Dine Out : Bassanova Ramen


A nice hot bowl of soup noodles is total comfort food to me and ramen noodles (no not the instant kind though I eat those too) almost always hit the spot. Bassanova Ramen, a popular shop in Tokyo opened their first NYC location in Chinatown last summer. Located down a small flight of stairs just south of Canal Street, the airy modern space has an open kitchen and semi-communal seating with marble slab tabletops. Oversized chopsticks and ladles are provided for you to eat with. They have some unique offerings on the menu like a Lemon Black Pepper Tondaku Ramen which had a pleasant brightness thanks to the citrus. The broth of their Tondaku (Tonkotsu) ramen was satisfyingly flavorful and full bodied without being greasy and the thin noodles had a nice toothsome texture. The chasu was tender and tasty. I was a little less impressed with their version of the soupless mazemen. I tried the Vegetarian one with Truffle Oil and it was rather bland and boring though the thicker wavy noodles were nice. If you're into that style, Yuji Ramen at Whole Foods Bowery is a much better bet. The service we experienced on several occasion was friendly yet flighty but not bad enough to keep me from coming back. For the prices ($10 - $16/bowl), it would be nice if they accepted credit cards.

Bassanova Ramen was named by the New York Times as one of the top 10 ramen destinations in New York. Hide-Chan which they have in the 4 spot is my personal favorite but it's nice knowing that Bassanova is closeby if I don't feel like a trip uptown for a ramen fix. While we're on the subject, I'm just dying to try the ramen at Takashi which is only served after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. And in case you didn't know, here's a lesson on how to eat ramen.

Are you a fan of ramen? Where's your favorite place for it?

Bassanova Ramen
76 Mott Street (off Canal)
New York City
212.334.2100


Bassanova Ramen on Urbanspoon

55 comments

mandy said...

Ah I haven't had non-instant ramen in sooo long! Glad to know there is a spot in Chinatown. Looks yummy :D

Hoda Katebi said...

ah this looks amazing! And making me crave noodles! Great review and post! xx

<(") Hoda || JooJoo Azad ~ Free Bird

Unknown said...

Wow does that look good! Yum!

-- Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo

Xen ♥ said...

Those bowls of ramen sure look delicious! And like yourself, I also take them to be Asian comfort food.. a good broth is so warming (both to the tummy and soul) haha.

I cannot imagine a vegetarian ramen, I would assume the broth to be too light and not hearty enough. But a truffle oil ramen does sound very tempting ;D

From the pic above, it looks like the chopsticks used at this eatery are very long.. are they? Also, thank you for the link on how to eat ramen properly ;D "Don’t try to pick up a huge wad of noodles and stuff it in your mouth." Sounds like something I do unconsciously hehe

Have a good week ahead, Rowena!

-Xen

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Ramen...yes!!! Sign me up, I love Ramen!! Haha. This all looks amazing, I think I'd be in this place every day for food :D Happy Monday doll xx

Jackie Harrison said...

I love Ramen or yes is a great place to eat the food delicious and the atmosphere calm, thanks for sharing.
http:/tifi11.blogspot.com

Lilli said...

Hi Rowena! Hope you had a lovely weekend! As you know, I have a huge passion for Asian food, I like Ramen but for you have to teach properly how to use the chopsticks, Im sooo clumsy with them!:) Unfortunately here in my city there isnt any spots where serve it, I usually eat it when I am abroad. I never visit NYC but your suggestions will be useful if ever happens to be there. What a shame the vegetarian soup was bland, it would have been my choice since I dont eat meat. Have a wonderful week dear, many kisses! xo

Kiss & Make-up said...

I'm goingto Japan next month so I think I'm going to eat alooooooot of ramen next month :-)

Elle Sees said...

never been there but sounds yummy

Emmylou said...

Oh my gosh! My husband would love this place. He loves ramen!

buffalo journeys said...

That looks so good! I love ramen, but there arent any near where we live, so i have to get my fix from the instant kind for now. It's my comfort food; my dad used to fix it for me all the time.

little luxury list said...

Mmm ramen. It's a shame the truffle flavor didn't really shine. The husband and I had home made tofu with mushroom and a truffle slice and it was divine!

xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living

Unknown said...

well,girl,your post just makes me so hungry

Have a nice day,stay in touch

Royal Wang

http://www.fashionculturediary.blogspot.it/

Unknown said...

Don't know before about this place , but seems so interesting!

ciao ciao

Jane said...

whenever we're in ny next, we're so there!

Christina @ Happy or Else said...

OOOO This looks sooo good! I've always loved good ramen but as soon as I was pregnant (before I even knew it yet) I had a huge ramen craving come over me and it hasn't left! I am so that we live in LA where there are lots of great places! I TOTALLY know Canal Street. Super fun. Hope your Monday is off to a great start! XO

Unknown said...

Mmm I love ramen! Specially on cold days :)

TaipeiStyle
Gemma

Tales of Whimsy said...

I'm like drooling now.

A Very Sweet Blog said...

oh oh oh rowena! everything looks so tasty. i love any kind of ramen and noodles. it tastes so good! excellent review. i would definitely eat there :D
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

The Adventures of a Shopaholic said...

I never go there! But It look like so nice :D

Marianna,
THE ADVENTURES OF A SHOPAHOLIC
THE ADVENTURES OF A SHOPAHOLIC ON FACEBOOK

Maru | Fashiony Fab said...

Oh wow, it looks like such an amazing place, makes me hungry just to see these wonderful photos. I would love to go there! :D

Paola Lauretano said...

