This newly opened noodle shop is a sister restaurant to Minca, which I've never visited, though I understand the menu is much the same. Apart from a short list of appetizers (a plate of gyoza, pan-fried dumplings that were headed to another customer, awaits a return visit), the lineup features a dozen varieties of ramen, all with "sliced stewed pork and some mountain vegetables," prepared with a choice of five noodle styles. (A thirteenth, higher-priced, "special" entry, kimchi miso ramen, is listed without further explanation or options; apparently, you know it or you don't.)
Prepared with wavy wheat noodles, wahoo sio ramen ($9.50) sat in a chicken broth (wahoo?) flavored with salt (pronounced, and usually spelled, shio) and roast scallion (whose aroma I found off-putting). Perhaps it's an authentic Japanese variation on this style — Kambi's basic pork sio broth, and the pork-and-chicken sio, are tweaked with roast garlic — but it's not for me. Perhaps I should get to know that kimchi miso.
Kambi Ramen House
351 East 14th St. (1st-2nd Aves.)
212-288-1366
Closed Monday
