Kin ramen — Restaurant in New York

The best ramen I've ever had... EVER.

Kin Ramen was one of many ramen places listed in NYC ramen recommendations while I was staying in Times Square, and I won't lie, the proximity to the hotel I was at was the reason it became what I chose, and I'm so happy it was!

When I say this place is incredible, that in itself is an understatement. The food, the service, the entire setting of the restaurant - just amazing. The entire place greeted me upon entering, and the entire vibe of the place was so cool. The decor, the lighting, the way they've done the seating, and that's just the first floor. I know they have a whole second floor that I didn't get to see, but I imagine it would also transport you into a pretty amazing atmosphere for a restaurant. They seem to have their own soundtrack going, and while I noticed it was repetitive while sitting there by myself, it was actually great background music just to add to the ambiance to let the conversations and food be the real star.

I was by myself for a work trip, so I sat at the wall seats which seem to be perfectly set up for people like me who are either traveling alone, or want a more singular experience.

The menu was a work of art on its own and it takes one look to see why. I ordered the Karaage chicken which was a few pieces of crispy chicken, perfectly fried with 3 delicious sauces - spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, and ponzu. I loved all three sauces with this chicken app, so be sure to try them all. They weren't too spicy except for the wasabi that had a little bit more heat.

The ramen offerings all looked delicious, but I went for the Kin ramen which was their namesake. The pork was perfectly cooked, the pork broth was out of this world and I also added ajitama, which is their marinated soft boiled egg because I expect ramen to have one of these - it was absolutely worth adding because it was delicious. My only disappointment there was having to pay extra for that since I've always had it as a part of the ramen by default. I would probably suck that broth out of a straw to finish it all off if I could. It definitely leaves you feeling full, warm, and happy.

Did that stop me from ordering dessert? Heck no! My waiter was incredibly convincing and honestly, it didn't take much after such a great appetizer and main dish. I 'm such a sucker for lava cakes, so of course it was an easy decision. It's a dark chocolate lava cake with a matcha ganache and green tea ice cream. I wasn't sure how these flavors would work together since I'm not the biggest matcha fan, but my waiter sold it for me. The flavors worked SO well and the little cookie crumble "dust" on top made this such a perfect sweet ending to a savory meal. I also couldn't wait to break open that lava cake before I took a picture, so don't let my folded over cake picture turn you away!

Kin Ramen absolutely lives rent free in my mind and with good reason. My aversion to traveling to NYC has been conquered if I can come back here every time I visit. You absolutely need to try this place and you will...

A NYC Local’s Love Letter to Kin Ramen

As a ramen enthusiast who’s spent countless nights chasing the perfect bowl across New York City, I’ve had my fair share of favorites—sadly, many of them have closed their doors. With friends constantly asking me for recommendations, I felt it was time to pass the torch and share my new go-to: Kin Ramen.

Let me just say, Kin Ramen isn’t just a great ramen spot—it’s an experience. Their ramen embodies everything a good bowl should be: balance, depth, and craftsmanship. Here’s why it deserves your attention:

The Broth: The Soul of Ramen

Kin Ramen’s broth is pure perfection. Whether you go for their creamy tonkotsu or their lighter shoyu, the flavors are deep, layered, and utterly satisfying. The broth isn’t overly salty or heavy—it hits that magical spot between comforting and refined. It’s clear they take the time to cook it low and slow, extracting every ounce of flavor from the bones, aromatics, and seasonings.

The Noodles: Texture Matters

The noodles at Kin Ramen are exceptional—perfectly springy and elastic, with just enough chew to hold up against the broth. They aren’t soggy or overcooked, which is a testament to their skill in timing and quality ingredients. A proper ramen noodle should complement the broth without getting lost, and Kin nails this balance.

The Toppings: Elevating the Experience

Their chashu pork? Melt-in-your-mouth tender, with just the right charred edges for a smoky kick. The ajitsuke tamago (marinated egg) is silky, creamy, and cooked to gooey perfection—a hallmark of any serious ramen shop. Add in a generous helping of fresh scallions, nori, and bamboo shoots, and you’ve got a bowl that feels both traditional and inventive.

Atmosphere: More Than Just a Meal

Kin Ramen captures that cozy, welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay for another bowl. The staff is warm and attentive, the space has a modern yet intimate aesthetic, and the energy feels distinctly New York.

Why I Recommend Kin Ramen

As someone who still dreams about the ramen joints that shaped NYC’s food scene, I can confidently say Kin Ramen fills that void. Whether you’re a ramen aficionado or just dipping your chopsticks into the world of noodle soup, Kin delivers on every level. It’s the kind of place where you leave warmed to the core, already planning your next visit.

So, if you’ve been on the hunt for that next great ramen spot, let this NYC local save you some time. Kin Ramen isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a love story waiting to happen.

Pro tip: Try the spicy kin ramen if you’re looking for a bold, flavorful punch. You won’t regret it. Have a...

Kin Ramen in Midtown Manhattan just might be our new favorite spot in our neighborhood! It has become one of our favorite ramen spots in NYC.

It not only has unique cocktails and delicious ramen (amongst other foods), but the ambiance is what makes it one of the coolest ramen restaurants in all of New York City.

I highly recommend you check it out!

The moment you step into Kin Ramen you’re greeted by a welcome saying from the entire staff (I’m sorry I don’t know exactly what they’re saying, but it’s great nonetheless).

What from the outside looks basic and humble turns out to be a well-crafted space that truly transports you to Ramen Street in Tokyo.

From the wall & ceiling color (mostly black) to the unique 2-person tables set on Asahi drink crates (think milk crate), every piece of the restaurant has clearly been well thought out and created.

Every staff member I’ve interacted with at Kin Ramen has been friendly, but not in a staged or overkill way.

Plus, the bathroom is probably THE coolest bathroom I’ve ever been in…

The ramen broth is rich, the portions are large, and every appetizer we’ve tried has impressed us.

Our go-to is the Kin Ramen which actually includes gold flecks on top, the perfect addition to an already phenomenal ramen.

Most of the ramens range from about $18-$25 for the more specialty ramen, standard NYC prices.

We’ve also loved the Tori Karaage & Cucumber Salad amongst other appetizers.

First off, the drink menu is badass. It looks like a comic book and each cocktail has its own page.

Again, they nail every detail here!

They carry all the essentials like Sapporo & Orion beer ($8-$12), tasty sake ($14-$80 depending), hot teas, and even Calpico (if you haven’t tried it, do).

Their cocktails are strong, unique, and boast some beautiful presentation.

We’ve personally loved the Yarae Yarae and Kin Cocktail (pictured above: Roku Gin, Choya plum wine, Lime, Seaweed syrup, Bonito syrup, Miso paste), but you probably can’t go wrong with any of them!

Most of the cocktails are $15-$18, so on the slightly higher side but relatively standard for an NYC restaurant.

If there is one “bad” part of Kin Ramen it’s that the restaurant is quite small and seating arrangements are tight… But hey, some people love that! I personally like the coziness of it. 👍

If you’re in the Midtown area (or after heading to Central Park), head to Kin Ramen on 56th St between 6th and 7th avenue! It’s super close to both the F, NQRW, E & 123...