THE PLACE: I knew Nounou Noodles was new but I didn’t realize it was “new new”. The waiter told me they opened just a few weeks ago. When I came for a weekday lunch, it was just me and one other table, but I could envision this place filling up for the evenings. It’s a smaller narrow space, but modern and lively. I asked the waiter about the name of the restaurant and he explained it’s how young kids pronounce noodles. Of course – it was one of my son’s first words. Nou nous!
THE DISH: The menu is ambitious with noodles inspired from different areas across Asia. I was tempted by the creamy crab dry noodles with squid ink pasta, but it was chilly and I wanted something warm and spicy like the Nounou Talay, inspired by Thai tom yum soup but jazzed up with perfectly grilled seafood and purple potato noodles. It was truly awesome. The soup was one of the best versions I’ve had of this soup – sour, spicy, and delicate. The homemade potato nounous were unique adding a sweet floral flavor and a really lovely chew. I couldn’t get over how good the seafood was – charred head-on shrimp, smoky meaty squid, and tender white fish. This was high quality precision with a nod and respect for tradition. Nounou just opened and I’m eager for them to stick around for a long time. Price: $26
| NOUNOU NOODLE BAR |
| 71 First Avenue (between West 4th and West 5th), East Village (929) 649-4265 |
| nounounyc.com/ |
