August 2, 2011

Haiku Restaurant Review: Menkui Tei Ramen


a review about
a noodle bar in midtown
in only haiku

sushi, ramen, zen
Japan has much to offer
I go try ramen

west fifty-sixth street
hole-in-the-wall restaurant
walked by it three times

finally get inside
just one American: me
well, that's a good sign

the scent of miso
dumplings folded before me
I become hungry


Tonkotsu Ramen
"rich pork bone broth noodle soup"
is what I order
  
from seat at the bar
I watch the open kitchen
prepare my ramen

tangle of noodles
bubbling of pork bone broth
sliced roast pork on top

it is brought to me
a great bowl steaming and hot
I start to dig in

broth is flavorful
damn all broth should include pork
this is delicious

noodles are top-notch
love the bamboo shoots, ginger,
bean sprout and scallion

three slices of pork
leaves me hungry for three more
salty, well roasted

I slurp the last drop
no complaints from this eater
just ramen done right

service is friendly
open kitchen, nice to watch
good price for midtown

would I go again?
this place makes some great ramen
so, obviously

Menkui Tei
60 W 56th St. (btwn. 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 757-1642