Totto Ramen

Long line — 30+ mins wait
But ramen is first grade! And very friendly staff. There are not many choices but they are all good.

The chicken soup ramen here is so so. The egg is totally boiled instead of half boiled. Disappointing.
They do cash only and there is usually a line.
Still think Ramen Ya is way better and way less people.

Love the ramen!
They serve 6 types of ramen only and accepts only cash.
We ordered the largest meatty ramen and it was delicious, noodles were perfectly cooked. Soup brooth is concentrated and tasty.

Whenever Totto runs through my mind my first thought is «yesssssssss.»
This is by far my favorite place to get ramen. Period. While the lines can be ridiculously long, the food is well worth the wait. It’s reasonably priced (actually pretty cheap compared to Ippudo or Momofuku) but is CASH ONLY.
The hole-​in-​the-​wall ambience can be charming or crazy depending on how you take it. Seating is limited and you’re right there next to the kitchen. Because of the lines and the small space you will feel the pressure to hurry up and eat so that the next people can eat. It definitely doesn’t have the «chill with friends» vibe.
However they work really fast and their service is great. They now how to get people in and out and that’s why you shouldn’t be afraid of the lines. The food is simply amazing. I try and go every time I’m about to travel home

Portions were fairly big, but it’s quite expensive. $ 17 for a bowl of ramen plus tips and tax, not sure if I’d come back again. The broth was a bit too oily for me, and the ramen lacked flavor. The place is tiny so they take your order while you wait outside, so once you go in you get your order within minutes without waiting. It sorta feels rushed. We were in and out within 20 minutes.

Totto was recommended by an acquaintance who lives in the neighborhood. I thought it was terrific. Sorta felt like I was in the movie Blade Runner. This place is small and seats about 12 at tables and another 10 or so at the noodle bar. Lots of locals here so it has to be good.
They only take cash and there are two ATMs close by.
We ordered the steamed char su pork buns which were tasty, not the best but good. I ordered the #2-​spicy pork plaitan an earthy, flavorful broth with garlic and onions. My dining partner had the #1-​chicken ramen and it had a rich, homestyle broth.
Our only mistake was ordering the Ozeki sake which is served cold and creamy. I wouldn’t order it again but that’s my fault.
Service was good and prompt. We ordered while we waited outside and when we were seated the drinks and pork buns were served immediately. The ramen came soon afterward. We never felt rushed even though Totto is fast-​paced.

The Ramen is good but this place is like a fast assembly-​line. They get you in and out quick. Herding humans into shared tables, packing them in really tight and getting you out nice and quick so someone else can take over your spot, these guys knows they are popular right now!
The bubbling broth is cooked and large pots and the staff here works hard to keep it moving.
You will pay for it too. They know you’re coming so they will charge you. Get your credit card out!
I ordered the spicy bowl, which was so hot for me especially on a summer day! I like the sweat though; i’m a person comfortable with eating very spicy food. Somehow, however, this was just hot with not so exciting flavor.
Would I return? No. But try it if you want. You’ll be in and out in less than 25 minutes.

The store may be cramped and you may have to wait outside, but it is worth it. As long as it is not raining, waiting outside for a bowl of ramen is easy. The service is «quick» since you’re waiting until seats clear up. They take your order while you’re in line and the food comes within a couple minutes after you sit down.
The staff are friendly most of the time but have been known to harass for tips so just make sure you leave a tip and you’ll be fine. We got the chicken ramen and pork buns. Both are delicious and you cannot go wrong with the price. $ 10−12/bowl is not a bad deal considering it’ll make you feel wonderful. It’s a bit harder to eat ramen in the summer since you’ll sweat but this place is definitely where you should visit in the winter.
This place is cash only and you may not want to carry large bags when eating here since there won’t be much space.

I’m liking these hole in the wall type of restaurants.
Came here starving for a late lunch around 2:30 with a friend, and of course, ramen was an excellent choice to satisfy our stomachs. Walked down to a below ground shop, and we were greeted and seated immediately. They offer table seating and bar seating, so we chose seats at the bar which allows you to watch the chefs prepare everything. By the way, try not to sit near the broth pots; the heat there is just uncomfortable to be near.
I ordered the pork paitan ramen ($ 10) w/​soft boiled egg (+$ 1) + corn (+$ 1) and shared a broiled char siu pork ($ 6) with my friend.
I literally saw them torch the pieces of pork right in front of me. Looks and tasted great! Very soft and tender. The ramen came out afterwards, and that tasted great as well. Not a huge fan of chopped onions in my ramen though. I could definitely taste the chicken broth flavor in the soup, but it was more a saturated chicken noodle soup kind of taste.
I would come back.

