Bassanova Ramen | Eating With Ziggy

Posts Tagged With: Bassanova Ramen

Bassanova – Some Ramen are Better than Others

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Ziggy

April 12th, 2015 Update:

I have mixed feelings about reblogging this one. On one hand I have an important update on Bassanova (Important to me at least. To roughly 89% of yous this is as important as the news that Bruce Jenner is now wearing a bra). But on the other hand, after reading the original post below, I have no clue what the hell I’m talking about there. I suppose I can just rewrite the entire thing, but that would not be keeping it real. You are with me folks, with the good and the bad, and the terrible. And the “He must be high on kasha or something”.

I’ll make this one quick and painless, without any Morrissey references. Its painful enough for me to even spell Morisseey. But I really do wish everyday was like this Sunday. A nice day of eating with the misses where I introduced her to more of my favorites, and in return she ~~made~~ let me try on 17 pairs of jeans in Soho. I’m so lucky to have her.

Adding the Yuzu Wadashi Ramen to the equation. The Yuzu is cleaner, with a profound citrusy flavor in both the stock and noodles (Yuzu is an Asian Citrus fruit that looks like a cross between a grapefruit and a lemon). Cleaner than the Green Curry that is, which still rocks with its complexity and chewy wavy noodles. Its a fairly busy plate with okra, shrimp, and shaved dried chili, and almost mazemen-like with its thick broth. Still enjoyed it, but I give a slight nod to the lighter Yuzu at this point. We also loved the long flat sizzling hot Iron-Pan Stick Dumplings. They are hot alright, and quite delicious with pork, chives, chinese cabbage, garlic, and scallion. Get it!

I’m not complaining, but this is one of those places that puzzle me why there are no lines out the door like you see in Totto and Ippudo.

May 21st, 2014 post:

The likely title if the great Morrissey would have written this one for me. “Some Girls are Bigger than Others” by Morrissey and the Smiths always pops into my head when I go to one of those school events like I did today. And you know what? He’s right! Some girls are indeed bigger than others, and not only that but “Some girls mothers are bigger than other girls mothers” (listen to the song). You can say a lot about Morrissey, but you cant say he’s unobservant. Today at my 12 year old Honor Society Ceremony I just couldn’t help but notice how tiny some kids are compared to others. Some look like 16, while others look like 6.

BTW (switching to “Big mouth” as the soundtrack for this post) did you ever wonder why people put those “My child is in an honor student” bumper stickers on their cars. Is this something you need to announce to total strangers driving behind you? And do you honestly think that anyone would actually care and go “oh look honey, her son is an honor student, well isn’t that special” Why not announce it to total strangers at other venues, like when entering a subway train “LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, can I have your attention please..”. It never made sense to me. (Switching gears to “How Soon is Now”…)

Anyway, some Ramen are in fact better than others, and Bassanova’s Green Curry Ramen is moving up the NYC rankings. Rankings that include heavyweights like the Akamaru Modern by Ippudo, Spicy Ramen by Totto, and Ivan Ramen’s array of Ramen and Mazemen. The awards and various list mentions are proudly displayed on the sign in a very unique way. But to my and the Hummus Whisperer’s shock, no mention of the “Battle of the Soups” discovery by the Hummus Whisperer back in November”. While we didn’t expect the Bassanova founder to put the bumper sticker “I was mentioned on Eating With Ziggy” we sent him, we did expect something next to the NYT top 10.

The Green Curry Ramen is peppery, intense, and features wavy thicker al-dente noodles which I haven’t seen before in a Ramen bowl. The added okra, shrimp and of course the porky goodness adds to the joy. The pork stock with hints of fish was rich, complex and simply Marvelous. Another unique Ramen to us but an increasingly common one in Tokyo is the Lemon Pepper featuring thinner more basic noodles. The waitress grinds fresh pepper on top of the lemon slices coating the entire dish. Check out Bassanova everyone

Bassanova Ramen
76 Mott St
$$
Recommended Dishes: Get the Green Curry

Categories: Chinatown, New York City | Tags: Bassanova Ramen, Bassanova Ramen NYC, Best Ramen in NYC, Chinatown, food, restaurants, Travel | 1 Comment

Eating Without Ziggy – Battle of the Soups, Chinatown

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Ziggy

Chronicles of the Hummus Whisperer…

Believe it or not, sometimes I eat without my foodie-call Ziggy. While its never the same as eating with my dear companion or with my dear wife the Hummus Punisher, I’ll resume coverage of my independent food experiences with this column.

Japan:

With winter just around the corner, wannabe foodies and pepperazzis (obsessive food photo snappers) indulge in tomato soup at hale & hearty soups. But I started the week with a $6.50 lunch special veggie Ramen at Ajisen Noodle on Mott Street and it’s just what the doctor ordered. It originated in Kumamoto of Kyushu, Japan in 1968. Their ramen is chewy, straight and thin coupled with the secret recipe of a tonkotsu soup base (white soup base from which bones, meat, vegetables and other fine ingredients are cooked for many hours producing a milky white broth).

Did I mention that I usually hate soups? this post is a great way to offend my mother and mother-in-law as they have been given countless head shakes when offering soup.

China:

I decided to pass on the typical American-Chinese soups that you can find just about anywhere in America. Xi’an famous foods (cash only) is certainly not a typical Chinese establishment, with one other location in flushing Queens. Western Chinese cuisine of the ancient city of Xi’an is served here. The spicy cumin lamb soups is a fusion of Chinese and middle eastern cuisines at its finest. The soup had a pleasant aroma from the lamb-bone broth with one delicious extra long flat hand-pulled noodle. Noodle quality is superb for $8. This father and son run place seats about 20 ppl so get here early as it packs up fast with a long line outside. Looking around at the plates at the two communal tables, this place is giving Mission Chinese a run for its money in terms of quality and price. This is definitely my favorite of the group, more to come on this place.

Japan:

For a hip, minimalist atmosphere, stop by Bassanova (cash only). With the original location in Japan, this newcomer opened in July 2013 in a convenient spot around the corner from canal street. In addition to other platters, they serve only three Ramen soups in ceramic bowls imported from the original’s hometown of Setagaya. I enjoyed the Tondaku green curry ramen while sitting at the steamy bar with a boom box playing hip-hop. Despite a disappointingly steep dollar to Ramen ratio for any ecconoisseur, the soup displayed colorful ingredients such as moist grilled Berkshire pork, mixed greens, shrimp, okra, and red bell pepper, and a secret base with a good hint of green curry. I attacked this soup with brutal force. Who knew Ramen soup would taste so good while listening to “gangsta’s paradise” and enjoying the “Prado” wallet you just bought on Canal street for your girlfriend.