Review: Tonchin's tonkotsu ramen 🍜 is full of flavor and (surprisingly) isn't overhyped (Midtown East NYC)

The biggest advantage to solo dining is quick seating, even at higher profile restaurants like Tonchin NYC, a Michelin Bib Gourmand NYC awarded ramen restaurant in Midtown East. Three groups of two or three ahead of me, I walk in, and I'm immediately seated at the bar after a quick cleaning.

More often than not, hyped places and/or guidebook restaurants (the same ones you read over and over again in a list of "What to Eat in NYC") disappoint me (*cough* Katz's Delicatessen pastrami on rye *cough cough*). The hype does not match the joy I get or even sometimes the quality of the food. For example, KazuNori was just okay and I won't be going back unless it's for a friend's birthday or hangout or something.

Michelin's Bib Gourmand award though is different for me. Not everyone is familiar with this Michelin award, and more than once I've gently corrected friends announcing that whatever restaurant has a Michelin star when what they have is either a Bib Gourmand or a Michelin recommendation (those red window sticker are deceptive!).

Earning a Michelin recommendation means that the restaurant has been acknowledged by Michelin for having quality ingredients and cooking. Michelin recommended means that the restuarant is above average (out of the restaurants the inspectors have paid a visit to that year), but aren't quite at the Bib Gourmand level, or higher. Being a Michelin recommended restaurant in simpler words is getting a wordless nod from the big guy himself, before he heads off to whatever.

Michelin recommended restuarant include Bar Tulix (tuna tostadas were 🔥, but everything else was just okay and wonder if it was the "secret" dinner club format I ate the 5 course meal and less the restaurant), Cadence (great vegan soul food, heavy on the mushrooms), Noreetuh (meh "elevated" Hawaiian), Wallsé (one of the first more expensive restaurants I went to when I moved to NYC in 2021 and probably the most disappointing. Wasn't a surprise when they were stripped of the Michelin star they'd had since 2006 in 2022), and Ci Siamo (amazing and the restuarant that made me realize I actually like Italian) to name a few. Aka restaurants that, as a whole, I wasn't too impressed with.

Bib Gourmand is a distinction between Michelin recommended and the stars distinction. Bib Gourmand denotes good, quality restaurants that serve more recognizable, easy-to-eat food at a reasonable price. I want to say Bib Gourmand seems to be a sweet spot for me, as I have yet to be disappointed by a meal at a Bib Gourmand restaurant (if we forget about Katz), but my sample size is smaller than the sample size for Michelin recommended.

I've only been to Katz, Dhamaka (one of two sit down restuarants I've been to more than once!), West New Malaysia (the other sit down restuarant I've been to more than once, but the second time it was wasn't as good so I don't think I'll be back), and Tonchin would be the fourth.

Expectations were low for Tonchin. Why is the space so clean and modern? How are two-story ceilings economical when square footage in Manhattan is $$$$$? Is the money going into the Tonchin Midtown West location and not into the food? Obviously the slightly voyeuristic small rectangular storefront window framing the warmly lit interior is meant to bring to mind sanctuary, right? Do they build these spaces small on purpose to give them an "exclusive" feel?

Glass of water at hand, I ordered the spicy tan tan ramen ($21). Chewy, homemade noodles bathed in silky, rich tonkotsu pork broth. It was topped with all the usual toppings. Roasted chashu pork. Spicy ground pork. A perfect soft-boiled egg. Shredded scallion. Menma. Chili pepper. I didn't finish the bowl but I made a dent and I finished the broth, as I always try to do.

"Tonchin" means place to come together, where all are welcome. I certainly felt welcomed on the warmer than average autumn night. It was a very happy solo dinner.

But why was the chashu sliced so thinly?

Big questions aside, they have a killer weekday special on the menu Monday to Friday until 2:30 excluding holidays: $25 for 1 side and 1 main. Some of the items do have an additional $1 to $3 charge though. I guess paying the extra $4 for something else you can't finish but can taste and nibble at might be worth it at a place as good as this.

Walk-ins on a Thursday night didn't seem too bad for two people from what I saw, maybe 15-20 minutes. Still, booking about a week in advance for two or more people to have the most time slot options is best.

If you have room for dessert (and you should always have room for dessert), Tonchin has kakigōri (shaved ice) for $16 to $18. If you're like me and being in the same place for too long makes you a little squirmy, you could take an 8 minute walk and end the night with shaved ice at Grace Street Coffee & Dessert an 8 minute walk from Tonchin New York. I have heard good things about (but have not made it to) Sundaes Best, which is said to have fantastic Asian-inspired gelato and is a 7 minute walk from Tonchin.

The nitty gritty? Tonchin New York doesn't have a dress code. Despite Tonchin New York being known for their tonkotsu ramen, I'd say this an appropriate restuarant for vegans and vegetarians. There's a single vegan ramen option, and a couple other vegan/vegetarian items on the menu. Gluten-free pickings are a little fewer, so I would not recomment Tonchin to anyone with a gluten intolerance. I highly recommend making reservations via Resy if your party is a group of two or more.

Looking for more Michelin restaurant reviews? I tried 1 Michelin-starred Musket Room in Nolita if you're looking to drop a lot of cash on a meal. For something more laidback, cozy, and cheaper, West New Malaysia is fantastic and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand.