Menkui Tei
63 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
Although my fire for Ippudo burns bright like the sun, I can’t always indulge or look at it directly, for it will burn my retina and balloon my weight back to 200lbs. No joke.
Sometimes, when I am feeling a bit more frugal, I opt for Setagaya, which is delicious and right within that 5 block radius on St. Marks. However, more often than not, I go to Menkui Tei, because it gives me warm fuzzy feelings about being back in Japan. It looks like the casual college ramen shop meant to stuff post-adolescent growing college boys. It has a HUGE collection of ramen. I recommend their spicy Tan Tan Men (shown above) or their hot Yuzu Men (with spicy Yuzu sauce). They also have awesome spicy hot wings special with a pitcher of Kirin (always get Kirin) for $16, which is a DEAL. They have awesome Japanese curry, curry ramen, and all sorts of other sides tapas style.
The food is solid, fills you up, and comforts. It’s not a religious experience like Ippudo.
If you feel like the $13 ramen at Ippudo is a little steep… and more often than less, you can’t wait on line for an hour to taste delicious ramen, then GO TO MENKUI TEI.
Just so we are clear: Menkui Tei, Setagaya, and Ippudo = YES. Minka = No.
