For that, I guess, I need more than MoFo - I need my friends!
Spontaneously (well, she g-chatted me a couple hours previously) for lunch the other day, I met up at Souen with one of my very best friends who I don't see often enough. I rushed over on my break for some conversation, comfort, and soup.
Although there are three Souen locations (including one a block from my job), they each seem to have specialties and the location at 6th street between 1st and 2nd ave has all the noodles! We were both coming off weird illnesses, so this was it.
Also a big draw:
I got ramen noodles in a miso vegetable broth (with nappa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, carrot, kombu, mung sprouts and greens) and a side of sauteed garlicky kale.
This was a HUGE bowl, if you can't tell, and way more than I could finish before running back to work. If you visit New York, dining out can definitely get expensive. I totally recommend checking out lunch specials and saving what you can't finish. For 10 bucks, I basically got two meals and a really enjoyable time with my friend, talking about veganism, feminism, queer theory, astral projection, cats, OCD, and fairy tales (What do they say? As long as you don't discuss religion, politics, sex, or money?)
The place was clean and calm inside and the server was totally sweet. It wasn't busy at 3, either. If only all dining out experiences could be as pleasant. Maybe soon I will compare this place to the location closer to work?
Souen
326 E. 6th St
NY, NY
L to 1st Ave, 6 to Astor Place, N/R to 8th St.
OMG that bowl seriously looks amazing! The kale too! And all for $10? That's amazing. Add in some quality time with your best friend and you have a pretty perfect lunch break. So glad that you were able to get out and enjoy a nice lunch in a restaurant. You've been rocking your theme, I'm loving your posts and now Souen is on my list of places to go!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm trying to figure out what the greens on top were. They tasted like watercress, which was unexpected but it worked!
DeleteI love this Souen! The waitress I had that day was so friendly. She gave me some scones (even though they were day-old and honestly, not too tasty) :) Think those greens are young spinach.
DeleteWhat a fantastic place! It sounds like a great deal, too - whenever I can get two meals for the price of one, score! Meals with friends make everything taste better. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's true about the meal tasting better. I would probably not even have noticed if it were bad, but I did notice that it was really good.
DeleteNoodles is virtually all I can handle when weird illness strikes - been a lot of ramen around here lately. But your ramen is superior! Glad you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure yr ramen is tasty too - I'm just glad I didn't have to make it myself.
DeleteWow! I have been putting off going there too! It looks super earthy and nourishing,
ReplyDeleteYeah! It was delicious but I felt totally nourished. Try it next time.
DeleteI love astral projection and soup. I've been hovering over those noodles,(do you see me?) looking for a bagel but I don't see any.
ReplyDeleteI wish someone would astrally project some of that soup into my mouth right now. Don't hover too close or I might slurp you up too.
DeleteThis is just great. I've never heard of half these places--you're opening up my world. It's so chilly today that I would love some of that soup right now
ReplyDeleteGlad I could show you some new spots :)
DeleteI'm adding this place to my NY wishlist! Between the food and conversation, I'm jealous I wasn't there!
ReplyDeleteThe conversation must be equal to or better than the meal. Scientific law.
DeleteI've only ever been to the SoHo Souen (I was feeling particularly health-oriented that day) and I was disappointed by the vast amounts of purple seaweed in my meal (do not like!). A friend tells me that the USQ location is the best, so now I'm going to have to do my own Souen tour too. Can a blogger get a kickback?
ReplyDeleteSurprise seaweed is always scary. What did you order? Tour Souen 2012 or Bust!
DeleteSouen looks great! I definitely think I've walked past it before--would have never guessed it held such rockin' lunch goodness. Mmm noodles...
ReplyDeleteIt usually works like that, no? The hidden places are always the best.
DeleteI've always wanted to go to Souen. It sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteIt was good! It always makes me happy to see kabocha on the menu.
DeleteSo is that your friend next to the front door?
ReplyDeleteHahaha, no. The funny thing is, I took this picture when I was leaving and was basically following the guy the whole way back to work. He probably thinks I'm stalking him now. Poor guy just came out of the apartment and - boom - papparazzi.
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