Ramen may seem to be an unlikely choice for a mid-summer dinner, but something about a salty, savory bowl started to sound like just what we needed as we traversed through a “severe” New York City summer storm, trapped on the bottom level of the ferry. Sunkissed and tipsy, we biked back from the LIC landing and parked our bikes outside of Mu Ramen, the one soupy spot in the city we hadn’t sunk our faces into.

As I fought with my persistently finicky bike lock, a fortuitous woosh of 7-train wind gust blew my dress nearly above my head. I laughed and jumped off the grate only to see a beautiful Asian woman slightly behind me, laughing.

“I’m so sorry,” I told her. “It’s a bathing suit!”

“No,” she said. “That was so Marilyn Monroe. So iconic.” I felt better but still not exactly Marilyn as she held the door open for us. “I’m Mu,” she extended her hand to introduce herself, although she already knew way too much of me. 

“Holy shit,” I said, realizing I’d just mooned the owner of perhaps the most famous Ramen spot in the city. I mooned Mu. 

I sat my slightly ashamed ass down in corner table, next to my partner and ramen enthusiast boyfriend, as Mu handed us menus and politely poured us water. 

She noted a few of her favorite sakes, pouring us a taste and toasting with both of us while walking us through the food menu. Considering that this was our first time and knowing that Mu was about way more than just your average Spicy Pork Miso (of course, there’s a time and a place for all different types of ramen, but here we wanted something more…) we settled in two adventurous starters and a bowl each.

And after an hour-long, sake-infused flavor adventure that I never thought possible in Long Island City, I’ve bared it all below in my list of everything you shouldn’t miss at Mu Ramen. 

Okonomiyaki

This just-fancy-enough scallion pancake was elegantly topped with smoked trout and drizzled with a foi gras syrup that was achieved a perfect balance between sweet, savory, and memories of my last trip to France. You need this on your table. 

Tebasaki Gyoza

I am nearly at a loss for words. These “chicken wings” have the bones removed and then foi gras inserted in their place, delicately breaded with brioche and lightly fried and served to you upon a plate that arrives at your table and says “these are clearly not chicken wings”. Whatever it is, they are one of the best bites in the city. Do not pass this up. 

Pork Tonkatsu

The most traditional bowl on their menu which is why, inevitably, it’s a must-order. Kind of like those people who measure the worthiness of a by-the-slice pizza shop but getting a plain cheese slice, everywhere they go. I am not those people, but I like talking to those people about their research. This was far from plain cheese slice and also, world’s apart from the other tonkatsu I’ve had in Brooklyn. Creamy but not overbearing, topped with rich pork belly and a slew of other fancy accouterments that did not disappoint, and let’s just say that dizzying little fishcake nearly had me fall out of my seat. 

Chicken Shio Ramen

Chicken ramen has never been my go-to, mostly because it always feels like fancy chicken noodle soup and vaguely reminiscent of the fake coughs and pleads to stay home from school. But this bowl came highly recommended from Mu herself, and it didn’t disappoint. A rich chicken-based broth topped with truffle paste and with delicate folds of ham subtly submerged beneath, it’s somehow one of the best bowls I’ve had in the city. And I didn’t have to pretend to be sick in order to get it.

My only regret? Not getting the dry-aged short-rib burger. It was on special and something that I wish, somehow, we had room for. 

The other part of the story that you need to know is that Mu started as a pop-up in the back of a nearby bagel shop and soon developed a cult following. After receiving a very flattering yet also jarring review in the New York Times, they were forced to shut down due to the arguable illegality of the venture, much to the very vocal chagrin of their followers. Thankfully, the exposure and reactions were just the push they needed to commit to a permanent location, but this humble spot in LIC still feels a bit clandestine. There’s no sign outside, just a funky red and white light fixture jutting out from a brick wall. A few humble tables line the wall and the open-kitchen feels almost like a deli counter, or, perhaps, a bagel shop. And it’s still cash-only, making it still feel unestablished and perhaps a bit anti-proletariat.

These are the ramen renegades, and every bowl and plate they serve feels like a courageous victory.

We left sake-tipsy and immensely satisfied, and I realized that maybe, being a little cheeky before dinner might be my new move. 

Mu Ramen is located at 1209 Jackson Ave in Long Island City.

let’s face it– no one really has time to spend 2+ hours in a movie theater. but now that the “experts” have spoken, we can sacrifice that time with a little more confidence. dodge the cold (and snow!) this weekend and check out some of new york’s most unique and iconic theaters to get a head start on your oscar ballot.

Nitehawk Cinema, williamsburg.
the way williamsburg does a cinema- small theaters, amazing food, and rotating movie-themed cocktail list.
136 metropolitan ave. www.nitehawkcinema.com

BAM Rose Theater, cobble hill.
nestled into the iconic Brooklyn Academy of Music, theaters offer carnegie-hall like acoustics and both blockbuster and independent films.
30 lafayette ave, www.bam.org

Lincoln Plaza, upper west side.
subterranean art house theater across from lincoln center showing mostly independent films on small screens. under the ground.
1886 broadway, http://www.lincolnplazacinema.com/

Anjelika Film Center, soho.
iconic independent film theater located in soho- sound enhanced by real new york subway rumblings! (trust me, you’ll find it charming.)
18 west houston, www.anjelikafilmcenter.com

Pavilion Theater, park slope
this big-screen digital cinema blends seamlessly into its charming neighborhood.
188 prospect park west, www.paviliontheater.com/

if you prefer to rent, try Film Noir in greenpoint for an extensive collection of independent, foreign, noir, and blockbuster films- plus an incredibly knowledgeable owner. take owner’s pick if you’re having trouble deciding- he’s never let me down.
10 Bedford ave. no website, just walk through the door the old-fashioned way.