I love Ramen.... great place and delicious food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kisses darling!!!

ALLIE NYC said...

OMG that place looks AWESOME, I'm going! I love reading NY area bloggers that cover food b/c I get stuck a lot and can' think where to go. I am so going to this place thanks for posting.

Allie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com

abeautifulzen said...

LOOK DELICIOUS!!! il'l have to make a point to go next time i'm in NYC.
Jenn
A Beautiful Zen

Margaret Dallospedale said...

Oh wowwww I like Ramen. This post is so wonderful.
Kisses
The Indian Savage Diary

Vanessa N said...

I was reading this post at 2am...and ugh, that shot of the pork slices...UGH. WANT. (I seriously considered making a pack of instant ramen at 2am, soooo)
I can't remember the last time I had ramen, but this is seriously making me crave for it! I'll usually just go to Ajisen Ramen, nothing fancy.

Unknown said...

Looks delicious. No, I haven't had the real ramen..instant kind yes. I should try finding places here in Chicago to try it. The pictures are crave-inducing beautiful :)

xx
Heel in Mint
www.heelinmint.com

Jessica (Coco/Mingo) said...

Mmmm this looks so delicious! I miss all the good, authentic ramen places back home! My bf and I went to an udon noodle place here in Brooklyn this past weekend, and it was delicious! Thanks for the link to the 10 best ramen destinations in NYC - definitely checking those out! Happy Monday, friend!

Angel said...

nice place! those photos made me hungry. i like my ramen spicy! ^_^

Unknown said...

love!
xx
daniella
simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com

FASHION TALES said...

I've never been to this particular place but yes, I love noodle houses and used to always go to a few spots in SF. I love spicy ramen and make a fish and veggie version with ginger, hot chilies, and cilantro. :)

Lena L said...

Ooh, I loved their ramen when I went in for lunch last time. The broth is indeed very rich but not greasy!
I think it is pretty gutsy opening in the middle of the China Town but I think they will survive.
My favorite place for ramen noodle soup is actually Zutto. I like the breezy ambience and their ramen is pretty good if not the best. Noodle Village has this fusion ramen dish called Devilish Ramen, which is my other favorite. :)

Glendabelle said...

I love Spicy Ramen! :) Drools~
XO,
Glenda of http://gcandedeir.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

The food looks great. I will watch out for it next time I'm in NYC.

Effortlesslady said...

Yummy food! Great place to be.
effortlesslady.blogspot.ca

Leslie said...

TOTAL comfort food;) love anything with noodles and I'll bet {real} Romen is amazing and I would try it if I could!

xxleslie

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

O man, I am drooling!! Ramen is definitely comfort food. The whole Japanese restaurant experience is a comfort lol. I will enjoy this place vicariously :)

Anshul Bhargava said...

Omgosh the food looks sooo delicious!!! I shouldnt be reading this post right now hahaha!! it's really late here :(

http://anshul90.com

Urvashi Salaria said...

I am drooling over this..... yummy yum :)
My recent post: http://vogueandvittles.com/beauty/how-to-make-a-donut-bun

miasmode said...

If I ever get to NY I will visit the Bassanova Ramen. It looks delicious and to my shame I have to admit that I never tried ramen.

xx Mira

www.glamdevils.com

Sam said...

Hi Rowena, can you believe I have never had Ramen noodles before, its not something thats widely found or popular here, I drove to try it, the vegetarian versions of course, sounds delicious and comforting. Nice to know about this quaint eatery. I appreciate your kind visit and sweet comment, as you can see my hair is so long now, cutting it into a bob is so difficult!

Moudy said...

Hello there, just stumbled upon here ^^
I like ramen and your photos are stunning I want to eat one now :)

homestilo said...

Oh this is so going on my list of places to try out! As soon as the weather clears, I am making it a point to hit the city more often. Love the name too!

Unknown said...

Very delicious food. :)
Fashion Happenss

j said...

I don't actually know if I've ever had any ramen, instant or fancy. There's a place near my bus stop that is a ramen restaurant but in a soup nazi sort of way. It's not vegetarian or I would have gone in and tried some just out of curiosity.

I was actually going to run a few restaurants by you for my next trip to the city, I'm excited. :)

CQUEK said...

i am not a fan of ramen, but i am a BIG FAN. normally I had 2 bowl of ramen and gyoza.

Sakuranko said...

Oh wow sweetie all looks so delicious"
xx

www.sakuranko.com
I want invite you to my Jollychic International Giveaway for win $20 Gift Card! 3 Winners~

Marcela Gmd said...

Delicious food!!
Have a good week, dear Rowena!! my like's in bloglovin for you!!!!:)))

Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

Beautetude said...

Wow the food looks so delicious.
Beautetude

Draffin Bears said...

Looks like a great restaurant and always a treat to dine out.
Happy day
hugs
Carolyn

Love and Ace said...

Looks so good! I love Ramen, we have some great places here in LA too. Keeping this one in mind when I head out to NYC next! xx Kat


Love and Ace

MaysaAndSunshine said...

Oh me oh my, Ramen is so perfect for this kind of weather right now. I must visit if I ever go to New York.

JeannLiew | Luminnej said...

Looks like a cosy nice eatery place to chill out with friends and family! NICE *_^ The food looks great too.

Stacey said...

I love ramen, the instant kind too! Lol.
This place looks amazing, the broth in the ramen seems so thick and flavourful!

miss b said...

Your photos are wonderful and everything looks so tasty. I shall click on the link for a lesson on how to eat them properly!