Ramen For Days at Smorgasburg Queens

Have you been to Smorgasburg Queens yet? If you haven’t, it’s time to add it to your summer bucket list. Our neighborhood’s post of the popular Brooklyn food market has everything you loved about the original Smorgasburg, just closer to home and with less crowds. Bonus: it’s a ten-minute walk from LIC Flea, so you can hit two local food markets in one afternoon!

Last weekend, myself and a friend stopped by Ramen Shack at Smorgasburg Queens and slurped our way through Chef Keizo Shimamoto’s ramen offerings. You may have heard of Shimamoto as the mastermind behind the ramen burger, a culinary mash-up that has resulted in adoring fans and LONG lines. At Ramen Shack, he brings his signature playful approach to more traditional bowls of steaming ramen. Let’s get eating, shall we?

We started with the Classic Chuukasoba ramen, which was the best choice for an introduction. It was very clean and straightforward: everything you love about a bowl of high-quality ramen. It’s chef Shimamoto’s favorite dish of the three, since its classic, old-school flavor reminds him of his family from Tokyo. The noodles and soy sauce-based, scallion-studded broth were tasty, but the standout was the meat. The pork just melts in your mouth, with the perfect level of fattiness. (And the real-life emoji fish cake adds some fun color!)

 

Next up was the Special spicy Tan Tan bowl. I was a little nervous about this one, since I’m not usually a fan of spicy dishes. Luckily, the threaded chili pepper and spicy ground pork floating in the broth provided just the right kick without being overpowering, and the seaweed and mushrooms added a nice textural touch. Again, the pork and noodles were top notch. This dish was my friend’s favorite of the three, as she’s a girl that likes a little heat!

 

 

My favorite dish of the afternoon was the special Pai Tan, which had a thick, silky chicken broth. From the taste, you would think that a dash of cream was added to the recipe, but according to Chef Shimamoto, the richness is a result of the cooking method: a 4-5 hour boil on high heat. If you’re the type that prefers thicker sauces for your noodles, definitely give this one a try.

 

Eating steaming bowls of ramen on a hot day may seem like an odd choice, but for us, the deliciousness was worth it. And we’re certainly not alone, as Ramen Shack is consistently one of the most popular stands at Smorgasburg Queens. The seating area is tight, so you will likely have to wait a little bit to get into the “shack.” Once you’re able to snag a spot, you’ll be in good hands with Chef Shimamoto. Happy slurping!

 

Ramen Shack (43-29 Crescent St in Long Island City, with Smorgasburg Queens)|(929) 522-0285
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