With so many high-profile ramen-ya setting up shop in NYC of late, the opening of the new Mentoku Ramen on 9th Ave. has flown completely under the radar…
(The awning here says Akanoren, which is a popular ramen chain in Japan, but I am not sure if they’re associated with them or not. Thanks to “Ai Love NY” for the image.)
This small shop, located between 50th and 51st Sts., with just one chef and one waitress, is dishing out big bowls of tonkotsu ramen with bold flavors…
For those unfamiliar with “tonkotsu”, they offer a colorful explanation on their menu…
The one thing Mentoku fails to explain here though, which I hope they fix, is that they actually offer two kinds of tonkotsu, a thick “koteri” style that is heavy in fat, which they call “genryu”, and a lighter “asari’ style of pork broth called “tonkichi”. We would never have known this is we hadn’t asked in Japanese. It definitely needs clarification on the menu as you really don’t see this at many ramen shops in the States and can be a strong selling point for them.
I went with a bowl of their thicker Hakata Genryu ramen…
Topped simply with roast pork, scallions and menma…
I loved it. Thick, pungent, porky!!
They only offer one choice of noodle currently, a thin, flat noodle made by Sun Noodle, which goes perfectly with the soup…
Mentoku also lists a few appetizers and side dishes, like an outstanding plate of karaage fried chicken for just five bucks…
And this bowl of rice topped with cod roe and seaweed for a reasonable four dollars…
If and when you do hit Mentoku, be sure you drink all your soup so you can check out the fun images you’ll find in the bottom of their bowls…
My buddy had a bowl of their Yuzukosho-Men, which featured a hot pepper and citrus infused soup that I adored and will be ordering myself next time. And for the adventurous, they offer a special “Matcha Ramen” with noodles made from green tea!
With ramen price skyrocketing around the city, Mentoku is also unique in fact that they’re keeping their bowls affordable, all priced around $10.00!
There are no long lines here at Mentoku… yet! But I expect that to change as soon as word spreads about this West Side gem!!
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