Cooking whatever the *@#$ he wants, David Chang isn't your average James Beard award-winning chef. This noodle shop cowboy has an affinity for fast food and foul language. He smokes too much. He's a French Culinary Institute grad, but he cooks some of New York's cheapest eats. When customers complained about the lack of meatless menu options, he chucked pig tails and pork belly in all but one vegetarian dish. Regardless of whatever standards he doesn't follow, chef Chang can be counted on for one thing: giant, shockingly good bowls of succulent noodles filled with Berkshire pork, braised tripe and Long Island razor clams. A move down the street to updated, enlarged digs has only added to his growing appeal, which now includes wildly popular and critically acclaimed sister restaurants Momofuku Ssäm Bar and Momofuku Ko. Beer and sake available. Serving lunch and dinner daily, late-night Fri–Sat.
Where the Locals Eat rating
Best Noodle Shop
Top 100 Restaurant, New York City
"Anything that gives more people easier access to David Chang's steamed buns of pork belly, hoisin, scallion and cucumber is a humanitarian advance. So if that were all that had been accomplished by Momofuku Noodle Bar's recent move into a larger space – there are 65 seats, up from 27 – it would be enough. But that isn't all. With squat stools at communal tables in addition to tall stools at counters, the new Noodle offers a little more comfort. ... "
– Frank Bruni, The New York Times, Apr 9, 2008
"Momofuku is no ordinary noodle bar. It's what happens when a young Korean-American chef trains at top New York restaurants like Café Boulud and Craft, soaks up some local culinary culture in Japan, and builds an unassuming nook in the East Village, where he proceeds to cook precisely the type of food he likes to eat."
– New York magazine
"A space that is small and stark, with stools for quick eating; but the food here is lush and leisurely, and the customers take their time with their massive bowls of soup."
– Newsday
"There are a half-dozen Asian-noodle palaces in the East Village, but this one manages to find a new twist."
– Village Voice
How others rate Momofuku Noodle Bar
The New York Times
Top Pick
New York magazine
* (good); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2009
23 food rating (very good to excellent)
The Village Voice
Critics' Pick
James Beard Foundation
David Chang, Rising Star Chef winner, 2007
Best Chef: New York City winner, 2008