Vegetarian Paradise 2 08-30-2008

"Go Gators! Get up and go!"

Location: 144 W 4th St
Time: 5:30pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: Although I'm vegetarian with serious lactose issues, I never enjoy vegan restaurant food. I often feel I'm just eating some chemically processed weirdness. At Vegetarian Paradise 2, I can actually choose normal Asian dishes with naturally vegan food such as tofu. They sure get very creative with their Tofu dishes with various flavors of sauces. Ramen and Friends' Carnivore Correspondent, RB, was also content with his fake Peking Duck dish although he was not a fan of the sauce.

Pre Noodle Drinks: Town Tavern, 134 West 3rd St
Feelings: JLam from MeSoHungry and bunch of Gator friends witnessed Tebow taking down on Hawaii! Why was the beer free? Did anyone pay for those wings? Did Rana pay for everything?

Hallo Berlin Express 08-29-2008

"More like auf wiedersehen Berlin"

Location: 744 9th Ave
Time: 4pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: This German fast food place is the sister joint of Hallo Berlin on 10th Avenue.
We tried ordering Spaetzle, but the waiter kept thinking we said Pretzel... so we ended up having both Spaetzle and Pretzel aka carb overload. We also got potato pancakes, so at this point, we were stuffed with all forms of carbs and butter. If you ever want to order food there, I suggest you order by the item #, not the name of the dishes. But I doubt we will ever go back there. RB's German ma would be upset with us if we kept eating at this glorified hot dog joint.

Post Carb Coffee: Cafe Zaiya in Kinokuniya Bookstore, 1073 Avenue of the Americas
Feelings: The city's largest Japanese bookstore features Cafe Zaiya on the second floor. We sipped our iced coffee as we looked through various Japanese books, manga and stationaries.

Pho 32 Night (Final Bun and Associates of 2008) 08-27-2008

"Where's the bacon?"

Location: 2 W 32nd St
Time: 7pm
People: JLam from MeSoHungry, AL, Da 2 Margarets, KHash, JT, RbL, RB, and Myself
Feelings: Bun and Associate's last outing of 2008 took place in K-Town. The restaurant provides mainly Vietnamese cuisines along with some Shabu Shabu and Korean dishes. Let me warn you, this is not the place to impress your Soho friends or those who might frequently eat in Meat Packing District. This, however, is the perfect place to have quick-cheap Bun and Pho noodles with your fun and boisterous friends.
The "large" pho was superfluously large for RB and AL, but KHash and my "small" pho were properly suited for our appetite. The seafood in the pho was overcooked, so I'd recommend the raw meat or brisket pho if you are a meat lover.

Post Noodle Dessert: Margaret took us to Koryodang, 31 W 32nd St
Feelings: Although JLam could not find his bacon in the bacon bun, and although RbL got some weird tuna bun, the rest of us enjoyed our shaved ice, bubble tea, Popsicles, and Korean pastries under their bright lighting. They sure have a wide variety of buns and other yummy treats.

Pinche Taqueria Afternoon 08-24-2008

"The best So-Cal style Fish Tacos & Burritos!.. in Manhattan" (No noodles here)

Location: 227 Mott St.
Time: 6pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: This is as close as authentic So-Cal Mexican Tacos go in Manhattan. I have no idea why this place is in NoLita of all places, but it is a very cozy place you can sit and enjoy people-watching. (and Gimme Coffee is across the street!) Their fresh corn tortillas and spicy guacamole were amazing, but of course, it does not even come close to some of the taquerias we came across in San Diego.

Spring Natural Brunch 08-23-2008

"I'm vegan, you love meat, where should we have brunch?"

Location: 62 Spring St
Time: 1pm
People: MK, KN and myself
Feelings: This is my typical Soho brunch place where you can casually invite your vegan friends, out-of-towners, and your uptown girlfriends so you can chat without being disturbed for four hours.
The place offers various healthy vegan dishes as well as meat-and-potato eateries. If you have all types of different people meeting up in Soho, this is the place. MK and my Warm Peach Almond Crisp with Mango Sorbet (vegan) provided different textures on our tongues, while KN enjoyed her Strawberry Cheesecake, which was quite fresh.

