In search of ramen...

Rai Rai Ken

214 East 10th Street(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10003 (212) 477-7030 http://www.yelp.com/biz/x593rd-PSjGje4Uks1FKEg
Wonderful chewie ramen noodles here. The place gives the word 'compact' a new meaning. Like a good man, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in flavors. After walking the Brooklyn Bridge on a very cold day, nothing else would warm me up from the inside out like a hot steaming bowl of noodles. Looking for Village Yoko Cho on a recommendation from friends, I saw what looked to be people packed in like Sardines, and continued walking down the street, then came across Otafuku accidently as the olfactories were hit with the aroma of Okonomi Yaki, Takoyaki & Yakisoba cooking in a space just a little larger than a closet. Okonomi Yaki 'As You Like', is a Japanese pancake made w/flour, eggs, cabbage, Octopus, meat, Squid, Prawns, Katsuobushi (dried, shaved Bonito), cabbage, red ginger, corn, green onion and whatever else you have in the frig, and is anointed with Okonomi Yaki sauce & mayonnaise. This can be found at only a few Japanese restaurants. I first had this made by a woman from Japan and had been seeking it since. Only other place I get this is in J-town San Francisco, and this was better. Their Yakisoba is kickin' too. Too tired and hungry to do take-out at this place, I asked some students where to get some good Ramen, and this led me to Rai Rai Ken. Walking in after another person who took what I thought to be the last seat at the counter which seated about 12, and feeling defeated, I was about to give up, until I looked to the left and one of 2 seats sandwiched in between the front windows and the counter seats had my name on it. Every time I had to get up to get my silverware and water, I had to make sure my arms were close to my body so that I could turn around. I felt like the Dracena I once had that had big wide arms that made it difficult to place anywhere but in a corner. Funny thing about places like this, here I not only tolerate the lack of space, I actually relish it....if this place was anywhere else I probably wouldn't step foot in it. It was cold and the Shoyu Ramen soothed my soul. Think vertical, horizontal doesn't fit here.