Last week me and some friends went to Rai Rai Ken on 10th street btw 2nd and 1st ave. I have never been to Japan, but I hope the ramen bars are at least close to what Rai Rai Ken. I love this place. Very small and no nonsense. Two cooks dipping noodles and making gyoza and one waitress dishing it out. My favorite (there are three) is the miso ramen. Rich miso broth with a huge mound of ramen noodles, slices of chicken, crispy garlic, cabbage and chili oil. Yum! Let's not forget salty hot edamame, pork gyoza, and spicy kim-chee.
Here are some more pictures:
An-nin-dofu (almond flavored tofu) - it was like ambrosia!