms off the main, lots of Japanese business people abound. Lunch boxes of A, B or C- for $11, $12 or $13.50. I opted for Box C. I was surprised over how good this box was and it reminded me of how much I loved Japanese food when I first tasted it back in the day in Midtown at places much like this. Deep fried shrimp with a smattering of veggies, sashimi, a pork belly , and salmon served with miso soup and white rice.. All the items in boxes came with it's own yummy sauce. Sooooooooooo good.
(4)Michael M.
Great place for noodles. Been here twice and can't complain, especially for the price. On hot days the cold noodle dishes are a welcome meal to help cool you down. Otherwise the ramen that's normally offered is a can't miss. Its never difficult to get a table here and the staff is very friendly. And most importantly the food comes out FAST. This place is definitely worth coming back to again and again and again.
(4)Kiki H.
I've given two stars on my previous review for this place. So why would I go back right? It happened on the day I was still trying to recover from one too many drink I had on night before. I was at work and craving for ramen noodle. So I went to the restaurant on lunch break sat at the bar counter. I had Tonkotsu Ramen. Wow I remember the type of noodle and broth they used to serve. It was not authentic Tonkotsu Ramen. But someone must told them to get it together. The noodle was thin as real and firm, pork broth was thick and very tasty and roasted pork was tender sliced not too thick. I was glad to see they were trying to improve their menu. So for that I will go back and have bowl of ramen again.
(4)Katie S.
***Hidden Gem Alert!*** Tucked into a tiny space in the culinary wasteland that is Midtown, are the tastiest bowls of Japanese ramen I've ever tasted! Tried this place a few weeks ago during a particularly acute bout of noodle craving. What a find! The first hint that this was going to be a yummy experience is that the place was packed at 4:30 on a weekday. I haven't been there during the lunch or dinner rush, but my guess is that it's madness! Of course, the other classic hint is that it's cash only. Always annoying, but usually a sign of high quality if New Yorkers are willing to put up with it. I had a bowl of shoyu pork ramen with extra pork, and it was absolutely delicious. Plentiful, perfectly chewy noodles; mouth-watering, savory broth; tender, richly flavored pork. Everything you could ask for on a winter's day in Manhattan. My friend had the pork curry, which was also delicious. Prices were very reasonable. Service was efficient and polite. We sat at the counter, which gave us a view of the chaotic kitchen, not to mention all the heavenly aromas wafting out of it... Yumm!
(5)Jean S.
Not a bad spot for the occasional craving for ramen, since this place is close to work and I'm too impatient to wait in line for Ippudo. Service is friendly and fast. The noodles are nice and chewy, and the broths (both #1 Menkui and #5 Tonkatsu) are flavorful. Their pork bellies are where they fall short, they are just a bit on the dry and tough side. I'm a huge fan of pork bellies, so -2 stars for that.
(3)Dave C.
Not sure why I never wrote a review for this place but here goes. This is not a great place for a group outing as the wait can often be annoying combined with no real place to wait aside from outside... I believe the broth here is not as good as other places I have tried. The tonkatsu is just not strong enough for my tastes. However, in terms of noodles i really do enjoy the ramen noodles here. For each time I have frequented this establishment the ramen has made the noodles a perfect al dente, and they are a bit thicker than the ones you find at ippudo. The onigiris are made to order, however they are just so so. The fried rice or curry sides were also average in terms of a ramen place. Decent place if you are in the area.
(3)Lauren R.
I like this place a whole lot when it comes to Ramen! I sometimes travel all the way from uptown to here just to get my soup fix. Especially today! New York was absolutely freezing, so soup was just what I needed to warm up. The service is usually really nice and the only problems I may have is my order (I always feel bad saying the traditional words wrong) This place is medium sized and naturally set up for two or three at a table. I went with a friend and she never had Ramen before so I was really happy to introduce her to this place. The soup was well and the cook actually knows me after all this time so he gave us a little extra wontons and pork slices in our Ramen bowls. This definitely made me smile! The soup was hot, full of perfectly cooked noodles and delicious meats. Not too salty either which is a problem in a lot of soups! So five stars for delicious soup!
(5)Daniel B.
Came with a friend and sat at the bar. I ordered the vegetarian ramen, with the following toppings: egg, bean sprouts, kimchi. And a side of curried rice. Split a 21oz Kirin. It was swell.
(4)Joey V.
Menkui Tei was my second foray into the abyss that is the Midtown Ramen scene. Previously I have patronized Tabata Noodle on 9th Ave, for their Sutagima Ramen with pork. I know Menkui Tei is doing more tradition ramen, while Tabata, run by Burmese, is less tradtitional or fusiony or whatever. Today I ordered Tonkotsu ramen, #5, at Menkui. A comparison- Broth- Most important part of any noodle soup. Tabata's Sutagima is garlicky and spicy. Tastes more like Southeast Asian than Japanese. The Tonkotsu ramen was subtle and smoky. The first sip tasted very salty, but after that I didn't notice. Noodle- Comparable Pork- No Contest. Tabata uses cheap, takeout slop type pork. I eat it, but it's an afterthought. The Menkui Tei Pork was some real deal Japanese Ramen Pork. Nice Other ingredients- Menkui Tei had pickled ginger, bamboo, bean sprouts...and they gave me hot tea. Total cost at Menkui after tip- $10.25 Total at Tabata after tip- $10.80 I'll be bock to both
(4)AndresSamuel R.
No-nonsense, top-notch noodle soups at reasonable prices. This is a bare-bones, cash-only establishment. Whatever they lack in terms of comfort (it's cramped) and ambiance, they make up for in terms of food quality. The bowls of noodles are hearty meals, featuring a flavorful broth, plentiful noodles, crunchy bean sprouts and bamboo shoots and tasty slices of pork. I have enjoyed both the miso and shoyu soups, and I'm looking forward to trying some of the other options. The gyozas are good too. Finding a good meal at a reasonable price in this central/northern midtown location is difficult. Bookmark this place. You can't go wrong. Caveat emptor: - cash only - not good for groups.
(4)Dave B.
Menkui Tei is one of those hole-in-the-wall places that you'd walk right by without even a glance unless someone who had been there before led you with whispers of ramen goodness. This place isn't attractive, no curb appeal, no frills. The food is tasty. Service is efficient. Price is ridiculously low, especially given the location. Been here several times now and enjoyed every bite. Glad it's far from home because I'm sure it's bad for me. I'd recommend it on a cold day with hot ramen. I'd recommend the cold noodles on a hot day. I'd always get the fried rice. Thanks goes to my lovely wife who brings me here when we're in town.
(4)Jinra I.
Menkui Tei is basically like Ise next door, only the specialty here is ramen. There are a few rice dishes like katsu curry, but for that you should just go next door. The ramen was delicious and to my liking without filling out a fancy ramen preference sheet like they give you in California. By to my liking I mean the soup wasn't too oily, the ramen noodles were the Japanese word for 'al dente' and the pork slices that came with the house special ramen were quite large. Unless you're really hungry, I wouldn't order any extras. Instead, I'd do a combo -- full-sized ramen with a small side of curry rice. The curry is delicious! Even better, the service is great and the food is pretty cheap.
(5)Julianne B.
I'm rarely in midtown so have not had a chance to try out some of the ramen places in this area....and as it turns out, I have not been missing much with this place! Came here for a late lunch on a Saturday and was completely underwhelmed with my ramen. Shoyu ramen broth was rather tasteless. It was thin and not flavorfull at all. I also had the same opinion for the tonkotsu broth. Maybe I didn't order the right things? I see no reason to come here. I'll be sticking with my good old standby: Kambi.
(2)Marissa S.
The food was mediocre and the menu didn't have too many options. It was mostly ramen and udon with a few rice plate options. I was disappointed to see that they didn't offer bento boxes. I went during the busy lunch rush and there was a line but it move fairly quickly. I was completely turned off by their service. After we finished eating and paying our bill, and were still sitting and talking, we were rushed to leave and basically pushed out. Completely rude. One of the waiters showed up and just gestured us to leave, all the while saying "thank you very much" serveral times and telling us we had to leave since people are waiting. I left. And I won't be back.
(2)Sam W.
Stopped by here for lunch today. Ordered the "Negi-Teri" combo (beef negimaki and chicken teriyaki). My dining companions got the salt ramen and the beef sukiyaki/tempura combo. They were nice enough to share, so I had a chance to try most things. We also got a tempura appetizer (eyes were bigger than our stomachs, I suppose... well, that and I didn't realize the portions would be as large as they were). I enjoyed everything and was a bit surprised I liked the chicken teriyaki as much as I did (though it was a bit.. sweet). Everything arrived at the table warm, which is particularly important for the tempura. I was a bit disappointed that the vegetable tempura didn't include kabocha. We definitely didn't have room for dessert and if there weren't so many other places I'd like to try, I'd be happy to go again as this was a nice stop for a filling lunch.
(4)Joyce H.
Average ramen, decent portions for the sides (curry rice made for a whole new meal the next day!). The meat was decent but a little on the chewy side. We also shared the potstickers which were standard japanese gyoza. Gotta warn you, the sign outside is written in japanese so make sure you are looking at the addresses as you poke your way around 56th street.
(3)GIII V.
Walkin by st patricks and all of a sudden i had a craving for ramen, i always loved ramen check yelp then menkui tei had to check it out Is was a small place and the sign doesnt read like menkui lol we went in its like otaisho at st marks place, i asked the food server to please give us the two most popular ramen they have, its good.... but i feel like somethin else is missing Service **** place ** food. **
(3)Jean L.
This is my favorite meal when staying at the Parker Meridien. Not only do I get a hot cup of steaming yummy noodles in under five minutes flat, they actually listen when I say "no scallions", unlike just about every other Asian restaurante ever. I pretty much pick up a number 8, extra seaweed, no scallions, on my way "home" from work every night. Watch out, it's a bit tucked away and doesn't have a big banner to notify you of it's presence but it's there on the corner, hidden next to the Korean place and the Sub place.
(5)Arden C.
I rarely write negative reviews, mostly because I like to tell people about the delicious food experiences I have had as opposed to the not so great ones. But, this one is an exception because I was fooled by yelp. I'm staying at a hotel in Midtown a few blocks away from this sushi restaurant and of course yelp led me here. However I was quite disappointed. I walked in and asked for a table for 1, they gave me a weird look as if it's wrong to eat alone. Then had me wait by the door for a few minutes even though there were tables open. After waiting a few minutes some other customers came in the door so they sat them and asked me to go sit at the sushi bar, no big deal but I felt like it was a bit rude. So I'm sitting at the sushi bar waiting and finally get a menu 5 minutes later. They didn't come back for a while so I had to ask for water twice, I read in some reviews they usually serve hot tea but they didn't bring me any tea and were quite rude when I nicely asked for water. I also had to wait another 15 minutes just to order and I asked 3 waitresses if they could take my order. They just kept saying ok then walking away saying someone was coming. The food was ok, I had a small seaweed salad, which wasn't bad but still not worth $5 dollars and some yellow tail sushi and tuna sushi. The tuna didn't seem very fresh. I asked for the check twice and of course waited another 10 minutes just to get the check. I was done eating in about 5 minutes, yet I spent over an hour in the restaurant. That's not a very good sign. That was $25 dollars not very well spent. Ise Japanese - you really need to work on your service. When I left I thanked the sushi chef and he greeted me goodbye but not a single server said anything. They weren't even that busy but I was ignored and waiting the entire time. It was a late Sunday evening dinner around 8pm. 2 stars because the food was okay. At lease the food wasn't a complete bust.
(2)Ida C.
MKT is my go to ramen joint and is everything a ramen joint ought to be in my humble opinion: - No wait (except in the winter during the Midtown lunch rush) - Friendly easygoing service - Extremely tender pork with lots of flavor - Amazing and consistent broth (especially on a cold day!) - Ramen counter for grabbing a quick bite Guaranteed party in your mouth if you get: - Tan tan ramen - spicy porky richness with nice chewy noodles - Sara udon - almost like Cantonese pan fried noodles, thin noodles deep fried and slathered in Japanese style chop suey (pork, baby shrimp, snow peas, shitake, and more!)...beware, this baby is enormous! - Small set fried rice - 1.50 with weekday lunch, about 3 any other time. I think about it as crack rice, uniquely good in the midtown location!
(5)Jim U.
Cold and rainy, I did not feel like walking all the way across East Village for lunch. Along the way I spotted this place and remembered Bridget's advice. The ramen here really hit the spot. The noodles were good and separated nicely. The add-ins of sprouts, shoots, and scallions were all fresh and tasted good. Moreover, the meat, though sparing in use, was of decent quality. The broth was very good with nuanced flavor. I did find though that the bowl was very large and therefore it was difficult to finish the meal. All together this was a very enjoyable lunch spot. Being East Village though, better ramen can be found nearby. I was happy though with my lunch, and it is very inexpensive. 3.5 stars
(3)Wing L.
There's a few ramen places in midtown and if you're like me, you probably ended up here after you discovered how long the line at Totto is. What is the fascination with long lines at ramen places? Ramen is comfort food- eat, slurp, pay. All done in 10 minutes. If you're still craving ramen and don't want to wait long lines at other places, Menkui Tei may be an option. Beware, space can be cramped. For me, ramen is not my main course. Sure, I will eat it but by itself, I will be hungry afterwards. If you have a big appetite like me, opt for an appetizer or a rice dish to share amongst your party. The tonkotsu ramen was decent. The noodles didn't have that "bounce" and consistency that I like (i prefer Totto or Minca at lower east side). The boiled egg sadly was not half-runny (that's 1 whole point there!). The soup itself was not salty enough which goes both ways. If you're a fan of drinking all your soup, then the broth works for you. I prefer drinking a bit and letting the noodles soak in the flavors. For me, the soup just didn't have enough oomph. For a rice dish, we ordered the Mapo tofu dish. Simple, comfort food: spicy (not too spicy) minced pork with silken tofu over a generous portion of white rice. Nonetheless, it still satisfied my ramen craving for an hour. Afterwards though, I needed a main course. Appetizer was served.
(3)Sid A.
I had the Veg Ramen. Loved the soup base and noodle.
(3)K F.
I ordered Mankui Ramen as it was recommended by my friend. It was just what I wanted! I was very happy that it was not Tonkotsu base but simple Shoyu Ramen, I finally tasted a bowl of good ramen in NYC. I have not tried other menu so I cannot speak for all but I surely recommend Menkui Ramen! Overall service was also good!
(4)Yuh-Line N.
Good food. No ac. random service. my friend and I decided to look for a place to get some good food for a decent price, and what better than a ramen place? I looked on trusty yelp to help us find a place, and Menkui Tei popped up. First off, the name of the restaurant is not apparent when walking by. we looked for the place for a long long time. passing it twice. It's a little dingy and small but not as small as many other ramen places. up front you can watch the chefs cut up meat and put together the bowls. hope that you're seated in the front. the back sucks! we had to ask for water repeatedly and many times since we were in the back by the bathroom, they didn't even walk back there so we could signal them. I had to get up and ask them for water repeatedly. the water glasses were annoyingly small. Their house noodles are pretty bomb. I'd recommend it. and their curry rice was pretty yum too. also recommended. the reason I gave it three stars was because of all the different ramen places in nyc, it just didn't really compare in taste and experience. The prices were around the same as other better ramen joints, the service was really weird and spotty and there was no ac on such a hot day.
(3)Yibing Q.
Hidden gem off 5th avenue! despite its 4-starness, the eatery was not packed on a saturday evening! ordered Menkui Ramen (item number 1, waitress said number 1 and 5 were the most popular). very filling portion. very good soup (not msg-ladden) and chewy noodles! pork was not as tender and flavoured as i wanted. lots of bean sprouts too! tried totto-ramen a few days ago. i think menkui's is relatively on-par with totto ramen, but is 1-star better as there was no insane queue and i actually felt really full after the meal.
(4)Sarah T.
I have very strange and random food obsessions and cravings: spinach, cheese...among others. However, since moving to NYC about 16 months ago, good ramen has become something I crave and obsess about. Having been to multiple different ramen places around the city already (Sapporo, Rai Rai Ken, Momofoku Noodle Bar, Menchanko-Tei), I decided to scope this place out after reading some great reviews on Yelp. First of all, I'm glad Yelp has a picture of the outside of the restaurant because it can be very difficult to find the place because it does not actually say the name of the restaurant outside. LOOK FOR THE YELLOW AWNING. There's also a sign on the door that points out that this place is CASH-ONLY. I came in at around 6 pm on a Tuesday night and the place was fairly empty. I ordered the Tan-Tan Ramen - which is advertised as ramen with spicy pork. Authentic Tan-Tan ramen is supposed to have a sesame-based broth. I received my order fairly quicky (under 5 minutes!) - but it was sans sesame-based broth, but perhaps sesame-flavoring? The noodles were honestly the best part of the ramen dish for me....it tasted fresh and "bouncy." The spicy ground pork was actually not very spicy, but something with a tang of flavor! The broth was not authentic, but very tasteful. And did I mention the price? $8.50 for the bowl. Fairly reasonable for a bowl of ramen in NYC. Thumbs Up: Great-quality ramen for a reasonable price, lots of ramen options!, small & cozy (not crowded) Thumbs Down: Location, Appearance, cash only
(4)Daniel K.
First time trying the ramen house and was happy with the food and service. Quick service with Japanese hospitality and clean setting adds to the experience. Good sake collection as well. (the actual visit was on 12/11/2012)
(4)Tiffany L.
I came here for work and it was recommended by one of the locals. I am so glad I found this hidden gem. We all got the chan pon. This is the best dish if you want a hot bowl of soup and ramen, but without all the MSG/fat. The broth was delicious and noodles perfectly cooked. If you see a wait, don't worry..it goes by fast.
(4)Elizabeth L.
While the East Village location has a slightly nicer ambience, the quality of this branch's food is better. I love the Chan-pon -- seafood noodle soup with thicker ramen. It's soo satisfying in the winter, and has shrimp, squid, tons of veggies, and fishcake and pork slices. Yum!
(5)Lukas W.
I'm getting to know the ramen scene more in New York and Menkui Tei did not disappoint for the price! I found a very friendly staff, very reasonable prices (essentially every dish is under $14, but prepare to pay $3 for extra noodles!), and pretty darn good ramen. The broth I had was not perfect but quite tasty. The noodles were PERFECTLY cooked in my opinion, slightly al-dente if you will. And yes--CASH ONLY!
(4)Eric S.
Very good (not the best I've ever had but better than average by quite a bit). Had the sushi/sashimi combo platter for $28, which came with miso soup. The fish seemed very fresh, and I even liked the mackerel, which I normally do not care much for. Also had two pieces of yakitori at $2 each (funny aside: the iPad on which I am writing this review keeps auto-correcting "yakitori" to "halitosis." I just find that to be very humorous.). Only drawback to me was that the oolong tea I ordered came in a soda can, which was a bit disappointing. Had I known that, I would have ordered an Asahi or a coke. Part two: after the large meal, I was still a bit hungry and very curious about the ramen place next door... So I left Ise after paying and went next door where I plunked down $10 cash (the noodle bar next door doesn't take credit cards) for a huge bowl of ramen with gyoza dumplings in it. In hindsight, I should have ordered only a couple of pieces of sushi at most at Ise (because I was craving sushi) and then headed next door for the entree of ramen. Next time I will definitely do that. For $10, the ramen next door is exceptional. Not that Ise is bad... But if you are debating between the two, take my advice and go for the ramen.
(4)Kevin C.
Solid ramen spot in midtown, especially on a cold winter day. I frequented this place during the colder months, since it's only two blocks from my office. It's a good idea to get there before the lunch rush, cuz it gets pretty darn crowded. I'd recommend groups of 2-4. Anything more than 4 and you're in for a long wait. The tonkotsu ramen is my favorite. The chasu is tender enough and juicy. And the noodles/broth are great. The real stars are the side dishes: gyoza and curry. MMMmm. In comparison to other ramen houses, the gyoza and curry here are much better. The rice that comes with the curry is perfectly cooked. I'm starting to salivate, just thinking of perfectly cooked japanese rice. *drool* I might make a meal out of side dishes next time and skip the ramen, especially now that summer is here.
(3)Joel G.
Very disappointing.
(2)andy t.
I arrived on a tip from Diane P., a Yelper from California who knows her shit and told me this is where to find the best ramen in town. Little did I know Menkui Tei was located down the street from where I work somertimes, so I plotted my first visit and came for lunch this afternoon. I took a counter seat right before the noon rush and ordered the house ramen (aka # 1 -- Menkui Ramen). For $8, you get a heaping bowl of curly ramen noodles with 3 pieces of succulent roast pork, sprouts, bamboo shoots and scallions. Now I don't consider myself to be an expert in ramen -- but I do know that when it's served, with steam rising and that distinctive soy-seaweed aroma in the air, life in general seems pretty fuckene sweet. Also I'm not a huge eater, but I slurped this shit up so fast I surprised even myself. As I devoured my ramen, I couldn't help but notice the guys behind the counter, frying up a pan of gyoza. Damn those little puppies looked tasty! Next time, my friends, next time. Oh hell yes, maybe tomorrow. POSTSCRIPT Later in the day, I pulled out my iphone and made the mistake of showing my Dad the photo I took of my bowl of ramen. "Who takes a photo of their lunch?" he asked me, bustin my balls. "Why don't you take a photo of your dinner tonight? That ought to be really exciting." Another co-worker asked: "You were alone when you took that, right?" He then stuck a big, fat chocolate strawberry halfway in his mouth and taunted me. "Hey Andy take a photo of this."
(5)Michelle H.
If you are around Midtown and don't want to make the hike to Ippudo in order to wait for a long ass time and pay the premium for a flashy, modern, Asian-fusion ambience on the price for your admittedly great bowl of ramen, I would urge you to seriously consider Menkui Tei as your alternative ramen spot. The unpretentious, homely atmosphere complements their ramen immensely. The broth is very savory and hearty (albeit a bit salty, but that's the risk we have to take when we get ramen, I guess) and really hits the spot when I have my unpredictable hormonal ramen cravings. Whichever ramen you get, make SURE you get extra roast pork to go along with it--the pork is what makes Menkui Tei what it is :) And in case you don't want to take my word for it, I will add that my Japanese then-boyfriend fully approved of the joint. According to him, it was a pretty authentic rendition of any neighborhood ramen restaurant you might find off the main path in Japan! Don't we all love authentic cultural dining experiences?
(4)Min K.
4 stars? Really?? The wait was ridiculously long (went on a Saturday afternoon). The ramen wasn't even good (I ordered the miso ramen cuz I don't eat pork, but I guess that's my fault). Totto ramen is better imo.
(2)Ben C.
Excellent gyoza and very good selection of Ramen. Authentic Japanese-style menu, service, and decor. Highly recommended!
(5)Tushar K.
I haven't been to too many Ramen places, but I thought this one was pretty decent. Flavorful and tasty. I had a spicy ramen and enjoyed it.
(4)Alan T.
