In Search of...Izakayas, Ramen Joints, Sake Bars

Lately I've been pretty bummed out about job prospects. However, I still find time to dance my butt off! Current faves getting maximum play time include: "Girls on the Dance Floor" by Far East Movement, "Sorry Sorry" by Super Junior and anything by Big Bang and Kero One (I'm in love with "When the Sunshine").

Contemplating on what makes me happy, I realized that my life is marked by moments of poetic lyricism (spoken word, open mics), musical hysteria (from acid jazz to electronica to nu soul) and, of course - FOOD.

Which brings me to my main point. Lately I've been scouting for some quality home-style Japanese curry, authentic ramen bowls and izakayas. Here's a list of joints I plan to hit up in the near future:

Go!Go!Curry
Manhattan/Midtown
273 W 38th St
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10018
Highlights: All things Curry! Grand Slam ($12.50) - two katsus, two sausages, a shrimp and a boiled egg with rice; Hideki Matsui chips; Free topping every 5th, 15th & 25th of the month. Additional toppings: fukujinzuke (pickle), cheese, natto ($1-2 ea.).

Sake Bar Satsko
Manhattan/East Village
202 E 7th Street
(between Avenue B & Avenue C)
New York, NY 10009
Highlights: Sake bombs; inventive appetizers for both meat eaters and non-meat eaters (edamame, spicy tuna roll, siu mai, gyozas); $28 for the 6 shot sake tasting every Tuesday and Wednesday, which comes with free appetizers.

Ippudo NY
Manhattan/East Village
65 4th Ave
(between 2nd Ave & 8th St)
New York, NY 10003
Highlights: Akamaru Modern Ramen ("the original tonkotsu" with Ippudo's special sauce, miso paste and fragrant garlic oil; slices of simmered spicy Berkshire pork, cabbage, onions, kikurage mushrooms & scallions) and Ginga Kogen beer.

Kasadela
Manhattan/East Village
647 E 11th St
(between Avenue B & Avenue C)
New York, NY 10009
Highlights: Tebaski (Japanese-style chicken wings); rock shrimp tempura; hijikki salad (seaweed and watercress); grilled squid; sake.

Otafuku
Manhattan/East Village
236 E 9th St
(between 2nd Ave & Stuyvesant St)
New York, NY 10003
Highlights: Japanese street food - Okonomiyaki (pancake with savory ingredients); takoyaki (octopus balls).

Soba-ya
Manhattan/East Village
229 E 9th St
(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10003
Highlights: cold buckwheat soba; black sesame ice cream; milk tofu; Lunch box - Nimono (simmered vegetables with soup stock and soy sauce, Dashimaki (omelette).

Umi No Ie
Manhattan/East Village
86 E 3rd St.
New York, NY 10079
Highlights: Goto udon noodles; House curry; Japanese meatball with sunny-side up egg on top; shochu; dry sake; Sapporo reserve.

Minca
Manhattan/East Village
536 E. 5th Street
(between Avenue A & Avenue B)
New York, NY 10009
Highlights: Pork broth ramen and Charsu Shoyu ramen.




Have I whet your taste buds enough yet? If you're interested in hitting up any or all of the listed restaurants with me, leave some comments below.

Photos courtesy of Yummyinthetummy.