Recently, on a particularly chilly, overcast November day, a couple friends and I decided to check out Mr. Chang's trendy noodle bar. We smartly went for a late lunch, thereby missing the lines that unavoidably accompany the dinner hours. We were seated immediately and had friendly, prompt service throughout our meal.
The decor in Momofuku Noodle Bar is minimalist, sleek, clean, and simple. It still manages to be inviting and not nearly as elitist as I presumed it to be, considering it's "hot-spot" status. We sat at one end of a large communal light-colored wooden table.
We started with the allspice chips and soy eggs. I would recommend the soy egg, a surprisingly delicious twist on a soft-boiled egg. For my meal I got something that was not specifically on the menu but that they were happy to adjust to my liking. I got the chicken ramen with a poached egg on top. When I tasted it, the broth was so savory and the other ingredients were so fresh that I was immediately thankful for my taste buds. The yolk that seeped into the ramen like a serum was truly the cherry on top. I ate in near silence--this huge bowl of hot, delicious noodles was precisely what I wanted on the cold, rainy day.
Although I was full and satisfied as I slurped the final ounces of broth from the bottom of my bowl, I was so intrigued by the soft serve ice cream flavors (from the attached Momofuku Milk Bar), I had to continue eating with the hopes of a home run meal from appetizer to dessert. Milk Bar is known for its innovative rotation of soft serve flavors, including past flavors such as old-fashioned doughnut, cereal milk, and salted pistachio caramel. I decided to get a twist of the flavors they were offering: pie crust and sweet potato (with toasted marshallows on top!). It was great and screamed Thanksgiving! The sweet potato was pretty dense and the little serving was extremely filling.It was an excellent meal and I will certainly be back. If you go, you have to accept the fact that you are going to spend $10 on a bowl of noodles. Get over the price, and you will love what you eat because it is good food, prepared perfectly. Next time I hit the noodle bar, I plan on getting the renowned pork buns (and surely another helping of soft serve ice cream).
Some people think that David Chang is overrated. I'm not a food critic but I can tell you that he made my mouth happy in a pleasant environment, and for those reasons he gets my thumbs up.
