Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
The smoky bowl of ramen that I recently tried at Mo’s Original was actually not the first fusion of Japanese and Caribbean cuisine that I’ve experienced. In fact, it wasn’t even the first bowl of ramen with both of those flavors.
A few years ago, I had an exciting spicy ramen called Jerk Ramen at Miss Lily’s 7A in the East Village. Mo’s Original has a similar approach but tones down the spice a little bit and turns up the smoke. A lot.
This hip new neighborhood spot serves an area of Brooklyn I don’t often get to. It’s not far from the eastern edge of Prospect Park and definitely hints at the changing demographic.
But much like Glady’s, which was founded by one of the current owners of Mo’s Original, it pays homage to the Caribbean community that calls this neighborhood of Prospect Lefferts Gardens home.
The menu’s mostly made up of ramen bowls and vegetable appetizers. I enjoyed the Tots, which were a play on Japanese okonomiyaki, topped with different sauces and floppy bonito flakes, and the charred artichoke skewer special with lemon was excellent.
But that bowl of ramen was truly unlike anything else I’ve tasted. Even at the other fusion Caribbean spots. The most striking element of the dish was the broth, which was made from smoked chicken. It captured that rich deep barbecue flavor while also bringing in some of those Jamaican spices and a touch of sweetness.
Tender pulled smoked chicken bulked up the bowl, along with very springy ramen noodles, raw red onions, and a soy infused egg topped with sesame seeds.
It’s a good thing I really like smoky flavors because this ramen lived up to its name. I’m kind of amazed I have now tried two Caribbean ramen bowls and they tasted totally different. Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) better watch its back. Price: $13
| MO’S ORIGINAL |
| 453 Rogers Avenue (at Lincoln Road), Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn (718) 513-0698 |
