Oh Momofuku! If you enjoy fusion and east meets west, this is a place for you. If you are an authentic "my ramen has to be made my hand...etc" try another noodle bar. You can't judge all ramen places equally.
1) I have to admit, the simplicity of it all is kinda cool. The set up of the downstairs restaurant was nice. Wood everything and the disposable chopsticks were looking pretty nifty!
2) Shiitake buns - I loved the taco shell like presentation with the buns. The crunchy sliced cucumber was an amazing touch but I felt that the hoisin sauce was too overpowering. A little less salt goes a long way in really bringing out the quality of the ingredients used. The mushrooms were perfect. And scallion? What scallion?
3) Smoked chicken ramen - I dug the bamboo shoots, but I am just a sucker for them "menma" (I learnt a new word). I really liked how crispy the pieces of chicken were. They weren't very flavourful to be honest but I liked the overall texture it added. The poached egg - I'm ordering it without next time...
4) Momofuku ramen - You must like pork belly. It's a little fatty, I just skimmed it off. Very tender meat. The fish cakes, no. They are not fish cakes. Slices yes. and they added nothing except a fancy swirl. I found that the taste of the soup was more authentic in this dish. The piece of crisp seaweed was a nice touch.
Also, side note, spiracha hot sauce... really? You aren't a pho place! Ramen needs some more authentic spices... You are in the Shangri-La hotel, I expect you to grow your own hot peppers!
This restaurant really deserves a 3. The only reason I gave it a 4 is because I had a good time and my luncheon date was hot. haha. And based on everyone else's comments, I need to go back and try me some of them pork buns.