Staying at a hotel near Rockefeller with a bus to catch mid afternoon on a Sunday. Torrential downpour. Craving ramen. Yelp seems to suggest Totto is the best in the neighborhood, but it's closed for lunch on Sundays! Next best = Menkui Tei. I've tried a few ramen places in NYC and haven't really found one I would go back to; I would go back to Menkui Tei. For me, ramen has to be quick, cheap, and satisfying which is what Menkui Tei was for me; I'm never paying $20+ for a small bowl again. You can also opt to add a small side order of fried rice or curry rice (I went with the curry rice, which was a little spicy, which was nice) for only $3. I had the tonkatsu broth ramen and the little lady tried the house special. Honestly, mine was better. She agreed. Win. One piece of detail was that we both really liked the "feel" of this place... whatever that means. Anyway, I'm looking forward to trying Totto sometime, but for the moment, Menkui Tei is my go-to place for ramen in Manhattan, having tried about 4 other places. I'm not really a super picky eater, but I am a thrifty eater. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there like me, so hope you find this rec useful!
(5)Tony T.
I have never had a bad meal here. The place is cash only so make sure you have enough before you come in. The last time we went, I had the jar jar ramen, a cold noodle without broth that is mixed with pork and vegetables. I like the spiciness of the sauce that comes with the ramen. The nira reba, chicken livers and leeks, is probably my favorite dish here. it is a little salty but the livers are tender and not broken too much and the leeks are cooked enough to lose their toughness but not the bright green color. The mabo don is a good rice dish, with tofu and ground pork, but no real vegetables. The sauce is spicy but is you are not in the mood for noodles, this is a great alternative. The gyoza are pan seared on one side to give it a nice char and the sauce that comes with them is a little sour but gives the gyoza a needed kick of flavor. Add some spice to the sauce and it is perfect.
(4)Mike K.
Scott and I came back here to circle up and confirm that this is our favorite ramen joint in the city. Menkuitei has a sign on their walls that says you can tell them to adjust the strength of the broth and the firmness of the noodles. We ignored this when we came last month, but decided to take them up on it this time, which was a really good call. We both requested strong tonkotsu broth and firm noodles, and they delivered on both. The broth was very rich, maybe a shade lighter than Terakawa's, and the noodles were perfectly al dente. I know in my previous review I wrote that the food was 3.5 stars, but based on this it's easily four. If you like your broth or your noodles a certain way don't be afraid to ask your waiter - it makes a difference. That's a wrap for weekly ramen! Menkuitei, you win! For now.
(4)Tunyaluck P.
I had shoyu ramen. Also add a small curry rice to the set. The curry is good. Gyoza is good too. But for the ramen, both mine and my friend, we didn't like them. The broth is so so. Not bad, but not notable. I guess I am a big fan of thick broth. Anyway, the price is very reasonable for the location. $7-8 for most ramen.
(3)Jennifer Z.
Stopped in for lunch on a random Thursday and was seated within 10-15 minutes. I had a bowl of the Miso ramen while the bf had the Seafood ramen. I loved that their noodles were completely different depending on what you order and not all that varied was just the broth. I loved his broth which was also filled with a variety of veggies. The Miso had too many scallion in it for my liking, but I think it just more didn't fit my preference. The gyoza was great as well. Overall, would definitely come back again- especially give the great prices and short waiting time for quality food and great service!
(4)MJ H.
MJ's Star : 3 Price : Ramen $8 (excluding tip and tax), Cash Only.
(3)Gorgon Z.
EPIC FAIL. Only reason I'm giving one star is because I have REPEATEDLY asked if the Sarah Udon sauce is made with meat and repeatedly told it isn't. Turns out, they take the pork and chicken stock and make a sauce out of it, and put it into a dish that I have been told "only contains fish" (when I asked for the pork to be omitted). In fact, they basically have no true vegetarian noodle options. This is something I had to ask about repeatedly before being given an accurate response. Vegetarians and people that don't eat pork and / or foul, BEWARE - the broth and sauces contain both. Please make sure you make your dietary restrictions very clear to these people, because they obviously don't have a fucking clue what "I don't eat meat" means. I have eaten there four or five times before I was clued in that I was eating something that contains pork and chicken stock. And I would become violently ill after eating there each time.. now I know why. One star for MT's irresponsible and careless disregard for customers' dietary restrictions and preferences, and their shitty way of (not) remedying the situation when I brought it up. Way to go. This review has nothing to do with anything else. The rest of the food is fine. The customer service just sucks. But then again, what can one expect of an establishment in the black-hearted, soulless, cultureless void known as Midtown Manhattan? I would give you no stars if I could. You suck.
(1)Hank C.
Fair warning, the place is fairly hot on a summer day, not sure what it is, because their thermo is at 67, but it feels more like 85 inside and humid. That being said, a decent ramen place. Miso and tonkatsu varieties were hot, not-too-salty, and decently sized. Service is swift and the cost isn't too bad - cash only. The pork I've had better at Ippudo and Mitsuwa, the boiled egg I expected to be soy boiled but instead was a plain cold egg, and the miso wasn't strong enough to flavor the soup, but overall not too bad. The savory was there, and hot, but the heat made it a sweaty experience just for ramen. Not a good place for groups of any serious size above four. You'd have to wait a while or sit at the bar and arrange yourselves in smaller groups.
(2)Cin Z.
If you love Gyoza, this place has some tasty ones. I have also had their Char-Han (fried rice) and that was very good. However, this last time I went, I decided to try something new - the curry rice. I wanted to get it as a side dish, but their "policy" is that you can only order a side of rice with a bowl of noodles. Huh? Now, I was already getting gyoza and a beer, which totals $11.00, so a side order would have been more than enough and they would have gotten around the same amount of money from me as if I had ordered noodles and rice. I did not find the curry rice to be that satisfying (too much cornstarch) and I ate about 1/4 of the plate. Lesson learned.
(3)Lauren B.
Amazing pork ramen. Salty, but delicious.
(4)Hudson W.
This place is amazing. I go here for lunch/dinner and am never disappointed - friendly staff, very fast service, and all very inexpensive. Some ramen noodle soups are MUCH larger than others (such as the Chan Pon), so if the dish costs more than 11-12 bucks, be prepared for leftovers.
(5)Joseph L.
Second time here for lunch, stopped by here with a friend and luckily there was no wait at all (around 12:45pm on a weekday). Decor: 3 out of 5 - OK Very small place, hard to get in and out but it looks pretty decent (japanese style). Service: 3 out of 5 - Good service The waitress was very nice, took our order and got us our food very quickly. Food: 3 out of 5 - OK I ordered the wonton ramen and gyoza appetizer. The wonton was pretty small compared to many other restaurants I've eaten at. The gyozas were good but tiny as well. Portion size of the noodle soup was filling, however you can taste a lot of the artificial flavored seasoning. Made everything very salty. Prices: 3 out of 5 - Average price for midtown city lunch but over priced for ramen. You can estimate around $10-15 per person.
(3)Jin C.
The tonkotsu ramen had an unpleasant sourness to it, probably a result of the pickled vegetables in it. It's pretty cheap and came quickly, but it's otherwise very mediocre and not worth a special trip at all.
(2)Eric L.
i used to love this place, and it used to be one of the better places to get ramen in the city. 5 years ago i would have given this a 4, but frankly, the emergence of ramen as a popular foodie thing in America has upped the ante and men kuite hasn't kept up. however, moreso than other establishments, this feels very "japan" to me, so i'll still hit it infrequently, but unfortunately its nowhere near the best ramen in the city anymore. noodles lack body, are sometimes slimy, soups can be thin or watery feeling. if you like ippudo, don't consider getting something where the broth is supposed to be rich -- change genres entirely for something like tan tan men or hiyashi chuuka.
(2)Bogdan T.
Straight up, being cash. No Credit cards in this place. Real deal Ramen joint. Not a real hole in the wall place since its uptown and got your suits walking in here and there. Also since its in a touristy area or next to it, If your flying in from Asia and miss that good bowl of Ramen...This is the place. Food arrives relatively fast and the portion is good. The curry`s and noodles stand strong. Get a beer or two...and you are good.
(4)Loc V.
Best Ramen in the city. Loaded with Japanese patrons and "in the know" patrons waiting in line patiently for a seat to open up. Ridiculously delicious authentic Ramen soup and the best fried rice in will ever have. Gyoza is also top notch. CASH ONLY. Prepare to wait during lunch.
(5)Ty R.
This is one of the better ramen shops around the area. The place fills up quickly during lunch so it's best to get there before or right at 12. I've had the tan-tan, curry, and menkui ramen dishes, as well as the pork gyoza and shumai. The shumai here is actually pretty tasty. Sometimes the broth is saltier than I'd like but every now and then I'm in the mood for that. There's katsu and rice dishes similar to other ramen/Japanese spots and a variety of beverages both alcoholic and non. The service is very fast which is great for when you're in a hurry, but makes you feel rushed when you just want to chill out. There are 2 ramen joints right next to my office, but I always prefer to walk the 6 blocks up to this one.
(4)Alex O.
Really good, really great portion size. I'll go back for sure because it's a super deal. Service was a little rough at lunch, it was pretty busy. But if you want a really filling $7 meal in Manhattan- that isn't eating garbage or a handful of hotdogs- give it a shot.
(4)Superfoodie A.
Want a steamy bowl of hot ramen and fast, friendly service, all at a great price? Get to Ise! Delicious!
(5)J L.
was not what I had expected it to be.. another overrated restaurant. it's a very average ramen place.. ordered the seafood pork broth ramen (upon the waiter's recommendation!) and it was BLAND. plus, I highly doubt that this is freshly made broth. It did not have that any sign of fresh pork flavor. It just tasted like it was right out of the pre packaged packets. I've definitely had better. BUT the portion was huge... The menu is very limited and restaurant is designed like a "railroad". the additional $3.00 for the curry rice was a waste. completely out of the box style. You get what you pay for (quality). Probably would not go back.
(3)E C.
Texture of the noodles were just right and broth was flavorful. Fried rice and gyoza were also tasty. The only negative is that when we walked in (first customers on a Sunday) the place had a dirty rag smell. Otherwise, service was good.
(4)Shiori I.
As a Japanese person, let me tell you- this place is authentic. It's not the best ramen ever, but it is very typical of something you can get in every neighborhood in Japan. Down a dirty little alleyway with good eats. I had the tantan-men, which was actually not spicy at all, and my fiancé got tonkotsu-men. We also got gyoza, because it is a known fact in Japan that gyoza (dumplings) are always good at ramen places. The broth for the ramen was a little on the salty side but besides that it was pretty average-good ramen for Japan standards. The staff is very quick and the turnover is fast, which is also typical for a ramen place. A bit dirty looking, but again, this makes it more authentic. But most of all I love that this unassuming place is in Midtown!
(3)Rachel A.
I've been on the fence for awhile about Menkui Tei. I thought it was a solid four star dining establishment until I had Kambi Ramen House. It's very true. You don't realize how good you've had it until you've had it really bad. Immediate extra star fist bump for Menkui Tei. On any menu, I immediately gravitate towards anything spicy. The first bowl of soup I had at Menkui Tei was the Tan-Tan Ramen (shoyu ramen with spicy ground pork). A huge bowl of ramen was laid in front of me. First sip and first bite. Not too spicy. Not spicy at all. But definitely flavorful and with a mild kick. The soup itself was simple. Soy flavored broth, fresh ramen and ground pork with chiles here and there. I shared an order of gyoza with my friend and ever since then, gyoza has been a must every time I eat at Menkui Tei. Since I love all sorts of dumplings, the next soup I tried was the Wonton Ramen. The menu said it comes with 8 wontons. Woo hoo! I was envisioning the gyoza dumped in a bowl of ramen. Much to my dismay, the wontons served were the smallest nubbins you could ever imagine. Menkui Tei blew it on this one. I will let them slide though. Wontons aren't even Japanese right? Third time was a charm because I ordered the Mabo Ramen (spicy tofu and ground pork). Now this was the perfect bowl of ramen to me and even though there are how many more variations of ramen on the menu, I will be sticking to Mabo. The tofu was soft and the broth was really thick. I'm sure they added cornstarch to it. Sometimes it's like jelly but in a good way. The noodles are abundant and the texture is perfect. Crisp with a bite, this was a far cry from Kambi's over boiled starch. And the gyoza? The wrapper is thin and you can tell the whole thing is homemade. Sometimes the pork is still pink (no worries, I'm still alive and I ate that pink meat weeks ago) and sometimes the bottoms (although they plate the bottoms face up) are not as crispy as other times. But when it's crispy, its really really good. I don't feel guilty at all eating a whole order by myself. In fact, the next time I visit with my friend I am going to tell her that we need two orders of gyoza, one for her and one for me. The service is fast at Menkui Tei. I have never seen a line out the door for a table. The longest I have ever waited was about 5 minutes. I haven't been to the EV location but I could imagine that the only difference would be the space, menu (from what I've read in the Yelp reviews), and clientele. EV is probably a little more young and rowdy. Here in the Midtown location, it's all business people. In fact, Menkui Tei has become my go to place after a 10 hour day at work. So if you see me here, then you know I've had a rough day and Menkui Tei is just what the doctor prescribed.
(5)Jane M.
Since the renovation, I don't get the same vibe from the old days. Maybe the food is about same, though I see other tables having ramen more. The service is still about same. Nothing to complain, but nothing special.
(3)Dana H.
This is a great place, great food and great for a cold day; but the only reason I'm giving this place a 3 is because of one of the servers. I had two servers when I went, and I came here almost 4 times now., The asian server, was very nice, polite, lots of patience and got us whatever we needed. However, while I was leaving another server, probably a college/high school student, wasn't giving the best.. attitude for his customers. I had said, check please, and his back was facing me so I couldn't here him. So I repeated it, and he says "I said sure," in a rude tone. Besides that one waiter, this place is great. But beware when going at night! It gets full quick!
(3)PT L.
Glad we found this nice little place. We ordered an extra spicy ramen and a Tonkotsu ramen. The latter one was slightly lacking something in flavor - plainly, not salty enough. The extra spicy ramen was delicious! It appears red hot but it's not really spicy, more flavorful than spicy. But if you want to drink the soup, this is not the bowl to do it. It's way to salty to drink. Overall it was a cheap, filling, yummy meal. We would definitely come back again.
(4)Galvin C.
I am not often prompted to update a review, but this seems to be as noble a reason as any: UPDATE this place no longer smells vaguely like a giant urinal cake like I swear it did six months ago. (For any proper ladies who might be wondering what a urinal cake smells like, first imagine what the gathered pee remnants of ten thousand dudes smells like, now imagine science trying to brutishly overpower that scent with the cheapest chemicals possible.) And this is about as commendable an improvement in atmosphere as I could possibly imagine. You'll notice, however, that I'm leaving them at three stars, and while it might say a lot more about me than it does them that their no longer smelling like an oversized pee-target DOESN'T appear to appreciably affect my enjoyment, the fact remains that the ramen here is just okay. The weird part is that while the broth is pretty rich, somehow little of the flavor seems to stick to the noodles, like it slides right off the instant the noodles leave the soup. The result is kind of like eating toast and jam in separate, successive bites instead of together. On the bright side, the noodles themselves are nicely chewy, the pork slices are of decent quality, and no matter how you slice it, $8 for a giant bowl of even decent ramen passes as a pretty good deal in NYC, this area especially. Still, hope remains; for all I know, Menkui Tei is in the midst of a strictly coordinated two-part plan: Step 1: Smell like a giant urinal cake, and then, six months later, don't Step 2: Have our ramen be better (IMPORTANT NOTE: ONLY ATTEMPT STEP 2 AFTER COMPLETION OF STEP 1) So I look forward to seeing where they are six months more from now. For the time being though, they remain firmly in "it'll do" status. Still, they still have the best curry I've had in the area, and I'd certainly come here over Menchanko-Tei.
(3)Anna M.
More like 4.5 stars. Seriously, this place is one of my favorite lunch spots. I usually take less than an hour for lunch, so this place is perfect. I am always seated right away, and I usually have my food within 5-10 minutes of ordering. The wait-staff is super friendly, and while small, they make good use of the space so that you don't have to wait for a table. The ramen is delicious for its price. My favorite is the wonton ramen (shoyu ramen with dumplings) which never disappoints. The Vegetable ramen is also pretty tasty. If you're super hungry, I would also recommend adding a side of fried rice or curry rice (both are yummy) for 3 bucks.
(4)Raul D.
How do you know a good noodle joint? 90% of the patronage is of asian descent (did I say that nice enough?) and you're not in a "little asia" part of town. As soon as I stepped foot in Men Kui Tei I knew I was in good hands. This is hands down one of the most authentic bargains in town. The quality/authenticity of the food is top notch, you can take home leftovers for two and get out there at around $10, no joke. I ordered the Sara Udon and did a double take when it came to the table (promptly, mind you). It was easily big enough for two, if not 3 (also not joking). And the taste, my god the taste. Looking around I saw dumplings and rice dishes that looked just as incredible. I went on a Wednesday at peak lunch hour and was seated within a minute or two. The staff is friendly and efficient, the ingredients looked to be about as fresh as you can get in the center of Manhattan. This place dances circles around the corpo-kitchens in the area and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have written anything at all, place is too good.
(5)Mike P.
Not bad - good soba, but portions are kinda smallish - but everything hot and fast... very typical little soba house, tight quarters and everyone screaming and running around, like it should be :)
(4)Jonathan L.
Not bad. I'd have to eat here one or two more times to give it a more substantial review. I was in and out in about 20 minutes, which is what I wanted, so I was happy with the speedy service (it was about 1pm on a Monday and pretty crowded). I had the tonkatsu ramen. As the three-star rating suggests, it was ok -- pretty good, even -- but not great. There was nothing hot for me to mix into the ramen -- at least, not within arm's reach -- and I feel like I should have everything I need at the counter of a ramen place within arm's reach.
(3)Matt B.
I am the first to admit I am no Ramen guru. Actually I just recently ventured into the wonderful world of this decedent soup outside the $.08 dried packets i lived off of as and Undergrad. After being jazzed for anything Ramen following an erogenous experience with Ippudo, I scoured Yelp to find a noodle spot near work in mid-town and found Menkui Tei. I had passed this place numerous times without a second glance. I do like the hole-in-the-wall feel, but usually only try these if someone suggests them. I am all about sketchy food, but I am also all about clean food. Being seated at the only open table, in front of the grill of course, the place didn't disappoint in the overly hot unventilated dining experience everyone promised. Fine I am ok with that. I was there for the food, not the ambiance. Based on every Yelpers recommendation I went for the Tonkotsu Ramen. Based on a coworkers recommendation, I also went for the fried rice and he ordered the curry rice. Rice came first and I was pretty happy, a little crunchy and well balance with the egg and shrimp, although the curry rice looked pretty damn good too. Half way through my rice I am all excited for a lock-step experience with the Ramen. The first thing I noticed when it arrived was the overpowering smell of MSG which would haunt the meal until the end. The pork was tender and fatty, the noodles were a little over done, and almost no vegetables. But the big downfall through out was the overpowering taste and smell of the MSG. It's sad, now I have lost some of my lust for goddess I had worshiped called Ramen. Hopefully its a short period before I am back kneeling before the alter.
(1)Jane F.
i'm so happy i noticed the "larmen" sign and knew that that meant ramen. delicious broth, incredible noodles. my only complaints are that the bamboo shoots were far too salty and the egg was hard boiled, not soft!! but whatever, the basic ramen is $8, and those prices truly cannot be beat. atmosphere is appropriately nothing fancy. amazing pork gyoza!!!
(4)Larry L.
This is the original Men Kui Tei location, located near the 57th St stop on the F train. Go early (or late) to avoid the meal time rush. Pull up a seat at the bar for a view of the kitchen action. The shoyu ramens are good, but I particularly like the pork bone broth-based tonkotsu (their spelling) ramen. The noodles have a great texture and soak up the flavor of the broth. For an extra $3 you can make it a set by adding fried rice (quite tasty), and you can alo add extras (such as bamboo shoots, a cooked egg, extra char-su) for a nominal fee. The dinner menu lists a respectable selection of sake. Once you've found your favorite ramen, try some of the other non-ramen dishes such as the yasai itame or nira reba. I like to start my meal with an onigiri - be sure to ask for the nori on the side so you can wrap it yourself. Men Kui Tei is cash-only, so hit the ATM before coming. Lucky for you there's a Chase on the corner of 56th and 6th.
(4)John D.
One of my favorite hole in the wall places to grab a cheap bowl of ramen at in Midtown at lunchtime. If you have trouble finding it look out for the prominent "Larmen" sign. The tonkoutsu ramen and miso ramen are good.
(4)Lauren S.
Recently came in for dinner with a good friend of mine. It is wonderfully empty for early dinner so I had no problem getting a table and the staff had no problem with me holding it for 15 minutes until my friend arrived. The space is teensy and if you blink you might miss it. I walked past it twice before I figured out it was behind the red curtain. When I came in I was immediately greeted with a huge smile and a welcoming hello. While I waited my server brought me water and deftly circled around the other tables, dealing with a demanding mother and a child who has clearly never missed a meal, and a couple of tourists who had five million questions about the menu. The kitchen is in plain view as the chefs prep the ever filling ramen, made to order just the way you like it. I was sorta ramen'd out for the month considering that was dinner evey other night at the restaurant and I had recently made a trip to Wagamama, so I thought to venture outside of the menu standards and try the soba. Not my favorite thing in the world. I always order the wrong thing. Ramen is fast becoming my nouveau comfort food. I will definitely be making this a regular stop in NYC. You can't beat these affordable prices amidst all the banks and high rises of midtown. ENJOY!
(4)Jenny C.
I LOVE the tonkotsu ramen here! The ramen is curly and firm and the broth was amazing! It was rich and creamy, not oily like some other places. I just wish they would give you more noddles because I was still hungry after devouring my bowl of ramen.
(4)Ave Maria I.
Fairly decent Japanese restaurant. Udon, rice balls, and sashimi platter are very good. I like the decent menu prices for this neighborhood.
(4)Susan A.
For midtown, great deal. Considering the number of Japense ramen places in the City, I wouldn't say that this place is the best, but it is definitely in line with the others. Fast service & fast food... but then again, I usually go around 2pm.
(3)Ann L.
After visiting Minca and Ippudo multiple times, I have to say that the ramen at this particular Menkui Tei failed to impress me (I haven't been to the other one downtown so I'll reserve that judgment for another day). The broth was very plain tasting, no depth of flavor like Ippudo's or Minca's. The portions of char-siew were about the same, and the noodles were a little too soft for my taste. As far as I can see, the only advantage this place has over Ippudo is the price and the lack of waiting time, but the midtown location and the underwhelming food make this place a one-time deal.
(3)shawn m.
I've been searching for a good ramen place since I went to Japan a couple of years back. And, I finally found it. The food was great, the atmosphere was busy, but not loud and the people were there to enjoy some good japanese ramen. i went with the gyoza and tan tan ramen (spicy ground pork in a miso broth) and I thought it was excellent. The broth was not overdone with sodium as I've found with a lot of other ramen. I think I've found a place i'll be visiting everytime I'm in NY. A couple of other things to note: 1. they only accept cash 2. the gyoza is excellent!
(5)Claire C.
Dear Men Kui Tei - I heart you forever. You are always good to me after a rough night out, a long morning at work, or just as a random stop after an exhausting shopping trip on 5th. You are never wrong and will never do any wrong in my book. Try the Tan Tan Ramen, it's my personal favorite. And get the fried rice set while you are at it, you just won't regret it. p.s. If you think you are going there for the decor or anything else other than the food, then you are seriously deranged.
