TonchinCHAIN

8.4/10Japanese

AI-generated summary

Get the for the broth, or the , which tastes like and somehow works. The kakigori is worth ordering on its own. Not everyone agrees, some say the broth is thin and salty for $21 and call the place overhyped. Almost everyone complains the pork chashu is two thin cold cut slices.

13 W 36th St., New YorkMidtown, ManhattanGoogle Maps

What Reddit says608

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  • This place set a very high bar for our 1st real meal. Shishito peppers had a umami punch with the kelp. The curry and cheese wings we a super funky but great flavor combination.

    H3

  • I was craving ramen last week after seeing everyone and their mom's going to Japan so I decided to make a trip to Tonchin after hearing all the hype. TLDR: I was thought it was trash.

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  • replying to u/PMPOSITIVITY: • Tonkotsu ramen at Tonchin has completely ruined all other ramen for me permanently, ever. I wish I was joking. • Truffle pasta at Fiaschetteria Pistoia. It is the cheapest real Italian truffle pasta in the city that I have found, and it is really, really good.

    Tonchin is my favorite ramen broth and noodles in the city but their pork chashu is weak. I have no idea why they think it’s acceptable to put those thin cold cut looking things in an otherwise wonderful bowl of ramen.

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  • For recommendations, you should really try to pizza ramen. It sounds bizarre, but it's shockingly good. In appearance and texture, it looks exactly like ramen. In flavor it tastes exactly like pizza.

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  • replying to u/Nameless3571: I went to Tonchin (in Midtown) and was disappointed. Ramen was okay, the wings were undercooked (you could see the pink meat inside, gross). The hype is undeserved. It's recommended by the Michelin guide. I'd skip it.

    I’m STILL thinking about it. The broth was so interesting! Rich and flavorful but not heavy. The Dashi mixed with the clam flavor so well. Had the white tartar (red snapper) that was too expensive for its size but it was so delicious. Strawberry shaved ice. Soba panna cotta. Peach highball. DREAM meal but not cheap.

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  • their broth and noodle texture are also on point and have a nice, bold flavor. The spicy miso is also extra delicious and their kakigori is next level.

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  • replying to u/catalanj2396: How was the ramen?

    I thought it was pretty good - but could have used more seafood tbh (it was a seafood ramen). The broth was had a very strong umami flavor which I loved.

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  • replying to u/DanielNoWrite: Which one? I walk into the Williamsburg location without a reservation pretty regularly. If you're okay with sitting at one of the high-tops, you'll probably be fine for two people. Worst case, you have to kill a half hour getting a drink somewhere close by. For recommendations, you should really try to pizza ramen. It sounds bizarre, but it's shockingly good. In appearance and texture, it looks exactly like ramen. In flavor it tastes exactly like pizza. It was supposed to be a temporary gimmick, but they left it on the menu because it actually works. The chicken wings are also worth getting.

    Ordered the spicy tan tan and the mezcal cocktail. Both were quite delicious and worth the hour wait. Wish they gave you more pork though than those two thin ham-looking slices.

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  • I agree about the broth, seemed watered down/not rich enough. The wavy noodles were an interesting choice for place that only does tonkotsu, but after tasting the soup it seemed more like a cop out so they can use the same noodles for their miso ramen and save money. On a positive side, the presentation is very nice, it's a beautiful bowl of noodles. But yeah, over hyped.

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  • I will say that as someone who loves Ramen, I find this place good, but a little overrated

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