171 1st Avenue (Between 10th and 11th St)
Damn hipsters, you can't take them anywhere. Everyplace is "too judgey" or "full of guys with cell phone clips." I don't know what skinny jeans and a huge V-neck t-shirt does to people, but they turn into real drags. Well, we all have friends who go through a hipster phase and when you want to take them for some good food, with a bit of coolness and a bit of irony, then Momofuku Noodle Bar is your place. Located in the heart of the East Village, you are centrally located in hipster-ville, close to St. Marks St. and the lower east side so your friend won't have to travel very far to meet you. Known for the Momofuku Ramen, the short menu will keep them from fretting for an hour over which meal makes them looks the coolest.
All right, I'm a bit biased because I could eat Ramen every day of my life. Actually, for a while I did, but after 2 bouts of kidney stones I realized that I needed to tone it down to a monthly delight. The Momofuku Ramen is incredibly decadent, and for $16, this bowl of soup better be. With a generous amount of pork belly, fresh noodles and richly seasoned broth, you immediately realize, this soup is not from a bright pink bag marked "pork flavor" and sold 6 for a dollar. This is the real deal. Another crown jewel of this joint is the steamed pork buns, where two thick slices of pork belly are placed on perfectly soft steamed bread, topped with cucumber and a touch of sauce. If there is a meal to melt the pretentious facade of a hipster, this is it.
Listen, I know that David Chang, with his ever expanding Momofuku empire may be a bit "played out", but until he stops making great food, he's still "in".
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