Text size:

Noodles and more noodles

By Ben Muessig | Special to amNewYork

4:44 PM EST, January 16, 2008

Eating at the bar at Momofuku.

In the East Village, it's hard to walk a block without passing a noodle bar. Considering that these low cost restaurants serve tasty fare in huge portions, it's no surprise that they've become so popular.

Kampuchea Restaurant This downtown Pan-Asian bistro has an extensive menu that highlights Cambodian, Vietnamese and Laotian cuisines. You'll find vermicelli, egg noodles, flat noodles, wheat noodles and vegetable noodles served in chicken, beef, pork and vegetable broths. Try unique toppings like mussels, fresh water prawns, Berkshire pork, braised brisket or Chinese eggplant. (78 Rivington at Orchard Street; 212-529-3901; $15-$19)

Minca Ramen Factory At Minca, a hearty bowl of miso ramen starts with a creamy broth. Fatty cuts of pork, kernels of corn, and a hardboiled egg float on the surface. Beneath the accoutrements, you'll uncover some of the most authentic Japanese noodles in the hemisphere. Served slightly al dente, Minca's wheat noodles are the perfect compliment for the smooth, filling soup. (536 E. 5th St. between Aves A and B; 212-505-8001; $8.50-$12.50)

Momofuku Noodle Bar While foodies crowd Momofuku Ssam Bar, the original noodle bar continues to serve fantastic fusion fare. Momofuku's noodles come in complicated broths that combine traditional Japanese ramen recipes with contemporary gourmet tastes. While some deride the place for breaking the rules of ramen, a serving of Momofuku's noodles will convert even the loudest of critics. (171 1st Ave. between E. 10th and E. 11th Sts; 212-777-7773; $9-$17)

Sobaya Sobaya offers 24 varieties of soba -- a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat. This East Village restaurant serves cold soba topped with shrimp and veggie tempura, or mushrooms and grated radishes. You can order hot soba soups with fried bean curd or grated yams. If the grayish soba noodles aren't your favorite, try any of their delicious udon dishes. (229 E. 9th St., between Second and Third Aves; 212-533-6966; $9-$18.50)

Super Taste Super Taste doesn't look like the other noodle bars on this list. It doesn't have mood lighting, sleek modern furniture, or ambient music. Whether you order-in or take-out, your food comes in a plastic bowl. No matter the aesthetics, Super Taste's soups are topnotch. The Chinatown destination specializes in hand-pulled Lanhzou noodles, which it makes from scratch and serves in a spicy broth with beef and vegetables. (26 Eldridge St. at Canal St.; 212-625-1198; $4.50-$6)