Men Kui Tei

The nearly 20 ramen varieties bring steaming-hot bowls of comfort to Midtown office workers and East Village artists at these two low-key noodle bars (the downtown location is at 63 Cooper Square). Don't be shy about adding extra toppings to combos, from chop suey in soy-sauce–based ramen soup to the seaweed-flavored house special. Pork or chicken cutlets over rice satisfy diners in search of heartier meals.