Jinya Ramen Bar

In the midst of the winter doldrums, we were so happy to have a chance to catch up with the Solomons over some fabulous Japanese comfort food at Jinya Ramen Bar.

Jinya is a calm refuge in the midst of the usual bustle of the West Village.  The focal point of the room is a long communal wooden dining table next to the bar.  Right beyond the main table is the cooking area, so if you snag the right seat you can see all the chef action.  When DJ and I arrived, we decided to grab a quick drink at the bar before Nilda and Sean got there.  The bartender was extremely attentive and friendly, and the drinks were tasty but average.  DJ ordered one drink in particular because it touted "fresh pineapple juice," but then we watched as the bartender cracked open a can of Dole.  Mel's lycheetini was refreshing, but could have packed a little more punch (perhaps a bit less lychee and a bit more "tini").  They offer great Happy Hour deals on Sapporo, red wine, and sake so we'll probably go that route next time.

We wound up sitting in the side part of the dining area where tables are separated for small groups, which was perfect for us since we wanted a chance to chat.  Pretty quickly after we placed our orders, we were enjoying piping hot dishes.

pork buns

DJ was really impressed that the buns were so substantial.  There was actually enough pork for each bite of bun, which is rare!

Though Mel loves ramen, she was more in the mood for meat and veggies that night.  She's also a sucker for any menu item including "truffle" so she opted for:

Kobe beef steak and truffle onion

(beautifully prepared beef, and perfectly grilled onion)

Brussels Sprouts Tempura with truffle oil 

(sadly couldn't detect the taste of truffle; thankfully, the basket of sprouts was served with a side dish of sprinkling salt to kick the flavor up a notch)

Nilda, Sean, and DJ each got different types of ramen, and all agreed that it was delicious.  DJ's (pictured below) was labeled as the hottest one, and though he didn't think it was extremely spicy he really enjoyed the flavors.  We also appreciated that Jinya allows you to request different types of noodles based on your preference.  It's always reassuring to know that you have the option to tweak things to satisfy certain cravings.  Makes the comfort food all the more comforting.

Jinya Ramen Bar is a great place to stop by when you're hanging out in the West Village and hankering for a hearty ramen.  The prices are reasonable, and if you get there before 6:30 the Happy Hour deals are great.  We definitely recommend it for a low-key night out with friends!