E.A.K. Ramen

Is there a more symbiotic food relationship than ramen noodles and college students? In Greenwich Village, a territory dominated by NYU undergrads and Parsons coeds, Japan’s prolific Iekei noodle chain introduces its brand of ié-kei (phonetically pronounced E-A-K) ramen: a creamy blend of Fukuoka, Kyushu–style tonkotsu and Tokyo-style soy sauce broths. Using thicker noodles and toppings that include boiled spinach, braised pork and nori sheets, the ramen house issues variations on this combo: The Oh So Hot! comes with sesame oil and spicy miso, while the Zebra is spiked with roasted umami garlic oil. All meals are served in custom bowls with cheeky graphics or quotes at the bottom.