Midtown Lunch

It’s no secret that I love Hide Chan and its just over ML limit ramen and make my way over there for treat yo’self Friday afternoon lunch quite frequently. But my most recent visit revealed a new(ish) summer menu!

Prices and what I ordered after the jump…

Alright, the only thing that possibly would be considered within ML price limits is two Kobe Wagyu (??) beef sliders, two pieces for $10. While that could possibly get me through a few hours till dinner, I’d have been extremely unhappy – and y’all would have laughed me off the site.

In any case, what I was actually seeking was cold noodles. Specifically a dish that I thought might be similar to Tabata’s tan tan hiyashi, which is one of my absolute favorite cold noodles ever. (I’d tell you more about them but this post is about lunch at Hide Chan.) So when I saw “hiyashi” on the menu – but then “soupless dan dan ramen” – I couldn’t make up my mind which might be more similar and … oh goodness… ignored the 2 little chili peppers next to their names and ordered the soupless dan dan ramen.

Yes, it’s going to be one of those posts.

Since these still count for ‘ramen sets’ I tacked on another $3 for kara age, the Japanese fried chicken, just to test for consistency. You know, make sure for you, dear readers, that the kara age is just as good as it was the last time I wrote about it, when I said: “Four deliciously crispy, juicy pieces of chicken thigh appeared, with a dollop of a slightly spicy mayo alongside for good measure… for an extra $3. If you at all like fried chicken, you HAVE to order this – it was absolute perfection. Four pieces was even almost too much – I was super stuffed after the ramen… but oh my gosh, this was awesome.”

I guess they listened to me, because this time it was only 3 pieces. I’m okay with that – it was plenty, and still just as damn good. Juicy, crisp little nuggets of happiness in each mouthful of meat…

Then the main event arrived. I was surprised to find the bowl warm, even though the menu never said it would be cold. So my bad, guys. My bad — I was also intrigued that I’d not been given a spoon, and when I requested one, my server seemed very confused. No, there’s no soup, but all the little bits – chopped scallions, these white bits that seemed like very mild onions or softened daikon, ground pork – I wanted to stir and mix together properly. With my chopsticks and a spoon, you know? Isn’t that how people normally mix things? Eventually she brought over a tablespoon and an Asian soup spoon, and asked me which I wanted (the Asian soup spoon). I didn’t pay attention after she walked away, but now I wonder if she watched me curiously to see for what purpose I’d use the spoon – seeing as there was no broth.

After diligently tossing it all together and spooling some into the spoon to delicately insert into my mouth, my lips began to tingle.

Oh boy.

The springy noodles played perfectly with the ‘spicy rayu’ (which my extremely rudimentary understanding of Japanese means ‘spicy spicy oil’); the contrasting textures of ground pork, noodles, vegetal crunch from the scallions and white bits was delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed that part of the bowl.

Unfortunately, the heat began to build on itself, eventually cresting to a peak where my entire face was drenched: tears pouring from my eyes, sweat sliding down my nose. I dutifully soldiered on and continued eating, concentrating on the textures and what flavor I could taste that was a lot of heat, a little savory… Sigh.

I actually snapped a photo of my face at the end of my bowl, but decided this is not the right forum for that. I was flushed, my entire face damp – and this was NOT during the wet-heatwave – my eyes swollen a little with misery – but satisfied because, in the end, I won over this bowl of spice-tastic noodles.

I WIN.

Looking at the menu, as much as I want to try the hiyashi – for cold noodles and research purposes, you understand! – the 2 little chili peppers by its name mean I’m unlikely to order it. I’ve learned my lesson (sort of). I highly recommend the soupless dan dan ramen for anyone who enjoys the things I’ve just described, including an intense searing heat that builds and builds upon itself till it just crests, pushing you over the edge into mind blanking pleasure and pain wrapped into one… leaving you completely soaking in the end.

For everyone else, there’s still the regular ramen.

Previously, my adventures in spice tolerance:
Obao’s Bun Bo Hue
Jerk Pan

Hide-Chan Ramen, 248 E. 52nd St, 2nd Fl (btw. 2nd+3rd) (212) 813-1800