NYC: Nakamura – Lower East Side’s hidden ramen gem

When I say Lower East Side and ramen, you’ll probably say “Ivan”, but there’s also another really good ramen place in the neighborhood, and that’s Nakamura. This unassuming gem has been quietly serving up some of the city’s most authentic and flavorful ramen bowls, and today, I’ll be spilling the broth on what makes Nakamura one of my favorite ramen spots in the city.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I usually prefer a hearty tonkotsu broth, but one of my favorite bowls at Nakamura is the vegan XOXO Miso ramen. Though I’ll usually add an egg (they’re always perfect at Nakamura) so it’s vegetarian. The XOXO Miso Ramen is so rich it’s hard to believe that it’s plant-based, and so tasty you wonder why it isn’t drawing any larger crowds. Even though Nakamura is usually busy, especially around dinner time, the shop only rarely gets super crowded, and I guess the location is too far out of the way (right before Williamsburg Bridge) to attract any tourists.

What to order at Nakamura?

Nakamura’s signature broth is the Torigara, which is a light and clear chicken broth that I think most people would like, but if you don’t eat meat, (and also if you do) you should definitely consider ordering the XOXO Miso Ramen. If you’re into tsukumen (dipping ramen, noodles served with a dipping sauce on the side), you should get the Tokyo Tsukumen which comes with a fish-based dipping sauce, and which is probably Nakamura’s most famous bowl, after the Torigara.

Nakamura, 172 Delancey St, New York