229782 Tue Jan 03 12:08:56 -0800 2006 16 18 Manhattan 0 1220363 Was wondering what's good at this place. Is it more of a Japanese noodle house with simple dishes? T H A N K S ! Tue Jan 03 12:08:56 -0800 2006 0 the 80s rule! 1 1220372 what stood out for me was the pork buns. Delicious. Tue Jan 03 13:19:50 -0800 2006 1220363 0 CDB 2 1220380 We were actually there for the first time on Sunday. The pork buns were amazing and was our hands down favorite. It's almost like two tacos. The homemade dough had the most amazing, light texture and the Berkshire pork was great. We also liked the fried pork dumplings which also had a very light dough and wasn't too greasy. The roasted rice cakes were delicious. We've had them in Korean restaurants, but never roasted with chili sauce. Those where the non noodle and ramen dishes that we ordered and they were excellent. Tue Jan 03 13:54:56 -0800 2006 1220372 0 SFSlinky 3 1225122 have to agree that the pork buns were very good, the ramen is another story. the noodles were an overcooked soggy mess, overcooking the noodles will pretty much ruin any bowl of noodle soup. that said, i'm sure that you can construct a pleasant meal at momofuku if you know what to order. as for ramen, i'll head over to minka every time. Thu Feb 02 03:40:03 -0800 2006 1220380 0 jkim 1 1220382 its more of a korean noodle place. has it gotten better? i went there about a year ago. noodles in boiled vegetable water. ick. . very bland vegetable taste. the pork buns were nothing to write home about. i'd rather eat a roast pork bun. Tue Jan 03 14:14:40 -0800 2006 1220363 0 complainer 2 1220390 It is defnitely NOT a Korean noodle place. And the Pork Buns are pretty good. Tue Jan 03 14:38:12 -0800 2006 1220382 0 Keith 1 1220389 I agree with those who point to the pork buns as a standout dish. Very satisfying and tasty with a beer. The ramen is inconsistent with the most frequent problem being intense saltiness. When it's on though, it's great (the momofuku ramen, specifically). Tue Jan 03 14:31:48 -0800 2006 1220363 0 millefeuille 1 1220391 Momofuku's ramen--to me, anyway--doesn't seem very authentically Japanese at all. Nor does it resemble Korean food. More accurately, it strikes me as some bigshot NYC chef's IDEA of what Japanese comfort food should be like. The pork buns are indeed quite delicious, but ridiculously overpriced. The ramen is tasty enough, but the broth is almost assaultively salty and a bit heavy. The noodles themselves are nothing special, but the pork itself is very, very good. But it's rather all expensive considering that ramen is more or less considered a working-man's lunch, a late night snack or kiddie food in Japan. For an equally satisfying, but more authentic and far cheaper bowl of the good stuff (though not quite as good as the best of Japan), go to Sapporo near Times Square, Menkui-tei on Third Ave., or the original Menchanko-tei in midtown east. They're all just fine for soup. Rai Rai Ken, just around the corner from Momofuku, makes a middling, somewhat strange and light bown of ramen, but their gyoza and kim-chi are some of the best in town, and the peppery pork cha-han is unbeatable. Cheapish,too. We've heard really good things about someplace on E. 5th St btw. Aves B and C, as well but we have yet to try it. I'm not sure why Momofuku gets so much hype. They probably hired some strongarmed publicist to woo the New York magazine crowd. It's a decent enough place to eat, but only in NYC could it garner so much hype. The ingredients seem more fetishized than carefully considered. And the food is way more fusion than Asian. But it's ok. Worth trying once, I suppose. Tue Jan 03 14:38:24 -0800 2006 1220363 0 chuletitas 2 1220395 that you mentioned in your post. Tue Jan 03 14:49:36 -0800 2006 1220391 0 millefeuille 2 1220399 i don't think it's all about the ramen at momofuku.. i do enjoy the pork buns.. the noodles are fine, but i prefer the smoked chicken over rice dish, the dumplings, and of the greens, the oysters, and any of the other appetizers combined together as a meal.. Minca, the noddle spot on 5th between A and B, has much better ramen than momofuku.. the broth is thicker, less salty, and seems to be prepared with more care.. the noodles are less mushy, the gyoza are great.. so is the pork.. the girlfriend prefers the vibe at momofuku, which is why we walk past Minca every time we go to momofuku.. Tue Jan 03 15:08:43 -0800 2006 1220391 0 jesse 2 1220584 for authentic and fantastic ramen go to minka. best in the city Wed Jan 04 12:54:30 -0800 2006 1220391 0 katie 2 1220634 I'm not sure it's supposed to be "authentic", nor does it seem big-shot, high falutin' food either. The ramen there is porky, rich, and warming, and when you get the Momofuku ramen, you get two types of pork - a pulled pork style (not particularly japanese) and tender fatty pork belly. so-o-o-o good. You pay more for quality ingredients. Just like buying organic, eating at a restaurant serving Heirloom pork is going to cost you more. Momofuku is incredibly satisfying. Wed Jan 04 14:31:52 -0800 2006 1220391 0 Greg 1 1220426 The grits with shrimp, bacon, and scallions is amazing--full of pork fat and butter. Tue Jan 03 16:25:20 -0800 2006 1220363 0 Chorus Girl 2 1220484 but it's way too salty for me.. the corn dish during the summer featuring the same accompaniments was much better.. Tue Jan 03 21:37:49 -0800 2006 1220426 0 jesse 1 1220610 It's definitely a fancier and somewhat fusionized version of a noodle house, which may defeat the purpose for some. However, the food is quite good and the menu offers some great options for those of us who don't eat pork. Particularly good are the portobello buns and the raw oysters served with spicy kimchi puree. I have also heard good things about the rice cakes. The ramen with chicken was excellent. I for one like the concept of the restaurant. And if you think of it as a mid-price dinner spot rather than a corner noodle shop, it's very reasonable. Wed Jan 04 14:03:07 -0800 2006 1220363 0 NYgal 1 1220725 dollar for dollar, i think this is one of the best deals in the city. the pork buns and momofuku ramen are among the most delicious things i've ever tasted. salty, yes, but gloriously so. Wed Jan 04 18:28:47 -0800 2006 1220363 0 achoo 1 1222272 The pork buns are amazing. Sometimes they also have duck buns which are even more amazing. The asian chicken wings are great. The grits/shrimp/bacon dish is the ultimate comfort food. Oh and the oysters with kimchee are unique. I never make it to the noodles. Good sake selection too. Thu Jan 12 09:27:42 -0800 2006 1220363 0 guttergourmet