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Rai Rai Ken, opened in 2000, is one of the first ramen shops in New York City, inspired by the roadside ramen shop and masterful noodle-making in the film Tampopo. We focus on Tokyo-style shitamachi ramen, with flavors that take you down the alleys and streets of old school downtown Tokyo. We strive to make ramen that you can eat everyday, complimented by umami-filled bites like pork buns and takoyaki made in house. To survive 2020, Rai Rai Ken combined with neighborhood favorite Curry-Ya and Otafuku. Pork Katsu with Shoyu Ramen?! Comfort food galore!
Address and Contact Information
Address: 218 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 995-2877
Website: http://rairaiken2000.com/
Menu Photos
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Reviews
Bhakti Dalvi
Went on a sat evening without reservation, got a table for three in under 20 minutes, it was quite busy and crowded.
Ordered Kara-Age, Katsun buns and chicken curry. Everything tasted amazing. The curry is not that spicy but it is very refreshing. The service is fast and prices are reasonable given the quantity. Great place overall.
… moreOrdered Kara-Age, Katsun buns and chicken curry. Everything tasted amazing. The curry is not that spicy but it is very refreshing. The service is fast and prices are reasonable given the quantity. Great place overall.
Loni
Good service, nice plating, outdoor seating with remote ordering from ipads available. But unfortunately tastes like assembly of alot of premade stuff from japanese grocery store. Which I already make at home anyways, so for me it wasn’t personally worth it.
Curry tastes exactly like instant Golden Curry. Vegetables and meats were blanched separately and added at service. Personally I like simmering the vegetables and protein in the curry sauce to absorb more of the flavor. Japanese instant curry is already a good product, so if you don’t already have it at home, then this is a good option. The rice was cooked well and curry served on side so you can add to rice at table.
Takoyaki was mostly batter, very little octopus. Tastes like the frozen ones I can reheat at home. I did like the generous toppings they added, that helped a lot. Unfortunately I’ve had takoyaki in Osaka, Japan soo I might be over critical of this dish.
Cold noodles were ok. Blanched chicken was a bit dry, would have been better with ham. Addition of apples was nice. The dressing was a little flat, could use more umami. Needed a bit more seaweed. Noodles were cooked well,tastes just like the noodles in the fridge section at Japanese grocery store.
… moreCurry tastes exactly like instant Golden Curry. Vegetables and meats were blanched separately and added at service. Personally I like simmering the vegetables and protein in the curry sauce to absorb more of the flavor. Japanese instant curry is already a good product, so if you don’t already have it at home, then this is a good option. The rice was cooked well and curry served on side so you can add to rice at table.
Takoyaki was mostly batter, very little octopus. Tastes like the frozen ones I can reheat at home. I did like the generous toppings they added, that helped a lot. Unfortunately I’ve had takoyaki in Osaka, Japan soo I might be over critical of this dish.
Cold noodles were ok. Blanched chicken was a bit dry, would have been better with ham. Addition of apples was nice. The dressing was a little flat, could use more umami. Needed a bit more seaweed. Noodles were cooked well,tastes just like the noodles in the fridge section at Japanese grocery store.
Deborah R
Quick service, tasty pork katsu curry.
Katsu was fresh, crispy and crunchy.
Curry had good flavour and spice. A bit on the sweet side (maybe because of the addition of tomatoes? Not sure), but still creamy and delicious.
Beautiful décor and ambiance with more affordable NY eats.
… moreKatsu was fresh, crispy and crunchy.
Curry had good flavour and spice. A bit on the sweet side (maybe because of the addition of tomatoes? Not sure), but still creamy and delicious.
Beautiful décor and ambiance with more affordable NY eats.
Peter Vannini
BLOWN AWAY. I do not have enough good things to say about Rai Rai Ken. From the incredible atmosphere to the attentive staff and the great food, this place hits on all cylinders. Even the little things like them including tip for you on the receipt make this an absolutely incredible experience full of all the comfort you want out of a ramen shop.
As for the food, and ramen specifically, it is the best/among the best that I have ever had. Broth has an incredibly complex profile with layer after layer after layer of flavor. The pork in the Shoyu Ramen was completely melt in your mouth and full of BBQ flavor. The curry also had a very complex flavor profile sure to satisfy.
To top everything off, the prices here are lower than what I would consider the NYC ramen norm. A six star experience if I could give it.
… moreAs for the food, and ramen specifically, it is the best/among the best that I have ever had. Broth has an incredibly complex profile with layer after layer after layer of flavor. The pork in the Shoyu Ramen was completely melt in your mouth and full of BBQ flavor. The curry also had a very complex flavor profile sure to satisfy.
To top everything off, the prices here are lower than what I would consider the NYC ramen norm. A six star experience if I could give it.
Sunny Ma (Sunny)
+Update: Thank you Rai Rai for taking the time to respond to my review.
When I asked about the additional charge later ‘in person’, the staff member did not provide any explanation, maybe because they were busy at preparation to close the restaurant? and the menu did not specify the extra cost when I saw the menu, I added the pictures. So, Yes, it’s my fault that I didn’t look at the menu thoroughly. Since you explained, I understood well why you charged that.