Li Hua Night 08-22-2008

"If SuChin Pak eats there, it must be good."

Location: 171 Grand St
Time: 7pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: This is a yummy Korean place in Soho, which is hard to find. In fact, I'm not even sure if there are any Korean place in Soho. My Chap Chae (which I always thought was called Jap Chae?), stir-fried sweet potato noodles, is always tasty at a reasonable price, but the portion is small. RB almost always gets Squid Hot Stone Bibimbab with spicy sauce. He enjoys the crunchy bites at the bottom of the hot pot.
Celeb sighting: We have seen Ms. SuChin Pak from MTV dining here.

Post Noodle Coffee: Gimme Coffee! 228 Mott St
Feelings: I wish I lived in Soho just so I could have a daily access to their Kenyan coffee. It is very smooth and has a full of cocoa aroma.

Post Noodle Dessert: Return of The Dessert Truck - St Marks and 8th St
Feelings: This time, we tried their warm Molton Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Creme Brulee. The Creme Brulee offered a silky vanilla experience, but the winner was the Molton Chocolate Cake. It has a ganache inside and topped with sea salt and roasted pistachios..a perfect combination of sweet and salty is created here.

Poodam Night 08-18-2008

"When is RB going to order those famous sausages.."

Location: Home delivery, but Poodam is at 44-19 Broadway Astoria
Time: 6pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: Three words to describe the place: fast, cheap, and tasty. They were even listed on New York Magazine Cheap List of 2008. As an Eastern Astorian/LICer, it is such an honor to see our neighborhood place listed in a major listing. My usual pick is Pad Thai, and RB's pick is Pad Kee Mao, and they both have very strong flavors that are spicy and sour. The place's signature dish is Thai sausages, but since I'm a vegetarian, I'd have to wait until RB decides to change up his usual pick until I can hear how good they are first hand.

Post Noodle Dessert: 99 cent bag of salt and pepper Utz potato chips! (Picture not posted) Thank you MK for recommending such a wonderful flavor of Utz.

Announcement from Ramen and Friends 08-17-2008

Ramen and Friends' official website is now easier to find!
Please keep checking our noodly posts at www.ramenandfriends.com

While Bun and Associates is going strong, Ramen and Friends will have its fierce return after the Labor Day. The great ramen season awaits.

Warm Regards,
Bun and Associates/Ramen and Friends

Sanmaroo Night & Batch 08-16-2008

"There's a good Korean place in the Village?"

Location:22 W 8th St
Time: 6:30pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: Wow! I never expected to have great Korean food on West 8th street. My Jangteo Koksu (noodles with vegetables in an anchovy broth) was flavorful, and RB's Ojingeo-Bokkeum (stir fried squid) was spicy and confirmed me that this place brings authentic Korean flavors without any MSG. Their compimentary sweet cinnamon punch, Soo Jeong Gwa, helped cool our spicy tongues down. They even gave us 2 complimentary glasses of wine!

Post Noodle Dessert: Batch, 150B W 10th St
Feelings: Best cupcakes in the city. Better than Magnolia, Babycakes, Cupcake Cafe, you name it, this place has the most creative, flavorful cupcakes without use of too much sugar. Our Yuzu cupcake and Salted Caramel cupcake brought us the new meanings to cupcakes.

Other Feelings: Ramen and Friends encountered Mr. Recipe. Mr. Recipe, a.k.a. the Spice Guru, brings premium spices to the great chefs all around the city, including the vanilla for the cupcakes we had. Now I know why their cupcakes have such wonderful flavors: the secret is Mr. Recipe!

Souen Dinner 08-14-2008

"This tastes like what my grandmother used to make"

Location: 28 E 13th St
Time: 6:30pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: Being a vegetarian from Osaka with severe lactose intolerance problems, Macrobiotic food has been nice to me and my stomach. This place offers excellent Macrobiotic dishes, good beers and great service. Our Yaki-Soba and Kuzu Stew reminded me of my grandmother's food I had when I was little. It did have the granola-patchouli feel to the place, but the greenhouse decor on the 2nd floor made us feel as if we were away from the city briefly. Man, those cold Kukicha and gluten free beer were great.

