KYURAMEN - Flushing — Restaurant in New York

Kyu Ramen

Nestled in the heart of the city, Kyu Ramen is a hidden gem that promises an authentic and delightful ramen experience. The inviting ambiance, complemented by traditional Japanese décor, sets the stage for a memorable meal.

Food: Kyu Ramen's menu is a testament to the art of ramen-making, offering a variety of delicious options. The Tonkotsu Ramen stands out with its rich, creamy pork bone broth, meticulously simmered to perfection. The noodles are perfectly al dente, and the toppings, including tender chashu pork, soft-boiled marinated eggs, and fresh green onions, elevate the dish to new heights. For those seeking a spicier option, the Spicy Miso Ramen delivers a satisfying kick without overpowering the delicate balance of flavors.

Service: The service at Kyu Ramen is exceptional, thanks to the friendly and attentive servers, Alex and Gu. Their knowledge of the menu and willingness to offer personalized recommendations make the dining experience even more enjoyable. Both Alex and Gu go above and beyond to ensure that guests feel welcome and well-cared-for, adding a personal touch to the meal.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere at Kyu Ramen is cozy and inviting, making it an ideal spot for both casual meals and special occasions. The soothing background music and tasteful décor create a serene environment that enhances the overall dining experience. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or enjoying a leisurely dinner, Kyu Ramen provides a comfortable and relaxing space to savor your meal.

Value: Kyu Ramen offers great value for money, with generous portions and high-quality ingredients. The prices are reasonable, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy a satisfying meal without breaking the bank. You'll leave Kyu Ramen feeling full and content, with a strong desire to return.

Overall, Kyu Ramen is a must-visit for ramen enthusiasts and anyone looking to enjoy a hearty, delicious bowl of ramen. With its outstanding food, excellent service from Alex and Gu, and inviting atmosphere, it promises a dining experience that will leave you...

I’ve been dying to go and try this place for a couple of months now but sadly I was a bit disappointed. The menu looked delicious and had some really great staples with a great variety but the constant feeling was that nothing was seasoned well.

First off, the ramen. I ordered the Tokyo tonkotsu shoyu ramen. Now I know it’s not a shio tonkotsu but it still lacked a deep flavor. The flavor was there and was good but just a little too subtle for me and my other guests who were with me. Just like the many ramen places I’ve been to in NYC, it just can’t hold a candle to the quality and taste I’ve had in Japan. I’m also partial against wavy noodles, not a knock against the restaurant, but my preference is for straight noodles. With that being said, if I were to judge against NYC quality, I would say it was average. Just put a little more salt or soy in it.

Let me back track into the popcorn chicken. This was actually very tasty for me, I really enjoyed it. There is one thing to note though, it isn’t a Japanese “karaage” style fried chicken, it was more Taiwanese style. I love Taiwanese fried chicken so this wasn’t a negative but it is something to note when ordering.

My guests ordered the takoyaki and they were pretty pleased with it, it was actually comparable to our favorite tasting takoyaki from the shrine stalls. The one gripe was that there wasn’t enough of the actual octopus in it. A few more pieces would have meant a lot.

Lastly, let me mention the service. My booth was a hair too loud to hear the server that was also speaking a little too low and I think the difficulty hearing went both ways as the server made a few mistakes when bringing our items, once he didn’t hear us say two cokes and another time, the order was slightly wrong because I guess he didn’t hear us.

I will be going back to give them another chance and to order the shio ramen to see if it has the pinch I wanted so I hope to update the review from average...

I really expected a better experience. The appetizers were good, although the squid was obviously frozen based on the taste.

The Thai iced tea was good but lacks real flavor. Honestly I would have to say that's my biggest complaint, lack of flavor. They really talk a good game of Kyushu, Tokyo, Hokkaido flavors but they seem to focus too much on the technical details of what they are putting into the bowl rather than the harmony. Canned corn (nopes, not fresh) and bamboo shoots (also from a can, unrinsed) have no place in Ramen since you can still taste the tinny brine, neither does dried Wakame (not Nori as it should be) but they include it in hopes of adding some much needed flavor. This soup is lacking severely! Sure it has fresh (probably frozen) Ramen but if this is their staple dish, sorry - no.

Many of their meats are seasoned with Chinese spices. Not very Japanese. It wouldn't be so bad but they use the same choice mix on most of their meats. Speaking of which let's move onto their Chashu. It's not bad. Slow roasted pork loin, very basic seasoning. Flame charred by hand after its cooked. Pretty basic and unimpressive. Chashu is a staple of Ramen but here you wouldn't know it.

I guess opening a few dozen shops nation wide has a price, and the customer is paying it. The service is inexperienced and lacks personality. This made it difficult to communicate for sure. I don't think they truly understand what a good Ramen shop is. Instead they focus on aesthetics and flare.

I think my rating is more than fair based on my experience so if they read my review and disagree, they can invite me back to prove me wrong and impress me. Something I don't believe...