Menkoi Sao is a Hokkaido style ramen shop that focuses on serving hearty, comforting bowls without overcomplicating the experience. We walked into a casual space with the kind of atmosphere where you come in for a satisfying bowl of noodles rather than a long dining experience. The smell of the broth coming from the kitchen adds to the warmth, creating that cozy feeling you expect from a good ramen spot. The space is straightforward and functional, letting the food speak for itself. The ramen is the main reason to visit, and the bowls are built with a lot of care. The noodles have a nice firm texture and hold up well in the broth, giving each bite a good balance between the noodles and soup. The broths lean richer and more flavorful, especially for those who enjoy a deeper, heavier ramen style. The toppings are generous, with slices of pork, soft boiled egg, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and green onions adding different textures and flavors throughout the bowl. The pork is tender and well seasoned, and the egg is cooked to that perfect jammy consistency that ties the whole bowl together. The Spicy Miso Ramen stands out as one of the more popular choices, bringing heat while still keeping the savory depth of the miso base. The curry ramen is also worth considering if you want something different from the usual ramen options, offering a thicker, more aromatic broth that still feels comforting. Beyond ramen, the fried chicken, known locally as zangi, and fried rice make good additions to round out the meal, especially if you are looking for something more filling. The zangi is crisp on the outside and juicy inside, a solid complement to the heavier noodle bowls. Service is quick and friendly, and the food comes out efficiently even when the restaurant is busy. The staff handle the steady flow without losing the casual neighborhood feel, making it an easy place to stop by whether you are dining alone or with a group. The menu has enough variety without feeling overwhelming, and the focus stays clearly on the ramen. Menkoi Sao is a solid option for anyone looking for authentic feeling Hokkaido style ramen in New York. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the bowls are the type of meal that feels especially satisfying on a colder day. While the richer broths may be heavier than what some people prefer, it works well for anyone who enjoys a more traditional, full-bodied ramen experience that delivers on warmth, depth, and comfort. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Genuinely... no offense meant. But I miss the old ramen spot that used to be here a few years ago. I've been back twice since this new crew took over and it's decent, but it's not like the old spot. I always used to come here for chicken tantanmen ramen, especially in the winter months. I've tried their version... it's not bad but it's exceptionally spicer than the last owners. I personally love heat, but it's like overpowering, you lose the flavor of everything else. Which I understand is some people's thing, I just wish it was spicy, not SUPER spicy. Last time I came here I got the miso chicken, it was good, but lacked that punch I want in my ramen experience. I will say, however, that the fried chicken is to die for! Worth the $20. Also, the service is impeccable on. The people are very kind. Last time I came they gave me a bib because I was wearing a dress and she was so sweet about it. She even accommodated me at the window because I'm a larger person and sitting on those little stools is like sitting on a nail when you have a butt as big as mine. The environment is just like it was before and gives me fond memories of the years I spent in West Village working. Cozy, off the beaten path, and always busy. I guess I just miss my old Ramen and the memories attached to it. I'll be back again to try something new! read more

I had a really nice experience at Menkoi Sao. Not to be that embarrassing American, but it was cool to hear the staff speaking in Japanese to each other and to other customers. I won't comment on its "authenticity" because I haven't been to Japan, but it was definitely way better than other ramen shops I've been to. The space itself is small and narrow; a standard ramen bar vibe with stools at the bar and at the scattered tables. My friend and I decided to split the tsukemono appetizer to start. Their pickles were delicious, and came in three different varieties. We had lightly pickled Napa cabbage with some red chili, shibazuke which was a dark and acidic purple eggplant pickled with perilla leaves, and my favorite- sweet pickled scallion bulbs. All of these worked perfectly as a palate cleanser and fresh crunchy accompaniment to the rich soup we ordered. I got the shoyu signature ramen with pork, it had chicken broth, ground pork, char siu, scallions, seaweed, and additional pork back fat. I think I missed the pork fat when I read it on the menu, and wouldn't have ordered it if I'd known how rich it was. Definitely something to get if you like really rich and decadent ramen but not for me, I couldn't finish it and didn't drink any of the broth because of how much fat congealed on the top. So anyway, apart from that I would consider going back, just will get something else if I do! read more

