Hi, Fodorites.

Can't wait to hit up the ramen restaurants in NY. (Chicago's offerings are slim.)
As I'm there over the weekend, as a single diner, am I likely to have to wait for a long time at the more popular places? Any reccos?

I've got Rai Rai Ken, Ippudo, Momofuku Noodle Bar, Rockmeisha on a list. Any lesser known gems...?

Ippudo will definitely have a long wait. This is such a vast topic that I will refer you to Chowhound where you can read ramen threads for hours!

Start with this one:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/754833

THanks, ekscrunchy and suewoo. Great board over at chowhound. Didn't know there was so much energy behind ramen.

I know! Now I want some real bad!

Ippudo doesn't always have a long wait, especially if you go for lunch. But it's much busier at dinner. However, the prices are always way too high.

I don't think Ippudo is too high priced for what you get. It is phenomenally good and the atmosphere is great. If I am dining solo I can often get a seat at the bar in the back, whihc is great as I get to watch the guys making food and yelling out to one another. I have walked in at 8 pm on a Sat. night and gotten a single seat at that bar in the back.

I suggest not getting just the ramen, which is spectacular. Get the sticky pork buns also. Those are off the charts good.

Thanks to all. After perusing the board at chowhound.com, I've decided to attempt to get into Ippudo and Momofuku noodle. They've got the most hype, but also the best reviews. I am hoping to be seated fairly quickly as a single diner... but we'll see.
I had heard the pork buns are an almost religious experience for many, but don't eat pork. Hoping the shiitake mushroom buns are good, too!
Will go at lunch. Thanks again!

I'd be careful of pork in the ramen broth! Those are both good places; hope you enjoy!

Back to report Ippudo was WONDERFUL... went on a Saturday afternoon, waited 2 minutes for a seat at the bar. (An advantage of single dining.) The bar area was crowded with parties of 2+. (I heard the hostess tell a couple the wait was about 45 min-1 hr.) However, I wouldn't be put off by the wait if you like to chat and drink. The atmosphere is nice, and there's a bar with a handsome bartender to serve you while you wait. It was $30 for a bowl of ramen and buns. Pricey, but so delicious. The wait staff was great, and the atmosphere while dining was great.

Momofuku Noodle was not as good. Certainly very lively, I was seated right away on Sunday at lunch time, but the broth was too salty, was NOT hot (!?) and the ramen was chewy. Also, seated at the bar, the vents blow cool air on you. I didn't have their buns, but they didn't look half as good (b/c they were sloppily put together) as Ippudo's.

Ah, New York! Such a great city!

Handsome bartenders are always good. So glad you found something you enjoyed!

Chogal

We are not fans of the David Chang restaurants and do not understand the adulation. The other day Tom Colicchio almost knocked me over leaving Momofuku Noodle with a huge group of young toadies.