New Ramen place on 5th Ave

Next to Bonnie's, called Naruto Ramen. I've been away, but it looks brand-spanking-new. Noon-10p, hope it's good!

(please compare and contrast to Zuzu Ramen on 4th Ave, where I love the green curry ramen but hardly ever go)

yeah, saw it too! I grabbed the menu, I'd love to hear from anyone that goes there.

From the menu it seems very limited. Ramen (miso. cury naruto)is $9 (+$1-$3.50 for extra toppings)

Pork fried rice is $8

katsu curry or what looks like it is $9.50

Teriyaki is $9

Gyoza (6pc) is $4.50

If it is awesome, I'll be there. But I'd also like to hear how it compares to Zuzu.

Awesome! More noodles in more places! Do they deliver?

doesn't say anything on the menu about delivery, but I just noticed it's the second branch of a Naruto on 3rd ave and 89th (UES)

Went there last night - I've never been to Zuzu (or had any experience with Ramen beyond the instant stuff) but it was pretty good. Had the dumplings - were flavorful, tender and fresh-tasting - and the Miso Ramen. My lady had the Curry Ramen. Both were good, with serious portions. In particular, the pork was super-tender and flavorful (we were watching a big pot of it simmer right in front of us).

It's a little pricey for what it is, and if I went there more than twice a month I think I'd have a heart attack from the sodium content, but I can definitely see hitting the place up a lot as it gets colder.

FYI - it's cash only - I didn't notice anything about delivery, couple people ordered carryout while we were there.

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/09/naruto_ramen_op.php

About as useful as most Brownstoner threads....

Decent pic at least.

Just posted a review, with some photos and shots of the menu. http://bit.ly/bb1ZlG

Went with wife & daughter on Saturday. Considering they had only opened the day before, service was friendly and fairly quick. Had the Curry ramen. My daughter had Naruto. Both were tasty and nicely portioned. For an appetizer we split the Tako Yaki (Octopus dumpling)... very good as well.

Only had Zuzu once as take-out some time ago, so I can't really compare.
Since this place is very close to home, we'll definitely be back.

it looks like everything on their menu has pork in it? Zuzu has some great vegetarian and shrimp ramens, so I guess I will stick with that.

The service was very friendly. The food came slowly but the place just opened so no biggie. I would say Naruto is a bit tastier than Zuzu. I actually found Zuzu to be too salty for my taste. With that being said, I have no clue as to what "authentic" Ramen is supposed to actually taste like so forgive me if my tastes are out of line with someone's mother's recipe. What I l do love is the Minca shoyu ramen and very often make the trip all the way to the Lower East Side for it. My 3 favorites are Minca, Momofuku, and a distant Rai Rai Ken for third (although I love their fried rice). That should give you a picture of my palate. I prefer a slightly thicker and richer broth. The broth in the Naruto ramen had a very light flavor, not rich at all. I would have liked more vegetable matter in the bowl as there were only bean sprouts (an abundance), green onions, and a half of a sheet of seaweed. By comparison to other Ramen places, it was a little pricey for what you get.

I was really hoping to love this place so I wouldn't continue to be compelled to go to the LES to get my ramen fix.

IT IS TERIYAKI BOY GROUP.

akiyamanyc wrote: IT IS TERIYAKI BOY GROUP.

Where did you hear that? Do you have any evidence?

I know that you operate a competing Japanese restaurant nearby, so you'll understand if we don't take this as fact just based on your say-so.

nearnostrand wrote: I would have liked more vegetable matter in the bowl as there were only bean sprouts (an abundance), green onions, and a half of a sheet of seaweed.

Note to all purveyors of ramen: please offer an EXTRA VEGETABLE option on all your bowls of noodles. Sapporro in mid-town does that; people are willing to give you an extra .50 or $1 for a little heap of extra spinach/corn/whatevavegtable

Carnivore wrote: [quote=akiyamanyc]IT IS TERIYAKI BOY GROUP.

Where did you hear that? Do you have any evidence?

I know that you operate a competing Japanese restaurant nearby, so you'll understand if we don't take this as fact just based on your say-so.

what does that even mean?

sweet tea wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=akiyamanyc]IT IS TERIYAKI BOY GROUP.

Where did you hear that? Do you have any evidence?

I know that you operate a competing Japanese restaurant nearby, so you'll understand if we don't take this as fact just based on your say-so.

what does that even mean?
Teriyaki Boy is a low-end Japanese fast food chain. Akiyamanyc is affiliated with a nearby Japanese restaurant and is alleging that this new place is connected with the chain. Given the potential conflict of interest, I think the threshold for accepting the rumor is a bit higher than normal.

Think it's the same owner as this UES place?
http://www.yelp.com/biz/naruto-ramen-new-york

I have no problem with Teriyaki Boy restaurants! They have them in Shanghai and I would go all the time for $2 bowls of ramen. Just ate at Naruto, though, and it is significantly higher quality than the TB I'm familiar with. Great addition to the neighborhood!

Is their stuff MSG free?

DanielJ wrote: Just posted a review, with some photos and shots of the menu. http://bit.ly/bb1ZlG

Great review. Will check it out this weekend.