Ramen Ishida Chelsea ramen photo by NYNJ Ramen Enthusiast

My first visit to Ramen Ishida’s Chelsea location, and unbelievably my first time trying the flagship New Tokyo Style Shoyu Ramen. At the LES location, I usually order the 80s Shoyu off the secret menu and had just not got around to trying what is arguably Ishida’s signature menu item. The soup is a chicken chintan with hints of porcini. It is clear and clean, balancing the chicken fat and mushroom umami. Mixing in the accompanying truffle paste transforms the soup into a richer, punchier flavor without being overbearing the way most things “truffle” tend to be these days. The noodles are thin and snappy, pairing well with the soup to achieve a very refined bowl. Three offerings of protein: a jammy egg, a tender piece of sous vide chicken and the signature smoky grilled pork chashu. In addition to some menma bamboo shoots, a piece of shiso offered a nice refreshing bit of texture and zest. A small glass of draft Premium Malt’s was a rare treat here in the US, which washed down some old school potato starch-heavy chicken karaage. Unlike the cramped LES spot, Chelsea location is spacious and takes reservations, fitting the vibe one might expect of such a refined bowl of ramen.