Totto was hands down the best ramen I had and the one ramen shop I was most looking forward to trying. This place is a hole in the wall and has limited seating.
We were seated at the bar and had the pleasure of watching the cooks make our ramen. Keep in mind, the bar seating area was extremely hot because all the ramen broth is being cooked right in front of you.
I ordered the Mega Paitan w/​a soft boiled egg. It comes with three different kinds of meat, pork belly, pork chashu, pulled pork and each one was so succulent and soft. The broth is super flavorful and the noodles are thick and chewy. Extremely large portion size and worth every penny! All the flavors went very well together and I especially liked the garlic flavor.
They take our order outside while we are waiting, so the amount of time spent sitting in the restaurant was actually pretty minimal.
CASH ONLY.

It was my first night in New York City of my trip and my friend and I were deciding what to eat… at around 9PM haha
Luckily, Totto Ramen and Ippudo Ramen were nearby in Hell’s Kitchen so we decided to check out the waiting times for both places. Since Ippudo was crazy packed and the wait was hella long, we ended up going to Totto Ramen because the wait wasn’t too bad and we were too lazy to go and find somewhere else to eat LOL
It’s a really small and cramped inside so if you are claustrophobic, then this ramen place may not be the place for you haha. The vibe inside almost reminds me of being in Asia/​Japan with all the decorations and it’s so loud/​noisy inside but it almost feels like home.
We ordered the Broiled Char Siu Pork as appetizer and 2 bowls of the Chicken Paitan (which has the Chicken Paitan Soup broth topped with scallions, onions, nori, char siu and pulled char siu — either pork or chicken). My friend and I were extremely curious to try chicken ramen since that’s something that is not served or common here in Southern California but we were adventurous and went for it! Oh btw, cash only!
The Broiled Char Siu Pork turned out to be amazing. Since I’m a big fan of everything pork belly and I was extremely hungry at the time, it was an instant hit in my mouth LOL. As for the chicken ramen, surprisingly it turned out quite delicious as well! It wasn’t salty at all. I would say it’s definitely a healthier option/​substitute than your usual heavy, salty pork ramen broth. When I finished, I didn’t feel so bloated afterwards since it was kinda late… so I was pleased by that. It was a quite unique experience for my friend and me. We both agreed that we still love and crave our salty pork ramen broth back in Southern California but this chicken ramen was a good substitute. Thanks for the fun experience! Glad to say that I have officially tried chicken ramen :)

Came here around 5:45pm on a sunday with some friends, and there was already line. It moved pretty fast though. We only had a couple of small groups in front of us and they take your order so that once your table is ready, they bring your food right away. After 6:30, the line got progressively longer. The venue itself is small so it can get pretty tight inside. I got the spicy pork miso ramen. The wavy noodles were cooked really nicely. I couldn’t really drink too much of the broth because I felt like they put too much black pepper. It kind of burned my throat more so than my tongue from spiciness. Overall, I would try again, but may not get spicy next time.

Totto was top on my list of ramen places to stop at during my trip in New York. It did not disappoint and my group of friends agreed the ramen we had here was one of the best we’ve had. I personally liked it much better than Ippudo. I think a lot has to do with the fact that Totto seems to be a more authentic hole in the wall where the chefs all spoke Japanese, whereas Ippudo seemed quite commercialized.
I ordered the spicy paitan ramen with pork and added a soft boiled egg. The broth had the perfect kick of spicy and was very flavorful. The noodles were thin and complimented the soup well. If you like chewy thicker noodles then get the mega paitan since the noodles are different. The egg was good and pork was good too, although I’ve had more tender.
It was a good amount of food and very filling. The wait isn’t too bad, but do note that they have a very strict policy where all members of the party have to be present. Also, cash only.