Menkoi Sao - Classic Shoyu signature -Pork only- - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Menkoi Sato is my favorite ramen place in NYC at the moment, and apparently others have caught on because I saw a line that recently which was never the case! Located on Cornelia Street, it's in the perfect location if you're looking to have some noods after a night of drinking in the West Village or Village area. I'm a huge spicy miso ramen fan (I know, not authentic Japanese but I don't care) and theirs is incredible. I always get the Spicy Miso Pork Ramen (with Chicken broth, Ground pork, a piece of Cha-shu pork, Scallions, Onions, Menma Bean sprouts, and Sesame seeds) plus an added egg and nori. Don't forget to add those! The toppings they offer are quite limited, but I'm ok with that. I've never wanted to add corn to my soup anyway. A cold draft beer and a hot spicy miso ramen on a cold winters night here, there's nothing better! read more

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Cozy, fantastic ramen bar in West Village. Staff were nice and the food came out quickly. Got the shoyu and it was spectacular. Some of the fattiest broth I've ever had, and it was so decadent and flavorful. Would easily come back here again. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Feels like Japan with the bar stools, interior decor, and piping hot ramen and rich deep chicken broth flavors and QQ ramen noodles. Fast and efficient yet friendly service and great vibes. Reminded me of the famous chicken ramen in Osaka. read more

Menkoi Sao - Classic signature shoyu ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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So glad they are back open. Visited on 2/28/26. Note the slight name change but the menu and interior is just the same. And still delicious omg. The tantanmen is my go to for a bowl of pure goodness. It didn't come with an egg this time? So I think you had to add it as extra now. Service remains friendly and helpful as during this visit a nat flew into my friends cup. read more

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Happy National Ramen Day! Menkoi Sao had absolutely delicious ramen, it's one of the best places in the city for some really good ramen. The ramen was really flavorful and bursting with flavor, the entire bowl was packed with flavor. The portion sizes are good and the price was also pretty good for the area. The service was really fast, I waited around 5 minutes for my food to come out. The servers were also really friendly. They also had good vegetarian options. The place is busy, but you can find a seat. Overall, would recommend this place for a good and hearty ramen bowl. Price: $22-$25 Rating: 9/10 read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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The karaage was crispy without too thick of a coat of breading. The chicken pieces were on the larger side, the ideal size. The Miso Ramen broth didn't particularly stand out to me, but the noodles were chewy. On a weekday night, I walked in and didn't have to wait too long for my food. The staff was friendly. The restaurant felt casual and inviting. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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UPDATE: Closed as of 12/30 Authentic Sapporo-style thick & springy ramen noodles. I'd just come back from Hokkaido when I went and can vouch for their authenticity. Unfortunately, I ordered the tantanmen curry special, which I found way too thick and viscous (spicy sesame broth with Java curry roux). I planned to get the miso ramen tonight, but found out they closed. read more

Went to try the curry tan tan and it was so dam good!! So much flavor !! Will come back try more of their ramen! read more

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I really wanted to like this place but it doesn't really do it for me. I'm most critical about the pork that was in my ramen. Probably the toughest slab of pork that I had to grind down with my teeth. It also was dry and flavorless. This story has a drop drip of redemption because the noodles and the tori paitan were good. I'm not sure if I would call it authentic, but it's a convenient place to pop-in if you're around and have an itch for ramen. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Found this place on Tiktok while searching for ramen. They had one little lady working the floor. The ramen broth was spicy but lacked flavor. The meat in the ramen was also lacking flavor and was pretty fatty. A lot of people added bean sprouts - which might have made it better and added a crunch. I feel like after a while, the ramen just became boring. Not anything to write home about, unfortunately. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Yes. The ramen of course. But you gotta try the fried chicken. I recommend splitting the chicken and a bowl of ramen with a friend. It's the perfect dinner. I'm so full and satiated! read more