(5)Forza M.
This place is so close to hitting the spot. The waiter and waitress that are virtually always there (I've been there too many times to count) are always busy, but still manage to have a smile on their faces. They might miss you when you need them to get something, but when they see you, they are eager to help. The food is great. I've ordered almost every time of ramen on the menu and most of the sides, too. Some may call it cheap, but I'd rather come here than places 3 times more expensive. However, I have to qualify that with a statement that I am cutting back on the visits here because of cleanliness. We came here late once and they were dragging garbage past our table, leaving a trail of goo. How gross! Are you that eager to close up shop that you can't wait until customers leave?? Anyway, I do head to the other branch as well, where it is cleaner and they have more specials. If it weren't for those annoying Cooper Union and NYU students, I'd make the trip more often! :)
(4)Dana K.
After a few months on Yelp, it's no secret that ramen is SERIOUS business to Yelpers. I've read other's lists, I've salivated over bowls of noodles I've yet to try, and I've decided that there is fierce loyalties out there to noodle joints. So, I do feel some pressure weighing in on the debate... here goes. I was cold and tired of walking by the time I stumbled into Menkui Tei. To be honest, I was looking for the other place on W. 55th, but since I went down the wrong street I was too lazy to back track. The yellow "Larmen" awning was inviting enough for me. Yes, it's small, yes, it's packed and yes, the food comes out fast. I had the tonkatsu broth ramen (a departure from the shoyu or miso ones I usually get elsewhere) and gyoza. Liked that fact that the noodles are topped with pork, beansprouts, bamboo shoots and ginger. The broth had nice flavor, and wasn't overly salty. Noodles were not overcooked or sticky. I didn't think much of the gyoza - I thought my gyoza at home was pretty much the same - out of the freezer and pan fried. However, the noodles were good. I would go back - it's a quick, reasonably priced and satisyfing meal. And next time, I would add the fried rice to my meal.
(3)Justin C.
This is one of my favorite lunch places, I will ride the subway one stop just to get here and so I can squeeze it in in an hour. I give it 4 stars because I still think that, though comforting and yummy, this is not as good as the east village places - Setagaya and Minca. I love that they have bar seats to cater to the single eater - makes sense as lots of Japanese salarymen dine here - but otherwise, it is really small and gets very busy during lunch time. That's one of the main reasons I come alone, shorter wait! The Tonkatsu is a cool and interesting, mild flavored ramen. The pork is not really up to standard, but the noodles are soft, and the veggies are fresh. Hints of red pickled ginger are like tiny flavor eruptions nestled in a warm ball of noodle niceness. They seem to serve a better quality cut of pork in the Char-syu Shoyu ramen, which is really just pork and noodles in a soy broth, and, though this broth is unremarkable, I still enjoy this. The curry rice is SO good too, and you can add a small plate of it to your soup for a total of $13 with tip - great deal! In fact, dining here, I thought that I need to get after more Japanese curries. So savory, thick, and delicious. The food comes out very fast too. DEAL: $11 for small curry rice and bowl of ramen at lunch time!
(4)Phillip L.
This place is tiny but delicious and pretty affordable. We had the gyoza, which were 6 for $4, great, and nearly everyone else in the restaurant ordered as well. I tried the Hiyashi Ramen, which is a cold ramen with a slightly sweet broth and lots of toppings. It was really good, but the roast pork is nothing special. We tried the Mabo Tofu as well and it's the best I've had in the city - lots of pork and just enough spice without being too spicy. I would definitely order that again. The only reason I deducted a star was the mediocre roast pork and it being cash only. If you like watching the cooks, request to sit at the bar, which is fine for groups of 1-3.
(4)J I.
When I saw 80% of patrons were Japanese in this small joint, I knew it will deliver at least 3 stars. But I didn't see many Japanese exchange students -- which is not a great sign. I'll explain this later. Seaweed and pork are their soup base - and the soup tasted solid but I did not finish. Noodles were all right - main style medium size noddle, not chijirimen or futomen. Meaning, it is standard and cooked right. Their charchu is good but not melt-in-your mouth great. Overall it was solid and you won't be disappointed unless you were looking for a great ramen experience, which I have yet to find in the U.S. The main chef was chopping raw pork right in front of the bar, which is unusual even by Japanese standard, but the meat looked fresh except for the bits that hit his face that he casually wiped off without anyone else noticing. Two waitresses were rather slow in service for this tokyo style ramen place, but perhaps they've come to accept the slow NY lunch crowd. In Japan, real Japanese should finish ramen in five minutes! Talking can wait! Gyoza was good, a large portion you should be able to share it with your friend. And I did see a Japanese curry dish that seemed yummy -- but I didn't try it. Here's a good way to see how good a ramen place is -- count how many Japanese students and bored wives you see. Japanese salary men in NY do not travel more than 5 minutes from their offices to eat lunch whereas students and homemakers would, if they like the price and taste. This place was 90% salary men. And as such, the place is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. LA still has it better than here.
(4)Steve C.
Very good ramen. What is it about ramen on a chilly evening that leaves you completely satisfied? Like you just had the best home cooked meal. I had the Menkui and the noodles were just firm enough but the soup was a little lighter than I would have liked. The bamboo was salty in a good way and the thickly cut pork was very tasty. If you manage to get a bit of both with each mouthful of noodle you'll be in Ramen heaven. The fried gyoza was also good. The skin is soft so it's probably better fried than straight outta the steamer. I watched them cook the fried rice and it looked yummy. The guy in the next table polished off a big plate in under 5 minutes so definitely have to try it next time.
(4)Mary C.
A friend comes here a lot for lunch and recommended this place to me years ago, and it has become my favorite place to grab a bowl of ramen and catch up with her. I always order the tonkatsu, and usually an onigiri to start. The onigiri is your run of the mill rice ball-- nothing too special, but the tonkatsu ramen is SO delicious. The broth is rich, meaty, salty and flavorful, and the noodles have the perfect bite to them. I like watching the chefs prepare the broth too. The pickled veg on top of the ramen gives you something to chew as you slurp the rest of the soup down-- yeah, it's that good. It's easy to pass this place by, so you sort of need to know where you're going. I found the prices to be extremely reasonable considering the location and also the serving size. This is a no frills eatery and I would eat here over any fancy looking ramen place any day.
(5)Anita A.
I stumbled into this place after late at night after watching the Moth at Cooper Union's Great Hall. It was my elixir after a long day-- the perfect, unexpectedly fulfilling meal. All my friends had returned home, so I just wanted a quick bite. I ordered Chukaramen, something I hadn't had since Japan, and was so pleasantly surprised. The noodles were chewy enough and the cucumbers and other vegetables made it a very fresh, uplifting meal. Menkui Tei has great atmosphere and I didn't mind eating alone, as I was browsing through a magazine. The next time I brought some friends and I ordered chicken wings and the Yuzu (slightly spicy) ramen. It was, again, well done and fulfilling. The waiters were also very nice and let us change tables to move into a more secluded spot that one of my friends preferred. Overall, one of the best places for Japanese food in NY. Very, very impressed.
(5)Matt M.
Good for a dinner after a day's work, chat with friends while having a delicious ramen!
(3)Kevin W.
Would like to give props to all the NYC yelpers and other yelpers who have reviewed and suggested this place. Went on a trip to this place after my father and I tried to get into MoMA's free night a bit too late apparently during a family vacation. Maybe walked past this place twice due to the sign in Japanese and different English name on the store front (like LeMen or something?). Waited like 5 minutes to be seated in a filled restaurant (we were so totally the only "gaijin" there also). Ordered the gyoza which was so highly suggested here, which I now understand why. Dad got a cold noodle dish while I got the Katsu-Don. Lots of food for cheap. If you're looking for good noodle and rice dishes, this is a great choice.
(5)Chris P.
Some of the best ramen around
(5)Brian C.
Food is great here. It's rather cheap for the portions you get. My favorite is the fried rice. So good. When I used to work in midtown, I would go here about once a week. I definitely recommend getting take out. It's a bit cramped and there's always a line that shoots out to the door around lunch time for take out and those waiting to be seated.
(4)Mike T.
Thank you Yelp for helping me find this place on our NYC trip! We come from a place (Seattle) where you would think there would be good ramen but there isn't. Yes, this reminded me of Japan. My wife and I loved this place. I got the miso ramen and she got the shoyu ramen. The portions were large enough to split into a smaller bowl for our 2 yr old son. Gyoza was great. Crispy on the bottom and very delicious. We also got a musubi for my son. It was HUGE and he ate it up. We got one to go for later. So for 2 bowls of ramen, 2 musubi, and 1 gyoza, we spent $27. Not bad for New York.
(4)Kelly E.
sluuuuuuurrrrpppp the sound of pure happiness. came here last night cos the boy was nursing a hangover and wanted some comfort food and i'm always in the mood for ramen. after looking at the pictures on yelp, i knew i'd be going with the tonkatsu ramen - love me some miso base. we got there just in time to grab two seats at the "bar" area. the place packed up quickly since it's small and narrow and soon there was a line going out the door. our waitress was super sweet and brought us our drinks right away, rubbing his hangover in my bf's face, i ordered the $5 small hot sake, quite a good deal methinks. while we waited for our food we watched the goings on of the kitchen, including the skilled hands of one of the cooks preparing dumplings from scratch (check out the pic). we noticed that the noodles were made to order and our ramen took longer than at other places. we didn't mind since that meant our soup was constructed just for us and the noodles were especially fresh. there's even a sign on the wall asking you to tell your waiter if you feel the flavor of your soup is too strong or not strong enough so they can adjust it for you. the ramen was delicioussss, two LARGE slices of pork, delicious ginger and radish. too bad the place is so small and crowded or i'd definitely be there more often. the cash only thing is a little annoying too, who carries cash anymore? i do plan on becoming a regular take out customer! especially for $8! maybe i'll be a baller and add an egg next time... strangely, i reviewed this place earlier thinking i had been here actually i'd been t menchanko tei, which is good but menkui tei is great. nice to have an alternative if this place is full though.
(5)Michael J.
Come here often for their katsu curry -$10.00....highly recommend this dish! I personally also likes their buta ramen. I have been dared to tried the beef tongue...its not as bad as I thought it would be, but it isn't that good as well. The prices here are affordable...but they only accept CASH...which can be annoying!! The pros is that there are really no wait to get a seat.
(3)Beatrice I.
Decent diner fare in a bargain-scarce area of Midtown. You know it will be good enough when there are a few Japanese language only items on the walls and the written menu is very short. These noodles are like the kind I remember eating in an average ramen shop in Japan. Not shnazzy, not gimmicky, just daily fare. Sometimes you just want competency, and don't want dozens of people yelling cheers at you.
(5)Stephen M.
Gyozo was amazing, fried rice was great, ramen was good & $3 add-on curry rice was awesome! We left very full.
(4)Marlene S.
Came here for lunch on a cold day...mmm. The ramen was really good and there was a variety of choices on the menu. Came here a couple months ago and ordered the Miso Ramen. Tasted like miso soup with noodles...so yummy!!! The space is a little small, but it was fine not a big deal. We also ordered the curry rice side dish which was really good. The staff was also friendly and quick.
(4)Jobu B.
Sometimes, the standard eggs, bacon, toast, etc. breakfast or brunch for the weekend morning greasy hangover craving just doesn't cut it anymore. When I'm hurtin after a long night, I come here. Usually Saturday or Sunday afternoons for lunch. The ramens won't cure my hangovers, but I feel a lot better afterwards. Korean soups are good too after a hard night of drinking, but then I have a lot of gas for the rest of the day from all the kim-chee. Tan-Tan Ramen, Gyozas, and of course the Katsu Curry are all on point. All my Japanese softball teammates come here just for the Katsu Curry. You know it's home cookin, when your own people come here, then you know it's official. Just like at Minar during lunchtime.
(4)Ben L.
Naive ramen eater. There wasn't a ton of flavor going on here, which may reflect my naivete: I pretty much doused it with vinegar-y and chile sauce. I was with experienced ramen eaters who said it was okay. We had the basic soy sauce ramen (shoyu?) for like $7. Gyoza was good, with a nice slightly crispy skin and good-textured innards. Cash only.
(3)S H.
Pretty good Japanese fair. Service was fast and polite. Nothing special about it just good food.
(3)Irene S.
Despite coming highly-recommended by several friends who mentioned this place to me, I didn't find the ramen to be spectacular or anything. However, it is reasonably satisfying and the taste is not bad. I like that the broth comes piping hot and there are several choices of extra toppings (char siew, boiled egg, butter, etc) available. The portion is huge and I think it's a really good bargain for the affordable price. I must note that the gyozas are perfect! Crispy bottom but juicy and flavourful inside. One of the best I've had in a while.
(3)Kimberli M.
When going to ISE, be sure to bring along your favorite Japanese pal who both reads and speaks the language. They have a number of untranslated menus that have the goods! Had soft shell crab mid crab season, great tuna sashimi and most of their specials that night (from the mystery menu.) Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(4)Dan B.
Everything about this place is awesome! Food, price, speed, atmosphere. As good as any ramen I have ever eaten anywhere
(5)Chloe-Lynn O.
I love this place. It's right by work-- so when a friend visits, I like to take them here especially now that its cold. Lunchtime is always cramped and loud, unfortunately I've never been there at any other time-- but their turnaround is fast and if you're a pair, you can probably catch a fast break at a table for 2 or at the bar. My favorite is the Char-Shu Ramen: shoyu ramen topped with extra pieces of roast pork. EXTRA PORK = GOOD STUFF. My second favorite is the Tonkatsu: rich pork bone broth noodle soup with roast pork, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds. This place is definitely worth a try and it's cheap eats!
(4)Reto E.
Not very vegetarian friendly due to all their base soups using a broth made with pork bones. Ended up with cold noodle dish that I quite liked. A bit disappointed that they wouldn't substitute the beef with tofu without surcharge. No credit cards.
(4)yabad a.
THEIR WHITE RICE IS ALMOST ALWAYS TOO HARD!!! Good food, but somebody please tell them!!
(3)Michael C.
i got to check this place out with some friends. none of us had been there so we decided to check it out. we know ramen around new york is pretty good and this place is no slouch. for appetizers we got the gyoza and a salmon rice ball. pretty pedestrian in all honesty and i dont mind saying to skip those. but when you go to a ramen place, what do you think about? the gyoza of course.... yeah right. the ramen here is solid. very good. i got the char shu (sp?) ramen. it was their soy based ramen with 7 pieces of pork for 9 bucks. not a bad way to go in all honesty. the noodles were cooked very nicely, broth tasting good and clean, and the pork was nice and moist. i was happy with my meal as were the rest of my friends. good food and good company is pretty hard to beat. all in all, y'all should check this place out. i dont think you'll leave disappointed. holler y'all
(4)Nicholas R.
Amazing ramen!!! The best fried rice ive possibly had anywhere in this country! A friend of mine took me here on a whim while i was in NY for a quick day trip. I cant wait to go back again!
(5)Laur T.
Not sure about this place anymore.... the gyozas and oyakadon were just aight... actually a lil less than aight.
(3)Steff B.
Food was awesome just took forever to order because of the one girl they had working the whole floor. I love spicy food and the Extra Spicy Noodles couldn't be any more perfectly cooked. I think this is definitely going to be one of my new fav spots.
(4)Olivia L.
I was soooo looking forward to some good ramen, but it was not to be. I had the tonkatsu ramen with extra corn and was ready to send it back after the first sip of broth. It tasted like something had died in there (possibly the ginger, possibly the bean sprouts which had come out of can or jar, maybe a small animal). I didn't send it back because the sour taste went away after I added a ton of shichimi (Japanese chili powder). But seriously! Adding pepper to hide the flavor of rotting whatever -- that's something out of the Middle Ages! (no joke)
(2)Sarah I.
Okay I admit it....I LOVE this place. It has some of the best ramen outside of Japan(that I have tasted, and I have tasted my fair share). Its cheap, and you can add either a small curry/fried rice to your soup meal or a broth to a rice meal. So I can get the best of both worlds for around $10? Yeah! I am in heaven, and it shows, my bf and i eat here at least once a week.
(5)J W.
I'd give this place 5 stars if the review was for lunch. Get the lady set, but be warned, you probably have to get there before 12:30 or they'll sell out.
(4)Fabian M.
I come here alot when I work in the area and feel like getting some noodle soup. I usually get the Miso Ramen and add some wonton's to it. I have so far tried most of the ramen soups and I find the Miso one my favorite since it the most simplest one they have. I also have tried their gyozo which is basic like any other fried dumplings you can get anywhere else. If you do get the ramen, I always ask for their house spice shaker (which they sometimes give you and sometimes don't if you don't ask or when they are busy which is usually during lunchtime and dinner time). Next time I am there, I am probably going to try out their fried rice since I've seen it been made (I try to sit in the counter so I can see them make it infront of you) and it seems like a good portion.
(4)Jennifer L.
Good and satisfied!!
(4)Sofia M.
came here, because we were hungry, and stumbled onto this place ... this place is definitely not a a 'date' place ... just where u can eat quickly and go ... place is pretty petite, a few tables, food ... ramen - nothing special, but at least it wasn't expensive, ... the gyozas - so not worth it, i rather get the pan fried dumplings from chinatown which are juicy, delicious, and inexpensive ... these are just regular and nothing great
(2)Wendy Y.
More like Men "Cootie". I had the ramen, of course. The broth was watery and lacked flavor, the noodles were not fresh (not chewy or eggy which I like), and the pork was underwhelming (not fatty or freshly bbq'ed tasting). Worst of all, I got a big, throbbing migraine after eating it. Nice big bowl-full of MSG.
(2)Tony M.
It's good NYC ramen. Most bowls are about 8 bucks, and the service is mighty quick. Mostly filled with Japanese businessmen during the lunch rush. An easy place to eat if you're by yourself--at the bar. One of my standbys.
(4)Takeshi S.
Went to Menkui Tei. Ramen was... well I've had lots better where I live (San Jose, CA area) where there aren't as many Japanese... The men was OK the tonkotsu broth was OK. The chashu was tough. The best part was the curry rice that came with my combo. Now the curry was very flavorful and good. And the fried rice my neighbor was having smelled really good.
(2)Meryl S.
This place is AWESOME for curry and the people who work there are incredibly sweet! It was cold outside and my boyfriend and I placed an order for take-out. They sat us down at a table and gave us a pot of green tea while we waited!
(5)Jenny B.
3.7 stars I got take out and ordered the Tonkatsu. Everything was good except it was a bit salty. Came with two thick slices of pork, pretty tasty, but a little bit tough. Had bean sprouts, bamboo, scallions, and I tasted some ginger. Maybe the portions were a bit small compared to the ramen I usually get. Can't tell since it came in to go container. I'd come here again though.
(3)Wyatt D.
Do yourself a favor and go here and order the Extra Spicy Ramen. Very good.
(5)Liana A.
Yea I'm a fan. I got bit. I know the Ramen bug that has taken over NYC now. But, I've been coming here a long time before it became hot. It's a good amount of bang for your buck considering the neighborhoods rapid gentrification. It's yummy, fresh and hot .You also can't beat the drink specials, ok maybe you can but it just seems to make a cold evening better.
(4)Elaine H.
Very "authentic" hole in the wall type place. Holds a special place in my heart. Cool, comfortable and welcoming. Worth a visit!
(4)Captain G.
Very good Japanese noodle place and they also serve rice. Place is crowded during lunch and lines are usually out the door. It's worth the wait thought. One of my personal favorite Japanese noodle shops. Soup can be a bit salty (w/ some MSG). Service so-so.
(4)Mark G.
I just had lunch there. This place is average when compared to similar authentic Japanese ramen places nearby. Average ramen, average side dishes. Would recommend instead Mechanko-Tei on 55th (slightly better), Sapporo on 49th (much better, however always packed) and Iroha on 49th (much better, however more expensive for lunch) over this place.
(3)Yosh H.
In all of midtown, this is my family's favorite restaurant for a good and quick meal. Not only is it affordable, but you know you're in for a good meal when even though there is a line, the quality of the food doesn't suffer. I recommend the gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), the cold noodles (lots of great toppings but the broth can be too salty at times), the fried rice, the tonkotsu curry rice, and definitely the pork-bone broth ramen. It's all soooooo good! And, as I found out today, the side order of "Spicy Greens" is excellent with or separate from your ramen! So if you're ever in the neighborhood, follow your nose to this little ramen shop for some good eats. Note though, the lines can get long around lunchtime but if you're not in the mood to wait, there is almost never a line around dinnertime.
(5)Ian S.
This noodle shop is an oasis amid the desert of delis, prepare-your-own-giant-salad joints, and lunch chains in this part of Midtown. The ramen is good, and the pork-bone-broth ramen (tonkotsu) is excellent. However, the curry rice with pork is far and away the best dish here and probably the best curry rice in Midtown. Do yourself a favor and try it. Other great dishes include the leeks with chicken liver (only served at dinnertime), the gyoza, and the katsu don. My favorite thing about Men Kui Tei is the cartoon Japanese chefs -- there's a tiny little chef with a tall hat who's always carrying pots way bigger than he is, an extremely tall chef with a short hat and a big floppy mustache who folds all the gyoza, and a medium-height chef with puffy cheeks who chops the pork cutlets with vigor. Service is fine. Pro-tip: if you show up and the line is out the door, you can walk to the front and place a take-out order that should get filled in five minutes.
(5)Ji-Soo P.
I once had a bowl of ramen in a food court stall while waiting for a connection in Narita. This does not make for a convincing ramen resume. That said, I hit this place up about twice or three times a week for lunch. Midtown has its share of ramen shops, but nothing matches the delicious and casual nature of Men Kui Tei. Once the seasons turn and you begin to see your breath on the walk to lunch, very few things are more saisfying than a steaming bowl of ramen and mini fried rice set. Some of the stars here reflect the proximity from my office and my love of noodles in hot broth. But after having dropped roughly eight hundred dollars into countless bowls of ramen from this place, it would be silly of me to rate it any other way.
(5)Eric C.
3.5 stars. rounding down it's a solid bowl of ramen. is it perfect? no. but as long as you don't expect an authentic bowl of ramen, you'll be pretty happy
(3)Arthur O.
This place is tasty, but I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the general quality of their pork. I felt the pork in the ramen was a bit oldish tasting. In addition to the ramen, I've tried the Tonkatsu Curry. Damn, man, it's a huge serving. Cross-out getting any work done after that meal. You're going to be stuffed and primed for a siesta. Good stuff. But once again, I didn't think the pork was the freshest piece of meat. Give me FRESH pork! I will settle for no less!
(3)Janie W.
Satisfying tonkatsu, not as rich as in other ramen shops, but it's cheap and
(3)Julie Ying X.
This is my favorite place for ramen! I come here for my lunch hour all the time during work especially in the winter. Nothing beats a hot bowl of tonkatsu ramen to warm you up and then go back to the hellish cold. Their broth is better than any other ramen places I've been to and reasonably priced (ahem, Ippudo/Momofuku and their ridiculous $13-$15 ramen). It gets pretty crowded during lunch hour (12-2pm) and it's a small place so there will be a wait.