The short: flavorful ramen with salty soup
Ok, before I get any virtual staredowns because of a 3-​star review on a popular, well-​established place, let me explain.
This is a really random hole-​in the wall place in what seems like a neighborhood for residents, not a popular ramen spot. I came here just before 4 on a Wednesday and was seated immediately at the bar. Score to no wait and fast service. The stools are fixed to the ground and I couldn’t find a hook to place my bag, so I placed it on my lap, hoping that I wouldn’t spill anything on it (thankfully, I didn’t). The menu is very simple and I didn’t want to waste any time, so I picked the mega paitan. Little did I know that this was a special dish in an extra large red bowl.
As I was waiting for the food (a quick 5 minutes), I remarked how small the place is, probably seating 10 at the bar and 10 at tables. Their rooster logo is so cute. Wow, they have vats of broth cooking. Oh cool, the guy is actually taste testing the soup. Hmmm, let’s watch this guy make this bowl (turns out it was mine haha).
I dug in and the verdict? Delicious tender and chewy noodles with lots of meat pieces to choose from. However, the soup was so salty! (the reason for the 3 star). I was later remarking how salty it was to a local New Yorker and they agreed that things are more salty than people are typically used to. I still enjoyed the broth but had to keep drinking lots of water (with prompt refills from the waiters) because of how thirsty I got. The char siu was too dry for my taste, though I did enjoy the pork belly (my favorite).
Towards the end of the meal, I relaxed and noticed that one of the chefs uses one of those flame torches to grill the meat. So interesting. At the end, I realized that they took full advantage of the space they had here. Half of the space is devoted to eating and half of it is for the kitchen. Even the bathroom maximized the space.
Next time I’m in the city, I’ll be checking out other ramen hot spots to determine which I like the best!
Sidenote: cash only

The place was so popular whenever you came. The common waiting time is about an hour when we arrived at weekday afternoon.
My friends and I ordered the original, the spicy and extra spicy with miso. The ramen were all based on the same thick and flavourful chicken broth. The house special spicy sauce was fried garlic and red pepper in sesame oil. Actually, the ramen was just normal but the spicy sauce was really good. I preferred my miso style ramen because the soup with miso became much thicker although it was a little bit salty. We also tried their taroyako which are fried octopus balls. It was just like flour ball because the ball was not crispy at all and only few pieces of octopus inside although the sauce was very tasty.
The staff were not bad but the atmosphere was not that comfortable. Worth trying but sorry I am not a fan.

Ok so I actually went to both Totto and Ippudo within 2 days and both were amazing. I think there are certain things that Totto does better than Ippudo and vice versa.
Luckily the wait here wasn’t terribly long because I was drooling over the smell of cooking ramen. The system of getting seated in the super small joint was a bit odd, but it worked. We actually ordered while we were waiting so that by the time we sat down our food was there in minutes and was piping hot.
The pork buns: These were some really great pork buns. The bun was fluffy and amazing. The pork was super flavorful and was not greasy. What really made these buns were the sauces in the bun. There was a sweet (hoisin or teriyaki) sauce and an aioli packed with flavor. I could eat dozens of these little guys, too bad they don’t do to-​go here.
The ramen: This place is up there with some of the best ramen ever. The noodles here were cooked perfectly and were out of this world amazing. The girl sitting next to us was from Japan and said it tasted just like ramen in Japan. She ate 2 whole bowls by herself. I was impressed. The toppings here were also scrumptious. For my ramen I got a few extras including corn, bean sprouts, cabbage and boiled egg. All worked perfectly with my bowl of goodness. Note that at Totto they use a chicken based broth.
Totto wins vs. Ippudo: Noodles, toping selections, authentic vibes, service speed

Very good ramen. They have chicken option other than pork. The broth is thick and rich, and the noodle has just the right firmness. You can add sides like bamboo shoots and boiled eggs asking others to compete your bowl of awesomeness. If you like spicy, ask for chili oil.
The place is crowded even past peak lunch hours. You put name in the waiting list but the turn around is pretty fast. The service is friendly. I do notice the workers are all Japanese in this place, and that adds up to the feel of authenticity.
The restaurant is pretty small, some people even could feel claustrophobic. They only have a few small tables but they do have a bar seating area facing the cooks, which makes it feel as if you are in Japan. The only thing reminding you that you are in New York is the radio station playing rap songs.
Last thing, take note that they only take cash and don’t do delivery.
I totally recommend this place for authentic ramen lovers.

Great ramen place that is fast and efficient! The wait time was only 20 minutes. We left our name with the host outside and walked to a nearby Duane Reade to withdraw cash, since the ramen place is cash only!
By the time we returned, we only waited 5 minutes until we could be seated inside. There was a waiting area outside with a couple of chairs and a good amount of signs to keep customers quiet due to the neighbors, and to not block the sidewalk while standing to wait. While we waited outside, the host gave us menus and we were able to order in advance before we were seated.
Once we entered, we were seated at the bar stools with a great view of the chef at work. There were three ginormous steel pots with large stirring sticks. The chef used a flamethrower-​like tool to heat up the meats for the ramen (pork, chicken, etc.). Our ramen was made rather quickly and we happily devoured them. You are able to choose extras for the ramen and I recommend the egg, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and corn. The broth was delicious and the noodles were savory. The flavors left us satisfied and full for the night!