THURSDAY
Museum of Food and Drink features Combat Rations and You, williamsburg
this new museum is the only of it’s kind in new york, allowing guests to taste their way through exhibits. located in the heart of boutique eateries and the farm-to-table movement, prepare to have your mind and tastebuds blown away. thursday’s event explores military food throughout history, and its impact on the everyday “rations” available to us today.
62 bayard st, 630-8pm, $15. eat up!
in addition, check out current exhibition flavor- making it and faking it, on show through 2/28

an evening of Expanded Cinema, nitehawk theater, williamsburg.
take a trip on over to the nitehawk cinema and let go while your mind explores the boundless nature of sight, color, sound, and movement. what you do before arrival is up to you… just tune in, drop out, and explode into a psychadelic slipstream, $16, 136 metropolitan ave.

FRIDAY
Like a (Lady) Boss– happy hour shopping and networking event, williamsburg
head over to antoinette vintage for an evening of inspirational networking, aspirational vintage shopping, and completely impulsive flash tattooing. cocktails provided by real vodka, the only vodka for badass, career driven women. flash tattoos by tea leigh- $30-50, designs available on Facebook. 5-9pm, 119 grand st, get connected.

ROOTS Cafe Poetry Series, park slope
there is nothing better than the warmth of shared verse among neighbors, contemporaries, and strangers. come to roots cafe’s monthly poetry series and feel enlightened, rejuvenated, and inspired. seek, here. 639 fifth ave, 8-10pm.

Opening Reception and Adult Sleepover at Flux Factor, friends only, long island city.
i mean- no, that isn’t called an orgy. it’s called an adult sleepover at the opening of an art exhibit that celebrates all the wonder and enchantment of friendship. if you’re going to sully the whole idea then just don’t come. and be comfortable sitting at home with no one braiding your hair, giving you a makeover, trying to make you light as a feather and stiff as a board and burning pictures of select ex-lovers, watching the embers flutter into the night sky as your heart begins to feel light after what must have been months of burdensome torture.…come with me. friend. 39-31 29th Street, 7pm.

SATURDAY
Baseline, trestle gallery, gowanus.
for a disorienting experience without chemical influence (or with, if you prefer), check out the opening of baseline at trestle gallery in gowanus, a sculpture and installation exhibit combining found materials, mirrors, light and sound. on view saturdays through 2/15 at trestle gallery, 400 third ave, 1-6pm, free. get bent out of shape.

cacao ceremony! for the full moon, greenpoint.
we all know how well chocolate and moons go together- moonpies, freeze-dried spaceman ice-cream sandwiches, the shape of oreos after a bite, bare butts of all nationalities… so let’s celebrate this sacred bond and consecrate our bodies to the full moon with an ancient cacao guatemalan drink shared among dream seed and reverent community members. 97 green st, 7-10pm, $40. sounds sweet. and dark.

lord nelson and whale oil at the rock shop, park slope.
come hear some boys from the homeland (mine, that is) share their southern rock, folk, and soul sound at the rock shop in park slope. 249 fourth ave, 7pm, $7 and don’t forget-.va is for lovers.

mickey avalon with dirt nasty at knitting factory, williamsburg
i can’t deny that i fucking loved some of his songs back in 2007. has he done anything since then? well whatever. $20 will take you down memory lane with jane fonda  and so rich, so pretty and an additional $55 will give you a chance to meet the guy. i can only imagine what he’s like in person… doors at 8pm, show at 9. 361 metropolitan ave. tickets, here. because i know you want to do the jane fonda.

Donut Fest, verboten, greenpoint.
it’s here. donut fest. a hol(e)y celebration of new york’s most recent food obsession. featuring all your local purveyors, plus coffee pairings and plenty of hands to hold once the sugar high sets in. at verboten, 54 n 11th st, 11.30-5pm. it’s time to (eat) the donuts. together.

SUNDAY
Free Comedy at the knitting factory, williamsburg.
I like to laugh. and I’m willing to bet you do too. So let’s all get some, for free, at the knitting factory. Sunday night stand up has included guests like louis ck, aziz ansari, dave chapelle, sarah silverman, chris rock, among others. get your ass out of bed and feel better about your life, at least temporarily.
136 metropolitan ave, 5-11pm, free, in the front room. 9PM. HAHAHA.

Rock ‘n Shop Bazaar, bushwick
long live the free brooklyn bazaar-they can take our space, but they can’t take our freedom! enter
Rock n’ Shop at the paper box, an artist and maker market, featuring local food booths, drinks, and live music. open every saturday and sunday- 10am-7pm, band’s at 5pm, 17 meadow st. rock on.

where to eat this weekend– The Bounty, greenpoint.
i feel like every new yorker is constantly on the search for a better burger, and i thought i was abvoe it… now i can’t stop thinking about this goddamn burger, and it’s becoming a hindrance in my everyday functioning. go, but don’t say i didn’t warn you. i’ll be the creepy one salivating and twitching in the corner. 131 greenpoint ave. eat ’em up.

where to drink this weekend– Spritzenhaus, williamsburg.
I guess this is a gimme. This is the greatest beer garden this side of Germany and with over 100 beers on tap, free fireplace, artisan sausages, jenga games and the greatest bar tenders around. Ask for John. Ask him to play lcd soundsystem and bask in all the wonder that is the greatest place to get inebriated with friends. 33 nassau ave, GO.