TONCHIN BROOKLYN — Restaurant in New York

Next up is Tonchin Brooklyn — a visually stunning, beautifully designed space we found ourselves in on a warm Saturday afternoon. My friend was craving soup, and after a quick search, we landed on this spot tucked away in Williamsburg. It ended up being one of the more aesthetically impressive restaurants I’ve seen in the area.

The interior alone is worth the visit. With soft wood tones, warm lighting, and beautifully minimal yet welcoming décor, it feels curated for calm. The kind of place that would serve perfectly for a quiet date night or an elegant dinner out with friends. Despite not being too hungry myself (I had eaten earlier), we couldn’t resist ordering a few dishes just to get a sense of the menu.

We shared the following:

– Miso Ginger Ramen: filled with house-made vegan noodles, rich miso broth, wakame, sweet corn, soy protein, menma, cabbage, sesame, scallion, and a light chili pepper finish. Beautifully composed and balanced. – Kyuri Salad: crisp Persian cucumber dressed in a sweet onion glaze, topped with micro shiso. Light, bright, and refreshing. – Ume – a dish built around roasted sesame, pickled plum, salted kelp, and seaweed. Salty, umami-forward, and distinctly Japanese in profile.

To drink, we had:

– Yuzu Cider: a sparkling citrus burst, fresh and uplifting. – Momo: a delicate mix of Japanese white peach, fresh grapefruit, homemade aka shiso syrup, and a floating shiso leaf. One of the more unique and elegant non-alcoholic drinks I’ve had in recent memory.

Even though we were quite full by then, we couldn’t leave without trying the dessert Tonchin is famed for: their shaved ice cream. We went with the mango flavor—topped with fresh mango chunks, homemade mango syrup, a silky Tonchin cream sauce, and a touch of mint. Absolutely sweet, cooling, and satisfying, though it was rather generous in portion—we couldn’t quite finish it, but the experience of trying it was more than worth it.

Lastly, I want to express how much the service added to the whole atmosphere. Yuki, our server, was incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely warm throughout the visit.

Though I wasn’t hungry enough to go all in this time, I’ll absolutely be coming back for a proper meal soon. Tonchin is one of those rare places that balances aesthetics, flavor, and hospitality...

Tonchin in midtown has been one my top ramen spots for years, so when I’ve heard about another location opening in Williamsburg I could barely hold my excitement.

Little did I know that it’ll blow my expectations out of the water.

Everything was simply above and beyond. The food is delicious. Not just ramen — we’ve tried their wagyu carpaccio, yakitori, and white fish tartare. If I had to find something to improve it’s that some beef pieces were a bit tough. The meatballs on both skewers were incredible. The white tartare melted in my mouth exploding with flavors perfectly balanced in all the right places. Carpaccio was paired with (marinated?) chives and mustardy sauce. I wanted to lick the plate after every appetizer.

The smoked dashi ramen didn’t disappoint either with its ridiculously flavorful broth and meaty pieces of menma that felt like they were just charred over an open fire.

I also loved how well-done everything felt besides food — the decor is very organic; think Muji, with its soft colored pastel ceramic plates, wood accents and diffused lights. As if this wasn’t enough, our waiter came with a charming British accent and was attentive and just the right amount of helpful, the dishes came out fast and without any hiccups, the sake recommendation was on point.

The price point is a bit high and I wish they served cocktails. It also gets pretty loud. Other than that, a must visit when...

Had a wonderful dining experience at this ramen place! We didn’t have reservations but managed to get seated immediately upon their 5:30 opening, avoiding any wait despite a growing line.

The menu was a treasure trove, starting with oysters. We tried both types offered, with the non-Island Creek variety standing out for its sweeter, meatier taste, enhanced by a delightful yuzu umami vinaigrette.

The wagyu carpaccio (coulotte) was okay, though it made me realize that thinly sliced raw beef isn’t really my thing. The curry+cheese wings, on the other hand, were a hit – perfectly flavored without being too intense.

The grilled hamachi was as expected, but the ramen selections were where this place truly shined. We had the Tonchin Classic Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen, the Smoked Dashi Ramen with its unique smokiness, and the Spicy Goma Tsukemen, which was mildly spicy. The texture of their ramen noodles was exceptional – curly and springy, just how good ramen should be!

We wrapped up with the Tokyo Banana dessert, an amazing treat that wasn’t overly sweet and reminded me of the authentic Tokyo Banana snack.

The service was fast and efficient, making our dining experience smooth and enjoyable. While not everything was to my personal taste, the overall quality and variety of the dishes were impressive. A must-visit for ramen lovers and those looking for a taste of Japanese cuisine...