E.A.K. RAMEN and IZAKAYA by Machida Shoten Hell’s Kitchen — Restaurant in New York

tl;dr: This place is absolutely worth the trip, and the money.

I first went to EAK Ramen's West Village location on a day when they were having a special; $5 Ramen. I've since been there about seven times, and whenever I or any of my friends brings up ramen I make sure to tell everyone to try this place out; why? It's DELICIOUS.

This place is hands down the best ramen I've ever tasted, and I've been to many many places around the city (and Japan). The broth is always exactly the right thickness and texture to give that high quality "ramen" feeling; I personally cannot stand watery soup of any kind, but even less so with ramen.

The eggs are cooked to the perfect medium between hard and soft before being dropped into the soup; I always make it a point to order an extra egg, because they are one of my favorite parts of the ramen here.

The meat here is the main attraction; this place was the first place I ever actually sampled meat that "melts in your mouth" but by god they've managed it. The flavor is somehow both savory and sweet and salty at the same time and it is absolutely indescribable. They even have their name and logo printed on the nori! Everything about this ramen screams "high quality."

Many of my friends balk at the prices, as anyone knows it's possible to get cheaper ramen in other parts of the city. However, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't at least go once. I've been to Japan and while there I had the chance to sample many different kinds of ramen and this story here was still my favorite--I found myself missing it! If you told me this ramen was $30 I would believe you--and pay it! Chipotle is the same price and much less delicious, I promise you.

I recommend the Zebra Ramen if it's your first time; it's hands down my favorite! Oh So Hot is also great and I've even got a picture of it--paired with the "Extra Corn" topping for a little...

I recently had my first experience at E.A.K. Ramen and Izakaya, and it did not disappoint! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by friendly staff and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The vibe was a perfect mix of cozy and modern, with a laid-back izakaya-style ambiance that made me feel right at home.

To start, I had the Edamame – soybeans that are boiled and lightly salted. They were fresh, perfectly cooked, and the light salt made them a great appetizer to get things going.

For my main dish, I ordered the Tokyo Chicken Ramen, which came with a flavorful chicken and umami vegetable broth, thin noodles, tender chicken breast, menma, naruto, diced onions, and green onions. The broth was incredibly rich and comforting, without being heavy, and the chicken was so juicy and well-seasoned. Every bite was a perfect combination of texture and flavor. The attention to detail in the ingredients really stood out.

The service was excellent – quick, attentive, and knowledgeable. The staff made great recommendations and checked in at just the right moments without being overbearing.

The ambiance was lively but not overwhelming, with a clean and stylish setup that still felt intimate. Whether you're going solo, on a date, or catching up with friends, it’s a great place to enjoy high-quality ramen in a chill setting.

I highly recommend E.A.K. Ramen and Izakaya if you're craving delicious ramen with great service and a relaxed, authentic vibe. I’m already looking forward to my...

This definitely taste homemade and fresh to order food. I got the Tokyo Chicken Shoyu Ramen. A lot of chicken and a lot of onions (diced onions & green onions). If you don't like onions don't get this dish. The broth was flavorful not intense though I wish I would've had the option to make it spicy. The chicken had little flavor. And although I did have to take some of the onions out because it was too much they actually compliment the broth really well. I also got the 5pc Chicken Karaage. Fried chicken thigh pieces served with 2 of your choice sauces. I went with the spicy garlic and curry. Spicy garlic, was oil with toasted garlic & chili flakes.. I believe. Not spicy at all nor does it have a garlic flavor, still good, but misleading. The Chicken Karaage was hot, fresh and juicy. Also got the Veggie Fried Rice, which is not the fried rice most of us are used to. This had bell peppers, mini tomatoes, celery and like 2 pieces of tiny cauliflower. Though I'm glad I tried it, it really lacked flavor. Overall, food was hot and fresh but left much to desire flavor wise. Service from my experience was great. We got to sit outside and even though we were the only ones out there, they were very attentive...