(5)Pamela B.
I'm always happy to find a restaurant that'll serve me ten don. A nice find for the West 50s, as I had already found my go-to yakitori joint (Yakitori Totto) and my go-to sushi joint (Fuji) (not that it's great sushi, but it's so close to work!), but had been hankering for a restaurant serving good donburi. This is it.
(4)bryan l.
Classic ramen house. Nothing is better than a warm bowl of noodles on a cold nite, and if you're near Rockefeller, I strongly recommend this place. It's cheap with fast and friendly service. There is an open kitchen and you can get a good view of the food from the bar. I ate here twice on my last business trip. Gyoza and shumai are both pretty good, but it's the ramen that shines here. Wish I could add more, but yeah....check it out! You won't regret it.
(4)Grace G.
Cheap, huge size and super tasty!!! Love Sara Udon!
(5)Alessia E.
Quite a small place which you've probably passed by before & never even notices, but what an authentic ramen joint!!! My fiance & I came during lunch rush hour, and waited only 5 minutes for EXTRAORDINARY ramen noodles. The portions are huge, partially due to the flavorful soup that comes with ramen (my favorite part is the soup!) Overall very, very affordable; very, very delicious; and very nice wait staff :) One of my TOP faves in the city. You have nothing to lose :)
(5)Chris C.
The tonkotsu ramen is amazing. This is a great hole in the wall place that is cash only, but well worth the trip to the atm. Make sure you layer - it's hot as all getout in there. Sit at the bar. Watching the cooks make the Ramen is super cool. Very soothing.
(4)avi d.
Not what you'd expect from the exterior which marks this place as just another generic midtown Japanese place. The décor isn't much to look at but the service is a solid and the food has yet to disappoint. There's a menu and all but the crowds seem to come in for the lunch specials, every day there an A, B, and C special, once it runs out they take down the tag at the end of the sushi bar. I've hand a bunch of the specials and a bunch of the menu items and its really quite good, especially considering the reasonableness of the pricing. Never been for anything other than lunch but I'd be willing to wager its still worth it after dark.
(4)Mister O.
Walked in late in the afternoon of the Great Friday Slushstorm, tired and hungry after a long, wet day of puddle-hopping and taxi-hailing. I wanted gyoza. Found it easily, but only because I'd written the address down. It's a small warm place, and it was nearly empty. I was immediately pointed to a seat at the counter. Needed protein and carbohydrates, but also wanted some roughage, so I ordered a bowl of vegetable ramen and a plate of gyoza. Watched the four cooks on the other side of the counter mince, chop, scald, and otherwise mutilate a few hundred pounds of plants and animals while I waited. Not that I was waiting long, far from it; these guys were just heads down and chopping as if they"d gotten the catering contract for whatever passes for The Rapture in noodle houses. Had fun watching them work for a few minutes. Choreographed mimes in cooks' whites. With knives. The ramen arrived first. It was really good, and the vegetables and noodles were *perfect*, but I think I would have preferred a tangier broth. This one was light and almost...coconuttish. Tasted a bit like a vegan virgin must taste to a cannibal. The gyoza arrived about halfway through my noodles. They were prettily cooked, piping hot, and accompanied by a clear soy/vinegar dipping sauce, as well as a chunky chili sauce I ordered after I heard someone else ask for it. My first bite of gyoza was like being hit in the mouth with a pleasure plank. MFFF! They were ####ing GOOD! Rich, bright flavor. Equally delicious dipped in both sauces, but didn't really need either. Definite standout plate, those. Service was courteous and brisk; water glass was kept topped-off; restroom was clean enough to use. Prices were damned reasonable. Food I ate was Good to Outstanding. Not a romantic date destination by my lights, but I'd bring any fellow dumpling-lover there in an eyeblink for a quick restorative. Marked down for a certain return visit for me next time I'm north of Grand Central. I mean, c'mon; gyoza that good, four bucks a plate? Hell. Cover the table.
(4)Wynne K.
Pretty good ramen. Try the cold ramen in summer, especially refreshing. Even the curry there is pretty good. ***Bring cash, they don't take credit cards...
(4)Kathy W.
i got the name-sake ramen when I came here. I was decent, but to be honest, not something i would get again. however, it is much better than the east village location, where the ramen was inedible (too salty). my favorite ramen place continues to be totto ramen in midtown west.
(2)Nancy H.
I liked the ramen and broth and not having to pay $16 for the bowl. The noodles were great, but I still liked Ippudo's noodles better. The broth was not as salty, which I liked and the pork pieces were better than Ippudo's. I also had the side of curry rice which was very tasty. I wish it had an egg in it, but that's alright, I still liked the taste.
(4)Lee S.
This place has a huge, sprawling handwritten menu. Just when you think you've seen all the types of ramen you can order, you notice another menu on the table with specials, along with specials written on the wall. If you don't like ramen, they have oddly juxtaposed American foodstuffs like Coke floats and fire wings. Anyway, this was the first time I've had ramen in a restaurant (being used to the Cup Noodles variety) and I enjoyed it greatly and would go back. Not too expensive, either.
(4)Terren J.
Just an average ramen place for me. Nothing too exciting. I've had better at cheaper prices.
(3)Danielle D.
This place is really good! I found it by accident and was really impressed with the food. I got the #11, I think, and it was exactly as I expected. I lived in Okinawa for 3 years, so trust me when I say I know good ramen. I'm new to the city so I don't have any other places here to compare it with, but comparing it to Okinawa is as best as I can do. It took me back :)
(5)Helena F.
I came here after seeing how long the line was at Ippudo. The wait was long here too though, I think there just way too much ramen hype these days. Anyway, we got the special of a pitcher of beer and free chicken for 15 bucks and everyone else got ramen. The beef brtoh ramen looked good, I got the spicey ramen with egg and it was weirdly tangy. I would not recommend it. The curry on rice was good. I would definitely come here with a group of friends for a pitcher and fried chicken and share some noodles and curry! As long as the wait is not a half an hour.
(3)Aaron C.
excellent ramen & gyoza place with consistently great service too. Their tonkutsu ramen (pork broth noodles) & charhan (fried rice) are excellent, but what makes this place a cut above the rest are their wonderful thin-skinned gyoza (pot stickers)... best thing is, you can watch all the steam and pyrotechnics while it's being prepared by their skilled, experienced cooks!
(5)Tony L.
A no-frills, better-than-average ramen joint. Had a quick and casual bite to eat with a friend here, and only wish they had ramen this tasty in San Francisco. On the other hand, there are enough budget-savvy, easy-access ramen houses in NYC to put the west coast to shame. Menkui Tei definitely fits in the category. How many hyphenated adjectives can I use in one review?
(3)Jannie Q.
I went to this restaurant after reading all the raving Yelp reviews here. Somewhat disappointed. I went by myself and sat at the bar. Not a bad environment to eat alone. I ordered the Men Kui (House) Ramen. Broth is more on the salty side. That taken aside, the cha sui was so rough!! It was thickly-sliced and tough to chew. I've definitely tasted better elsewhere. I also ordered the Gyoza, which was pretty good. Fresh and pan-fried nicely. Taste was kinda bland but after the salty ramen, it was actually a good thing. Place is really stuffy because there is no air ventiliation there. Sit close to the door.
(2)Joel N.
the signboard says LARMEN and not menkui tei. you're clued in on the name of the place by the menu posted on the front window. having read so much about this place and received a newsletter commending it, i just had to check this place out. it's closer to 6th than to 5th, on the south side of 56th. the place is very small and narrow, and lunch or dinner crowds in peak hours could make one testy and prone to being bumped by diners and servers. ambience: zero. service: very good and friendly, if too hurried and harried. price: very good. $10 for a huge bowl of ramen with 3 slices of pork. had the menkui ramen. one of the worst i've had in the city. japanese food is all about subtlety and this one was overly salty: the shoyu-marinated roast pork could have provided the sole salty element in this dish, but no, the broth had to be more salty. i couldn't finish my bowl. i love my kidneys too much. i recounted my experience to my japanese student and he asked me details. i told him about my disappointment and he said he would tell his friend, who works as a cook there. turns out his friend was not at work the time that i went. i'll go back again, but only if the japanese cook is around.
(1)Thessa V.
I looked forward to this place as my plane landed. But.. it mademe sad :(. People say this place is cheap.. but I ordered a really small sashimi pair that was over $35. I never sacrifice quality for price.. but even I thought it was pricey. I wasn't fond of the service either. Granted I just got to the city and had no idea they were closing in about 15 mins but I had a cranky lady assist me. Maybe if the time was right and the waitress was nicer I would look forward to come back. But I think I'd rather experiment with other restaurants than come back.
(2)Alex M.
I have been here a few times and I must admit, I walk out of the place very happy. I enjoy their gyoza, their ramen (mainly Tonkotsu), and their chahan (fried rice). The last time I went, I got the Tonkotsu ramen and mini-chahan. The chahan was delicious. Had a nice wok flavor with bits of crunch. Amazing. In terms of the Tonkotsu ramen, it was awesome. The noodles were al dente and it was very good. I REALLY enjoyed the pork slices; the flavor was just something that kept coming! The only complaint I had was the soup wasn't as good as the noodle or the pork itself; but that is ok. The rest of the package was so delicious that it didn't make that one downfall that bad at all. Also, the price was very reasonable too. For the mini-chahan and ramen I paid $12 (including tax). It was delicious and I left with a full tummy!
(4)Susan W.
This is one of the best ramen restaraunts in New York City. I walked a couple times up and down the block to find this restaraunt in the rain but it was definatley worth it. You walk in and are immediatly seated in a very homy environment. I ordered the vegitarean ramen and it was delicious! The portions are huge at a very low price so I would recommend sharing with another person. I would definatley come back here many times on any day because it is amazing!
(5)Kevin R.
I eat here often and enjoy the good service and fantastic ramen. This place is a gem!
(5)C M.
Allow for me to extend my gratitude and appreciation to every Yelper for reviewing this restaurant. If it wasn't for your dedicated efforts and detailed reviews, I would've never discovered this incredible ramen noodle house. For that, you have my Thanks! Here's a synopsis of my experience @ Men Kui Tei - Lively, Fun Atmosphere that's non-pretentious - Super, Reasonable Prices (Roast Pork Ramen = $9.00) - Friendly and Attentive Wait Staff - Portions! No Skimping on the Ramen or Additional Ingredients! - Great Taste! A Ramen Place That Doesn't Use Salt Religiously!!! My girlfriend and I were walking around 5th Avenue on a lazy Sunday and I had suggested Ramen as a dinner suggestion. After our great experience @ Menchanko Tei, I threw out the suggestion of Men Kui Tei after seeing their menu on MenuPages. At first, the location of the establishment had eluded me. Text messaging Google would've been an option but seriously... Can anyone memorize the spelling of MEN KUI TEI? Thus, we opted to stumble around the neighborhood until we found the restaurant. After about 4 minutes of searching (since we stumbled into the place randomly), we were greeted by a friendly wait staff that allowed us to sit anywhere we wanted. It's Sunday, no one is usually in this neighborhood! At first glance, the restaurant's décor is best described as modest. The furniture is good enough for what it is, a noodle house. Most of the patrons eating @ the restaurant are non-pretentious traditional Japanese customers that's looking for a decent meal at a reasonable price. The open kitchen is a nice feature of this restaurant. All patrons can star straight into the makings of their soon to be ramen consumption nirvana! Although the restaurant could be a tad cleaner, it's great for a simple noodle house. The Food... Roast Pork Ramen w. Added Wontons & Boiled Egg: Needless to say... This is the best Ramen I've had thus far! The noodle was of perfect texture. Usually Ramen is overcooked due to the intense heat of the broth for which it's served, but not in this instant! The cook allowed for the noodle to cook within the broth served, thus created a modest balance between a delicate firmness during consumption. The broth was clean yet moderately salty, which was a welcoming sign since most ramen places think more salt means more flavor (which makes me want to slap whoever believes this). What made the noodle even more welcoming was the Roast Pork and Wontons, the Roast Pork had a proper balance between lean and fats. Each single cut piece was done such that the tenderness of the meat wasn't overbearing but rather produce a nice balance with the natural fats of the pork. The wontons, despite it's petite natural, had a light coating of wonton wrapping, which aided in the tasting of the minced pork meat. One note I should make with regards to the wontons, a fattier meat needed to be used. Otherwise, the entire bowl was not only satisfying, but worth coming back for seconds, thirds, and even fourths. What's most surprising about Men Kui Tei is that their customer base is vastly larger than it's mighty neighbors (Benihana, Sushiya, & Uncle Jack's Steakhouse). This single feat speaks wonders about the food served @ this restaurant. After all was said and done... The total damages for my portion of the dinner came out to the following... Roast Pork Ramen: $9.00 Wontons (8 pcs): $3.50 Boiled Egg: $1.50 Total: $14.00 Not a bad price considering a certain LES Ramen House located on 4th Avenue near E 10th St. charges about $16.00 a bowl for half the quantity... You know who you are! I'll be paying you a visit shortly! Needless to say... I shall be returning very shortly...
(5)Calvin Y.
This ramen restaurant is good but it is no Ramen Setagaya in East Village. We had the Extra Spicy Ramen (comes with 3 pcs of pork and scallions) and the soup tasted like chili spices mixed with miso paste and also the Menkui Tei house ramen which was simply a typical pork ramen. The 2 waiters had trouble keeping up with the ever increasing crowd waiting by the door and I wonder first, did all these people find this place from Yelp because its not that noticeable off the street and second, does this restaurant usually do not have such a crowd because the waiters were running back and forth trying to fulfill everyone's request for water, check, orders, etc. Its a great brunch stop before heading out to nearby Moma Museum about 3 blocks away on 53rd st.
(3)Estelle T.
This is a very casual ramen place. My two star rating reflects the fact that I've had better ramen in the city at cleaner places for similar prices. The reason why I didn't give this place one star is because I doubt there are casual ramen places found in this area of town, so Menkui Tei gets a bump up for convenience for people who work in midtown.
(2)Kevin Q.
Came here on a wintry weekend which proved to be the perfect time. As mentioned in the other reviews, it is very warm inside and on a cold day it feels like you're walking into a womb. It was packed and there was around a 15 minute wait to be seated. I had the House Ramen, gyoza, and tea(strangely, as mentioned by another reviewer, there was no green tea). It was very filling and tasty all around. At one point in my meal, I saw what seemed to be the old master chef walk by with a large metal bowl of gyoza filling. However, the service is subpar. We were served pretty fast but afterwards, due to the packed nature of the restaurant, the waiter seemed to actively avoid me as I tried to call him. I even looked into his eyes for a moment across the room and it was pretty clear that he could see me, yet he turned around and walked away. I can understand that it was very busy but there should have been more waitstaff.
(4)Shane N.
My boyfriend and I went to this place after it showed up in the Yelp weekly e-newsletter. It was pretty bad. I ordered the vegetable ramen served in pork bone broth and it was so salty it was like eating a cow lick. I mean inedible. It seemed like someone may have spilled the salt when they were making the broth. I talked to the waiter about this, and he brought me a big bowl of ginger-infused water to dilute the broth in my soup, which I thought was kind of pathetic. They should have just brought me another bowl of soup. Given that the noodles were cooked in the extra-salty broth, there was no way to water it down enough. I didn't complain again because I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible at that point. Waiting for them to make another bowl of soup would have been a waste of time.
(2)Helen B.
My favorite ramen place in NY. It's small, quick and friendly no fuss service, and always good. In the winter I go here about once a week. The canton ramen is the best and the curry rice is soo good. Home-made gyoza's are excellent as well!
(4)Amasa A.
A very solid ramenya with excellent gyoza for the price. The Mabo Ramen was quite filling with a very flavorful broth. My house hot saké was a bit on the lukewarm side but my server warmed it up for me quickly on request without attitude.
(4)Paul B.
With all the new ramen hype these days, Menkui Tei is a must for the real Japan experience w/out all of the smoke, mirrors and long lines. Reminds me of a few down to earth ramen shops I visited in Osaka. Be sure to sit at the counter for an entertaining view into the world of the three chefs prepping the gyoza, ramen and chahan. The donburi and curry are also quite tasty. If you're a fan of mapodofu, try it, you'll like it. You really can't go wrong w/ any of the items on the menu. The price is right too for an added +.
(4)Amanda W.
This is one of the best low key, low cost dining spots from a local perspective. You will not get pretension, decor or romance but you will get thoughtfully composed fare, and good Japanese beer to go with it. The Meinkui Ramen with the house seaweed broth is fantastic. The flavors are nicely balanced and satisfying. The Tonkatsu Ramen is deliciously rich with pickled ginger adding a special bit of flavor complexity. Roast pork - yum! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Drawbacks: Probably not the best vegetarian spot and I would stay clear of the Miso Ramen b/c for me it was a bit too much salty Miso. Otherwise, go eat, drink, chat and remember what it used to be like when you could easily find delicious inexpensive restaurants in Manhattan.
(4)Chris W.
great hole in the wall ramen joint. the prices are reasonable and the portions are huge. add a bit of sesame oil and some red pepper flakes to your bowl of deliciousness and you're good to go :] the gyoza's are good but nothing special. it is cash only place but there's a chase bank right around the corner
(4)Yi J.
Their pork bone ramen noodle is my personal favorite. It's very rich, packed with flavor and only costs $8. On those days when I don't feel like going down to EV and wait in line for an hour to get Ippudo's ramen, I'd go go to Menkui Tei. The dining environment there is probably not so great. It gets really hot with all the steam from the noodle cooking. I'd suggest get take out and eat in central park.
(3)Catherine S.
This place is such a great value for the quality. Add the wontons for $3.50 it's worth it. It's a really really small restaurant, a no frills kind of eatery. The service is quick, they close at 9PM and last call is @ 8:30ish. I saw many customers refused entrance at the door but were allowed to order take out and many did.
(4)Amita K.
I've been skeptical of the ramen craze, particularly because I'm not a huge fan of pork or pork dumplings... This cold winter NY weather had me down and my husband suggested warm ramen soup to help me out. We checked out this hole in the wall and it was well worth it - giant bowls of ramen, no skimp on the noodles, I had the veggie ramen and the broth was absolutely delicious.. I had enough to take home a bowl for lunch the next day. They have a pretty extensive selection of ramen, the waitstaff is very attentive, and looks like a locals kind of joint. Yay for Ramen!
(4)Drinky C.
Great spot for ramen in the hell hole that is midtown. Had their Menkui ramen and it was delicious. I'd have liked my noodles a little softer, but then I saw the sign on the wall that asked to please let them know at the time of ordering if you'd like the broth lighter or stronger, and if you had specific tastes as to the "rigidity of the noodles." Now that I know what the default is like, I think I can get a perfect bowl next time around.
(4)Stephan H.
Ramen is decent, but the pork can be dry sometimes. Gyoza are excellent.
(3)lora c.
Ok. Let's be honest. The milky tonkotsu broth here is kind of amazing. Definitely flavorful and complex. However, the rest could use some work. Noodles are superior at the nearby Menchanko Tei and I was a little disappointed to see that the default pork was char siu (though, for an extra charge, you can upgrade to fatty pork or pork belly). Surprisingly, gyoza was the highlight of the meal. Freshly made, this was not the usual minced pork and cabbage, but also included plenty of garlic and other veggies. Very delicate skin and you can watch the guy up front making them. Prices were reasonable-- my ramen and gyoza, with tax and tip, came out to about $15. I will caution that I may or may not have seen a baby cockroach crawl over my napkin though.... (I squished that sucker without mercy) but hey... what eatery doesn't have a few pests... right? Hum.)
(3)Craig H.
Went here on a Friday evening and it felt like we were no longer in NY. We had searched this neighborhood for a decent and quick place and I was a little irritated when we stumbled upon Ise. We were seated immediately at the Sushi bar in the back and were surrounded by Japanese clientele drinking, eating and laughing. The staff was friendly and accommodating. And the sushi was excellent. Super fresh salmon (best I've had in a long time) and wonderful shrimp tempura. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Cindy H.
Great authentic Japanese midtown lunch hot-spot. They are famous for their great lunch special selections which cost $12 ~ $16 and range from bento boxes, donburi, udon, to katsu. I had the tonkatsu sashimi lunch special and the portion was BIG! Most lunches comes with salad / soup, and dessert. Definitely great value for the portion, selection and location. Although always busy, the servers are very friendly and helpful. If you are lucky, you might even get to sit in the limited tatami rooms in the back and enjoy your meal in traditional Japanese style. The restaurant caters to the casual diners thus their sushi, although fresh, is not of the highest grade and their tonkatsu, although big and crispy, is not made with the most katsu suitable pork. I would recommend trying their daily specials.
(3)Dee C.
I'd never expected to find a ramen place here but this is one of the best raman places I've tried so far and their prices are affordable compare to a lot other places. Service is good, there's always a wait.
(4)R K.
Four Stars for dessert. so i was with 4 other people and we just finished dinner but we're still craving some sweets. over course we trust other friendly yelpers and we find Ise Japanese Restaurant. we ordered each desert for $4-$5 each and we liked them all. it's not too sweet but hits the spot. we also ordered a sweet sake recommended by the waitress. it was delicious. we had no reservations but we managed to sit in a private room where we had to take off our shoes to sit. it was nice and private and cozy with pillows lining the wooden bench. cute place. i 'd love to come back for dinner another time.
(4)Norman S.
what a great deal for midtown! you get pretty decent ramen, you get served fast, and the price is right. the noodles are pretty standard, you can tell they are machine made. the tonkotsu broth is really flavorful and thick (beware if you are one of those who don't like a rich broth then stick with shoyu ramen). the gyoza and side of char-han fried rice is good. they only carry one daiginjo and thats onikoroshi which is good enough for a peasants meal. only complaint is the place is really hot. it must be at least 82 degrees in there and with no cross breeze or fan it can feel oppressive.
(3)Jacob R.
I think almost everyone that goes here agrees that the gyoza are delicious - tender crispy skins, a vinegar-based light dipping sauce - very nice. I also got the miso ramen, a favorite of mine when i was in Tokyo. This was very middle-of-the-road. The broth was pretty good, although towards the end of the bowl the flavor fell apart to reveal a fatty undertone that somehow got in the way of the flavor. The toppings were perfunctory, and the pork was far from fatty. It was lean, but not too tough. While this may be healthier, I miss the tasty fatty pork that looks like it would melt in the bowl if you left it in too long. 3 stars for the ramen, 5 for the gyoza.
(4)Huba G.
it was so cold today and i happened to be in the city. the first thing that popped into my head was getting some hot ramen and when that craving hits, it menkei tei for me. authentic japanese ramen. nothing like it on a cold cold day. remember to bring cash and enjoy some tonkatsu ramen.
(5)Helen F.
my all time favorite - the menkui tei ramen~~
(5)Esugi I.
I really like ramen. I ordered the wonton ramen here tonight, and it was really disappointing. The soup had no taste (though the menu said it'd be shoyu ramen broth), but the noodles weren't bad. i tried to ask for a little bowl to put some vinegar in for my wontons but the waitress forgot it and so did another waiter i asked later in the meal. the place was very busy, and i'd say the quality was definitely compromised. the waitstaff was japanese but the cooks were a mixed bag. overall a disappointment; will be looking for a better place soon.
