540 9th Ave New York,
NY 10018
Tel: (212) 290-7691
Website: http://www.tabataramen.com/
This Port Authority-area noodle shop lacks the wood-paneled coziness of other ramen-yas in town, offering instead a long, narrow expanse of mirrored walls, sleek surfaces, and cheesy pop music playing on the stereo. The menu veers away from the usual offerings, too—the owners are Burmese and that’s apparent in some dishes, including the house Tabata ramen, a creamy—brothed bowl of coconut curry noodle soup topped generously with cilantro. Fried garlic noodle comes with its pungent broth served separately, to pour over or not, as you please, and fiery kari kari ramen is meant for only the staunchest spice fiends; it’s not traditional, but these bowls still pack plenty of satisfaction. Appetizers are less successful, including a lackluster fried squid with too-stiff breading, and nothing-special pork gyoza. — Jenny Miller