Totto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Japan anymore …
The thin chicken broth ramen at Totto Ramen was totally a-​ok, but not special for anyone familiar with the variety of Japanese ramen and definitely not at these prices. I had nearby Ippudo a couple days after Totto and liked it much much more. Totto Ramen was totally ok (3-​stars), but not magical (4-​stars) … or over the rainbow (5-​stars).
Spicy Paitan Ramen ($ 12) with extra Char Siu (Chashu) ($ 2), extra Egg ($ 1), and extra spice ($ 2) was our first bowl. It features thin Ramen Noodles in a Chicken Paitan Soup topped with Spicy Sesame Oil, Scallions, Bean Sprouts, Nori (Dry Seaweed) and Char Siu Pork. The «extras» weren’t really needed or didn’t add much heat.
Mega Paitan Ramen ($ 16) was next. It features the same weak Chicken Paitan Soup and Ramen Noodles topped with a Pork Trio: Sliced Char Siu Pork, Pulled Char Siu Pork, and Pork Belly Chunk. Flavor is brought by Garlic, Onions, Bean Sprouts, Scallions, and Cabbage. It’s like a meat-lover’s ramen.
A pair of Char Siu Pork Buns ($ 6) as an appetizer were a quick starter and helped us kick off the meal-​o-​pork right. The soft white buns with a big chunk of pork are simple and safe (3-​stars).
Living in Japan and Los Angeles for years has definitely fed my ramen fever and raised expectations. There’s better broth, noodles, and pork out there, but pricey Totto Ramen was still totally a-​ok.

You know it’s an authentic legit ramen place when the workers are speaking/​talking shit to each other in Japanese. I found this place while searching for nearby restaurants from ippudo because I couldn’t bear the long wait. Another Unilocaler had said the wait there was not worth it so I decided to try Totto, which was like a 5 minute walk from the other place. Totto Ramen is a very small shop with a few bar seats and maybe 3 – 4 small tables. Don’t expect some fancy restaurant because you won’t get that here.
They don’t let you order take-​out, take reservations, take home leftovers, give you a wait time estimate, and takes CASH ONLY. Man, I really don’t know why this place is so popular when it acts like a high maintenance girlfriend.
I arrived with a party of 3, on a cold snowy day. We were in dire need of something to warm us up from walking in the light snowfall that night. Luckily, we only had to wait like 15 minutes. While waiting, the hostess took our order so that our food arrives right when we got seated. Smart idea, right there.
We ordered the bbq pork belly bun. I got the spicy ramen (#2), my mom got the chicken ramen (#1), and my brother got the mega ramen. My broth was really salty and the spicy kick reminded me of curry. I thought it was just okay. The noodle wasn’t really a favorite either. The mega ramen has a lot of meat and a lot of everything. The broth for the chicken ramen was good: not too light and not too salty. The pork belly bun was just meh; I did not like that either!
The thing that really ticked me off was when we received the bill. 20% gratuity for a party of three. THREE. are you kidding me? Usually, I’m okay with automatic gratuity for bigger parties because those can be more work for the servers. But for a party of three who requested water refills maybe two times and received bitchy attitude from the bitch waitress, you had the audacity to already include it in the bill WITHOUT DISCLOSING IT TO US INITIALLY. AND, when I asked her what the A written next to the tip meant, she rudely replied, «it’s tip. you have to pay it. you have to.» She didn’t even let me ask any follow up question. She just kept saying you have to.
Also, that place is so cramped. I felt so sorry for this man who had to sit at the head of this table of 4. People who had to walk between back and front of the store would have to keep bumping into him or squeeze themselves behind him. It was such a bad scene.
I’m never coming back here. I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, even on my worst enemy. & that’s saying how much I hated my experience here. Thanks bitch waitress from Totto Ramen for ruining my ramen experience.

My husband, and many friends, like this place more than Ippudo. I happen to be more partial to Ippudo, although you can get in here faster. I recommend getting extra pork because you’ll want more! Although you’ll have to waddle out.
I’ve been here plenty of times and will come again.

TLDR:
— Specializes in chicken-​based broth. Silky, flavorful, and not too heavy.
— Recommend: the big one with menma. Plenty of yummy ingredients.

