Which Momofuku resto for Saturday LUNCH?

[Lotus7]

Hi there! My husband and I will be visiting NY in November, and would love to try one of David Chang's restaurants--It'll be Saturday for lunch (I hope we can get there on the early side to avoid lines!) Preferably would also like to be able to walk to Milk Bar for dessert. Can you kindly recommend which restaurant would fit the bill? Sadly, not enough of us to do a fried chicken or Duck meal. Thank you in advance.

[ellenost]

Bottom line: I'm a big fan of all 4 restaurants. Probably have gone to Ko and Ma Peche most often. Ko will be the most luxurious, lengthy (3 hours) and expensive ($175 per person). Whichever one of the four you pick, I am confident you will have a delicious meal. Enjoy!

-----
Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

[Lotus7]

thnks for the great feedback. i think we're going to try for Ssam bar bc we are dying to try the pork buns + we won't have time for a long meal which we'd get at Ko (we'll save that for the next trip). Thnks for the thoughtful responses.

[jmoranmoya]

Momofuku Ssam is the best bet, last time I went for brunch over the weekend it was very crowded btw. I believe they have some specials for brunch with eggs ( at least long time ago )
Some pictures of what you would find:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmoranmo...

-----
Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[ellenost]

I haven't seen any egg dishes on the Ssam Bar lunch menu in years. I think Milk Bar used to have buns with eggs, but they discontinued that. I think the new UWS Milk Bar may have the pork buns (in addition to the Brooklyn location). Not sure whether either has egg in them.

[kathryn]

I think Ssam Bar had scrapple and eggs on the lunch menu when I went a few weeks ago, but that was it.

[rose water]

Yup, UWS has pork buns and a fantastic mushroom bun. Can add egg to either for $1 more. Also notable there is delicious smooth cold brewed iced coffee.

To the OP, I'd choose ko ($, time, and stomach space permitting) or ssam bar (then noodle bar, then ma peche)

-----
Momofuku Milk Bar
561 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

[hungrycomposer]

They are all good, you can leave it up to your budget. KO would be the most unusual, memorable, and expensive meal, provided you could get a reservation. Ssam bar is a little more high end than the noodle bar, and you actually can order duck on the weekend. (Either an individual portion for lunch, or a whole duck for the 2 of you). I just had dinner there with my BF - 3 dishes and 3 drinks were $136 with tax and tip. Tonight's favorite was the pork shoulder steak and mango/bourbon drink. Noodle bar is cheaper and more casual, but also delicious. Probably a good choice if you're in the mood for noodles (obvious, maybe...?)

[ellenost]

Last week I finally had the Momofuku Ramen at Noodle Bar at lunch, and I loved it! Also had the spicy corn with bacon. Shared the tomato salad with my sister. She had the steamed buns with brisket, and the beet salad. I splurged and had my favorite pretzel cake truffles and the ricotta/lemon twist soft serve. All of the dishes were winners!

-----
Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

[RCC]

Least impressed with Momofuku's ramen. I think that there are many more local ramen places that make it better, plus for out-of-towners, imho the Noodle Bar wouldn't be a preferred destination restaurant among David Chang's eateries.

[hungrycomposer]

If you accept Momo's ramen for what it is, and aren't going for authenticity, I think it's delicious. Noodle bar is more lively and casual, and if it fits into the poster's budget more comfortably, it's definitely worth a trip.
A word of warning: noodle bar and ssam bar can both get very noisy. If you are a party of 2, I suggest sitting side by side (as opposed to across from each other) as it's easier to shut out the big noisy parties of yahoos.

[RCC]

I accept it for what it is and never found it to be delicious at all. I don't even consider myself a ramen expert, but people I know who goes ape-crazy over discussions on the best ramen joints in the city think that it is one of the weakest item in Momofuku's portfolio.

[ellenost]

I'm not a ramen expert either, but I found the Momofuku Ramen to be delicious! Actually quite annoyed with myself that I had not tried it sooner. I think I had let myself be swayed by the so-called ramen experts. Very glad I finally tried it, and plan to have it again when I go back to Noodle Bar.

[Ricky]

I tried the momofuku ramen a while back with my wife who is from Fukuoka and she was so angry at me she didnt speak to me for three days. David Chang recounted similar reactions from Japanese patrons in his cookbook.

[tboner6]

My fiance and I went to Ko for lunch last time we were in NY. Killer meal, but you must be prepared to spend abot 2-3 hours there. If you do the Ko lunch, you probably won't need dessert! Overall, one of the best meals that I have had and great experience; highly recommended! Tough res to score if you have anything other than 2 of you.

-----
Momofuku Ko
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

[RCC]

Duck meal is available in individual portions, i.e. the good duck over rice in a bowl and the very good duck sandwich, at the Momofuku Ssam Bar. From there you can walk across the street to the Milk Bar.

-----
Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003