However, regardless of the extra charge, I mentioned the sauce wasn’t that good because it made the ramen oilier and it wasn’t spicy. This is my point that I felt uncomfortable with paying for the little sauce. Then, is it clear for you to understand what I addressed? (I hope so)
As you know, it can be difficult to satisfy all customers, and as a customer, I believe it is important to share my personal experience at your restaurant, both positive and negative.
I would like to clarify that my review was not intended to be mean or rude. This is my honest experience. This review section allows me to express my opinions and share my experience with others, which can be helpful for future customers. It means some people will have a nice experience at your restaurant regardless of my experience.
And I just modified my review to look like more reasonable.
——-
I ordered Mabo.
The taste of the ramen was just average, not special. Mabo that I ordered was nothing special. it only had ground pork and a small amount of tofu. That was it.
This is my first experience to have Mabo.
But wasn’t that great to me.
I opted for the spicy option since it did not mention any extra charge. However, I was surprised to find out that they charged $2 for a very small amount of crunch sauce.
But the sauce wasn’t spicy, rather made my ramen oilier.
Overall, it was a not bad- not good experience to me.
… moreWhen I asked about the additional charge later ‘in person’, the staff member did not provide any explanation, maybe because they were busy at preparation to close the restaurant? and the menu did not specify the extra cost when I saw the menu, I added the pictures. So, Yes, it’s my fault that I didn’t look at the menu thoroughly. Since you explained, I understood well why you charged that.
However, regardless of the extra charge, I mentioned the sauce wasn’t that good because it made the ramen oilier and it wasn’t spicy. This is my point that I felt uncomfortable with paying for the little sauce. Then, is it clear for you to understand what I addressed? (I hope so)
As you know, it can be difficult to satisfy all customers, and as a customer, I believe it is important to share my personal experience at your restaurant, both positive and negative.
I would like to clarify that my review was not intended to be mean or rude. This is my honest experience. This review section allows me to express my opinions and share my experience with others, which can be helpful for future customers. It means some people will have a nice experience at your restaurant regardless of my experience.
And I just modified my review to look like more reasonable.
——-
I ordered Mabo.
The taste of the ramen was just average, not special. Mabo that I ordered was nothing special. it only had ground pork and a small amount of tofu. That was it.
This is my first experience to have Mabo.
But wasn’t that great to me.
I opted for the spicy option since it did not mention any extra charge. However, I was surprised to find out that they charged $2 for a very small amount of crunch sauce.
But the sauce wasn’t spicy, rather made my ramen oilier.
Overall, it was a not bad- not good experience to me.
James Boshart
This is day five of our trip in NYC. We have eaten all over Manhattan and this is by far our “worth it winner.” The takoyaki was perfectly crisp, tender octopus, and amazing sauce. The katsu bun was just beautiful: crunchy breading on the chicken, fresh pickled vegetables, and perfect cloud bun. And the baked Japanese curry. It was the most comforting, nostalgic yet new dish I have ever had. I will come again and again anytime I am in town!!!
… moreBea C
What a found … We were there a week ago and found it by coincidence… well food was yummy yummy delicious. We ordered the Grilled Chicken Curry and Baked Curry (house special). Absolutely delicious and our server KASS was very pleasant and quick to help.
We will definitely go back when in that part of NYC.
… moreWe will definitely go back when in that part of NYC.
A NON
Great service! Very attentive to our needs. My water cup was never empty the entire night.
The ramen was good. The noodles had a nice chewy bite and wasn’t soggy. The broth was flavorful and rich.
The pork that comes with the ramen can be switched out but they do add a surcharge ($3). In this case, we wanted chicken instead of pork. They didn’t give that many chicken pieces so I don’t think the extra $3 is worth it. If you don’t eat pork, I would suggest you find another ramen restaurant that serves chicken in the ramen instead.
Overall, the price was reasonable but the choice of ramen and meat toppings is limited.
… moreThe ramen was good. The noodles had a nice chewy bite and wasn’t soggy. The broth was flavorful and rich.
The pork that comes with the ramen can be switched out but they do add a surcharge ($3). In this case, we wanted chicken instead of pork. They didn’t give that many chicken pieces so I don’t think the extra $3 is worth it. If you don’t eat pork, I would suggest you find another ramen restaurant that serves chicken in the ramen instead.
Overall, the price was reasonable but the choice of ramen and meat toppings is limited.
Al Cohen
Who gives a little noodle shop 5 stars? Man, I do! This little hole in the wall serves the best Japanese noodle soups you can find! I love popping in here when it’s cold outside. Beware, there can be a long wait and it’s tiny so there’s really no place to wait. Really important – they don’t use MSG!!! Most noodle shops pour the junk in without regard to their customers’ health – Rai Rai cares about you!
Update – did the larger spot, though prices have gone up. Still great. Ask for the kimchi that’s not on the menu – it’ll clear you out – you won’t be disappointed.
… moreUpdate – did the larger spot, though prices have gone up. Still great. Ask for the kimchi that’s not on the menu – it’ll clear you out – you won’t be disappointed.
Eric San José
Easy to see right off of 10th Street servicing the Lower East Side and the adjoining areas of Manhattan. Parking on the street is available but it fills up fast especially at night and on the weekends. Moderately clean facilities. Japanese Staff, which is friendly, especially our Server Bill. Food is good all around. Takoyaki is the Star . Sunday dining is crowded and the food doesn’t come out all at once, so you’ll be sitting there while your other guest have no food. Credit cards accepted. We will most likely be going back.
… more