When it comes to broth related winter foods, people can rave about hot pot or phở all they want but for me, there is nothing more satisfying than a delicious bowl of ramen. The complex flavors and textures make for a near euphoric experience for anyone who enjoys a quality noodle soup. Often Ippudo (
) may get the nod for the city’s most well-​known ramen, but my taste buds deem Totto as the best in Manhattan.
There are multiple Totto locations but this original spot is where its at. The subtle décor and intimate ambiance screams Japan all the way, from the narrow interior to the line of up staff behind the counter conversing in Japanese. Stripped of any major pretension or fancy digs, this adds to the experience, even if the food presides above all.
The price to be paid however, is a wait. Solo diners are encouraged to sit at the bar, while the date /​group of 4 will typically get one of the 3 tables resting along the wall. I’ve heard nightmare scenarios of 2 hour waits and such, but coming here at the very beginning of dinner service or with an hour till they close have been my saving grace. Most of the time I’m just walking right in.
Their signature Totto Spicy Ramen ($ 11.25) is delightful. I tend to add Char Siu for my protein and begin slurping the broth with no add-​ons nearly immediately upon receipt. The addition of corn and extra noodles ($ 2) is never a bad thing but if one is go full ramen glutton, then the Mega Ramen ($ 15.50) is a much better choice. There is also the Paitan Ramen ($ 9.75) with al dente noodles swimming wonderfully in a chicken based broth. It reminds me of a souped up version (pun intended) of chicken noodle soup, but with way better noodles.
For our seafood lovers, the Nibo Ramen ($ 13) is another specialty ramen with a fish flavored rayu but retaining all elements of the Paiten for an added kick. Veggie friends have their own ramen stock to slurp from, an original Vegetable Ramen ($ 11.25) and a spicy version for a $ 1 more. Add ons could be anything from corn to extra pork, but any add on only adds to the complexity of the soup. I still can’t bring myself to order their seasoned avocado when it drowns and eventually melts, clouding the broth. Extra noodles however, is almost a requirement on my end.
Another reason I love Totto is their approach on Char Siu (bbq pork). They marinate the meat before charring the outside of it blow torch style and the fatty bits only add to the flavor when mixed in with the broth. Pork Buns ($ 6 for 2) are a bit of an after thought but the Char Siu Mayo Don ($ 5.50) is delicious. The rice has an essence of the pork while the yuzu really gives the dish some real punch palate wise.
The service does their best to accommodate substitutions and requests. They may not seem the most friendly based on having to deal with waiting customers on a daily basis, but show them some respect and they’ll in turn do the same. It is cash only and leave the friends at home. Going solo or having a patient dining companion makes the experience a whole lot simpler.

Not the best ramen ever. Yes I’ve had better!
First of all the wait is long. The guy told us the wait will be 45 minutes but I timed it and it was nearly 90 mins! It was freezing cold outside so I really wanted something hot/​warm to eat.
Second, the place is super tiny. You really have to walk sideways with your elbows in so that you don’t hit anyone. I turned to put my jacket on, that was hanging from the back of my chair, trying not to move my arms too much away from my body, but I still accidentally elbowed someone.
Third, chicken broth was ok. It was different. They had some kind of ball of seasoning in the soup, when I mixed it in my broth it just had this weird bitter taste.
Fourth, it didn’t have a lot of noodles. My bowl looked like it had more of that green onion stuff than noodles.
This place is well liked by others but did not satisfy my taste buds. It’s good to try once.

Totto ramen is probably the second most well known popular ramen joint in NYC (after Ippudo), so you can expect the lines and waiting… sort of. Still, it was a little shocking to me that it was so packed even as early as we got there.
This place is supposed to open at 5:30, so having arrived a little before 6:00 (on Saturday), I thought the wait wouldn’t be too long, given how early it still was. Sadly, there was still a slightly more than an hour long wait. Surprisingly, even when people were told about the long wait time, they still lined up (in January no less).
You generally place your order while in line (maybe about 15 minutes before you get in). The food itself is quite good, and the place isn’t all that cramped. The ambiance is good too. They use chicken base as a broth here, instead of the typical pork, so that’s a little different. Personally, I didn’t think it was as good as the pork based broth like they have over at Ippudo.
Overall, while this place is decent, the long lines, difficult to access location, and the unremarkableness of the ramen probably drag down the overall rating of the place. Kind of conflicted about the review since the food is decent, but nothing else about the place is too solid. Also, cash only.

Got there shortly after 5:30 when they opened service for dinner and there was a large group of people waiting around the entrance. We waited around 30 minutes for a table of two which was actually shorter than I thought we would need to wait. But I guess it’s really not a sit and dine kind of place; you get in, eat your bowl of ramen, pay and get out.
We got an order of pork buns (2 for $ 6) and I ordered a spicy ramen with an egg ($ 1 extra). The pork buns are pretty decent, the pork isn’t too fatty but it’s definitely not as tasty as the ones from Momofuku. The ramen is pretty solid, I liked the texture of the noodles and thought they had a good thickness to them. Their broth is pretty good as well. The egg they give you is somewhere in the middle between soft boiled and hard boiled; would’ve preferred if the yolk was more runny. A standard bowl only comes with 2 pieces of pork; but they are on the thicker side and quite delicious. Overall a solid ramen joint, but not the best I’ve had. Cash only.

