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Home > Restaurants > Momofuku Noodle Bar

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

171 First Ave., New York, NY 10003
nr. 11th St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-777-7773 Send to Phone

  • Price Range: $$

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Critics' Rating: *

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Reader Rating:

    5.6 out of 10

      |  

    35 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Asian: Southeast, Chinese, Japanese/Sushi, Korean
View Slide Show
Photo by Kenneth Chen

Official Website

momofuku.com

Hours

Sun-Thu, noon-4pm and 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sat, noon-4pm and 5:30pm-midnight

Nearby Subway Stops

L at First Ave.; 6 at Astor Pl.

Prices

$9-$16

Payment Methods

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Good for Groups
  • Hot Spot
  • Notable Chef
  • Open Kitchens / Watch the Chef
  • Singles Scene
  • Reservations Not Required

Alcohol

  • Beer and Wine Only
  • Sake and Sojou

Reservations

Not Accepted

Profile

This is Japanese ramen by way of a Carolina whole-hog barbecue, with more than a soupçon of French technique, deriving its super-porky flavor as much from hot, fatty slabs of succulent Berkshire pork belly and deep-pink shredded shoulder as from the long-simmered stock (made from 70 pounds of chicken legs, roasted pork bones, ham hocks, and bacon). Almost in atonement, the toppings are conspicuously fresh and nourishing—the chopped scallions and slivered snow peas, the chewy preserved bamboo shoots, the optional (but highly recommended) Greenmarket corn, briefly sautéed and still crunchy, the delicate sheet of nori propped on the rim. Sure, the noodles could be a little firmer. But there’s even a bit of performance art, as a cook gingerly cracks a slow-poached egg and its golden yolk oozes at the prod of a chopstick over the the whole glorious affair. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

Best Meal Under $10

The BBQ pork buns are the trendy new East Village version of the Wimpy burger. They're pocket-size, portable, and good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Eat five in one sitting, or maybe ten.

Recommended Dishes

Momofuku ramen, $16; Korean stuffed pork buns, $9

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Recipes at Momofuku Noodle Bar

5.6 "Mixed Reviews"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
45% Would you go back?
37% Would you take a date?
20% Would you take kids?
23% Would you go on business?
20% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 5.7
Service: 5.8
Décor: 6.3
Value: 4.8

Why is this place busy?

catbunny from 10012 | Posted on 11/1/09

Overall Rating: 5 (Mixed Reviews)
Food: 4
Service: 5
Décor: 7
Value: 4

Had the special ramen...but they really only have 1 choice. It was mediocre at best...and probably some of the worst ramen that I've had at a place that is known for it. If you want overpriced, unworthy and zero flavor ramen/soup...then by all means...head over, wait in line for about 20 minutes, and enjoy the worst ramen in New York City.

Skip this trendy noodle bar!

randy0682 from 10010 | Posted on 10/7/09

Overall Rating: 2 (Not Recommended)
Food: 3
Service: 1
Décor: 4
Value: 1

Overrated, Overrated, Overrated! Skip this place and try any number of other sushi/noodle places in the east village (for much less money)! Here, you will wait two hours for small indescribable, non-creative dishes that are nothing special. (I had to go to Pomme Frite after dinner because I was so hungry!!) Unless you know the manager don't expect good service here.

Read All 35 Reviews >>

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