Momosan Ramen & Sake - Morimoto in Midtown

Momosan Ramen & Sake
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I first met Jae Lee in late 2012 through a mutual friend while Jae was sous chef at Morimoto’s eatery called Tribeca Canvas. Before they closed a year later, I was a regular there not just because it was across the street from my office, but because I enjoyed their Japanese take on comfort food (lamb ragu buns and braised pork ribs with a side of fried rice risotto was addictingly good). Jae did a short stint at Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare before landing at Lexington Brass. My next dinner with Jae was at Zuma where he fed my friend and me copious amounts of sushi, black miso cod, and a huge tray of dessert that turned us into Violet Beauregard twins.

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Superbowl Ramen

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As we all know, the Superbowl isn't just about football. It’s about family, friends, commercials….and FOOD. When you think Superbowl snacks, you think pizza, buffalo wings, chips with accompanying guac, salsa, bean dip. You think cheese, sour cream, and delicious things that are fried. In other words, you don’t think of homemade ramen, pork buns, and bread pudding - but that’s exactly what I enjoyed two Sundays ago.

It was my first time visiting Long Island City and I took my time admiring gleaming towering condos and sleek office buildings. Upon entering Frank’s apartment, the first thing that caught my eye was a tray of pork belly, braised in mirin, sugar, xiaoxing wine (instead of sake) and a little rice vinegar.

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Bassanova Ramen vs. Ippudo

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“ps- I'm taking you to the best ramen place in the city this week- Bassanova on Mott (canal). it is blog worthy.”

I was curious to try this ramen for 2 reasons.

Reason 1:  This email came from Julia, a coworker who is your average picky eater. Her idea of chinese food is chicken lo mein, fried rice, and General Tso’s. 

Reason 2:  The chef, Keizo Shimamoto, has recently been in the news for his buzzworthy Ramen Burger which had a very long line during its Smorgasburg debut. After apprenticing with ramen masters, including Ivan Orkin, Keizo opened the original Bassanova in Tokyo to acclaim.

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