2 years after discovering this place, I’m still a fan of this place. I went there often and some staff recognize me. They are so friendly and attentive. Besides good food, their service is friendly!
Currently, the new location near Lexington/​53^st station is more convenient for me, but I still stop by this location because of their friendly staff.

I’ve been wanting to go to Totto for awhile now, but each time I was discouraged by the 30 min+ line up out the door. This time, I went on a Sunday after the blizzard that shutdown all of NYC on Saturday, and yup — got lucky enough to get the last table for two with 0 wait time! Already an amazing start!
The menu was simple, which I appreciated. I picked the Mega Paitan becauase… well it has EVERYTHING in it, including three kinds of my favourite pork cuts (char siu, pulled pork, pork belly) …the choice was too obvious. My boyfriend had the Miso Paitan with char siu.
The noodles arrived in no time. After you first get acquainted with a few bites of the chewy noodles, you then have no choice but to take ingredients-​packed bites as the toppings completely outnumbered the noodles (which I love). The char siu was super flavourful and a good balance of fat vs. lean meat. The pulled pork blended in perfectly with the noodles, so that I was guaranteed porky noodles in each bite. The pork belly was also good, but a little too lean and therefore dry compared to the other two.
The best part of the whole thing was the broth. I was very skeptical about the chicken broth, as most good Ramens I’ve had were all pork broth based. The few times I did try chicken broth, they were salty, watery disappointments. Not at Totto. The broth was the thick, creamy, coats-​your-​lips kind of goodness. I rarely drink noodles soups but this time, I finished the whole bowl and wanted some more.
My boyfriend’s miso ramen was good too — the miso flavour really comes out in the soup. But in comparison to the Mega Paitan that had everything, I was less excited about it.
The restaurant is tiny and bustling — reminded me a lot of the ramen stalls in Tokyo… except I’d say the noodles are even better than the ones good ones I’ve tried in Tokyo.
The only downside of this place for me though, was the music. They were playing heavy metal music, which I find to be too loud and harsh for dinner eating. It was a live concert recording, so there was talking and heavy swearing between songs. Other than that, I was super delighted with my ramen experience at Totto and definitely come back again (when there isn’t a crazy long line up!).

Visited this location on ½/​16.
Arrived shortly after they opened and got our names on the list were told it would be about a 45 minute wait.
So, after 1 hr. and 45 minutes on a chilly January afternoon, we were finally shuffled in and seated.
Runny noses and hungry stomachs we were ready to enjoy the hype.
The food did come out quickly.
The Char Siu Pork Buns were fatty but a nice warm and delicious start,
and we also got two bowls of the Spicy Miso Ramen.
The noodles were on point but that Broth,
It seriously tasted like we were drinking straight Pepper Soup.
For that wait and the price point, i’ll go somewhere else for Ramen.

This place is CASH only! I’ve heard that there’s usually a line for Totto Ramen, but we dropped in around 8pm and got a table right away. I ordered the Totto Chicken Paitan Ramen with a boiled egg and some pork buns. It was exactly what I needed after a long flight. The ramen broth was super flavorful and comforting, the noodles were cooked well, and the pork was tender. The pork buns were tasty (⁴⁄₅) but not as good as the pork buns from Ippudo (⁵⁄₅). I want to try all of the other menu items at Totto Ramen so I will definitely be coming back soon.

There was a line when we walked up, but we put our name down for 2 and were seated within 30 mins. We got a bottle of sake to split as we decided what to eat.
I got the spicy chicken+an egg, and my friend got the spicy miso. 2 huge bowls were brought out within 5 mins and we dug into our meals. The noodles were wonderfully cooked and the pork was super tender. The broth has a lovely taste and I would gladly eat here again. I preferred the miso over the regular ramen as I thought the miso added that little extra «oomph» to the dish… but that’s my personal preference.

I thought their ramen was pretty good, so I told my friends to go there sometimes. But then he told me that totto ramen tastes like Ajinomoto. I thought about it and maybe that was why it tasted good.
If you like the taste of unnatural chemicals, you will like their ramen, but if you are not, don’t go here.
I ended up doing juice cleanse for next three day just to feel better about eating unhealthy food. (I shouldn’t have eaten ramen in the first place…).
It was nice to try totto ramen. I liked it. So I want go back there again like a year later.

