Souen Ramen Night 03-13-2009

Location: 326 E 6th Street
Time: 7pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: My favorite Japanese macrobiotic restaurants, Souen and Souen Soho opened a new organic ramen shop last week. Of course we were intrigued by this healthy ramen option.
We started off with one of my favorite Japanese appetizers, goma (sesame) tofu. As we enjoyed its perfectly sticky, smooth texture and nutty flavors, their friendly waitstaff brought our miso and shoyu ramen almost immediately. Being macrobiotic, there is no pork based broth or pork belly here à la Ippudo. You can actually choose your broth from organic chicken or vegan/vegetarian, and you can choose either whole wheat or rice noodles. The broth was very light, and the whole wheat ramen reminded me of soba or udon soup. The texture of noodle was perfectly al dente, and they did a fantastic job disguising the grainy wheat texture that is typical of macrobiotic noodles. If you expect fatty, stick to your ribs kind of ramen, you may be disappointed. But if you appreciate macrobiotic food with light and refreshing flavors, or if you are vegan or health conscious, you will enjoy the selections of Souen Ramen.

Souen at Soho Night 11-16-2008

"One relaxing dinner in Soho."

Location: 210 6th Ave
Time: 6pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: This Japanese inspired Macrobiotic restaurant in Soho is even better than Souen on 13th Street. First thing you notice is that the interior does not have the hippie vibe as the 13th Street one does. Instead, it is very spacious and nicely lit, and it gives extremely relaxing ambiance. The waitstaff was gracious and attentive, and it was never rushed.

RB's Tofu Okabe was fresh and hearty, and my Soba Curry Soup was quite filling, but not excessively. Souen in Soho is a little oasis to both body and soul.

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.