A New, Must Visit Spot in Huntington Village
Last week, I was lucky enough to be asked to review a new Japanese restaurant in Huntington Village named Kyuramen. Little did I know the experience I was in for.
Kyuramen in Huntington
The last decade and the rapid expansion of social media has given us the ability to follow the footsteps of food stallions like Anthony Bourdain as we can travel to far off markets and sample the street foods of cultures we may never get to experience in person.
If you’re like me, you’ve undoubtedly seen some video that will forever be etched in your mind under the “I’ve got to try that someday” tab. You’re not alone. The good news is… this melting pot of flavors and cultures that we call home has realized there is opportunity for palate expansion.
Enter New York City entrepreneur Gary Lin, who in 2014 founded Kyuramen in Bayside, Queens with the hopes of delivering authentic and affordable Japanese cuisine to working class and student populations. He must have done something right… because a decade later, the original location has expanded to fifteen different states and over 30 Kyuramen spots, with the most recent opening in August to Huntington’s vibrant dining scene, curated by the father and son duo of Steve and Jackie Wong.
Kyuramen—meaning “9 ramens”—brings a diverse selection of ramen dishes and Japanese street food to Long Island. But the menu certainly doesn’t stop at ramen, and for an early Thursday lunch, Going Local Long Island ventured in to try it out.
First Impressions
First impressions – as we strutted off Main Street and peeked inside the dining room, it’s impossible to ignore the restaurant’s distinctive multi-level honeycomb-shaped booths. For one – they are beautiful in their design – providing an aesthetic appeal and overall character that embodies the soul of the restaruant. The innovative design ensures a private and comfortable experience, enhancing the enjoyment of each meal. Kyuramen has gone out of its way to create a public dining space that focuses on privacy and intimacy.
On The Menu at Kyuramen
I’ve read of Japanese culture and how they look at meals as an opportunity to strengthen relationships, as well as a chance to display both respect and gratitude. “Itadakimasu”… I humbly receive is often uttered before a meal – and Kyuramen’s ambiance shows the tradition lives and breathes within its walls.
We began our meal with an amazing lemonade and a Thai iced tea. The tea had a gentle sweetness and was creamy and delicious. The lemonade was tart and refreshing. They were both quite delicious.
Kyuramen’s menu showcases a variety of authentic Japanese dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients. We were here to try as many of their signature dishes as possible.
Recommended Dishes at Kyuramen
The meal began with two very distinct ramen dishes. We had to try their best-selling Tokyo Tonkotsu Shouyu. Served with Chashu Pork, Half Marinated Egg, Corn, Bamboo Shoots, Wakame, Scallion, Nori in a pork broth, and your choice of black or white garlic – we opted for the black. It was rich and delicious. Every egg served was perfectly cooked using the 7-minute rule, leaving the richest of yolks for our devouring.
To complement their best-seller, we tried their Yinyang Bowl. Served with, Chashu Pork, Shrimp Tempura, Scallop, Baby Corn, Half Marinated Egg, Naruto Maki, Bamboo Shoots, Corn, and Scallions in a Pork Broth, it offers two flavors for those who might like a little spice on one side and the counterbalance of the milder pork broth on the other.
Our incredible server Jalise came out next with a signature appetizer known as their Honeycomb platter. Probably the only dish on the menu not available for take-out, it featured a sampling of Chilli Garlic Edamame, Lobster & Chashu Salad Ball, Tamago Egg, Shrimp Tempura, Eel Unagi, Scallops, and Seaweed Salad. It also featured a slice of their omelet branded with the trademark Kyuramen name.
Next on the list was the Tonkatsu Omurice. If you watch food videos online, you know what this is. It’s a perfectly cooked, velvety omelet served over fried rice – and theatrically cut by the chef to allow its custard-like insides to cascade over the dish. Served with a demi-glaze or curry sauce, it was accompanied by a crisp pork cutlet (tonkatsu). The blend of flavors between the sweet fried rice, the fluffy omelet and the crisp pork was a dream come true. We sampled with the curry sauce, and will certainly be back to try the wildly popular demi-glaze next.
We moved next to the Seafood Kamameshi – a rice dish served in a hot pot that features skewers of Shrimp, Scallop, Eel, Half Marinated Egg, Tamago, and scallion. This is another traditional Japanese dish that showcases Kyuramen’s fresh and quality ingredients.
Excellent Service that Matches the Experience
The attentive and friendly staff contributed greatly to the meal by fostering a welcoming environment, ensuring that each guest feels valued. The combination of excellent service, innovative design, and authentic cuisine makes Kyuramen a standout destination for both casual diners and Japanese food enthusiasts.
We closed out the meal with two more small plates – a classic Takoyaki – Savory Japanese pancake ball with octopus inside topped with dry bonito flakes, aonori, mayo and teriyaki sauce, and a Yakitori platter, which featured Negima (Chicken Thigh w. Leek), Gyu Harami (Beef Skirt), Butabara (Pork Belly), Baby Scallop and Zucchini.
Dessert Options
We couldn’t skip dessert despite having no room left for it. Kyuramen features six signature desserts to appeal to your sweetheart tooth. We split their matcha pudding and matcha tiramisu. Once again – the presentation and delivery was impeccable. Served on wooden trays, the tiramisu was served in a small wood box perfectly filled to the rim and dusted with matcha powder. The pudding was topped with sweet red beans and accompanied by a small pitcher of milk. The tiramisu was fluffy and rich, and the pudding was creamy and flavorful. Next time it will be to try the purple sweet potato crepe cake.
Run, Don’t Walk to Kyuramen!
In summary, Kyuramen in Huntington offers a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese flavors and modern dining aesthetics. Whether you’re seeking a private dining experience in their unique booths or eager to explore a diverse menu of Japanese street food and desserts, Kyuramen promises a memorable culinary adventure right in the heart of Huntington Village.
For more Food Reviews, click HERE!
Mr. Madden received a comped meal for his review, but no other compensation was received. The reviewed restaurant did not receive an advance copy of the review and receives no editorial control of the copy.