(2)Elisa K.
I know lately there are tons of new ramen joints opening up, but I do believe Men Kui Tei is hands down the best. Place is very non-descript, but when you see even non-Japanese coming in to eat at the bar by themselves, you know this place is no joke! I agree with other Yelpers, don't just settle for the ramen (shoyu w/ extra corn is my favorite). I always get Gyoza, side of kimchi and also side of curry rice. I know, a bit excessive but no need to skimp b/c of the affordable prices. I love this place.
(5)Meli F.
Good ramen and gyoza. Charsu wasn't fatty enough. Would go back. Friendly service.
(3)Jason Y.
i freaking cannot believe i havent reviewed this place before. ichi-ban number 1 ramenya in manhattan. BY FAR. 1 order char-shu ramen w/extra noodles and side order of curry rice and 1 order gyoza. and then go immediately to sleep and have nice dreams. puts momofuku to SHAME. completely craps on the stuff they serve to diners at ippudo. and it's now withing walking distance from both my apartment and office. life is good.
(5)Randall F.
Great Ramen joint in midtown. More authentic and less trendy than Momofuku. I've been to this location and the other one near St. Mark's. We came here on a rainy Friday night and boy was that soup yummy in my tummy. You must order the gyoza!
(4)Charles S.
So far this is my favorite Nihonshoku joint in New York. The menu is good, the price is very reasonable and personally tastes a little different but better than the East Village branch. I've tried Momofuku and Ramen Setagaya through recommendation from friends and I think they taste too "American" - I grew up in Japan. If you want to get some good Japanese food, not sushi, in Midtown this is the place to be.
(4)j w.
After reading some of the reviews I decided to see for myself how this place stacks up against some of the more popular ramen joints in greater LA. I had the Menkui ramen and shumai. The shumai was very tasty and just a tad larger than most. But, you get four along with slivers of cucumber versus six I've been served in just about every other restaurant. The broth for the ramen was in the top ten that I've been fortunate enough to experience. While the noodles had good consistency it seemed like the quantity was about that of the small order from Santouka in SoCal. Good bamboo but they were stingy with the green onions. Also, and this is something I have noticed about ALL ramen places the past few months, the pork slices were diminutive. Maybe there's a shortage or something. All in all, a good but not memorable ramen shop.
(3)Gary L.
I'm always on the lookout for good ramen, and this place definitely had that. I had the Chashu ramen and it was quite good. The broth was rich and meaty, and the chashu tender and flavorful. If it was on food alone, this place would've gotten at least 4 stars. But what killed it was a massive cockroach that was crawling around my foot and started crawling over my messenger bag. We don't have roaches like that on the west coast. I shook it off my stuff and stepped on it. There came a very satifying crunch sound from beneath my feet, but when i lifted it up, it was still moving! Seriously, WTF? I ended up killing it again with the leg of my chair.
(3)Brave G.
marlowe was sitting in the back corner of a very nondescript japanese noodle restaurant on west 56th street, eating fried rice at three in the afternoon. hey marlowe, where's your cupcake? ha ha, got any extra CRUMBS laying around? he gave me a look, as i knew he would. all was right with the world and i knew my place in it. just kidding, man. hey marlowe, you know someone's been writing some stuff about you. there's this girl food reviewer who's been making you out to be some sort of romeo or something, writing about all your adventures. you hear anything about that? marlowe very intently and deliberately finished his rice, then he signaled to the waitress. he sat back in his chair. it looked cheap and uncomfortable. damn, he said, that is some good shit. it has a kind of burnt taste to it and no grease, really clean. i tell you, this would be mighty fine eating if i was ever hung over and needed a cure ... as if that could ever happen ... haw haw haw! marlowe was just being marlowe, it seemed. so what's this you say about me being a romeo or something? oh yeah, i know all about it, whadday think? i'm a detective, right? some chick pretending to be betsy sue getting all romanced by some "marlowe" character, of course i heard. not me, no sir, some other marlowe dude, maybe just a coincidence of nomenclature or something like that. i hear that happens a lot with these internet people, talking to their computers and all. it's no big deal. no, man, i think it's you. all those weird places people been saying they've been seeing you lately, she got them all, puts you right there, acting really strange and-- a bowl of steaming ramen appeared and marlowe held up his hand and stopped me. now just lookit this. this is some good shit, i'm telling you. check out all these little wontons, nothing chinese about these, i tell you what. oh man, this is some good japanese shit. marlowe started slurping noodles in a frenzy. i've known marlowe a long time, and this was about as close to marlowe-heaven as i'd ever seen. suddenly he paused and looked up. so all this romeo marlowe stuff, what do you make of it? do you think this is a situation i'm gonna have to do something about? i mean, do you think we have a PROBLEM here? i could see where this was going, and i didn't want to have to deal. the bowl of ramen was working magic on him, and i didn't think this girl meant him any harm. so i figured, let sleeping dogs lie. so i lied. naahhhh, i said, it's nothing, you know how it is, people write whatever they want about anybody they want on the internet, happens all the time, nobody ever reads that stuff anyway. forget about it. marlowe wasn't even listening anymore. he was busy slurping. ok marlowe, i gotta get going, i gotta meet somebody downtown. later, man. he gave a little wave as i made my way out. i was in a hurry now. i had to find that girl and warn her: marlowe was nobody's fool and he was nobody to play around with either. marlowe didn't seem to care at all about what i'd just told him. but i'd known marlowe a long time.
(5)Andrew N.
I gotta say, some of the other reviewers might be overhyping this place. Yes they serve ramen but the best? 5 stars? I'm not sure. It's good, I enjoyed it, but to jump into saying this place gets the A+, 5 stars, might be a little much. I actually preferred Menchanko tei more.
(3)karine M.
It is not fancy or beautiful but food is fresh and properly cooked. Good flavors. Try the menu special A, it's always a good choice and a part of it is changing everyday. Fish is fresh, tempura are really good, not too oily. Green tea is not that good unfortunatly. Be careful it is full everyday for lunch (and good sign with a lot of japanese people) so arrived in advance or be ready to wait a tiny bit.
(4)mimi c.
meh. disappointment. miso ramen and menkui ramen were both pretty salty. i've had better ramen in LA.
(3)Joanna G.
just like the fast ramen places in Japan. Solid ramen of different varieties plus other izakaya fare. the atmosphere is very casual and bright.
(3)Jason C.
Midtown ramen lovers, rejoice! Men Kui Tei is a great place to recharge your batteries after long day at work....or shopping along 5th Ave for that matter. The place is easy to miss, so keep your eyes open on the south side of W56 as you walk between 5th and 6th Ave. I have a penchant for good ramen as it's my comfort food when I want something warm and brothy. Ramen is deceptively simple in presentation but getting everything right is an art form as anyone who has seen the movie "Tampopo" can attest to. It all starts with the broth which is harder to make than one might expect. It takes time and care to get it flavorful. The noodles need to be nicely cooked al dente-esque. The pork is best when it is firm yet tender to the bite. And the other accoutrements in the bowl, such as pickled veggies or egg need similar attention. Having said all that, Men Kui Tei doesn't disappoint. I ordered the cha shu shoyu ramen and enjoyed the generous portions of noodles and pork. The broth was nicely done, nice and hot and not too salty like some other places can be. I will be coming back here for ramen when I crave it. While the menu is very ramen-focused, but they do have a few other side dishes that I am curious to try out the next time I'm in the area. As far as getting here is concerned, the closest subway stop is the F train at 57th/6th Ave or the NRW at 60th/5th Ave. They also have another location in the East Village over at 63 Cooper Square.
(4)H T.
after a week of not eating any asian food, i sat down to a huge bowl of chanpon and fried rice. the chanpon was huge, so it's a good thing i shared w/ my friend. this really hit the spot and was filled w/ veggies, seafood and pork. the broth was light and unfortunately, not spicy at all. i heard the gyoza was great. this place gets quite hectic during lunch, but service is swift, and patrons know that this is not a hang out spot, so they basically eat and leave immediately.
(4)suzi a.
favorite lunch place when i'm at work. comfort food for rainy days. warrants a special away notice in AIM that says "mmmmmm nooooooodles" best time to go: 2pm when the lunch crowd is gone i need to try more things here. once i am done obsessing on the noodles they may get a full 5 stars to be continued....
(4)Wafa Y.
Yes i am really fan of this traditional japanese restaurant ! Everything is perfect. They have lunch menu very good value and so good. OMG .... Yummy !
(5)Michael M.
My favorite Ramenya in NY. My go to is the Tonkotsu Ramen (add corn) and a mini curry.
(5)Carolina M.
Surely one of my go-to lunch places. It can be a bit cramped and on a cold day you may have to wait to be seated, but it is worth it. The price is just right for the large portions. Must order the gyoza. You can even watch it being made. It's definitely the most popular appetizer. The curry ramen is thick very filling and tasty. The pork ramen is delicious with great sliced pork pieces, not too fatty but just right.
(4)mary l.
midwest portion sizes - wut wut!!! small, great service, nice owners, casual and fun atmosphere. i'd give the ramen a 3.5 but the place and prices overall is 4. the salmon rice ball was yummy and only $1.75! in midtown west!!! and the portions are gigantic. my chicago roots were happy.
(4)Thierry S.
Every so often I get that need for the perfect springy ramen noodles that you find consistently at Menkui Tei at their two outposts (56th St, Midtown and 3rd Ave, East Village). This little bit of heaven has been my favorite ramen temple for over 13 years. The broths are flavorful and varied as they should be and the noodles are dead on perfect. The Hayashi (cold noodles with a slightly sour broth and many toppings) remain my favorite while the Miso and Mabo are close 2nds. Great appetizers and small sides are available. The Mid-town location supplements their menu with items available from the restaurant next door (e.g. a very good Oden), while the village outpost has many more specials. Expect the typical noodle bar bare decor and cramped quarters (especially in mid-town) which I wouldn't want any other way.
(4)Krista P.
Not the best ramen I've had, but solidly good. I had the tan tan men, while my boyfriend opted for the signature Menkui ramen. We also had the gyoza and a bottle of the unrefined sake. Service was good, the atmosphere is unobtrusive, the wait was short (always appreciated on a Friday night), and the food was good. I don't expect to have erotic dreams about this ramen or anything (oh, for my old haunts in Bangkok and LA. . .), but I'll probably drop in again when I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)charlene c.
Their ramen is just like any other typical Japanese joint in America. salty but flavor is a bit blend. I am shocked at all the good reviews because it is really not that great. Not as good as Ippudo.
(2)Eran L.
Solid mid-town ramen joint. Good sized portions, tasty broth, and just a little bit on the spicy side. It's a few dollars more than the Korean place around the corner but it is the ramen is better at Menkui Tei (too much red pepper at the Korean place).
(4)Joseph B.
this place has great lunch specials. the raw fish is fresh, food is tasty and service is fast!
(4)Nathan T.
We searched far and wide for a fatty pork ramen broth like the kind we cracked out on in Tokyo. And Menkui Tei is the closest we've come so far in New York. The beer is cold, the soup is hot, the salarymen are drunk. What more can you ask for?
(4)Jeff L.
I've become somewhat of a regular here. Not because it's amazing, but because the price is on par for the Rockefeller Center area and they can have a takeout order ready in under 10 minutes even during the lunch rush. All the Ramen bowls come up to be just under $10 after taxes. I've yet to have any bowl of ramen here that I didn't enjoy. The most alluring ingredient is the broth which is not bland and has more flavors than just pure salt and miso. I've had better noodles down by NYU (I think it was called Rai Rai Ken or something of the sort), but the noodles were still decent. Lines start forming out the door at about 12:30-12:45 and stay until about 1:45. Typical lunch rush. I think they have seating for about 40-50 people. My recommendation is to order by phone and pickup if you need to eat during that time. Also, last bit of info: the spicy ramen uses Korean hot pepper bean paste for its spice. I didn't know what to expect from their spicy ramen and had thought they'd would've just went the cheap route and use chili oil. They didn't, and once again the broth was tasty. **Edit, just tried the Katsu Don here. It's a Katsu Don't. Pork was dry and there was way more sauce than there needed to be. The sauce drowned out the flavors of veggies and egg. Toppings were: caramalized onions, shitake mushrooms, and green peppers. No reason to bump down the score though since it is a ramen shop**
(4)Arthur K.
Quality noodles and it's a good midtown alternative to Sapporo. The lunch time can get quite long but it usually moves fast.
(4)Chioma N.
Menkui Tei (at this location) is a sure bet for me. Hot or cold, rain or shine, I have always eaten a great meal and received friendly service. I have tried almost everything on the menu and all have been good. My personal favorite is the Chan-Pon, but that is because I am a seafood lover! The portions are plentiful and the price paid is reasonable. As for the restaurant itself, it is a no frills spot. If you are looking for excellent furniture, mood music, ventilation, and eye-candy servers/hostesses, go to Ippudo. Menkui Tei is a no frills/come to get your grub on/ forget the ambiance type of restaurant. The four stars is for the food and friendly service. If the restaurant itself was a little nicer and had more windows open, I might have given the restaurant 5 stars. ...but then again, I would hesitate to come in after a run in Central Park, which is what makes this place great. It is okay if you come in dressed down.
(4)Mike X.
This joint is pretty solid. Decent Tonkotsu and gyoza when the lines elsewhere are over an hour long.
(3)Julie W.
Only had lunch here a few times and each time, ramen was always good and soup base was wonderful. Great to warm you up on a cold winter NYC day! Weird, they have kimchee here, makes me feel as if they're more Korean than Japanese
(4)George M.
I'm not the biggest fan of ramen, but I did enjoy eating at this place. I've also been to the Menkui Tei in St. Mark's, but I prefer this one much better. Food was good and reasonably priced.
(4)Leon L.
Ise Ise Ise Why am I so in love with you! This place is absloutley great! food and waitstaff have always been above standards for me anyway, and price is just right!(What is Nobu?) I always feel welcome when I come here(I also try to go as much as possible!) I once had blue fin tuna and it was like butter melting in my mouth the guy next to me had it as well, and we both looked at each other in amazement all he said is "that aint french fries" I almost peed my pants! The waitress named Rie(she is fantastic by the way) recommended it and from then on I try to order if they have it(the regular tuna ain't to shabby either), Decor is a bit traditionalist nothin fancy, but who needs fancy when the food is great! and attention to service is a plus!! So yeah if you are in this area don't dissuade yourself from going especially if you like suhi , sashimi and the like(many other yummy thing to order as well), Open wide savor and enjoy!!!!! Oh and by the way the house sake isn't to sweet which is just what I like with a nice cold Sapporro from draft! Boy oh boy Im gettin hungry just writin this review! ISE may you have all the luck you deserve and more! Nuff said!
(5)Jay W.
Good noodle. I had the pork ramen. It was delicious. All the fat in the pork are cooked away. Space is limited and line can be long during lunch hour. It's a little cheaper than Sapporo.
(4)Tina E.
nyc's current heat wave does not lend itself to great ramen feasts. i mean, the last thing you want in this heat is, well, something hot, so thank goodness for menkui tei's hiyashi (without crab) and jar-jar ramen, cold ramen dishes that satisfy the noodle craving without causing me to break into a sweat (or more of a sweat). and if you're still hungry (and in the mood for a hot dish), the gyoza and the fried rice are tasty (and sizeable) portions.
(4)Robert P.
Took the wife and kids here for dinner while visiting NYC on business/pleasure. Quick and friendly service, thumbs up on the Char Shu and Miso ramen. Kids had the Won Ton Shoyu ramen and didn't finish - maybe because they prefer the taste of Pho. Sake was a bit pricey - $10 for a medium. Total tab with tip was $66. Good midtown location 2 blocks from Central Park; would be nice if they accepted credit cards.
(3)Amy C.
Unlike the highly overrated Ippudo in st. marks, this place has the best ramen in the city, as evidenced by the abundance of asians in the tiny restaurant. It's the same huge bowl of ramen for about half the price and much tastier than Ippudo. I've been here twice, and i highly reccomend the tonkatsu (the basic pork ramen) and the fried rice, which is the best fried rice i've ever had, probably because it's fried with lard (mmm). The ramen is cooked so well, you can tell it's made with love. The broth is delicious, with the perfect amount of pork flavor and msg, without being overly salty. You can also request your noodles either crunchier or softer, but i thought that it was perfect they way they made it. Even though the space is tiny, i never had to wait long, but i don't suggest coming here with more than 4 people.
(5)Zach W.
I had a decent bowl of tonkotsu ramen here today: satisfying, but not the best around. To be honest, the flavors and textures of both the broth and the noodles reminded me of (the good things about) instant ramen, whereas when I eat a great bowl of ramen it's always astonishing how little the dish has in common with the version that comes out of plastic. I liked the presentation, but missed some toppings I have come to think of as standard, like half a tea egg and a small square of nori, among others. The slices of pork were nice and thick but were tough and lacking in flavor. That said, no one was holding a gun to my head. I could have stopped eating at any time. But my bowl was empty at the end of the meal and I was happy. Then something unusual happened. The waitress brought the bill to the table, but the price was just too low. She'd made a math error. She'd only charged us for one bowl of ramen instead of two. I mean, I know how she did this but if you looked at the bill, you'd be thinking: how could someone do this? The two bowls of ramen were both listed, she just hadn't added them up. It was an ethical dilemma. I was psyched to catch a lucky break. But I could see complications, too. If you found some money on the street you'd take it, right? But if you saw who dropped it, you'd try to return it to that person. That's what I was thinking and I was able to draw a parallel to the scenario I was in. So I told the waitress that there seemed to be an error on the bill and we'd been undercharged. She thanked me for my honesty and made the correction. I paid and we left. Well, in case you were wondering, you don't get like a gift certificate or anything.
(3)Nie K.
This was my regular place for really great ramen. It's a really small place, everytime I go there's always a line but the ramen is really authentic and delicious. Make sure you get the fried rice set with your ramen, it's actually very addictive. The price is really cheap and you get so much. The only thing I have to complain is that I smell like the food when I leave but that's not so bad is it? :)
(4)david y.
tiny place great for a quick slurp. not worth the trip if you're not already nearby.
(3)Tessa V.
I brought my brother here yesterday because of all of the good reviews (also because its about 5 stops from my apartment). I'm not a huge soup person at all, let alone ramen, but the soup was great. I got the tonkatsu ramen, but my brother's the one who really scored. I dont remember what his dish was called, but the broth was rich and dark brown (mine was much lighter) and it had ground pork, tofu, and scallions in it. The soup portions were enormous, I couldn't even finish half of mine (and this girl can eat), my brother pretty much owned his though. We also ordered the gyoza which is definitely worth mentioning... The gyoza was AMAZING! I eat gyoza everywhere I go and I've never tasted any as good as these! Next time I come here my meal will be 3 orders of gyoza. Maybe. But regardless, I'll definitely be returning.
(4)yvianne c.
a taste of authentic japanese ramen in nyc! perfect ramen "chewy and solid" broth was tasty! :) absolutely a must especially during the winter!
(4)John W.
Used to be my go-to hole in the wall ramen restaurant. Sadly it has gone way down hill... dirty, scattered kitchen service, run down interior, poor attention to the little things which mean so much to a nice steaming bowl of traditional ramen. The wait staff is friendly and efficient but I'm not sure what happened in the kitchen. More often than not when there's two or more of us at a table one of our dishes comes out and then it's sometimes 10 minutes before the other bowls begin to arrive. Appetizers show up after the ramen, the cold sake is room temperature, any minor changes such as no onions go unheeded. With so many incredible ramen joints popping up in the neighborhood such as Toto Ramen on 52nd, Tabata Ramen on 9th and 40th, Terakawa Ramen on 9th and 58th as well as the old reliable Menchanko-tei on 55th bet. 6th and 5th I will now no longer deal with Menkui Tei. Unless it pulls its act together, I'm afraid it's not long for this world and deservedly so. Get it together Menkui Tei, you used to be so great!!!
(2)Leah T.
They make the best gyoza. The ingredients taste really fresh. The ramen is delicious. Come here on a cold day when you don't feel great and you will feel better after eating some ramen and drinking hot tea. I like the Mabo Don. PS- There is pork in almost every menu item. ...mmm
(5)Stephanie L.
i mean look, different ramen places have different advantages and disadvantages. what men kui has is options. not like setagaya, which has like three, not like menchanko, which has two, not like momofuku noodle, which has one--there are like 10 seriously solid nonredundant bowls of ramen. they are not the same. it's not like. . .one with the soup on the side, and one with the soup in it. it's not like. . .one with one slice of pork, and one with two slices of pork. they are actually all distinct dishes. so yea, that's what it's about. ace!
(4)Amy W.
Jeez, for the longest time I thought the name of this place was Larmen! Regardless of the name though, you can't find cheap hot and satisfying ramen anywhere in the city. Try the miso ramen, it's darn tasty!
(4)Arthur S.
Their ramen was delicious, but I've tasted better. Although there are some better places, the ramen was still very very good. The soup was very rich and tasty. The noodles were also very nice. Toppings were a nice touch. Their Gyoza was also tasty. For the price, I am impressed. Pretty crowded during lunch time, but reasonably priced.
(4)Jackie C.
The ramen and gyoza (total for both = $15) at Menkui taste more homestyle, which fits with the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. I was seated quickly because the place was fairly empty, and I got my food in less than 5 minutes. Service was friendly and fast. The flavors are more delicate -- borderline bland when compared to Ippudo (which is admittedly fairly salty). Overall, the food and experience were a little underwhelming, and I probably won't be back (despite that it's located ~2 blocks from my hotel).
(2)Justin O.
loved it. wish we had a ramen place in pittsburgh.
(5)Aaron L.
I decided it was time to experience real Japanese ramen and I read the reviews here on Yelp about this place. I wasn't disappointed. The ramen was incredible and I would highly recommend visiting this place. Actually I liked it so much I'm going back for lunch tomorrow.
(5)Hanney D.
I miss Menkui Tei, we used to get this stuff for pick up, and no matter whether it was 2 ft of snow or torrential rain, it was worth it. The fried rice is addictive. I was always looking over my shoulder to see what the next person was eating so I could try it next time. If I could apprentice there I would. The broth for the ramen is amazing. Servers are really nice, but you'll walk out smelling like food when you leave.
(5)Felicia C.
After a long day of trekking from Chelsea to the Lower East Side, then all the way to and through Central Park, followed by a lengthy, barely survived visit to The Met to check out the fabulous exhibits (all of this while very hungover, mind you) I needed a warm bowl of Ramen in my tummy. Quickly. Menkui Tei did this for me, and at a great price. Sure, it may not be Ippudo, but for something like $11 or $12 I had the Tonkotsu Ramen set, complete with a generous side of Curry Rice. It filled me up and I was quickly satisfied, once again a happy bunny. I can't say I loved the Tonkotsu Ramen...it was just ok. If I were to go back, I'd order a different kind. But for the price paid and job done speedily, I would happily return. Don't expect any sort of fancy interior- just a simple ramen spot. I don't think "Menkui Tei" is even written on the outside. But an added bonus is that since it's just a block away from tons of great shopping, you can walk off all that food when you're done. A bowl of ramen followed by shopping...now who doesn't love that?
