Verdict: Must eat here if you’re a noodle lover.

A Japanese friend recommended this new Japanese noodle restaurant chain from Japan. They recently opened in East Village, of course, and have a permanent line out the door during dinner hours. My favorite ramen shop in NYC is Minca, but it’s not as popular because of its location and its thick/milky broth. The ladies mostly think that the broth is too thick, but it’s popular with the men.  Setagaya, however, is suitable for both genders. Its authenticity brings me back to a Tokyo ramen shop during their busiest lunch hour.  Please note that Setagaya has a strange restaurant layout. Don’t miss the first glass door on the right, otherwise you might end up in a not so hot semi-fancy fusion restaurant because they share the space with another restaurant. I know, it sounds weird. It’s even weirder to stumble into the wrong restaurant, sit down, drink the water, realize you’re in the wrong place and have to embarrassingly get up to go to the correct restaurant, Setagaya. Their noodles are the almost as good as the ones in Tokyo. Reasonably priced at roughly $16 per head.

RAMEN SETAGAYA
141 1st Ave (between 8^th & 9^th street)
212-529-2740

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