We went out for lunch with our friend, Suzanne, at Momofuku Noodle Bar in our neighborhood since we hadn't seen her for a while.
When Suzanne asked us to choose the place, we had no idea what to choose because there are too many restaurants in our area and we don't know anymore which one to pick. So we only gave her two choices - one was Momofuku and another one was Peruvian place called Mancora on 1 Ave.
She loved to try both places, but wanted to check it out at the Momofuku first, and if, as always, the place was too busy, we would move to Mancora. Luck was on our side that day, we only waited for ten minutes to be seated.
We first got to know this place because of my foodie sister, Sam, who lives in Chicago. Every times she comes to New York, she always have the list of all talk-of-the-town restaurants in NYC to go to, and Momofuku was one on her lists. We went there to see what the buzz is all about.
As an Asian, we are always confused when we see Asian food look-like, and it isn't taste like one. That is the Momofuku Noodle Bar for us.
But it's understandable when David Chang, the owner, says that his foods are not considered as an Asian-Asian food, and he doesn't want to use the word "Fusion" either. He says It's just his own creation of food inspired by many culinary cultures.
So it is obvious that Momofuku Noodle Bar is not the place for people who wants to try Asian food because it is not the taste of Asian, it is just a hint of smell of Asian. So you will not be disappointed by it.
But if you want to catch a trend of NYC eat-out, it isn't worse to try, at least their buns would make you happy.
Suzanne is a vegetarian. She ordered prix fixe menu which comes with pork bun, so I ordered Shiitake bun then we switched, and she could have Shiitake and I had pork bun.
I have to say though, I love the pork bun, and if I wanted to go back the pork bun is the reason.
