Location: 76 Mott St.Time: 4pm
People: RB, CK and myself
Feelings: The original ramen burger creator/ramen blogger, chef Keizo Shimamoto's anticipated Bassanova Ramen is a perfect spot for the coming cold winter. This LA native's famous green-curry ramen and tonkotsu are available here in this Chinatown shop as well as at their original Tokyo location in Shinyoda district. So what we are tasting here is the first American outpost of the Tokyo ramen spot, by a Japanese American who brought the L.A. flavor of ramen to Tokyo similar to Ivan Orkin.
Walking through the Ugg and Michael Kor donned, fake handbag hunting tourists on Canal Street on a weekend is something I would like to avoid, but for Bassanova, it is all worth it. There are simple bowls of ramen all under $15 as well as various tsukemen. Vegetarian Tsukemen ($12, black truffle oil, baby corn, pepper, spring greens, grilled okra) is excellent, and the thick, chewy noodles are simply divine. This is a serious contender to Totto's amazing organic veggie ramen.
RB's Tondaku Wadashijiru Ramen ($14, berkshire pig tonkotsu soup, wadashi, porkloin chashu, menma) is full of dashi flavor that brings a lighter ramen experience with umami impact. You really cannot take dashi out of Japanese cuisine, and it is no wonder this is one of the popular dishes at the Tokyo location.
I hope to go back for their signature Tondaku Green Curry Ramen ($15, green curry soup, shrimp, zucchini, okra, paprika, coriander) as well as gyoza. The service is a little laid back but exceptionally polite and friendly. No alcohol yet. Cash only.
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