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Love it here! I ordered the spicy shoyu - super bouncy noodle texture and good broth flavor. I do wish the broth was spicier though. We got sat quickly but it did fill up fast. Cozy interior, they have both table and bar seating. Definitely hit the spot! I'd come back and try something else. read more

Menkoi Sao - Spicy Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I were looking for a late night spot and this was the closest spot open. This was a cool little spot that made you feel at home. The ramen was pretty good, a bit too spicy for me at the time, but I enjoyed nonetheless. I would most definitely come back to this spot when I'm in town. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Went it cause of the reviews. Got the spicy miso with pork. Not very traditional broth. The noodles were fine. But the broth was insanely salty. Like not even enjoyable. I was tempted to ask for hot water to dilute this "broth". Service was nice. Came alone but it took a hot minute to get my bowl. Wouldn't come again. It was just a salty mess. Not very flavorful. read more

Menkoi Sao - Spicy miso pork - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

This spot hit my ramen craving SO good. We got Spicy Miso, Tan Tan Men, and Hokkaido Zangi. The restaurant is small but effective, and the service is so kind and welcoming. Definitely adds to the warmth and coziness of the ramen they serve. Spicy Miso - so good, and the broth is rich and has so much depth. The noodles are chewy and absorb the broth just the right amount without being soggy. Caveat, the dish came with ground pork, but just one slice of pork belly. The dish isn't spicy, but I do have a pretty high spice tolerance. While the ramen was exactly what I wanted, I definitely felt like it was tooo salty halfway through. The portion was big, so the leftovers hit just the same and were perfect the next day. Tan Tan Men - my boyfriend got this dish & it was also so tasty. Not like other ramens I've had, in a unique way! The broth was much thicker, and slightly creamy. A bit too salty for my own preference, but was a great dish to try and my boyfriend loved it. Hokkaido Zangi - my GOODNESS this was good fried chicken. The dish came with 5 chicken thighs which were moist, crispy, juicy & oh so flavorful. It is $17, but I would get it again & again! We totally dipped it in our broth and it was GOOD. Definitely stop by, you won't regret it! read more

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Walked past here and came in on a whim and I'm glad we did! Both the Shoyu ramen & Miso ramen were delicious and I'm still thinking about them the next day. My only complaint is that I wish I had thought to order an egg! Other than that, there was a good amount of toppings, and it was super filling. My friend that came with me is Japanese and he loved the ramen and said the whole place was very authentic. Everyone working was super kind and always had smiles on their faces. Good vibes and the playlist was awesome. I'll be back! Update: I thought about this place every day for a month until I came back. New fav ramen spot in the city!! read more

Menkoi Sao - Shoyu & Miso - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

My boyfriend is absolutely obsessed with this restaurant, and for good reason. The vibes resemble a ramen pub where you can grab a beer and enjoy a nice, piping bowl of ramen. The servers greet you when you come in, and they are attentive to your needs. You can hear them shouting orders in Japanese in the background. They also have cold options if you want something refreshing in the summer. They have a limited time Curry TanTanMen that was absolutely delicious. I would travel back to NYC to come to this restaurant. read more

Menkoi Sao - Spicy Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

So tasty! Definitely need to come back and try again. Place gets back and kinda small but mighty! Service was nice as helpful as well. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I passed this spot while visiting NYC for the day, and I'm so glad I did! Sitting in Menkoi Sato feels like you've been transported to Japan; the interior design is simple, and long tables with set stools fill the small space, making for an intimate experience perfect for date nights and outings with friend. My group tried both the Spicy and Classic Shoyu, and the quality of the ramen genuinely matched up to ones I've had in Japan. The spice wasn't insanely spicy, but it was super flavorful and for spice lovers it really elevates the dish. The eggs were perfectly jammy, and the broth was rich without being fatty. This is a legitimate ramen spot, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal! read more

Menkoi Sao - Spicy Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Went here on a brisk day and it was the perfect meal to warm us up. I ordered the spicy shoyu and my friends got the spicy miso, the shoyu and the chicken miso. The spicy shoyu was mildly spicy (as they specify on their menu that their spicy broths are not super spicy) and a very generous portion of noodles. I really liked the long stalks of uncut bamboo shoot and the charsu but I do wish that the was more of it. All the broths were tasty and overall the ramen was pretty standard and comparable to other places I've been to. (6/10) The place is unsuspecting but definitely worth a try! I would recommend to anyone in the area looking to escape the cold with a homey bowl of ramen. read more

Menkoi Sao - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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No frills, just excellent ramen! The Tan Tan Men is spicy, creamy (with sesame paste - no dairy), and oh so good.

