Caleb P., New England Conservatory
When the average college student thinks of ramen, usually the cherished memories of late-night cram sessions with Styrofoam and foil packets flood the senses. Traditionally the food of Japanese peasants, ramen noodles have become an icon of not only hard work and simplicity, but cheapness and convenience as well. The noodle house Ippudo in New York, however, challenges you to reconsider this image. Located in East Village, the line on 4th Avenue outside Ippudo starts to build an hour before its dinner hours begin at 5pm. By fifteen minutes to the hour, a healthy throng of fifty to sixty hungry noodle-fans block the sidewalk, prompting both pedestrians and vehicles to pause and ask the reason. “Noodles? That’s it?” Most had a hard time understanding why one would stand in line for another version of the common dish, myself included, if not for the strong hype built from repeat customers.