Totto = my favorite ramen spot in NYC (so far*)!
* Asterisk is necessary because there are always new ramen joints popping up here and I have yet to try them all.
Yes, the wait is crazy. Yes, it’s a hole in a wall. But if you know how to work the system, the food is worth the wait.
1) If you are going there for lunch, arrive by 11:45 am. You will be one of the first to be seated when they open the doors 15 minutes later.
2) If you are going there for dinner, arrive by 5:00 pm. You will be one of the first to be seated when they open the doors 30 minutes later.
3) If you can’t make it before 5:15 pm to put your name down, be prepared to wait about an hour (1.5 hours during peak dinner hours). That’s still better than Ippudo.
4) Bar seating is awesome if you want to watch the chefs do their thang.
5) The staff won’t seat you or take your order outside until everyone is there, but you (or someone in your party) can arrive early and put your name down so the rest of your party doesn’t have to wait too long.
6) If you’re not there for the hole-​in-​a-​wall experience, you can go to their two other locations. The wait time there will be way less.
When there, definitely get the char siu (pork) buns as an appetizer. The perfectly savory and charred pork belly is so worth it. I’ve also heard the uni (sea urchin) over rice is good. As for the ramen, any of them is great, but personally I’m a fan of the paitan chicken broth (as opposed to the standard pork broth). My personal favorite is the extra spicy miso paitan. The pork belly in the ramen is enough to set the tone of the dish, but I still load it up with some kikurage mushrooms, spicy bamboo, and corn when possible. I’m not even going to think about the sodium content in that one bowl. Mmmm potential high blood pressure in my future…
Even if you’re not a fan of waiting in line, Totto is a must try at least once!

Small hole in the wall place that can easily be missed if it wasn’t for a crowd of people waiting in line to get in.
It’s fairly cheaper than other ramen places with a bowl of ramen starting at $ 10.
Service here is prompt and good. The server made sure our water was filled at all times and asked to make sure how everything is, if it’s all good.
I had the chicken ramen with extra spicy. It was $ 12. My friend had the chicken ramen which was $ 10 so pretty much hot sauce was $ 2…
Not sure if it’s worth it to pay $ 2 for the hot sauce or if they offer the sauce on the side like sriracha?
It’s cash only!

**CASH ONLY**
This particular location is larger than the other location about a block away and there are actual tables in addition to bar seating. Our party of 5 was quoted ~5−10 minutes for our wait around 3:30pm in the afternoon (the kitchen closes at 4:30pm). We all ordered different ramen bowls — I had ordered spicy paitan (#2) and added corn and egg. My ramen came out first and the broth was rich, flavorful, and the portions were generous.
However, the rest of the ramen for our party came out at different times and they just dropped the ramen off without saying the name (or number). We were confused as to who ordered what, since some of our toppings were similar. When we corrected the server’s mistake, she gave us a death stare. When all of our bowls were given to us, we enjoyed everything and there were no more complaints on our end.
I still enjoy Ippudo more, but Totto definitely comes in 2^nd place for me in regards to ramen in NYC.

The famous Totto ramen. This place is ok. The setting is very Japanese. Small space, long line. Comparing with those popular places in Tokyo, this place has nothing to special.
Wait time can be extremely long, so don’t come during rush hour. And yes, cash only. Their server was not really nice to me. Since they were all single seating, I asked if I can be placed somewhere else then the corner so it won’t be too crowded but she just said no, assertive and a bit rude
I like the bun, but it doesn’t look good. They use the same roast pork in ramen… Most people agree that they don’t know how to cook meet.

I rolled the dice and found myself a lucky man grabbing a solo seat in less than five minutes. With its no frills, basement type atmosphere, this isn’t the best place to meet and catch up with friends. Sit, savor, and then get the fuck out because there are some hungry assed people giving the stink eye from up those steps.
A cash only restaurant, the $ 16 Mega Paitan was the plan until my wallet bitch slapped me and gave me the bad news that I only had $ 17. All those bar tabs really did add up! With the ATM being a half block away, and not wanting to give up my seat, I settled on the Chicken Paitan with extra pork char siu for $ 12.
There is greatness in this broth. The thick, rich heartiness of every spoonful truly captured chicken flavor like none other. Totto should consider bottling this and selling it as «depression medicine». It’s totally understandable why people wait an extended amount of time for this.
Obviously a personal preference, but I did not enjoy the super al dente noodles. That was easily made up for by the delightfully fatty slices of pork floating from side to side. Definitely worthy of a visit if the wait is 30 minutes max.