We were here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. The place were not busy. We were seated immediately. Food came out pretty fast. We ordered the shio and the shoyu ramen. Both were delicious. Decent portion. Fast service. Definitely worth stopping by. read more

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The ramen here is super good. I'm not usually a fan of ramen, but I was really impressed with the Miso Pork Ramen. The portions are great, and the broth is very well made. I enjoyed the fried chicken as an appetizer too -- the chicken was crispy on the outside, but soft and juicy on the inside. I would recommend coming here and trying these items. The inside seating is on the smaller size, but feels cozy. The staff were friendly and helpful. When we came (9pm), there was no wait to get seated. read more

Menkoi Sao - Miso - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Authentic place that is always crowded. Feels like you're transported to Japan. The staff is friendly and they have alot of options, not the best for veg options. Ramen and tofu are really good! read more

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small menu, small restaurant but cozy!!!! the line was out the door when i passed by but it died down i prob wouldn't wait in line to go here hahahahha they have bar seating and tables too it was kinda slow but very good i just wish my egg was gummy instead of fully cooked !! would return read more

Menkoi Sao - Curry Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

The spicy miso ramen is a favorite of mine! Definitely get it cold in the summer and it's a wonderful refreshing bowl. The wavy noodles are perfectly chewy. The server offered to give me a bib to wear over my white shirt and I was able to successfully avoid soup splatters. Will definitely be back! A great option in WV if you're trying to eat without a wait. read more

The staff here is friendly and does a great job with customer service. I went here for the first time and it was good. I highly recommend the vegetarian spicy miso soup w/ white rice. The fried rice was okay but needed more flavor. Overall 9/10 and definitely will be back. read more

Really good affordable ramen shop. Everything well made. Flavorful and authentic. Recommend as a ramen shop read more

Menkoi Sao - Tom Premium Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Maybe one of the only top ramen places in the city where you don't have to wait forever to get in. Came with three people during peak dinner time and was happy to get a table immediately. I will say that the service though was quite slow as we waited almost 30 minutes after we put in our order to get served. I ordered the Spicy Shoyu and it was honestly pretty spicy. I think the star of the dish has to be the pork and for that alone, I will give this ramen place a 5 star. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth consistency and it honestly reminded me so much of what you would get at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Unfortunately, they give you only one piece. The soup base was pretty good as it was incredibly rich. I wish they didn't use packet noodles but made it in-house as well as having an egg in the dish. It was still a delicious bowl and contender for one of the top ramen places in the city. Overall, very happy with my ramen. Definitely come just for the chasu! read more

Menkoi Sao - Spicy Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Overall: I went here on a weeknight with my girlfriend. My girlfriend has declared this her favorite ramen spot ever. There's usually a bit of a line to be seated, but we got a little bit lucky and were seated immediately. The food is delicious and the service is quick and energetic. I like to go for takeout or weeknight meals to avoid the line, but I'd wait a bit for this regardless. Food: 5 Drinks: 2 Service: 4 Value: 5 Atmosphere: 4 Food: The ramen was fantastic. I got the Spicy Shoyu ramen and my girlfriend go the Spicy Miso ramen. I added the Kaedama and she got an extra egg. I thought the "spicy" version was hotter than advertised, but still good. Probably not for someone who is sensitive, but I liked it. They do have a "very spicy" option, but must be special requested. The dishes themselves had a good quantity of noodles and lots of meat and other toppings. I wish they would substitute more of the katsu pork for some of the ground meat mixed into the broth, but overall still very good. Drinks: The drink menu was pretty limited. They had two beers, a few types of sake, and some wine. It was fine, but nothing special. Service: It appears the the entire restaurant was served by two people, but they were very quick and attentive. Our dishes came out at different times which was less than ideal, but overall the service was fast and helpful. Value: Each of our ramen dishes were $20 for an enormous bowl. My girlfriend added an Ajitama egg for $2.50 and I got the Kaedama (extra serving of noodles) for $3.50. The Kaedama is a great deal - it basically doubles the size of your dish. The prices have made this a go to place for us for a lazy takeout meal. Atmosphere: The restaurant is quite cramped with several cafeteria style shared tables. Everyone is seated close to each other and I wish there was slightly more space, but overall it worked. The staff was energetic and everyone was served quickly, which made it feel pretty authentic. read more

