Ippudo Westside

Shigemi Kawahara unleashes the much-anticipated midtown location of his überpopular ramen chain, joining 65 Japanese outlets and 22 international offshoots. The noodle spot features fifteen fewer stools than its 80-seat East Village sibling, but offers a bulked-up menu. At the teakwood counter, ramen master Fumihiro Kanegae serves Ippudo's silky tonkotsu varieties—spicy karaka-men, miso-laced akamaru—made with dashi (bonito-and-kombu-based broth) for extra-briny depth. Appetizers including sea urchin on torched bread and crab-avocado wontons are location specials, along with a shojin (seasonal, vegan and gluten-free) ramen. In addition to sake, you can quench your thirst with a Brooklyn Brewery Kaedama Ale, a russet-hued Belgian number crafted exclusively for the restaurant.