Eatery Lunch 08-13-2008

"We finished their Strawberry Lemonade"

Location: 798 9th Ave
People: LH, JS, JT, JB, IvS, JA, KN, and myself
Feelings: Vegetarian and tourist friendly spot for lunch. Our homemade strawberry lemonade was good, but JB's veggie burger was mushy. My Ginger Crusted Tofu Salad with Sesame Peanut Lo Mein was on the salty side, but LH enjoyed her home style Mac 'n' cheese. Overall, this is what tourists would think a New York restaurant to be, but for Vegetarians looking for lunch spot, it is adequate.

Post Noodle Dessert: Also at Eatery.
Feelings: I immediately felt the sugar rush after having a quite decadent and rich dish called, "E-Wich," chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream sandwich.

Seltzer Night and Wu Yiang Ye 08-11-2008

"Which one has seafood? PMc is allergic"

Location: 36 W 48th St
Time: 9pm
People: JL of MeSoHungry, AG, PM, JT, KN, JR, PMc, CG, RB and myself

Feelings: Excellent seafood noodle soup & Mei Fun. The Bok choy and braised shiitake JL ordered was one of the best I've had in the city. PMc is allergic to seafood, but she successfully left the restaurant without any use of an EpiPen.

Pre-Noodle Drinks: Rink Bar, Rockefeller Center
Feelings: Bar at Rockefeller Center!? You would think it'd be a terrible tourist trap, but it is actually a good after work hang out that is surprisingly uncrowded. (but it was Monday...) They have good drink specials for Happy Hour, and decor is very.."beer garden for venture capitalists".

Pukk Night 08-08-2008

"They have not let us down YET!"

Location: 71 First Ave
Time: 7pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: Great vegetarian/vegan Thai food at a great price with nice and fast service. Also, the bathroom has holographic light bulb, which is quite fascinating and makes you want to stay there longer. This is the place for us to go when we are feeling indecisive.

Post noodle dessert: Hiroko's Place, 75 Thompson St
Feelings: We were able to enjoy the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony on their TV while we sipped on siphoned coffee and ate green tea cake. It's a perfect place to hang out and relax.

Comfort Diner Midtown 08-08-2008

"Good veggie options at diner. (No noodles here!)"

Location:214 E 45th St
Time: 1:30pm
People: KN, two cool Bristolians, myself

Feelings: Very decent diner experience for lunch at a reasonable price. Staff and service are amazing, and considering three of us are vegetarians, we had good veggie options. I personally enjoy the atmosphere of the 23rd st location better, but this one had more of stereotypical NYC diner feel to it. "Milkshake Calendar" entertained us as well.

Curry-Ya Night 08-06-2008

"Ramen and Friends & Bun and Associates unofficially approve. (It's not noodle?)"

Location:214 E 10th St.
Time: 7pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: Home style, stick to your ribs, good ol' fashion Japanese curry. Our seafood curry and fried shrimp curry were flavorful and succulent. RB enjoyed his curry Osakan post-war Beatnik style- with one raw egg in the rice volcano, which enhanced the richness of the curry.

Other feelings: Nice decor, nice waiters from Osaka, and of course, nice high tech bathroom.

Post curry dessert: Dessert Club Chikalious, 204 E 10th St
Feelings: The best vanilla ice cream. Simply the best. Their puddings & cakes are good too.

Sakae Sushi 08-04-2008

Location: 405 Lexington Ave
Time: 2pm
People: NG, KN and myself

Feelings: Sushi chain from Singapore that rolls out sushi on conveyor belts..and there is an interactive ordering screen at each table. Slightly overpriced, but the decor is very cute and perfect for a cute lunch with your midtown co workers.. Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen) & Chicken Udon were small but good.

Post noodle dessert: Green tea ice cream and Fried ice cream. Good summer treats.