214498 Wed Sep 29 12:46:51 -0700 2004 12 18 Manhattan 0 1142284 Which has better noodles & why? Thanks Wed Sep 29 12:46:51 -0700 2004 0 amp156 1 1142296 I'd say neither. Go with Minca on 5th between A & B. Wed Sep 29 13:35:08 -0700 2004 1142284 0 Peter Cuce 2 1142299 Have you been to Momofuku yet? I haven't, but I've heard only good reviews so far...what's wrong with it? Wed Sep 29 13:40:46 -0700 2004 1142296 0 Nina W. 3 1142318 I've actually heard some negative stuff about Momofuku but I haven' tried it yet. I'm going soon.. Wed Sep 29 14:20:25 -0700 2004 1142299 0 josh L 4 1142489 Agree on Sapporo, like Tokyo in New York. Best noodles I had in the city though is Sobaya (St. Marks) Fri Oct 01 22:33:42 -0700 2004 1142318 0 Kuriyama 2 1142302 minca's broth is wayyyy to heavy for me. it's almost a pork bisque on its own without the noodles. i think it'd be appropriate on a cold winter's day but it wasn't very pleasnant last month. also not having a/c made the experience almost unbearable. as far as i know rai rai ken is more authentic version or ramen than momofuku. Wed Sep 29 13:47:48 -0700 2004 1142296 0 halo 3 1142311 I had the same experience as you, halo--was totally overwhelmed by the heaviness of the soup, particularly as I was sitting at the counter in front of the noodle boiling station! And for all that, I didn't think the broth had much flavor except for that of fat.... Wed Sep 29 13:56:38 -0700 2004 1142302 0 Rachel M. 1 1142348 Haven't been to Momofuku. Looks a little pre-fab for me. But have been to Rai Rai Ken. It was okay both times. The broth was a little buttery for my taste, noodles a little soft. I'm a big advocate of Sapporo on 49th, just East of 8th Ave (I believe). It's not fancy or hip, but I love it enough to pay the $ for "double noodles" when I'm particularly hungry. Wed Sep 29 15:34:12 -0700 2004 1142284 0 tracyk 1 1142532 Having frequented Rai Rai Ken for many years, I too was dubious of Momofuku when it opened - at first glance it looked too trendy and focused on decor, rather than down-home good food. However, I went there this past weekend and was really impressed. The menu is definitely "pan-asian," with Japanese ramen, Korean kimchee stew, and Chinese apps. The GF and I shared some pork buns, which consisted of delicious thick-cut Berkshire pork belly meat wrapped in a pillowy dough wrapper with a muu-shuu sauce and tasty pickles. I had the Kimchee stew (basically Kimchee Jigae) and was blown away. Tender, smokey Berkshire pork shoulder meat was complemented with compressed rice cakes, a meaty broth and not-too-funky kimchee (although the combo was pretty heavy-ideally suited to a cold winter day). The GF had the chicken ramen, which had a very hearty chicken broth and shredded peices of succulent chicken. All-in-all, everything was freshly prepared, with bold flavors and a nuance and attention to detail you don't normally see in the average NYC Sino-Japanese corner restaurant. As an aside, Momofuku is the name for a soup that combines pork shoulder & belly meat, and they seem to take their pig very seriously. I'm guessing that they may also be re-purposing a smoker (the place used to be a BBQ joint) for use in the stews. Definitely check it out! For other noodle options, also try Sapporo on 1st ave & 10th, as well as this quiet joint with huge portions on University Place (I think it's called Tokyo La-men). From what I've heard, Minca on 5th bet. A & B is also very good. Mon Nov 08 15:25:12 -0800 2004 1142284 0 fundog 2 1142535 Momofuku is actually not a name for "a soup that combines pork shoulder & belly meat"! The momofuku ramen is the one that is garnished with both belly and shoulder cuts of the Berkshire pork whereas the regular ramen comes with shoulder cuts only! I can see where a mistake is easily made because it appears on the menu as "Momofuku ramen" and the server pitch is that it has both cuts but its called that as it is the house ramen! Momofuku Ando is the name of the man who created the concept of Instant ramen! Anyways... Momofuku remains a stellar place! Wed May 18 05:24:46 -0700 2005 1142532 0 Ming 3 4039958 Momofuku Ramen is very close to Okinawan soba. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_soba Tue Sep 16 14:12:12 -0700 2008 1142535 22681 sunnydesu 4 4040558 except Okinawa Soba is delicious. Tue Sep 16 18:42:11 -0700 2008 4039958 19655 Ricky 5 4041173 ...and the soup is completely different. Wed Sep 17 05:13:42 -0700 2008 4040558 10903 Silverjay