(4)alex c.
I love the ramen at this place. it has good texture and the broth they have is very good too. It has a very cozy atmosphere. The staff is good and fast also. Only downside is that it is cash only. i love their charshu ramen. .
(4)Amanda V.
visited my cousin in nyc and he took me here. we don't have ramen places in houston so i thought it was pretty good. my cousin says it's good ramen for the price. and there you have it.
(3)Tim M.
only thing that could make me feel more at home would be if i were wearing a pair of pajamas. however, i can only give it 4 stars though, cuz the 5th is for my mom. sorry.
(4)Geoffrey W.
it is exactly how it looks: a simple ramen house. loved it. my spicy pork ramen was delivered quickly and it was very delicious. not too salty, great tasting noodle, effective service. i'll be a regular. 10$ for dinner. loved it.
(4)Jim A.
Love the place. High in my rotation of midtown lunch spots. Love the Jar Jar Ramen-- cold noodle dish, perfect for muggy summer days. Also like the salmon onigiri.
(4)Akino T.
This little place has pretty good ramen. I also like that you can get a half fried rice (cha-han) and gyoza set. Kinda reminds me of the little noodles shops in tokyo. The tonkotsu ramens soup is rich but awesome nonetheless. Nothing fancy here just a great simple cheap bowl of ramen noodles. The one in the village is not as good btw.
(4)Lily T.
working in such a touristy area of manhattan can make it difficult to find affordable yet filling places for lunch, so this little spot is one of my favorites. i particularly love the spicy ramen -- the name doesn't lie (my nose is always running by the end of the meal) but it's full of flavor and absolutely delicious. i've taken many, many friends here and every one of them has loved it.
(5)alisa o.
love this place. highly recommend their house special ramen. its very very good. the soup, chashu and noodles are cooked to perfection!
(5)Sonia C.
my friend and i came here last night for dinner a few months ago. we ordered the lobster tempura, sauted ginger pork, and the "queen" roll. each thing was approximately $15. the waitress was very nice and honest when we asked her for a recommendation (we went with the pork because of her). the place is pretty quiet too, so it was really easy to get a table. unfortunately, the food was just not very good. the tempura batter was thick and weighed down by oil, so i couldn't eat more than one piece. the pork was very dry, cut into thin slices, and tasted like airplane food. the roll was ok, but it was just tuna and avocado sprinkled with some sprouts. i was pretty disappointed with the food. for dessert, we split the green tea mousse with sesame and rice cake dessert (it had a long japanese name i don't remember) and the red bean ice cream. the green tea dessert tasted very powdery, like they had dumped too much green tea powder and not enough water. the rice cakes were nice and chewy, though there were too few of them. the red bean ice cream was ok, but i found that it tasted more like melon than like red bean. overall, i probably won't come again because there are other restaurants in the area.
(2)NYCYELP R.
I have been to ISE twice in the past two years. It is consistently good with nice service and incredibly reasonable prices for the freshest fish, veggies, and meats. This time we got yakitori, sauteed chines broccoli, the grilled snapper head (on the specials menu), skate sashimi, summer rolls, shumai and grilled whole pike makerel. We were seated at one of the tatami rooms on a Sunday night. The waitress translated the specials menu and recommended a nice cold sake. She was attentive, but unobtrusive. We sat and ate slowly and enjoyed a great dinner. The previous visit was on a Friday night when the place was packed and yet the service was just as attentive. It really is the go-to place for Japanese ex-pats. We were the only non-Asians there and we were made to feel very welcome. We paid $90 for seven dishes and three bottles of cold sake (each sake bottle serves about nine small cups). It was a peaceful, lovely bargain Sunday night meals. I can't wait to return!
(4)Rico B.
Always a must when I visit new york. I couldn't get enough of their Curry ramen and gyoza.
(5)ellene h.
this is one of my favorite japanese noodle places in midtown. i used to go all the time when i worked in the area, and still tell friends to meet me here a lot. (it says something when the working lunchtime crowd is mostly japanese men.) my friends from taiwan rave over the gyoza here and there's not a bad bowl of noodle soup to be had on the menu.
(5)Spencer K.
I wouldn't say that I have an iron stomach, but it's not weak either. I ate ramen here and my stomach turned sour right away.
(1)Stephen S.
For Japanese ramen, not that great, for ramen in NYC pretty damn good, for ramen in this part of town, amazing! But if you don't eat pork, stay away.
(3)Dario B.
Went here in between my girlfriend's rehearsals at Carnegie Hall and while it was snowing outside got a bowl of tonkotsu ramen. The vibe is definitely low-down but there is an authenticity that you can feel. I still have in my head the sound of the chopping block while the chefs were preparing the toppings for the ramen. Now, to the ramen: it was good, nice and chewy with a deep broth that, alas, had something styrofoamy/plasticky to it. Can't really describe it but take it this way, it wasn't exactly refined... I got the same flavor yesterday from one of those broth pouches that come with instant ramen. But hey, way better than the ramen I always thought being good. So, of course I cannot take a flight to NY everytime I want some noodles but I still have to find a place in SF that even gets close to NY in terms of ramen. And if you love Katana-ya, please, come here and you'll agree with me.
(3)John C.
This reminds me of eating ramen in Japan. It's quick.. fast paced. The ramen tastes great. This *is* fast food in Japan. I had the ten ten ramen and the extra spicy ramen. The broth is very rich and flavorful. The noodles are very good.. and the gyoza is what you'd expect. :) We shared a small curry rice plate with our ramen. OMG. Japanese Curry, you can't beat it. Highly recommend the curry. :)
(5)Gene C.
I came here in hopes of finding great ramen and was unfortunately somewhat disappointed. Hole in the wall is a perfect description, although they keep it tidy. Food comes out very quickly, since the broth and curry have already been made. The ramen broth wasn't seasoned particularly well and tasted mostly bland, the pork was ok but not particularly memorable, and the curry rice plate is literally straight from a box, seeing as how the boxes of curry flavoring were stacked in plain sight in the kitchen. Cash only, you can get away with spending under $20 here, but really, if you're looking for great ramen then I suggest you move on.
(2)Christopher D.
Thank goodness this place exists in midtown! Usually, it's sub par or expensive eateries around this neighborhood, but Menkui Tei is a oasis from the East Village. Cheap, delicious, and extremely satisfying.
(4)H H.
A cheap, wonderful hole in the wall. If you like pork and you like noodles, you will be very happy here, and it feels worlds away from the other soulless midtown delis in the area. A warning, however: the menu is extremely pork heavy. I think there are 2 dishes that aren't pork based, plus some rice balls. I don't dig swine, but I still like this place, and my inner cheapskate is happy enough having beer and rice balls here while my pork-eating friends slurp what looks like mighty fine ramen.
(4)Jimmy Z.
Without fail, every time I am working from Midtown, I will make an excuse to come to Menkui Tei for lunch. The deep bone marrow broth caresses you, the springy noodles reinvigorates you, the tender pork pieces titillates your senses, the light ginger warms you from within, and the crispy vegetables fills ever crevice of your body. Life, after Menkui Tei, is breathed a-new.
(4)Tyler C.
As below. Ramen and izekaya type stuff (hiyyayako, fried octopus balls, etc). Not fancy, but done well. best of all: similar ramen to the famed Ippudo 2 blocks up the street, but at about 2/3 the price!
(4)Louie D.
Authentic Japanese noodle shop. Soup is great. Meat is awesome. Dumplings are so so but good add-on to entree. If you're going during lunch, best to go when they open @ 1130. Or you can wait till after the rush and visit at 1:15PM or so. I also like their Katsu Don - egg + pork over rice. I am a freq visitor. Almost once a week.
(5)Brad M.
My roommate and I went for the first time this afternoon. I ordered shumai (pork dumplings) and Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen. My roommate got the curry ramen. The shumai were great. A little wasabi sent it over the top. The Tonkotsu was very nice. Stock, it comes with two pieces of pork, ginger and bean sprouts. Nice spice was imparted by the julienned ginger. Lots of firm noodles and a lovely milky broth. Great portion size for the price. My roommate seemed thoroughly pleased with his curry ramen. True, the place is somewhat cramped but not uncomfortably so. Zero wait and great prices will keep me coming back without fail!
(4)Dan S.
Low key Ramen that's satisfying under $10. Small but easy to get a seat. I'll be back to try the other dishes, I had the tonkastu ramen with kimchee and an egg.
(4)yoshi u.
I live in Midtown, I eat Ramen or Soba for lunch just about every day off I get. Sapporo, Menchanko tei are also with in walking distance. I like going here just to sit at the counter and eat a quick bowl of Ramen while watch Yoda makes Gyoza right in front of me. Tonkotsu ramen, Hiyashi chuka I like, They just started serving Seiryumen-Cold soup ramen which I haven't tried. Weekday lunch time you have to wait but weekend lunch is chill.
(4)Peter G.
Great ramen, bleh atmosphere, fast if not for the wait. Pretty reliable for a noodle meal.
(3)Al A.
Fast. Relatively inexpensive. Good food. Too much Chinese influences in the menu.
(4)Yvonne L.
We ordered #1 (seaweed soup w/ pork) and #7 (shoyu soup w/spicy ground pork) ramen noodles and they were both good. They give you a lot of noodles so you won't leave the place hungry. The gyoza is pretty fresh so definitely worth trying. Overall, I would come back here again the next time I visit NY.
(4)Lu T.
Great lamen, simple place but nice service. And the prices are very good too.
(4)Angry D.
I came here a couple times years ago. It was pretty good. Until one day I had extra bamboo shoots and eating it almost made me vomit. And if you pack up your ramen to go, once it gets cold, you might wonder what bodily fluid is mixed in with the soup.
(2)Kev M.
this place was a life saver when i was craving ramen late night in midtown. the ramen was ok.. gyoza was homemade... and the mapo tofu was a little bland. the secret here was the onigiri. in which we took several to go as a late night snack..
(3)Andrew C.
After visiting Japan a few months back, I can always go for a good bowl of Japanese Ramen. I know what some of you are thinking...why would I go out for ramen when I can make it at home for $0.59? There's actually a big difference. If you haven't tried Japanese ramen, I suggest trying this place out. I checked out Men Kui Tei on a Sunday afternoon and we got seated right away. I took a fellow Yelpers suggestion and got Gyoza with the Extra Spicy Ramen. Service was fast, the food was affordable, and I left a satisfied customer. I'll be coming back here as soon as I can.
(5)Bonnie C.
went for a quick post MOMA dinner and had the cold ramen which was one of the hand written specials on the wall. pretty good, tsuke men like. solid for the midtown ramen offerings but still no setagaya as far as cold ramen is concerned. could've used a touch more texture/diversity to the sauce. most refreshing on a hot summer's day howevs
(3)Sue L.
In 2002 my aunt was working on 57th st and insisted I come meet her at a wonderful little Japanese restaurant she'd just discovered. That restaurant was Menkui Tei. I was in college at the time and so instead of having ramen (which I didn't understand would be nothing like those dry packets I had in my dorm room), I had the Curry Rice and absolutely no other Japanese curry I have tasted since has been as good. Since then, I've branched out to their ramen and it is certainly delicious as well. Perfectly al dente (or mochi-mochi as the Japanese call it) ramen noodles, the broths are a little on the salty side for me, but still tastes better than most places I could think of for lunch on a work day, and the meat in the broths are done nicely. Almost all the dishes are less than $10 and the food comes quickly. A great place for lunch or a cheap, quick dinner.
(3)Miles G.
This place gets 5 stars for their lobster tempura. I've always ordered their shrimp tempura (not greasy at all) for lunch and on my last visit, they had the lobster special. I was blown away by the flavor and amount of food I was served. Even the leftover was amazing the next day. This sushi joint ,conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan that offers great service. I give their sushi and bento boxes 4 stars. Ask Joe, the manager, to hook you up with a tatami room. He's the best host in the block!
(5)Ishmael V.
i'm going with ippuddo as ichiban ramen in manhattan, even though i've heard great things of setagaya! the service sucks, i know the waiter tries to keep up with the whole restaurant but i think one person can't handle it, even if they were anpanman! the chasu-gohan and ramen special is pretty awesome and that's what i always get when i come here. this is still the best deal for ramen for the price in the city. make sure you get the hard noodle (tenderness of the noodle, at least that's how i always order it). the only thing that i don't understand was that other than the waiters, all the cooks making this traditional ramen are all non-japanese! we've got an old chinese man making the rice and gyoza, and the mexicans making the ramen. i hope they can make a fusion burrito flavored ramen, i would totally pay for that!
(3)John B.
This place makes a great Misu Ramen! Tasted like a big bowl misu soup with pork and assorted vegetables in it. The prefect mix of sliglty on the salty side goodness. Too bad I was already pretty hammered from drinking with the Couzes or I would of got MenKui's 35 oz. Asahi Beer special. Sounded rockin'.
(4)Michael L.
This place offers up a pretty decent bowl of ramen. Nothing even close to the best I've had before, but the best I've had in NYC, which is something of a ramen wasteland. I have yet to find a truly good place to get ramen from here. The food here is enjoyable and cheap, and I'll be back, but it's not without its flaws.
(3)Jh M.
i love places that give you incentives for getting boozed up - like $2 skewers only if you order alcohol. awesome! i got the shrimp wrapped in bacon, which is genius. what is also genius is fried rice with your ramen order for only $3. the ramen was also superb. only knock i have on this place is MORE MEAT is needed!
(5)Orlando E.
If i could review this place based on the dessert alone, i would give it about 4.5 stars. I have just been spoiled by other Japanese places that the food here did not surprise me. It was all solid Japanese food. Good flavors, good service, Fairly nice accommodations. Just about all was good at this place and I'm sure I'm coming back for more. It is better than other similar places around. But not quite as the good ones I've been to. We had some yakitori items from the menu. Yeah, this is not the other yakitori down on 55th, but it was solid food, nicely prepared and plated. Chicken wings, steak, and so on. All very nice with a good sear. To close it all up, we ordered the one dessert i hadn't heard of, or couldn't pronounce. It was a green tea soup with these Japanese squishy balls in it, at the bottom it had powdered vanilla beans. It was really nice. Had a bit of the tea bitterness with the sweetness of sugar and the nice touch of natural vanilla bean. Very nice.
(3)Opinionated B.
The staff here is unbelievably NICE. The food here is cheap in price but not in quality. My date and I split a pork belly appetizer, two bowls of udon, and a green tea dessert. Total bill came to about $30. The pork belly was tender and mouth watering delicious. And, the udon portions were huge. I'm giving this place less than a five star only because our waitress was a little spacey towards the end. Not sure what happened, but it took a reeeaaaally long time for us to order dessert/ get the dessert, get the check, etc. She was nice the whole time, just inattentive towards the end. Probably just a fluke, so yeah I'm def a fan.
(4)Burgundy I.
The most authentic ramen I have had in the U.S.! This place has the selection, big bowls of steaming goodness, staff, brusque environment, and MSG content to rival their Tokyo counterparts. Plus, the price is right.
(5)Sora B.
This is my place to go after bleeding my wallet to death on Madison and 5th avenue. Turn around the corner is Menkui Tei that will take you in with its open arms as long as you're paying with cash. I've never been disappointed with their ramen. My usual fix ix their Shio with Gyoza.
(4)Kent W.
Stopped here on a gorgeous day for lunch - w/ my best friend. A hole in the wall on 56th. To sum it up: there are tons of places that serve ramen places and this place will never stick out for me. The pork slices in the ramen wasn't too bad though. Prices. Unbeatable.
(3)Karen S.
Ramen was just ok. I ordered the char-shu ramen. Broth wasn't anything spectacular, neither were the noodles or pork. It was perfect for the chilly day though. Was a bit hard to find since the address isn't labeled on the door and there is no sign outside. I figured it out by looking at the menu pasted on the window. We waited about 5 min for a table for 2 during the busy lunch rush. The gyoza is hand made which is a plus, though that was also just ok.
(3)Ang L.
Poor quality compared to places like setagaya, ippudo and kambi. Ramen was lukewarm and waitstaff rushed us when there was absolutely no wait. Kitchen staff wasn't very clean and kitchen floor looked dirtier than normal, all wet and dark like the floor of a fish market. Would probably not go again.
(2)Season L.
If you like to eat Ramen, this restaurant will be a good choice for you. I LOVE their ramen because it is really delicious. Hakata Ramen is my favorite in this restaurant. The soup is is rich pork bone broth flavor, and there are some roast pork, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts and scallions inside. I also tried their Mabo Don, Katsu Don, Fried Rice and Gyoza before which are also good! Anyway, If you love to eat ramen, I really recommend this restaurant to you! :D
(5)Mike R.
As I was looking for somewhere not necessarily expensive or pretentious near where I was staying, I stumbled upon this place. It's no frills and the menu is nice, full of traditional types of Ramen (they don't have the typical Shoyu or Tonkatsu types). The ramen is pretty good - not earth shattering at all, but it's pretty good especially given the price. Out of the ones I've tried so far, I think the Hakata is the best. Service is OK. The last time I was there, I asked for a large cup of water three times and they forgot within 5 seconds. For what it is though and given the location, it's actually pretty decent.
(4)Chris C.
Good portion for the price. Wait staff was extremely attentive, I didn't have to once ask for a water refill, and they brought chopsticks when they saw me clumsily drop one. Overall a decent meal. I wish yelp had half stars, this totally was a 3.75 star experience. I would come back if I was in the area.
(3)Leah S.
A decent ramen spot. I ordered the Mabo ramen; broth is delicious, the noodles could be better. Ambiance is nice; it is way more spacious on the inside than it appears to be. The servers are also great, very attentive and polite.
(4)Paige Y.
It was so crowded, and there was a long line. Luckily they let people line up inside. I guess that was also a clever way to let the diners not to linger on unnecessarily. It seems the place has become so popular among non-Japanese clients, which is great! We saw a woman getting ramen noodle on the range spoon, neatly arranged the noodle so that every strand would rest in the renge spoon before eating it from the renge spoon. You do not eat pasta like that, either. It was SOOOO unappetizing to see it. The noodle would be cold, and she absolutely abandon any soup from the ramen noodle. If you do not want to slurp the noodle during the date, maybe you should not agree to go to a ramen place! Service was fine, very efficient but not much "friendliness". There was a Japanese waiter, and he was very courteous. Now food - it was not a traditional champon as my Nagasaki friend is used to. Traditional Nagasaki CHampon is chicken based, not pork based. It was very good, though. Wish there was not much soup as it was salty and simply too much, and I had to bottom-fish ingredients at the end. Chahan was good. My son got the chicken katsu curry, which he said was very good. However, the spoon that came in the dish was very sticky at the handle. All in all, it was satisfying dinner!
(4)Mike W.
This place is riddiculously overpriced for it terrible quality ramen, that tastes like salt added to Cup Noodles and mixed in a bag with charred gargabe. The staff are extremely rude and and push by you when you are trying to wait. Don't go to this rat den excuse for a restaurant with it's bland, salty, pork noodle soup.
(1)Greg W.
Tax season is upon us. I decided to go for some ramen before meeting the accountant. I started with the tasty cucumbers. They are a must. Now I am about to dive into their fish based ramen with poached egg and thick noodle. The broth is flavorful, delicate and tasty. Perfect for a rainy cold day. The poach egg done right and runny. Glad I got it. Staring at the curry rice the guy next to me got. Maybe next time maybe later who knows. I would say food is good. Decor is blah. The beer a tad over priced but in the hood again would come back.
(4)Stephanie C.
So I came here a few years back and realize I didn't think the ramen was special. Found myself back years later with bf, eating a quick, no fuss quick on Saturday around 8pm. Bf had the takata ramen which I tried and did enjoy- the pork was nice and tender, the broth was porky, salty (from pork bone broth I think), and the ramen nice and al dente (he requested the wavy ramen). He got a poached egg on the side which he said didn't add much sadly. This was good so now I feel I will give Menkui tei another chance in the future. $8.75 for the ramen I had the sashimi special, which was 6-7 pieces of tuna, yellowtail, salmon (all good and fresh but light on the portion size), nicely flavored and light shrimp tempura (2 pieces) with veggie tempura (broccoli, radish), pickles, and rice. Of course the set was very authentic and I felt not feeling sick with fullness. $20 It's kind of nice they offer a broad Japanese, authentic menu, not just ramen (though they're known for ramen). This place is now in good standing with me.
(4)Jean-Luc B.
Menkui-tei is excellent. My favorite ramen that I've had so far in the city. I've tried 5 of their ramen varieties several times over, and adore each one. I really appreciate their speed of service, the heat of the soup, and how they pair each soup with the appropriate noodle. Detailed food review below: 1. Tokyo Ramen This is the standard soy sauce broth with roast pork. Very clean, tasty broth, and perfectly firm noodles. Very good for people who've never had ramen before, or enjoy clean flavors. 2. Hakata This is the rich pork bone broth. It's been hard to find a good pork bone ramen in the city, and this one is the best I've had. It's orange-brown in color, with deep, deep pork flavor. Comes with roast pork and bamboo shoots. Very good if you're into meat and comfort food. 3. Stamina ramen - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED This is the ramen I order most frequently. It never disappoints me, and is perfect for the winter. It's a spicy garlic miso broth with leeks, pork belly, and a poached egg. The pork belly is nice and fatty, the egg is rich and not overcooked, and the leek adds a nice contrast to the miso. The noodles for this ramen are my favorite--thick and firm. It's not too spicy and I always feel better after I eat it. 4. White Tan Tan ramen This is one of two tan tan options they have. A slightly spicy white sesame broth with ground pork and scallions. Very tasty, and a nice alternative to roast pork. 5. Black Tan Tan ramen - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED However, it is the Black Tan Tan ramen that I prefer. A pitch-black broth of ground black sesame with spicy ground pork and scallions. The flavor is so deeply sesame it almost has halva notes to it. Perfectly seasoned. Service is always incredibly friendly, and I never regret going here. Definitely give it a shot.
(5)Darieus Z.
Fantastic Tokyo Ramen and service. I whole-heartedly recommend this to anybody looking for great food.
(4)Peggy C.
I wanted ramen, and the other ramen place wasn't open on Sundays until evening. So a quick look on Yelp and this was the closest decent joint. While I'm not a ramen expert, I share the same feeling as some other reviewers have pointed out regarding Isa Menkui-tei's ramen - great noodles & soup but lacking toppings. The 2 slices of dry pork in my Hakata Ramen for $9 just didn't give me a warm & fuzzy feeling. I substituted the straight noodles for the curly ramen noodles (I probably have just offended Ramen God). I love the bounce in the noodles. The soup was rich but not too salty. Overall for the money I guess it's acceptable. The service was quick and efficient.
(3)Trevor L.
I went to Menkui Tei last Thursday during the Nor Easter. As you can imagine, it was a cold and rain evening. Menkui could not have been a better place to keep warm. The soup was hot and it came in a huge bowl. I did not even come close to eating all my food. Each of the different ramens range in the price of $9-$12. The restaurant is not too large, and the ambiance isn't somewhere that you would want to bring a girl on a date. One thing to be careful of is the sign out front. We originally thought the restaurant had moved, or it had taken over new ownership because the sign out front just says Ramen, not Menkui Tei. In short, the restaurant servers great food. If you are not sure what to get, go with the Miso ramen. It is simply delicious.
