Here's the big takeaway from last night's press preview of the East Village's ramen joint Ippudo: the place was swarming with Japanese reporters. TV cameramen, photographers, and reporters from no less than nine major Japanese outfits cased the joint interviewing attendees and eying the Ramen King himself Shigemi Kawahara. This place, the first NYC outpost of a famous Japanese ramen chain, is apparently a big deal. The space itself includes a sake bar, a ramen bar, a large glassed in kitchen, and two dining rooms with a variety of flair pieces like a bamboo tree and a wall of ramen bowls. As for the food, Fiesty Foodie has a full run down, but they'll be serving five types of ramen (including their two "famous" varieties) and a number of small plates. Opens to the public on March 31st.
· Opening Report: Ippudo [~E~]
· Ippudo NY [Official Site]