I legit LIVE FOR NOODLES!
I had been trying to come back to this place for the past 4 years. Only 2 things have stopped me from completing my task: 1– Bad memory of a wonderful date I had 2– The 45 people constantly waiting for the 14 SEATS that are available inside.
While this prevented me from waiting the constant hour long wait to get a seat for noodles, I was in the area yesterday running errands and like the sun on a cloudy day, the sky parted and there was no one waiting for seats. Soon to be remedied as 15 people showed up 10 mins after I sat down.
I promptly ran down the stairs for the 1 spot at the bar that remained.
OMG, Sooooooo tasty and fast.
Reminds me of cold nights in Tokyo at my favorite noodle shop.
The bowls are HUGE so bring your stomach.
Noodles are made fresh in front of you, ingredients and all added at your pleasure, Don’t wear WHITE bc there will be some splash– action happening!
Everything on the menu is tasty.

This store is SMALL! Unlike some of the other locations, this is a little subterranean bar that has the feel of a local gem. I suggest going alone, because your wait for a spot will be reasonable/​immediate. Don’t even bother going if you have more than 2 people. You will be waiting too long. I suggest the other Totto locations.
In any case, they have your standard assortment of Ramen. Their broth is delicious, and the toppings are also done very well. However, it’s not the sort of place you linger because you can see the line forming outside.
I’ve made the mistake of coming here without enough cash. I’d bring $ 20 at least, since the noodles run about $ 12 and I assume you want that soft-​boiled egg. Luckily, there is a Bank of America just 2 blocks away.

Came here on a rainy night, perfect for ramen! This place is super busy, we had about a 20 – 25 min wait and the waitress even took our order outside so our food was ready when we came in. They have a super fast turn over of their tables.
We didn’t realize this place was cash only until the waitress came to take our order. She took it and said we can go to the nearby atm after. Well within 3 min our order was ready lol. She said to go after we ate… no problem right?! Well my boyfriend and I finished our meal and when he ran to the arm the waiter came over and asked where he went (which I thought was kind of strange) when I told him he ran to the atm he rolled his eyes. I asked for some water and he walked away… never brought me my water! It was almost like he was annoyed we had to get cash… terrible service.
As for the food it’s delicious! Broth is great and noodles are on point. Would love to go back there, just with a different server lol.
Don’t forget to bring cash!

Llegamos por recomendación de Unilocal,y segundo porque al llegar hay mucha gente afuera esperando, mucho hipster, chica linda y japs, así que no hubo falla. El lugar está en la parte de abajo de las típicas casas neoyorkinas y, aunque chiquito, tiene buena ventilación y no sales oliendo a nada. Algo super smart es que estando afuera te hacen llegar el menú para que ordenes lo que quieres y al sentarte prácticamente te lo ponen en la mesa. Mi recomendación es que le preguntes al mesero su top 3 de platos más pedidos y de ahí te sigas con algo más. Si te sientas en la barra además platicas con la demás banda y con los cocineros. Música como si fuera un bar en Neotokio de 2020. Si acabaste no hagas sobremesa, pues además de que te verán horrible, hay mucha gente afuera esperando entrar.

Quand j’avais environ 13 – 14 ans, j’ai passé un été au complet à manger de nouilles ramen en sachet. À part le Kraft Dinner, c’est la seule autre chose que j’aimais cuisiner! Mais les ramen de Totto Ramen, n’ont rien à voir avec ça à part que cette petite histoire vous donne une idée de mon expertise côté ramen: nulle!
Alors, pourquoi un 5 étoiles? Certainement pas parce qu’on a attendu à peu près 2 heures avant d’être assis. Quoique vu qu’on ait passé environ 1h50 de ces deux heures dans un pub irlandais sur le même bloc à boire des bières locales, et un peu de Jameson, ça passer super vite et ça né nous a pas dérangé du tout. Ça n’est pas non plus pour l’odeur de sauce à poisson donc la mini salle de toilette est imprégnée.
Ces détails s’évanouissent entièrement une fois qu’on est assis avec un bon bol de nouilles ramen devant nous. Et des bières. Et du kimchi. Par une journée froide et pluvieuse passée à marcher les rues du Manhattan, il n’y a pas meilleur remède. Tout est fait sur place à partir d’une des cuisines les plus minuscules au monde! C’est savoureux et ça remplit très bien. Ça fait chaud au coeur comme à l’estomac.
Comme tous ceux qui l’ont exclamé en sortant: l’attente en vaut la peine. Point final.