Terakawa Ramen is conveniently located an avenue away from Gramercy Green at 23rd and Lexington Ave. Its menu consists of a variety of Japanese dishes with a focus on ramen (obviously) and the atmosphere is cozy, yet simple with wooden tables and chairs, a brick wall in the back, and authentic Japanese signs and flags scattered about.

Starters

Terakawa Ramen

Photo by Angie Oo

The tako yaki consists of 6 balls of fried batter filled with octopus and smothered in fishy bonito flakes along with sweet sauces. They are succulent and tender with a subtle fishy taste.

Price: $4.50

Terakawa Ramen

Photo by Angie Oo

The kuro buta sausages appeared a little greasy, but they certainly didn’t taste it. The sausages are very smoky and porky with a hint of maple syrup.  To top it all off, the Japanese spicy mayo adds a kick which can make any avid sushi eater reminiscent.

Price: $3.50

Ramen

Terakawa Ramen

Photo by Angie Oo

The mayu ramen has a black broth, intimidating and odd at first, but made with pork bones, it’s smoky and just the right amount of oily. It is a perfect complement to the tender slices of roast pork and egg with a center so gooey and rich it shouldn’t be legal. The ginger cuts through with a bit of bright heat, and if you add the table condiments like sesame seeds and roasted garlic it gets even better.

Price: $10.00

Terakawa Ramen

Photo by Angie Oo

The shoyu ramen, which is a more mild ramen than the mayu, has a slightly fishy flavor because of the naruto (fish cake) in it. The noodles are expertly cooked, never too soft or too hard, and you can always get more for just an extra $1.50!

Price: $9.00

Dessert

The mango mochi ice cream (AKA mango ice cream wrapped in a rice cake) comes as a pair of ice cream “balls” wrapped in a plastic wrapper. The presentation is mediocre, but the mango mochi balls are light and slightly sweet to finish a very fulfilling meal.

Price: $3.00

Over all, the ramen at Terakawa isn’t super pricy, running from $9-14, the dishes are large, the scene is authentic, and the staff is friendly.  For its low priced dishes, Terakawa Ramen is one of the most convenient and delicious restaurants I’ve ever been to.  I would dare to say it’s even better than pricier East Village ramen restaurants. So if you’re a Gram resident or just visiting a friend near Gramercy, take a chance to visit this  non college-kid filled authentic Japanese dining spot!

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Address: 18 Lexington Ave (between 22nd and 23rd)
Hours of Operation: Daily 11am-11pm