Ramen By Mew

New York is a tapestry of ever-changing places. Construction and build outs are literally everywhere (“Watch out for that crane”…), but many buildings manage to maintain a facade recognizable to long-time residents. Yet, even then change remains constant. And sometimes, that change comes in the form of delicious, cheap ramen. If you don’t know much about ramen you need to start paying attention as it’s something of a cult here in Manhattan. Basically a noodle soup with its roots firmly planted within Japanese fast food culture, it consists of wheat noodles served in a meat or fish-based broth and flavored with soy or miso. Toppings run the gamut from pork and chicken to eggs and vegetables.

Recently opened in January, Ramen by Mew is already generating a large, loyal crowd of regulars. Yelp has ranked it 10th on its “Hot and New” list, making it famous among ramen lovers in Greenwich Village. Located on the corner of West 4^th St. and Cornelia St., the bright, attention-grabbing “On Air” sign on the storefront is only a preview of the elaborate design inside.

The interior is built to look like a radio studio, with a complete wall dedicated to studio equipment, pictures of famous musicians in recording studios, and large stereo speakers playing music related to whatever theme chosen for the day. The first time I went, they were playing late 90s and early 2000s hip-hop. The second time? Alternative rock.

What about the food? Delicious … and cheap. At $10 dollars a bowl, their rich broth and noodles, manufactured by the legendary Sun Noodle of Teterboro, NJ, work in tandem to fill your mouth (and stomach) with explosive savory flavors. Also, an array of fresh vegetables, egg, and beautifully fat pork soaked in the broth complete the meal in the most satisfying way. And if the bowl of ramen isn’t enough, you can always order some appetizers; notable ones include the popcorn shrimp or the Yu-Rinchi (fried chicken in sweet and sour soy sauce).

Not only just an experience for the taste buds, Ramen by Mew provides excellent service and décor to truly complete the dining experience.