Menkui-tei

60 W 56th St
New York 10019
Btwn 5th & 6th Ave
menu

I can’t exactly tell you why the awning outside says, as you can see, “LARMEN NEW YORK” when clearly it is actually Menkui-tei, but if you walk closer, you can see a sign on the window that says “Menkui-tei” and subsequently lists the menu, so you know you’re in the right place. 

There is a distinct lack of decor or any effort in that end towards ambiance, decor, even perhaps, if you look close enough, cleanliness, but rather, all of their efforts focus solely on their noodle making skills.  I didn’t come here for ambiance, anyway; I came here for homemade ramen of top quality. 

I (along with all of my companions) ordered the house specialty, Menkui ramen, which was roast pork, ramen noodles, bean sprouts, and scallions in a broth.  The soup, unfortunately, left something to be desired; slightly too oily and a tad too salty- well, what I really mean doesn’t quite have an English word to it, but it just left a flavor on my tongue I wasn’t too keen on. 

The noodles themselves, however, were really good.  Springy, almost al dente but still cooked completely through, a good chew to it and just very satisfying overall, I found myself wondering if they sell just the noodles (I didn’t have a chance to ask).  The roast pork was okay, nothing spectacular- I’ve had better, though as a Chinese girl who grew up with a brother who loves char sui (as it’s called in Chinese), I’ve probably had the best char sui to be found in NYC- and the rest of the dish was as expected. 

I would really like to go back and try their other broths, in hopes of finding one that is more pleasing to my palate.  My companions informed me that though this midtown location is the original Menkui-tei, there is a location on Astor Place that has a more extensive menu that also has the Menkui ramen not quite as oily, so I will be trekking over there to sample the wares soon enough.  Second review to come eventually. 

Also, a great point to note is that while my belly was full, warm and satisfied at the end of the meal, as were my companions’, the meal itself was incredibly cheap.  With four people ordering the same thing, with a generous tip, the final bill came out to $40 even.  I don’t think you can really beat that with a stick… even Ony is more expensive, and I adore Ony. 

Yvo says: Go here if you’re in midtown and like noodles.  Since I haven’t been to Menchanko-tei, one block over, I couldn’t say which to pick over the other, but for now, I reccomend this place- for the price, what you get, and how great the noodles are, it can’t be beat.  Until I try Menchanko-tei which may be better.