Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance:☆☆☆½

Cost: $$

Must try: Spicy Red Chili Ramen, Lancaster Okonomiyaki

How unlikely is the story of a Jewish guy from Long Island opening one of the hottest Ramen spots not just in New York City but also in Tokyo!

It really is the stuff that dreams are made off and a whole lot of hard work that has led Ivan Orkin, along with his partner David Poran, to their latest venture on the Lower East Side.

Ivan Ramen is set in a cool Manga inspired venue which has a really lovely rear courtyard.

Orkin’s menu consists of modern interpretations of Japanese inspired dishes. He also offers playful takes on dishes that are both an ode to both Ramen-Ya fare as well as New York Classics. Take for example the Tofu Coney Island, which is a mix between agedashi tofu and a classic chili-topped Coney Island hot dog.

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Orkin offers six different ramens of which my favorite is the “Spicy Red Chili Ramen”. A word of caution – Orkin’s fare offers interpretations of a traditional Ramen-Ya – so if you are looking for the conventional tonkotsu broth then you will not find it here. However – I doubt you will be disappointed as there is something for everyone here at Ivan Ramen and it is one of my favorite Ramen spots in the city.

Here is some of what we ate: