Comments on Kung Food Panda: Ippudo - Simply, Was It "Worth It?" Part II (New Y...

Anon: That's just pathetic what Ippudo did! $4...

2010-07-18T23:31:12.183-07:00

Anon: That's just pathetic what Ippudo did! $4 more to eat a cupcake? Seriously? Jeez....I take it you haven't gone back since....

There are NO ACCOLADES for Ippudo. I've been ...

2010-06-29T10:07:07.251-07:00

There are NO ACCOLADES for Ippudo. I've been coming here for ramen, since I moved to NY about 2 years ago; but yesterday, I abruptly left the restaurant when management decided to slap me with a surcharge of $4/person for eating a cupcake in their restaurant. No one gave me a warning, but they just automatically added the ridiculous surcharge to my tab. I went late in the afternoon, and did not have to wait for a table, but for some reason, things were EXTREMELY SLOW in the kitchen. I mean, come on, it should take 5 minutes to bring out a bowl of ramen. I was STARVING and the only thing to stave off my hunger were the cupcakes that I bought from Butter Lane. I asked if, instead, I could order an appetizer or drinks, but they didn't even give me the option. Moreover, I think it's annoying when this "policy" was not listed anywhere on the menu. The manager on duty said management is allowed to do whatever they please, but shouldn't they, instead, try to please the customers? Afterall, you are paying $15 for a bowl of peasant food. So fellow ramen enthusiasts, beware!

Josh: Totally agree. Maybe I was just slightly sur...

2010-02-09T22:11:40.014-08:00

Josh: Totally agree. Maybe I was just slightly surprised. Even on the next trip, I'll most likely return to Ippudo!

Back when Anthony Mangieri used to charge $21 for ...

2010-02-07T12:24:33.995-08:00

Back when Anthony Mangieri used to charge $21 for a pizza at Una Pizza Napoletana, that also bothered a lot of people. My take is that for a great food experience, it's worth the price, and so is what you (and I) paid for a bowl of ramen at Ippudo. It might be expensive for ramen, but not for a great meal.

Anna: We should go sometime? Daikokuya, etc? Santo...

2010-02-05T19:27:05.876-08:00

Anna: We should go sometime? Daikokuya, etc? Santouka is da bomb too!

Aaron: The rice bowls were part of our lunch set, so in this case, it's $3. Not sure how much it is a la carte.

Hong: Ya, it's weird, it's weird spending over $22 for ramen and rice bowl....I was just thinking it's "New York Prices."

perhaps it's something about Asian food..no on...

2010-02-05T19:02:54.407-08:00

perhaps it's something about Asian food..no one complains when a simple pasta can easily be in the 15-20 range.. that's why we don't eat much Italian :)

I didn't even think of trying the rice bowls h...

2010-02-05T07:31:51.683-08:00

I didn't even think of trying the rice bowls here. They look good, but are they expensive too?

I've sadly never had ramen, unless you count t...

2010-02-04T05:34:35.146-08:00

I've sadly never had ramen, unless you count the "top" varietal. Kind of a lot for noodles and broth, but at least now you know you have it good back home in cali.

GP: Ya, I heard the ones at Momofuku were better, ...

2010-02-03T23:06:07.326-08:00

GP: Ya, I heard the ones at Momofuku were better, but I didn't have time. sigh....

Matt: Let me know what you think when you try it later this year. I think it's worth it to a certain extent. I'd maybe avoid the rice bowl and just get the ramen and the egg. I think the egg is essential!

Ken: Welcome to the blogging world. And I agree with that quote. Nor Cal especially has some lacking ramen. I don't think any ramen shops I've tried were really good. Though there is a Santouka in SJ now.

Amy: I need to try Daikokuya myself. You're right, the ramen itself is $13, even with the egg, it's not THAT bad :) Maybe I'm contradicting myself now...

Keizo: Best ramen I've had so far in the States, definitely. I had some good ones in Japan last time, but it's been so long. I'm ready to try your creation, hopefully Winter 2010!

Bonnie: It's definitely better than Santouka. You guys are making me think if this was really worth it. LOL.

I'm ready to write about the tasting menu. I should have my first one up by Friday!