(4)Inci T.
Very busy yet not sufficating little place. Good food. Nice and fast service. More Japanese clients then Americans , and for me it's an indication of good food. Try salmon sashimi and nice tempuras. Reasonable price for a healthy and fresh lunch.
(4)Goo F.
It's enough tasty for me. Becuse there is no such ramen around my living area!
(3)Jenny F.
Considering I got my ramen for take-out, my experience was probably a lot worse than what I might've had in the restaurant when the food was more fresh, but the soup was bland overall and lacked a lot of substance in terms of anything beyond noodles and soup. For a midtown work-week lunch, the line can still get fairly long but it's manageable if you get there before the noon-time rush.
(2)Cat C.
Delicious! Had a major craving for ramen so Esther L. and I decided to hit up Menkui Tei. Good thing I had done my Yelp research beforehand and was so forewarned about the deceiving yellow "Larmen" awning... otherwise I might have never found place. And that would have been tragic, considering how pleased I was at the end of our meal. I had the Tonkatsu Ramen and it was pretty. darn. good. First off, the bowl was bigger than my face so that already got me excited. I wanted to dig right in but I resisted and sipped a bit of the broth first to judge. Man... so savory and creamy without being overly salty... I was sold already. The rest of the bowl was just as good. The noodles are a nice chewy consistency. The tonkatsu - while not seared like Totto's - still melted in my mouth. Definitely worth the $8. I had a taste of Esther's vegatable ramen and was taken aback by how rich that broth was too... really hard to find a vegatable based noodle dish with broth that good. We also ordered a side of curry rice for and extra $3. Esther especially liked the rice - she said it was a nice kind of chewy. I personally have only recently overcome my distaste for rice (I know, it's shocking... an Asian not liking rice?!) and my taste buds were not refined enough to know what kind of chewiness she was talking about. Either way, it quickly ended up in my tummy to chill with the ramen. Thumbs up, Menkui Tei!
(4)Adrian B.
Excellent tonkatsu and dumplings. Quick friendly service , a great lunch spot but gets busy really quickly.
(4)Evan C.
Ambiance: 5 Food Quality: 5 Service: 5 Value: 5 The Gist: After trying many NYC noodle bars, Menkui Tei offers a great option for those that want quality noodles without the long waits at some of the more well known places.
(5)Scott W.
For starters, if I could give half stars, I would add another half star. Menkui Tei is one of those places you can easily walk by without noticing, so you really need to know where you're going. Once inside, the atmosphere is pretty run-of-the-mill for a casual ramen restaurant. The ramen is all reasonably priced for New York standards (meaning that it's half the cost of some of the fancy Manhattan ramen joints). What you get is exactly what you expect from a good bowl of ramen. The noodles are cooked well, the broth is tasty, the meat is good and reasonable in portion size. You will get what you are looking for each time. What kept me from giving another star is that everything is good, but not great. But, you will never be unsatisfied after your meal at Menkui Tei.
(3)Bryan C.
Still great. I just want to put in another pitch about the fried rice. I know it's a ramen joint, and their ramen is great. But their fried rice... I don't know what it is about it that makes it so great, but it's so great! Drizzle some spicy oil over it and you've got yourself a real winner. I keep getting it as a side (because for $3 why wouldn't you?) but I think I may have to switch it up and just go gung-ho with a full order next time.
(4)Diana P.
Yum, I love ramen. This place is yummy. Not the best but is still pretty solid. Very quick service. Simple yet quaint furnishings.
(3)Marc M.
I eat here at least once a week when I'm working in the area. For the price, it's extremely satisfying and filling. The staff is nice, fast, and helpful. Can't say much for the dinner service, since I only eat lunch here.
(4)Scott J.
Anyone in the mood for some Fresh Hot Ramen to warm you up on a cold day in NYC? Service was fast and quick, my Fried Rice came out in seconds shortly after I ordered. My Wife ordered the Vegetarian Ramen, I could smell the fresh Ramen Noodle and tried some of my Wife's Bowl and found the Broth to be very Oishi. FYI: This is a Cash Only Restaurant, MT doesnt accept Credit Cards but worth visiting for some good Japanese Comfort Food.
(4)Melissa M.
Until I discovered Totto Ramen all the way west, this was my favorite ramen place in midtown (though it also has a more varied menu). If I could, this would be 3.5 stars. Both the ramen and broth are delicious and, as I have been told by my Japanese co-workers, legit. The gyoza is especially good, though sometimes in their rush the dumplings would stick together and/or have the skin severely torn. Bonus points for having decent service for such a busy place, which is more than I can say for Sapporo on 49th (which is pretty mediocre in terms of ramen as well). Once again, I find as a general rule for midtown ramen shops, always try to go "early" ... think lunchtime for people outside New York City (11:30-12:30) rather than the general midtown lunch romp (after 1pm).
(3)Anjili P.
The only kind of ramen I dig is miso ramen *shrugs*. Best. Miso ramen. Ever. We've hit up almost every midtown ramen spot but this is my fave. I agree that it is often crowded and the decor is not as nice as some of the others (Menchenko comes to mind), but I personally never had to wait more than five minutes and never felt rushed out. Service is fast fast fast!
(5)Elly P.
When my boyfriend and I walked into this place, we noticed everyone was sitting inner side of the restaurant due to the cold, windy weather that day. We were greeted but nobody had assisted us to sit in certain table so we assumed we can sit wherever we wanted to. When we had sat down on four people sitting table, they told us we cannot sit there so we moved to two people sitting table. Then this guy came over and moved us to sit on the sushi bar which we didn't want to sit by the bar. We asked him if we can sit on that open tables, he made all this gestures saying no, it has reservations, you can't sit there. There was over 10 tables available including front side of the restaurant and he did not want us to sit on any table. This was most rude experience I've ever had with any of restaurants in nyc. Doesn't matter how good their food is, we had no chance what so ever to try it.
(1)Nan C.
Above average noodles. The vegetable ramen was chockfull of cabbage, my mama would have been pleased. In terms of brewskies, there are Asian beers as well the typical offerings (Budweiser) & you're able to select the serving size: small, medium, or large. The staff is friendly & the kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m.on Sundays.
(3)Howard L.
Absolutely love how they scrape the gyozas off of the cast iron surface. Gyozas were good and so was the ramen but nothing to write home about honestly. Totto Ramen and Ippudo are on another level. With that said, worth a visit if you're craving ramen this winter. Service was fast and courteous.
(3)Debora L.
I went to the Midtown location on a Sunday night with my "When In NY -- Go Foodie" boyfriend. Menkui Tei is a hole-in-the-wall, conveniently located, pay-what-you-get ramen joint. My boyfriend had dinner here while I, lubricated by the house sake, moped about life. His experience? The ramen was good (but not as good as Ippudo), and the fried rice was your better-than-average comfort food (comfort being "decent food while listening to your girlfriend complain"), even if it was on the shiny side. It's not a particularly memorable dining experience, but it fit the bill in terms of price, ambience (or lack thereof), convenience, location, and fast service. The quality and experience is something you'd pay 1 USD for in Hong Kong or Taiwan, but reasonable at $7 in Midtown NYC. Things to note: it's cash only (but there's a WaMu down the street), and they stop taking orders 30 minutes before closing time. We went on a Sunday evening, ordered at 8:30pm, and were politely escorted out right at 9:00pm.
(3)Miriam W.
The gyoza at Men Kui Tei is hyped for good reason. Don't ask, just order! I took a departure from the norm and chanced it on the Mabo Ramen. The spicy confluence of sautéed tofu, scallions, noodles and ground pork in a wonderful broth made me a believer!
(4)Sooyeon H.
Good for the price, friendly staffs.
(4)Ian M.
The tonkostu ramen was funky -- bad funky. It had a sickly sour taste to it, kind of like a bad liquid medicine. I suspect it's a victim of the pickled vegetables. The pork was spare and uninteresting. Besides the sour, the broth was bland. The noodles were a little firm. There was nothing on the table to improve the taste either, like a soy or chili paste. Service was quick and pleasant.
(2)Ashley S.
Oh the pains of trying to eat in this neighborhood without going $$$$ It happened, I was sitting there at work minding my own business when the sushi craving hit and all I wanted was yuzu drizzled yellowtail jalapeno in a ponzu sauce.... (still haven't found it people ~ help!!!) I decided to hold ground to my price range of $$$ max in the 15 block area, even opting to spend twice as much on lunch today to chase this sushi dragon... le sigh. I knew this place was an izakaya and against my better judgement to not go to an izakaya for sushi I ventured in as yelpers said they had great Lunch Boxes.... Lunch boxes A, B or C- for $11, $12 or $13.50 are the most affordable and seem to be constantly changing, (in great secret gems this is always the route to go) here it appears to be a very hit or miss love it or leave it lunch special rotation. Mostly a MISS :( I opted for Box C and based on someones description of Box C one month ago its ever-changing. I was given a nice piping hot cup of green tea immediately upon sitting down, never even offered water despite it being a heat wave outside... I love green tea so I was fine but in terms of service it seems like it should be a given and also a kind gesture on a hot day. I placed my order and they quickly brought a cup of piping hot miso out. It was good, not great but again I like miso so I drank it despite the 90 degree summer weather I had just stepping in out of. A few spoonfuls into the soup (which had to be less than 2 mins, shockingly fast) my entire bento lunch box was set in front of me. Suspiciously FAST I thought... indeed....pre-prepared. I really wanted to enjoy my miso but there were grilled and fried elements to the lunch that would not be good cold so I had to abandon the miso soup to forge on brusquely! Elements of the 13.50 Lunch Box: - Deep Fried Beef wrapped around asparagus on a bed of shredded cabbage and scoop of potato salad - Grilled Spanish Mackeral - Four Sashimi Slices (2 maguro, 2 snapper) - Cellophane Rice Skin wrap (with romaine and avocado inside) It was all pretty awful.... save for the Cellophane Rice Skin with avocado but its kind of hard to mess that up, it had a nice tangy juice inside as well. The Fried Beef Dish looked like corndogs and the quality of meat was so low I did not even attempt to eat it. The spanish mackeral piece was tiny fishy and riddled with bones also very poor quality. The sashimi was cut in the weirdest tiny little scraps and was edible but not enjoyable at all.... (I ended up eating my bowl of free rice and drinking my cold miso soup : / ) Ill stick with the udon at the FiDi location and some of their fusiony rolls sushi craving FAIL...
(1)Anthony C.
I may be a bit biased because this is my family's "go-to" place for authentic Japanese food in Midtown. I have yet to try anything bad; Must try: tuna salad platter, sea urchin, hand rolls, fatty tuna
(5)Bill C.
This is a really great no-nonsense noodle shop. Don't pass it up if that's what you're looking for. 90% of the patrons appeared to be Japanese. Look for the sign on the awning that says "Larmen New York." It doesn't say "Menkui Tei"!
(5)Julia Z.
We got seated in one of those traditional Japanese low table, screen door private booth, waaaay cool and definitely provided the right atmosphere. Make sure you take your shoes off and stick them underneath the step ( I just left them out and the waitress was not happy). The waitress served hot towels and hot teas along with the menu. This place have a very extensive menu, you can find just about all mainstream dishes here. We shared a bunch of small plates. The yakitori (grilled sticks) portions are huge compare to other restaurants. I like the udon noodles, definitely a must have on a cold wintery night. I did not like the asparagus & eggplant cold dish or the fried chicken. Overall the meal is good and if you close the screen door, you can almost imagine that you are sitting in a restaurant in Tokyo.
(3)Yan W.
Decent and consistent spot for ramen. - Good selection of ramen for low prices. - Well balanced broths. I have tried their miso, tonkotsu, and shoyu. The soup base are not overly greasy yet they maintain a good flavor. So if you're health conscious, you will appreciate their soup. - Ingredients-wise - they give a good amount. And for $3 extra with a ramen order, you can get a side portion of fried rice or curry rice. It's not a bad deal. The bad: - The place is small and it's always packed during lunch time. Be there early. Or order to take out. - They are so busy during lunch hours, they have forgotten about my order once and just left it on the floor! I think the branch near St. Marks is better. They are probably managed differently.
(4)Y M.
I like Ise, and it is probably my favorite izakaya in Midtown. I first visited Ise 56 thinking a regular Japanese sushi place because I had been to the Pine St. location a few times. This one is more an izakaya style. The food are better compared to other izakaya places in the neighborhood, but drinks are a bit more expensive.
(4)Florence Y.
The ramen I had here...made me mad. I should have gone down a couple blocks to Totto! The service was good, waiter and waitress attentive but not overbearing. Noodles were bland. Nothing special...I ordered the Char Siew or something...all I got were bean sprouts, 7 THICK chewy slices of pork and tonnes of scallions topped on my noodles. It was hard to eat the pork as they were huge slices and hard to bite into smaller ones. Noodles were hard, and broth was alright. Should have known when I walked into a empty place. Tip-bits: Single one-stall bathrooms in the back Cash only The signage was horrid. Look for the place between 58W and a Korean sub place. Open kitchen concept- you may smell like ramen after.
(2)Tae Hun K.
The place to go for good quality ramen for decent price for midtown. Do not expect much else. The standard fare miso ramen is solid, nothing fancy. Tonkotsu Ramen might be a bit rich for some, but for meat lovers, definitely recommended. For the spicy food lovers, Tan - Tan Ramen is the way to go. When you are suffering from hangover, go with surprisingly refreshing Wonton Ramen. There are other things on the menu, like Katsu Don, Kyoga etc, but I would stick to Ramen. Other than the good food, please don't expect too much. Service is spotty, long wait during lunch and I would have to say I have misgivings about the cleanliness of the place when I take a look at the floor.
(3)Bobby C.
I looked this place up on yelp and it's relatively close to me so I text my GF, let's go here. She immediately texts back, IPPUDO. So I say, let's go there next time cuz it's far from me and I'm hungry and I don't wanna travel that far and I already picked out what I want at Men Kui Tei and plus I heard there's a wait... She says, FINE. This ramen place is pretty good. The service is good, friendly, and quick. I went on a Wednesday night at around 10 pm and ordered tonkatsu noodles... I dunno why they call it that. I thought it would taste a little bit like tonkatsu sauce but it tasted like bone broth. It was still pretty good. My GF got the classic Men Kui noodles, #1 on the menu. I liked hers a lot better. It had more tartness and kick to the taste. It reminded me of the ichiban noodles they sell in Asian grocery stores. The noodles had a good texture, and I liked the vegetables in the broth. This is definitely a good place to go for lunch. It's relatively cheap for a big meal and it's quick.
(3)Cindy C.
$8 ramen. Delicious, flavorful and fresh $8 ramen. A HUGE, steaming bowl of ramen for $8. No lines (ahem, ippudo), no pretense, simple, small, and wonderfully delicious. I tried the miso ramen, and was delighted by the flavorful broth. Towards the end, it did get slightly salty, but a sign on the wall informs customers that if the broth flavor is too heavy or light, they can make adjustments. Chris C and I also tried the gyoza - it was really good, and the ingredients inside were fresh, and definitely not the frozen type. Can't wait to return to try other things on the menu!
(4)Ken S.
Delicious food for around $10, including tax and tip.
(5)kevin w.
A solid, though somewhat ordinary ramen dive. got the wonton ramen (shoyu broth). wontons were unspectacular and broth was ok. but dirt cheap! $9 for the ramen and $7.50 for a large Kirin beer. a good cheap option for midtown.
(3)ThanOng S.
I went to both Menkui Tei already and i liked this place a lot more. The other place is bigger but the service was poorer too. Their ramen was soooooo good!! I literally ate them all - till the last drop!! I tried many dishes ( sorry i cant remember the names) but believe me, my boy friend and I are so picky and we loved everything we ordered!! Im going back again and again and agian!!! By the way, its cheap too!! the only con is that they dont accept card and i keep forgetting it so I had to walk around to find my bank!!
(4)Steve C.
Very good food and very reasonably priced. The ramen was delicious. This place is not good for any parties larger than 4; as it is a hole-in-the-wall type restaurant. Had a party of 7 and we waited over an hour for enough seats to be free. Lastly, you have to be on top of the waiters about anything you order. Our rice was forgotten about.
(3)S Y.
I thought the shoyu ramen soup base was lacking compared to Ippudo. There is a richness and intensity that Ippudo has that Menkui Tei doesn't. I feel bad saying it, but it's one of those things I've come to expect from a restaurant that is in Midtown. The pork in the ramen was a little too chewy and not flavorful enough for me.
(3)Dennis Y.
Second to Yelpers who say that this place is hot like hell. This is not a joke. It's smoky inside because the kitchen is right there and they are constantly making stir-fry and pan-friend gyozas. The floor is greasy and slippery. You'll definitely smell like an oily kitchen after you leave. You have to be mentally prepared. But if you can look past these, you can then try to enjoy the no-frills food and "raw atmosphere" here. Whenever I am in midtown and crave for a good bowl of hearty ramen, this is where I go. 15 minutes (quick!) and I am satisfied and happy (true comfort food). Oh yeah, you can go to Ippudo and get a bowl of pricey and fancy ramen with sassy decor. Well, that's gourmet ramen. But what about a bowl of street-food style, back-to-basics, and fast ramen, that reminds you of streets of Japan? On a hot summer day, try the jar-jar ramen (spicy ground pork over soup-less ramen, a Japanese version of the Chinese jia-jian mien), mix it really well otherwise the ground pork paste is quite salty by itself. Or try the Chinese cold ramen (hiyashi chuka). Add a few dollars and you can have a side of fried rice, if you crave for the extra carbs.
(4)Daniel S.
Had a nice evening at MOMA and dinner at a really nice ramen shop two blocks away. They hand made their shumai, which seemed to melt in my mouth. Delicious. And my lady had a wonderful shiitake mushroom ramen dish, which tasted amazingly earthy and was filled with seafood. Mine was a rich miso ramen soup with added hot greens (wonderful foil). Reasibly priced. recommended. Off 56th street. Menkui Tei. Don't let the fact that it looks like a hole in the wall put you off.
(4)Yufan W.
I was here couple times after work. A quite space to sit by yourself (unfortunately I was reading for the exams) during all my visits. I always go with either Tonkotsu ramen or Meikui ramen. Great ramen, both meat and noodle were tender, soup was just about the right amount of saltiness.
(5)Cathy M.
If you walk a wee bit pass the shop you may get distracted by the other resto's along this block...so pay attention! This is above average ramen at budget prices..excellent for cold rainy days, but watch out for the extra rickety chairs..one too many gyozas might land your tush on the floor if you don't get the right chair!
(3)Tone E.
It was about 90 degrees outside and once I walked into this hole in the wall type of Ramen spot... a wall of heat smacked me right in the face. Don't even think about sitting by the bar...its an OVEN! How in the world does the cooks deal with the 120 degree heat? Now to the real review...the food . . . for about $7.50 to $9.00 a bowl, you can get good quick meal filled with rich broth and ample amount of noodles. I ordered one with extra pork and it was pretty tasty. How does it compare to Ippudo or Ramen Setagaya? ...ummm I would say it's a bit behind in the flavor department but screw it...its close work and hope to come here in the winter when it's 30 degrees outside and a toasty 80 degrees inside.
(4)Bill M.
Love this place. When I'm in NY, I spend a lot of time in midtown and this is my go-to spot for a quick, filling and delicious meal. Its definitely not fancy. Its a hole-in-the-wall kind of place with half-curtains at the entrance. Veggie Ramen with a side of gyoza is all it takes to send me on my way in about 20 minutes, happy and satisfied. I knew I was in the right place at lunch one day, when I looked around and I was the only non-asian in there. Almost hate writing such a positive review because I don't want it to get too crowded but it is very good and worth a try.
(4)Trent C.
The ramen noodles are solid, especially when you add sesame oil to the soup. I like the char shu ramen, just not enough to give it a 4.
(3)Eric T.
My friends took me here for my birthday since we all had a craving for ramen. When I saw the menu, I had a sudden crisis of conscience because I saw curry rice and it looked pretty good on our neighbor's table. Fortunately for me, they do a ramen/rice combo so I could get a full bowl of ramen and a half order of curry rice for only $3 more! Happy camper... Food Tonkatsu Ramen: The ramen noodles were some of the better ramen I've had in the city, but from a personal taste perspective, they tossed on way too much ginger. The pork that came with it was excellent - very tasty with just the right amount of fat. Curry Rice: I think I'm pretty picky about my curry tasting authentic and being made from scratch (or at least tasting like it was). While their curry could have used more substance (potatoes, carrots, onions, etc.), it was still very tasty, and for a plain curry, kicked Go Go Curry's butt. Atmosphere Typical cozy midtown Japanese restaurant - nothing too fancy, but clean and welcoming. We had six people eating and had to have two people squeeze on the corners of a four person table (two tables together). You can probably have a larger group if you call ahead and have them put together tables in in back for 6-8 people. Note: If you're having people meet you here, it's easier to describe the outside or refer them to the picture on Yelp because there's no visible sign on the street w/ the name of the restaurant.
(4)Ani V.
Little hole in the wall place for Ramen. Food is good enough but have had better. Service is friendly and quick.
(3)Luis M.
In spite of the fact that it was hot as ass crack when I came here I still ordered a bowl of the char siu ramen. There were 7 pieces of char siu floating in a bowl of hot steamy broth and noodles. I was a sweaty mess before I even started in on the bowl but I pushed through and finished it all. Nice broth, good noodles, decent char siu and I did not regret ordering it even though the weather made this a very unwise lunch choice. They have an extensive selection of ramens to choose from and their rice dishes seemed to be very popular as well.
(4)Jackie Y.
Before I found Ippudo, Menkui-Tei was my go-to Ramen joint, but surprisingly NOT for the ramen w/ soup! I actually ONLY get the soupless ramen... AND just so you know, I LOVE SOUP, so something needs to be abso-friggin-tastic for me not to go w/ soup...FYI, as you might've guessed, the broth here isn't THAT great... GET: Jar-Jar Ramen (cold ramen w/ seasoned ground pork, shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, ginger): my excuse for eating lightning fast (don't like it when food gets cold) doesn't hold here as the noodles are already served cold. but does that slow me down? NO...I gobble it all up. Anyone who eats w/ me needs to be a speed eater, otherwise they will go home hungry. Katsu Curry (Pork Katsu w/ Curry [few chunks of tender pork in the curry too] served over rice w/ the pink pickled radish): I can't resist this dish and I'd have to say it's probably the best Japanese curry I've had to date in the city... Gyoza (thin skinned pan fried pork dumplings - Japanese style): light and crispy it would be a SIN not to start off w/ these. SKIP: Ramen w/ Soup...if you want soup...go to Ippudo!
(4)Bobe B.
"Great food, friendly service. We had some problems with the order&payment, but it's a good place."
(4)Emilie L.
The ramen is good, prices are reasonable. The gyoza is great - the wrappers aren't too thick unlike some places that serve gyoza/dumplings in the city. The filling is great and they're always perfectly pan fried. It is cash only but at most it will cost you $15 for your meal. I generally go for the shio which is never too salty. Their fried rice is also very good.
(3)Lianne Z.