Came by for a cute solo dinner. There's plenty of bar seating so if you swing by on your own you'll get seated relatively quickly (came at Friday around 8pm) and there's plenty of space. In my search for NYC's best ramen, this is definitely worth hitting up. What I liked was that the noodles were wavy, which is my prefered texture. The chashu certainly did crumble, and was solid. The broth was rich and bold, and overall was pretty happy with this bowl of ramen. Was it the best ramen in NYC? Maybe not but it was very far from being the worst. It's a great, even excellent bowl of ramen in the competitive ramen landscape of the city. Would I come back? Absolutely. Other people were also getting the kara-age and I unfortunately couldn't fit that in me but it looked amazing, and it was huge! Will get next time I return. Good job Menkoi Sato - keep it up! read more

Menkoi Sao - Original - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Sooo good! I usually order spicy miso from other places but it's never as spicy as I would want it, but this one made my nose drip from how hot and spicy it was! I loved it soo much!! read more

Menkoi Sao - Ten Tan Tan Men ramen and Shoyu ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Menkai Sato is a hole-in-the-wall, easy-going ramen spot at the heart of West Village that specializes in ramen. We came here to initially have some ramen, as soon as we were seated our eyes caught the fried chicken and their special fried rice as appetizers. When the 2 dishes came out, it was humongous, and started stuffing ourselves with food that ordering ramen looks unnecessary. The fried chicken and fried rice are delicious with friendly staff and efficient customer service. They gave us a reason to come back and try their ramen sometime soon. Update: We did come back and tried their Shoyu signature ramen with chicken broth, ground pork, and cha-siu pork. It was delicious and silky a perfect meal on a chilly day. read more

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Made a return last night after a few years and i think this just isn't my style of ramen. The noodles are chewy but the broth and flavors just don't quite satisfy. There's some bit of umami missing that just salt and shoyu don't quite make up for. I did like the ground pork and pork piece (I thought it was better than a lot of cha shu ive had) but the egg was overcooked and mealy when I bit in. Overall an okay experience but not as good as I'd hoped. read more

Menkoi Sao - Premium Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Staff was not the friendliest and ramen was too salty. Disappointed after seeing all the positive reviews. Go to Zurutto on UWS to see how it's done. read more

I was disappointed there was no tonkatsu option, but the spicy shoyu was rich, complex, and delicious. Friendly service. One complaint: they propped the door open, and there were insects flying around. I guess it's hot in the kitchen. Not great tho. read more

Menkoi Sao - Spicy Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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A friend and I walked in on a Friday night around 7pm and there was plenty of seating available. One of the hosts was very kind and the other was extremely rude. Our third friend got stuck in the subway so we asked if we could order drinks/apps in the meantime while waiting to order our ramen - he yelled at us and said we were taking up seats from people waiting. There was no one waiting and we offered to get up in case there was another group of 3 waiting to which he replied "no one's waiting yet but you're holding up the third seat in case someone comes". Despite asking to place an appetizer and drink order, he shrugged and walked away. Even when we were ready to place all 3 ramen orders (our friend texted us her order), he stayed upset and continued to use an angry tone. About 10 minutes later, our friend joined us and we waited another 10-15 minutes before the ramen was even ready. Now the ramen and food (fried chicken) were great! Unfortunately the service was not so we probably wouldn't come back to dine in person, maybe for to-go. Either way, it's a good no-frills spot when you don't have a reservation somewhere and the ramen is actually decent. read more