First off, the Momofuku ramen is totally NOT good. I know that a lot of people out there think it's the best thing ever, but it's a total farce. It shouldn't even be considered ramen, and I resent it to be categorized as such.

I personally lost respect for Momofuku when they pulled the Ssam from the menu. In the beginning, it was all about the "asian" burrito, Korean style, and to pull it off the menu entirely was an absolute disgrace.

In all honesty, the place is a hoax. I want to support it, I really do- it being a popular, well-established joint actually run by an Asian dude— now that's really awesome!!! It's got the love and support of the NYC community, which is so amazing and I wish I could be on that bandwagon.

But the bottom line is that the place doesn't cut it for this asian girl. The loud Wu-Tang is too self-aware; the servers are all assholes. The banh mi and the meager 3 steam buns are $10 a pop! Come on DChang, you can do better than that, you know you can. And $200 for the pork butt??? Throw me a fucking bone.

Maybe I have no taste. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

Whatever, you know I do, or else you would not be reading UM.

Get that ssam back on the menu, DChang. Then, we'll talk.

Momofuku pushing boundaries? If you mean getting Americans to eat asian peasant food normally eaten at dirty filthy food stalls with puke buckets in a much cleaner environment with tegan and sara playing loudly in the background, then yes.

I like Milk Bar, but I feel like I'm getting ripped off whenever I've eaten at Ssam. When I get bill I'm like shit I could have had a 5 course meal 3 blocks away with excellent sushi, wagyu and foie gras for less.

But it's a bit difficult to snag a bowl if you don't work around there.

I personally like Menkui-tei in Midtown, better than the one in the EV. Midtown Lunch writes about it once in a while.
http://midtownlunch.com/2006/07/26/men-kui-tei/

Setagaya in the EV is ok, as is Minca. Former is good if you like light broth, the latter if you like your soup heavy.

I hear good things about the new ramen joint on Lex called Terakawa. Sounds like it's another tonkotsu (pork soup) ramen spot, like Ippudo
http://midtownlunch.com/2006/07/26/men-kui-tei/http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/624253#comments

Rai-Rai Ken, Momofuku, Ippudo: AVOIDAVOIDAVOID. That's just me though- obvs people love those joints.

Mitsuwa in NJ has pretty good ramen.
http://www.umamimart.com/2007/12/mitsuwa-field-trip.html

And there's a great late night spot in midtown that you can get ramen after 10pm.
http://www.umamimart.com/2009/01/um-secret-ramen-after-hours-nyc.html

Enjoy!!!

Could you show me a good ramen place in NYC? I have a feeling you'd have some great suggestions, other than Ippudo (been there, done that)! :D