Ms Skinnyfat

It's been a while since i last attempted at clearing my New York City food backlog and i think it's really high time that i do it proper. And there's nothing like a comforting bowl of ramen to jumpstart the series of my favorite NYC eats. So here, by far the best ramen i've tasted in NYC [better than Hide-chan (they own that actually) and Ippudo at least]- Totto Ramen, which is also given the stamp of approval by New Yorkers. 

While waiting for the noodles, go for the starters! I can never resist uni and had to order the Seared Uni Rice ($6.50) but while the glorious chunks of sweet and creamy sea urchin served me well, the rice was too dry and sticky (they should do it the sushi rice way).

You may want to skip that rice and save the calories for the lovely flavorful braised pork that is given the flaming touch for added smokiness. 

The Broiled Char Siu Pork (2pcs $2.50) is great on its own; or over vegetables; or with rice a la Char Siu Mayo Don ($5.50); or in the chunky Char Siu Bun ($3 for 1) with mayonnaise (love this one). Juicy succulent meat that is sweet and savory! The chicken version is available too but we're traditionalist when it comes to char siu and ramen. 

Man the chicken broth is amazingly thick with flavors (all them boiled chickens gave their all to this soup). If that isn't enough for you, then do the Miso Paitan ($12), which is the class paitan topped with the finest Koji Miso and ground pork, half boiled egg, scallions, bean sprouts, onions and char siu. We loved the extra fragrance from the fried garlic bits. 

Midtown West (original)