Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
We were on the Lower East Side and were looking for a place to have lunch when we stumbled upon Cho-Ko, a small ramen joint. The weather was perfect for ramen, so I was looking forward to it. It is a small place and I was surprised it was empty, although we arrived five minutes after their opening time. But it remained empty until we left...
Dining room at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Types of ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Lucky cat at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Tea set at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
They offer a lunch menu with an appetizer and a ramen for $13/$14 that is a good price. Jodi decided to go for the pork gyoza and the shoyu ramen, made with soy based broth, bamboo shoots, spinach, braised pork and half an egg.
The pork gyoza were very good, deliciously crispy on one side, with a tasty filling and a thin shell. I was surprised that they gave six pieces as part of the lunch.
Pork gyoza at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Pork gyoza at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
The ramen was so so and I did not like the smell or taste of the broth.
Shoyu ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Shoyu ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
On my side, I got the pork buns, as well as the gomoku ramen, a soup made with a soy sauce based broth, vegetables, shrimp, chicken, squid, pork and half an egg. The pork buns were pretty good and had lots of pork in it, smothered by a very good sauce.
Pork buns at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Pork buns at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
But the ramen was not that great. Well, same base as the one Jodi picked, with too much bokchoy for my taste.
Gomoku ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Gomoku ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
At least, I appreciated the noodles that were thin and had a nice bite...
Noodles in the Shoyu ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
Noodles in the Gomoku ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC
I admit that I was disappointed with Cho-Ko: this is not a place I would go back to for sure. I think places like Zundo-Ya or Ippudo are much better!
Enjoy (I did)!
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