I don't really mind paying over $20 for the ra...

2010-02-03T17:24:14.545-08:00

I don't really mind paying over $20 for the ramen, at least to try once. I mean people pay over $3 for cupcakes, coffee and donuts.

This places sounds interesting if the broth is superb than Santouka (there's one in San Jose now.)

I'm waiting for all the tasting menu blog post!

Great post! Wow the price is almost doubled. The a...

2010-02-03T16:20:02.709-08:00

Great post! Wow the price is almost doubled. The akamaru is 850 yen here. Anyway, it's not really the price that matters as long as the ramen gets the job done...right? If this is the best bowl you've ever had, I will be waiting for you in Tokyo preparing a ramen that will overtake that crown!

if you get just the ramen, it's less than $20....

2010-02-03T15:41:46.672-08:00

if you get just the ramen, it's less than $20. personally, i think it's worth it, and better than santouka or any of the other ramen places here. i still have yet to try Daikokuya.

is that worth the wait?

Man I wish we had Ippudo in California (Northern a...

2010-02-03T11:19:52.437-08:00

Man I wish we had Ippudo in California (Northern and Southern). That all looks great!

I'm sorta with you. Even $13 for ramen is a bi...

2010-02-03T09:24:47.518-08:00

I'm sorta with you. Even $13 for ramen is a bit much, but considering the price of admission to go to Japan and get the good stuff there, it's not a bad deal. Well, then again, we in LA have to fly over to NY. I'm going to try ippudo and see how it fares with ramen in Japan. I'm sure it's comparable, though good ramen in Japan won't set you back more than $9 or so. Really good ramen in Japan is still pretty expensive.

No, no, no Panda. No pork bun at Ippudo, for pork ...

2010-02-03T01:25:15.385-08:00

No, no, no Panda. No pork bun at Ippudo, for pork bun go to Momofuku! Tsk, read my post will you? :P Just kidding, but seriously, Momofuku's buns are better.

Cathy: Being a cheap Asian, I spent over $22 on th...

2010-02-02T21:49:05.702-08:00

Cathy: Being a cheap Asian, I spent over $22 on the ramen and rice. I thought it's a bit much? Though, it's definitely the best ramen I've had and I'll return.

Fel: I agree. It's definitely not a place I could eat weekly. Definitely the best ramen broth I've had.

Diana: I guess it's a splurge!? :)

Dan: I'll go with you next time. Maybe I'm contradicting myself, but I'll return, but I'm not sure if it was worth the $ entirely.

Protocal Snow: Maybe that's for part 3? Though I'm not sure if/when I'll try Masa...

WM: I think you should go, and let me know what you think. Best ramen I've had, I'm just not sure if it's worth the $22+ and the wait (if you're unlucky)

First, I can't stop singing the Pet Shop Boys ...

2010-02-02T21:00:27.520-08:00

First, I can't stop singing the Pet Shop Boys now.

I'm going to NYC again in August. Are you saying I should skip this?

Wasted opportunity: you should have saved "Si...

2010-02-02T17:10:44.326-08:00

Wasted opportunity: you should have saved "Simply, was it worth it? Part II" for Masa in NYC =)

you know, most of us that go here just get the ram...

2010-02-02T13:59:30.646-08:00

you know, most of us that go here just get the ramen, its a under $15 meal for the best Ramen in America! I'm a repeat offender, its worth it :P

Considering that I have spent $17 on "just a ...

2010-02-02T12:06:06.198-08:00

Considering that I have spent $17 on "just a salad" and, most recently, $6 on a candy bar, I say it's worth it! :) Sometimes it's fun to be a little bit reckless when dining out.

When I went to Ippudo, I found myself asking the s...

2010-02-02T11:37:40.229-08:00

When I went to Ippudo, I found myself asking the same question and I think I would go again. It is pricey but, like you mentioned, the broth is better than most in LA.

I liken it to a special occasion ramen house (rather than your go-to whenever a ramen craving hits).

The ramen only costs $13. Is it still not worth ...

2010-02-02T11:04:59.404-08:00

The ramen *only* costs $13. Is it still not worth it?