Kuu: Kuu Chili Chili Ramen
I was walking around the Financial District the other day, thinking about what to eat. I wasn't craving anything specific, so I decided to walk by this new ramen place that had opened up in the area. I had it bookmarked on Yelp, so I decided to just try it out since I wanted to eventually try it out anyways. I went in around 3PM and it wasn't very packed. Walking in, they had the menu displayed above the counter, along with the dinner menu on a blackboard on the side. It has a somewhat modern look mixed with a earthy type of feel. (This is just my attempt to describe the interior design.) The place itself isn't too big, probably fitting around 20 people or so, but this is the Financial District though.
So I took a look at the menu. Being that I wasn't craving anything, nothing on the menu jumped out at me. They have a few small plates or appetizers, five ramen options and six donburi bowls if you don't want ramen. I decided to go for the Kuu Chili Chili Ramen ($11) which is made with their creamy chicken soup stock with chicken thigh, egg, naruto, diced onion, bean sprout, bamboo, sesame, panko and chili pepper. The bowl of noodles come in a takeout container compared the other ramen places I have been to. I guess it's convenient for takeout because I imagine a lot of orders being made to go when all the business people in the area want lunch.
Taste wise, the ramen was not super spicy, but you do get the flavor of the chili. Although it's not super spicy, it is spicy enough to mask some of flavors from my taste bud. What I did like about it is that it wasn't the type of spiciness that caused pain. The broth itself was a bit salty for my taste, and although it said creamy chicken soup stock, it actually was not as heavy as I thought it would be. The noodles they used were thin noodles which was made perfectly, but as you let it sit, the broth does cook the noodles more which made it a bit more soft (if you prefer it that way). I am not too sure how the panko really plays in the ramen because it wasn't too detectable. The bamboo and bean sprouts gave the noodles a bit of a crunch.
The bowl of noodles came with about 3-4 pieces of chicken thigh meat. I personally felt like it was a bit little because the pieces were somewhat small, except for like one piece and being that chicken is a relatively inexpensive meat, they could have thrown a few more pieces in. Even though there isn't a lot of filling in the ramen, it was enough to fill me up. As I came towards the end of my bowl of ramen, I was not able to finish the soup because it was a bit salty. Overall, I did like the noodles and the spicy chili flavor of the ramen, but it would not be my go to place to eat. I do think it isn't a bad ramen place being that it's in the Financial District. Something I have noticed is that it is somewhat hard to get really good food in the area, but being that the area is for business people who want to grab lunch quick, I can understand. I haven't tried their other items on the menu, but maybe one day I will go back to try their other offerings. (I am curious about their donburi bowls.)
Other Notes:
Price: $$
The price for ramen and rice bowl is very reasonable being that it is in the Financial District.
Ambiance/Setting: Casual
You order up front, while seating is open for grabs. It is similar to cafeteria style where you clean up after yourself when done.
Kuu Ramen
20 John St.
New York, NY 10038
212-571-7177
So I took a look at the menu. Being that I wasn't craving anything, nothing on the menu jumped out at me. They have a few small plates or appetizers, five ramen options and six donburi bowls if you don't want ramen. I decided to go for the Kuu Chili Chili Ramen ($11) which is made with their creamy chicken soup stock with chicken thigh, egg, naruto, diced onion, bean sprout, bamboo, sesame, panko and chili pepper. The bowl of noodles come in a takeout container compared the other ramen places I have been to. I guess it's convenient for takeout because I imagine a lot of orders being made to go when all the business people in the area want lunch.
Taste wise, the ramen was not super spicy, but you do get the flavor of the chili. Although it's not super spicy, it is spicy enough to mask some of flavors from my taste bud. What I did like about it is that it wasn't the type of spiciness that caused pain. The broth itself was a bit salty for my taste, and although it said creamy chicken soup stock, it actually was not as heavy as I thought it would be. The noodles they used were thin noodles which was made perfectly, but as you let it sit, the broth does cook the noodles more which made it a bit more soft (if you prefer it that way). I am not too sure how the panko really plays in the ramen because it wasn't too detectable. The bamboo and bean sprouts gave the noodles a bit of a crunch.
The bowl of noodles came with about 3-4 pieces of chicken thigh meat. I personally felt like it was a bit little because the pieces were somewhat small, except for like one piece and being that chicken is a relatively inexpensive meat, they could have thrown a few more pieces in. Even though there isn't a lot of filling in the ramen, it was enough to fill me up. As I came towards the end of my bowl of ramen, I was not able to finish the soup because it was a bit salty. Overall, I did like the noodles and the spicy chili flavor of the ramen, but it would not be my go to place to eat. I do think it isn't a bad ramen place being that it's in the Financial District. Something I have noticed is that it is somewhat hard to get really good food in the area, but being that the area is for business people who want to grab lunch quick, I can understand. I haven't tried their other items on the menu, but maybe one day I will go back to try their other offerings. (I am curious about their donburi bowls.)
Other Notes:
Price: $$
The price for ramen and rice bowl is very reasonable being that it is in the Financial District.
Ambiance/Setting: Casual
You order up front, while seating is open for grabs. It is similar to cafeteria style where you clean up after yourself when done.
Kuu Ramen
20 John St.
New York, NY 10038
212-571-7177
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