Loved their Tonkatsu Ramen. This place has great variety for reasonable prices. I thought the broth was savory without being too salty and the pork was meaty and laced with savory melt-in-your-mouth fatty portions. Their Gyoza is yummy and their Katsu Don and Mabo Tofu Ramen were incredible. The portions are perfect and the service is decent. Everyone was really happy with their choices. The only complaint I had was that they didn't have marinated eggs. For $1.50, all you get is a plain white boiled egg. Oh well :( Can't win 'em all. I would definitely return. Even if I have to brave that smokey smell.
(4)Quinn R.
Sadly I don't remember the name of the dish I ordered but whatever it was it was perfect. Its hot out so ramen doesn't sound all that great? So go here and get some delicious COLD noodles. So good, so perfect. Ted W and I found ourselves here recently doing just that. One of the best meals I had in NY.
(5)Derek M.
Nice, traditional Japanese restaurant. Ala carte menu is excellent for building your own meal. I had the agedashi tofu, kani zosui, and hamachi kama. All were well prepared and very tasty. Service is a little slow, but the place was very busy. Prices are VERY reasonable for NYC. Sushi was also good.
(4)Jason P.
There are so many different ramen restaurants in the East Midtown area, so next in line to try was Men Kui Tei. I'm a big fan of ramen and I've been looking forward to try their ramen. A group of 5 of us made the trek around 11:50 am, and the place was only about half full. Luckily, they had 3 tables in the back that they were able to put together and seat us immediately. There were about 15 2-person tables in this establishment, so I would plan coming a little early to beat the crowds. Service was great. There was only one menu on the table, but the waiter immediately brought another menu for us to look at. Right after, he brought over a round of waters and asked if we were ready to order. We asked for a couple more minutes which he gladly smiled and patiently came back in 2-3 minutes without rushing us. I found it very accommodating because just after we were seated, the place became completely full. I usually find other restaurants who have waiters trying to rush you with your order and dropping the bill midway through your meal, hoping to get you to rush so that the next customer can sit. I did not feel rushed at all. The waiter even waited until we were almost done eating before he dropped the bill over, and did not hover over us waiting for us to pay the bill. For lunch, I ordered the Menkui Ramen (Seaweed Broth Flavored House, Special Noodle Soup, with 3 pcs. of Roast Pork, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Scallion) for $8.00. We also ordered 2 dishes of the Gyoza (6 fried pork dumpings in each order) which are $2.50 before 12:15pm. Thereafter, it is $4.50. Our meals came out in about 5 minutes from ordering, ramen and broth steaming hot... The bowl was pretty large with a generous portion of ramen and broth, but I found it lacking in much of anything else, 3 small/medium slices of roast pork, some bean sprouts, and about 20 slices of bamboo shoot. The ramen was slightly firm to al dente, the roast pork was tender but more than half of each piece was fat. The broth was very ordinary in flavor, tasting similar to the typical instant ramen noodle broth. The gyoza was cooked perfectly, but I found it average-tasting with or without the small side of soy sauce. The saltiness of the soy sauce did not seem to bring out the flavors of the pork very much. I was satisfied with my meal, and did not leave hungry, but I did not find anything too spectacular with the food. The only thing going is that this is a quick lunch and would probably be great in the winter. As we were leaving, there were about 15-20 people standing against the wall waiting for tables, so I'm guessing this place must be really popular. I possibly did not order the right dish of ramen, so I just might have to come back and see what else they have to offer. FYI, for those not in the mood for ramen, this restaurant is primarily a ramen/noodle house, but they also have different types of fried rice and rice with pork/chicken/etc.
(3)Lindsey H.
Ok, it's totally freezing out today and I was really craving Ramen at work so did a quick yelp search. Menkui Tei came up, only 3 blocks away! So I walked on over and got some carry out. #1 for me and #6 for my coworker. We both loved what we ordered. For the price, location and huge quantity, this place is fabulous. They were also very fast getting my order together, I waited maybe 10 minutes at the most. Can't wait to try the spicy ramen next time
(4)Rebecca L.
This was the place that I retreated to for delicious ramen both times after I indulged my other addiction, going to Tiffany's. Seriously, this is "as good as it gets," which is what Yelp deems a five star-worthy review. I have ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen, the Gyoza appetizer, the Curry Rice, and the Fried Rice. Everything was sinfully delicious. I recommend ordering the Tonkotsu with extra pork, because it's just too good to have only two pieces. I like my meat a bit on the fattier side, and this certainly fits the bill--just melts in your mouth. If you like leaner cuts, then it might not be for you. The broth had a clean and crisp taste to it, and it had complexity too--it was clear that they didn't just dump some miso in water and hand it to you. In fact, you can see them cooking everything if you sit at the bar. It always amazes me how efficient and quick they can be in a tiny space like that. Gyoza--hand made, not frozen! Two thumbs up. Fried rice and curry rice--both flavorful and deliciously filling. Curry rice was really cheap, too!
(5)Saharat S.
For me, this place has become a solid and affordable food option near MoMa. Its one of the few noodle restaurants where I don't find the broth to be too salty. None of the ramen dishes are exceptional, but all of their dishes are well above average. If you prefer rice dishes over ramen, I have a particular affinity for the Mabo-Don. They serve a good proportion of rice, ground pork, and broth.
(3)Tracy T.
Still in search for the perfect ramen in New York. I had the tonkotsu ramen as recommended by the other reviewers, but the ramen itself was soft (yudesugi) and each strand was rather thick. I like ramen thin and al dente. The soup was good, but not the best. The gyoza was actually rather tasty and I would go back for that. Perfect proportion of pork and vegetables with a crispy, but not crunchy exterior. If you decide to go, make sure you go before the 12pm rush.
(3)Jeff B.
It will be tough to add something new other than to say that this place is great and tasty and filling and inexpensive. I ate here yesterday with a friend and had GREAT soup, Shoyu Ramen and Onigiri (fish balls with Salmon or other fillings inside). We had the house hot sake as well. All of that food, 2 bowls of ramen, 2 onigiri and the sake was $32 dollars total....TOTAL! 40 with Tip. That was a deal anywhere, but especially in midtown!
(4)Hideki K.
Better Than Menkui Tei in Cooper Square The ramen here is good, though not as good as Santouka, Minca, or Ippudo. But if you're up in Midtown, those places aren't really an option. This Menkui Tei is a specialty ramen joint. I usually order the pork stock tonkotsu here. A friend ordered the veggie ramen once, but I didn't like it. They also have a mabo ramen (mabo tofu with ramen?!), but I have yet to try it.
(3)J B.
shio ramen and curry rice are great! yasai ramen is good, but not as good as stuff I have had at other places. I thought it was too rich. the tofu mushroom ramen was good, but not as good as other places, I forget why. Good, not expensive. Lychee drink is tasty. Noodles were maybe overcooked once, but there was a sign on the wall saying they would redo the noodles however you want, which we didn't notice. I liked the gyoza.
(4)Edgar F.
First impressions We were staying on 56ths street near Lexington and was happy to see that we found a noodleplace open later in the evening. My family and I always ate the packgages of ramen and wondered how a restaurant can offer a more robust meal that usually came in a small package for 59 cents. Just as in the photos, this retuarant stood out in the neighbrhood with its yellow awning. It was 10 Pm and still had a few people in and around the bar and tables. Menu The menu is a simple one with ramen being the center piece. If one is looking for ramen this is the place to be. Other than that there were other typical items such as gyozas. Ambience This is a small intimate place with a few small tables and a bar along the cooking area. Service The waiter was responsive but it appeared that English was not a primary language. Location This location is one block west of East West line, just shy of Central Park. Overall opinion This was oneof our first experiences of a real Japanese Restuarant. It The noodles were fine and the Katsu Don was delicious. All in all an enjoyable experience.
(4)N. R.
Pork Ramen was so good I creamed my pants and saw heaven. Everything was cheap too... Dinner for 2 with 2 beers and a coke for $26 bucks? Man, I'm not complaining... It was fun sitting at the bar too. Even though in the end I got all sweaty from the steam coming from the kitchen and my soup, I loved watching that old chef chopping up scallions with ginormous cleaver. ll
(5)Tawana S.
Enjoyed the ramen immensely and the pork gyoza was out of this world!
(4)Harvey T.
Great Ramen for the price. I was paying about the same for ramen back in Japan. The mini-curry rice/fried rice is also good. When I went, they made a mistake on my side and gave me a fried rice when I asked for a curry rice, but they changed it right away. Great, quick service, even though I was in the middle of a lunch rush. I got the Tonkotsu Ramen, which was pretty good. It's the best ramen I had in the states.
(5)MIMI K.
It's all about the Ramen. When I think of Menkui Tei, I only wish I knew about it earlier. Ramen was fresh and full flavored. Fried rice was an excellent side dish however way more then I needed to order.
(4)Lisa H.
Perfect little hole-in-the-wall ramen place with great prices and the best ramen I've had in a while. My friends and I went here a few weeks ago when it was about 70ish degrees around dinnertime. We literally took a picture of the thermometer inside..it was 86 degrees! Even the chef was fanning himself and we were all sweating into our food. But mmmm the ramen...we each ordered different ramen and devoured it all. I had the pork bone ramen and the soup was rich and tasty. The noodles were the right amount of chewy-ness and the portions were just right. We were lucky we didn't have to wait at all.
(5)Terry K.
Really, really good authentic Japanese ramen. Not too sweet, very flavorful, reasonable prices. Been back here many times, tried several things on the menu all of which were great. Just don't get the grilled squid app, total ripoff. Everything else - fantastic, highly recommended for a warm meal. Whoops, just realized this is for the Menkui Tei in Midtown. This review is meant for the East Village locale.
(4)Jenny L.
dang dude, this was msg heaven. my mouth tingled so much afterwards. i had the wonton ramen, which is basically shoyu ramen served with 8 tiny wontons that had really nice wrappers. it was essentially just a bowl of food.. not great, not bad. the broth was very light which i appreciated, but there was no in-depth flavor (not sure if i was supposed to find that kind of broth here? maybe the tonkotsu?). same went with the mabo ramen-- the spicy pork wasn't spicy at all, and in addition were hardly seasoned. i really liked the noodles themselves, but i'm pretty sure it's not made in-house... so as if it weren't bad enough that there was a huge garbage pile right outside the front door of the restaurant and people kept leaving the door open so that the entrance area consistently smelled of garbage, in the middle of service, one of the porters went back and forth down that tiny hall where the bar was to put garbage out on the street. it was SMELLY. this was at 9pm or so-- i hadn't eaten all day, but i lost my appetite after that.
(2)Christina C.
This is a good place for ramen... Have been visiting this place since autumn 2008... have tried most of their ramen soup dishes.. the noodle is fantastic, just the right texture and bite, soup should have been pre-made, broiled over several hours, not too salty, the roast pork is delicious (which is in most of the soup dishes). The gyoza or dumplings is yummy too. Personally dislike the rice dishes. Overall I really like the ramen but this place can get stuffy and hot, a little cramp, with little decor which resembles many of the typical little restaurants in Japan.
(5)Olivia W.
I work nearby so this little ramen shop is super convenient. I've been by twice now in less than a month, mainly because my boss is a huge fan, but I have to say that I'm becoming quite partial to it. It feels very authentic ramen shop-esque and you can tell that it's Japanese people running it, which is always a plus (lots of signs in Japanese not to mention most of the workers speak in Japanese to each other). The first time there I had the Chuka with noodles. It was like fried noodles (the crispy ones which I love) with an assortment of seafood and meats and veggies on top. The portion was huge and it was quite good. It took a little longer to prepare, but it was worth it. The next time I went I had the Curry Ramen, which had a slight kick to it, but definitely was not short of curry. My only issue with it was that it didn't have enough other stuff (like meat and veggies in the curry). There was lots of onion and a couple of carrots and a few pieces of meat, so that was a little disappointing, but the curry was still wonderful. The portions sizes in general are pretty big. The ramen comes in an oversized bowl with TONS of soup, and just enough noodles. I can guarantee you won't go hungry. I would be impressed if someone drank all of their soup. I also had their gyoza, which was what I expected from a fairly authentic japanese place, as well as their fried rice, which I would definitely recommend. All in all if you're looking for a relatively cheap noodle/ramen place for lunch that serves quickly, this is a great option.
(4)Will C.
Good ramen. A little salty but I'll adjust it next time. Great for value and flavor. I like how the place is under 10 bucks. They have a saying on the wall. If your soup base is too salty or spicey or not enough, tell us we will adjust it to your taste. That is SUPER cool. The ramen is also my favorite type of noodle. The not too thin not to thick ones. Soo perfect.
(4)Sushi M.
(I am sushi man. I review sushi.) 1. this is a perfectly typical, utterly unexceptional Japanese izakaya. If you're looking for an experience you'll remember (see, e.g., totto), don't go here. 2. in Japan, this would be a decidedly low-end izakaya based on the interior: fluorescent lightning, plain walls, slightly beat-up screens separating the private rooms. And the food (more on that soon). 3. in New York, this place attracts a higher caliber of client than it would ever attract in Japan, due to the scarcity of centrally located, high-class izakayas here. The private rooms are filled with Japanese businessmen; the place bustles. 4. in Japan the waitresses would be much cuter, although this place has a couple lookers (who also look pretty easy -- again, authentic). Almost all staff are Japanese -- good. 5. food. Nothing fancy: I didn't look close enough at the menu (shame on me) but I don't think you can do any cook-at-your-table type stuff, and there isn't anything exotic on the menu -- just real izakaya standards, like tuna-avocado salada (yes, that's now sort of traditional for an izakaya), yakitori, tempura. Portions are quite large for an izakaya. All is solid enough; nothing is memorable. Again, contrast with a place like Totto. 6. there is sushi here, and it's like most izakaya sushi: don't bother. The chef is a good guy -- nigiri are nicely cut and formed -- but fish just isn't worth bothering with. 7. like any good izakaya, this place succeeds in getting you to spend much more than you expected on merely average food and drinks. It's a great business model. conclusion: an authentic example of an utterly unexceptional izakaya. But it'll do the trick.
(3)T L.
Reminds me of Japan. Food arrives relatively quickly. The broth--oh my, soup of love. A lot of time went into this tasty concoction. I haven't tried Ippudo yet, so I will update this review with a comparison.
(4)Mike R.
You could walk past it twice, like I did when looking for it, but after you find it, you will eat there at least twice.
(5)Josh W.
A very good bowl of ramen for $8. I would have to say I liked Ippudo's ramen better because its a bit more refined and the noodles are better there. But for almost half the price, it's a much better value than Ippudo and I would definitely come here if I wanted to avoided the ridiculous wait there on weekends. Highly recommended.
(4)jayda i.
i really really like this place. met up w/a gf for a catch up session - needed to find a place near her work (midtown west). found menkui tei on yelp. had 2 bowls of menkui ramen (house speciality), gyoza, large house sake +2 bowls of ice cream - all for $40! no c/c folx, so bring em greenbacks. ramen is delicious. and i'm hard to pls, being a japanese ramen snob! i think this place is better than minca in e.village. just saying. 2 thumbs up. also, we stayed and gabbed for 2 hrs, and waitress did not rush us.
(4)Wen Z.
We went to dinner on Saturday night and the restaurant is almost filled. Didn't have to wait for a table for 2 ppl. Most of the customers spoke in Japanese with some older Japanese guys sitting by the bar drinking and eating. First impression was pretty authentic and good value. ISE is one of my favorite Japanese restaurant in NY due to it's great value (low price and good sushi). However, this 56th street location's sushi was a disappointment! I ordered a sashimi rice bowl and my gf ordered a sushi deluxe. The fish is NOT fresh and my rice tasted like left over rice, dry and hard. Sushi rice need to be moist and soft so it can stick together. I have 30 years of rice eating experience on a daily basis as an Asian. The basic requirement for good sushi are refresh fish and good rice. That fish need to melt in my mouth with fresh taste. This place fail at both rice and fish. We ordered the grill squid and that was pretty good for $6. Never will go back for sushi at this place but I really want to try their noodle since so many people talk about but I have high expectation for a $9 bowl of Ramen. The bill over $50 for 2 ppl.
(2)Jeff C.
Went here for lunch today. First of all the awning outside doesn't even say the name of the restaurant. I initially thought that this place had changed mgmt, but fret not! Had the Katsu Don ($8.50). The rice was heavenly. Shitake Mushroom flavor all over it, texture was on point. The Tonkatsu ramen ($8) was above average and very authentic as well. Oyako don ($8.50) didn't disappoint either. I love sprinking spicy pepper flakes over my chicken & rice ($7.50). I have been there 2x to date. Note: If you get there before 12:15pm, an order of 6 gyozas are $2.50 instead of $4.50 =). This special is by request only and is not on any menu. Alternatively you can tell them I sent you but they won't know who I am (yet!). You want to get there before noon anyway as there is a line out the door past then. Lunch came out to $12/pp after everything
(4)Lindsay I.
I've hesitated writing a review on this place, desperate to keep it my little secret. A few months ago you could enter and it'd be dead as a dog. Now, even before the midtown dinner rush, more than half the tables are full, and with Japanese business people no less! They've got fantastically fresh raw fish (I always end up getting the Chirashi), and various authentic appetizers and main courses that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. The cost is decent, the wait staff is courteous and attentive, and they surprise you with a mini appetizer and hot towel when you are seated at a table or the sushi bar (the appetizer is different everyday, ranging from unidentifiable marinated meat to stewed potato). Ultimately, is my default dinner joint when I'm in the area. It's got a lovely atmosphere, like you've been shipped off to a cozy little restaurant in Japan (complete with tatami mat rooms if you have a bigger party), and being utterly surrounded by people speaking the language only increases the experience.
(5)Kara K.
3.5 stars really Ramen was good but not that great - the broth was a little tasteless. Still a good place to get ramen without the wait of Totto, although the flavor really doesnt compare!
(3)Stephen C.
I think just one notch lower than ippudo and much less wait time. This place is our go to ramen joint in the city. I'm a big fan of their tonkatsu ramen!
(4)Courtney M.
I went here a couple weeks ago with two other people on a Friday night. It took them 20 minutes to seat us, and we had to just stand at the door to hold our spot. That was a bit uncomfortable. The tables are very close together and I'd say the place can't hold more than 25-30 people at a time. But the wait was worth it! I had the Chop Suey Ramen...so yummy. They soup was thick and the vegetables weren't mushy. =] And the service was really quick. But it only takes cash!! I'd go back.
(3)John O.
Standard, working class ramen shop that has a distinctly Japanese feel to it. I enjoy a nice bowl of miso ramen here accompanied by a plate of gyoza and a cold Sapporo. My only complaint here is that the pork can be a bit tough. All of my favorite places have melt in the mouth pork including Ippudo, Setagaya, Santouka and Naruto. Overall, a good solid place to nosh down some noodles.
(3)Yu T.
Lunch spot for mid-towners. Went here with my ex-assistant for a quick bite. They have nice teishokus, but nothing to write home about.
(2)Jenni Q.
We had trouble deciding between Ippudo and this place because they both got really great reviews. But since I'd already been to Ippudo and this place was way cheaper, we decided to give it a try. And am I glad we did! I had the Tonkotsu Ramen which came with two pieces of roast pork and my boyfriend had the Vegetable Ramen. Mine was absolutely delish! I thought it was way better than the equivalent at Ippudo - the pork bone broth was deep and flavorful but not so overwhelming that it assaulted my senses. The noodles were wonderful - not too mushy not too firm. I usually eat slower than my boyfriend but I devoured my dish before he was even half done with his. And all for only $8! I didn't come close to finishing my dish at Ippudo because the broth was too strong. The vegetable ramen was also good - at first sip, the broth is pretty mild and tastes like the cabbage its cooked with but it definitely follows through with other flavors as you keep sippng it. I couldn't tell which broth I liked better - they were both so good! However, I wasn't a fan of the veggies the dish came with (cabbage, carrots, etc) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend the veggie ramen. It's good but if it's your first time having japanese ramen I would probably go for one of the other ramen dishes. This is definitely my new "must-go" japanese ramen spot!
(5)Jett T.
Solid, authentic Japanese food with friendly service and cheap.
(4)Brendan L.
Imagine walking in from a freezing New York winter day. As you open the door you are hit with a blast of warm humid air, thick with the smell of stock, pork dumplings, and fried rice. The primary dish here is ramen noodles. They run the gamet from mild in flavor to extra spicy, and they are all good. I usually get umplings to start and fried rice on the side if I'm with a group. This place is a great value, but remember to bring cash because they don't take credit cards. You're in and out in 45 minutes (max), so I prefer to go here for a quick lunch.
(4)H. W.
Good solid choice with a wide variety of ramen, gyoza, katsu, curry rice and other staples. Place is super casual and service is friendly and fast. Perhaps nothing on the menu stands out as great but everything does seem to be consistently good.
(4)Melissa V.
Holy Ramen. Hungry, cold, and in desperate need for something good that would warm me up from the inside out I retreated to Menkui Tei. I remembered seeing this place on Yelp and decided to go here on a whim. It took two tries up and down the block to find this place; from the outside it looks like a bodega. Once inside the the staff was prompt and friendly. We were seated right away and given menus. The menu is limited but if you're a ramen connoisseur you won't care. I ordered the House Ramen, with bean sprouts and three pieces of pork and an order of Pork Gyoza. My eating companion ordered the Shoyu Ramen with Pork. The ramen was exactly what I was looking for, a large steaming bowl of broth goodness. The pork was moist, perfectly salted and packed with flavor. The bean sprouts added a nice crunchy texture to the dish. The gyoza was good, however it was average, which was no surprise since that's not their specialty. Definitely the best Ramen I've had in the city so far. Make sure you bring cash, they don't take credit cards. If you're with a group of six or more, expect to be broken up unless you sit at the bar. The place is small and seating is tight, so expect to have to move if someone needs to get by and its packed. While the staff's English is limited they are very good at making recommendations, so don't be afraid to ask. Happy Slurping!
(5)george t.
Decent ramen at cheap price. However I won't label it as authentic because I am sure the lady taking my order is Chinese. That would explain the brooth too, its clean and a little salty, which is typical of cantonese soups. However the flavor profile is quite nice and its near my office. I would pick this over Sapporo just because of their flavor, and they have better quality ingredience.
(4)Ting S.
The more generous and favorable sibling of the East Village location, this is the perfect spot to fill up on a quick bowl of soup and noodles. Since I've only eaten solo here, I only know the ramen and never have room to try the side orders. The toppings definitely add a dimension of taste and texture, the noodles are perfectly chewy, and broth flavorful depending on what kind of ramen you get. I do have to come to terms with the paltry 2 or 3 slices of pork, but i guess if I was greedy for a more generous portion of meat I should stick to the chinese versions of noodles in soup! Service is great: speedy, attentive, and polite. no whiff of pretentiousness at all. Cash only.
(4)Stephen A.
For relatively inexpensive Japanese food, this is excellent. We were a group of 8 customers and all enjoyed their raw found, especially Sashimi & Chirashi. But best of all were their appetizers, lightly flavored and never over-salted. And there is no music --- what a relief! I had the Chirashi dinner, very fresh fish & seafood, though the rice itself was somewhat boring. But still excellent overall. And it's located in a NY neighborhood where less expensive restaurants are gradually disappearing, replaced by noisy and often overpriced places.
(4)