I like to think of myself of a ramen aficionado. If only I didn’t despise that word so much.

When I lived in LA, I devoursed every ramen I could burn my mouth on.

There isn’t as much good ramen in NYC. But I’ve definitely tried to find it, regardless.

Koa is a very pretty, totally corporate Asian restaurant that has a decent ramen lunch special for us worker bees in the Flatiron district.

It’s a perfectly pleasant place. Service was quick and friendly.

I don’t know what the hell Sorba is. I tried to Google it, which was no help.

Whatever it is, Sorba is what KOA calls their overpriced ramen-like specialty of the house.

It’s a bowl of ramen with soymilk in the broth. And it’s $23 bucks.

Ramen should never cost more than $15. Part of the appeal of ramen is it’s affordability. I mean, I can get a packet of the shit for .15 cents at the store. I just can’t bring myself to spend $23 for it.

So, I chose the Spicy Dan Dan ramen lunch special. It comes with a humble salad and a veggie egg roll. Both very tasty.

Then the ramen comes out. It’s super greasy. Too greasy. Apparently, the $8 bucks worth of soymilk they add to their Sorba would counter act that.

I felt like they were blackmailing me. I won’t give in. I won’t spend $23 for corporate ramen. I’m not political. But I will take a stand against this kind of injustice.

12 W 21st St
New York, NY 10010
b/t 5th Ave & 6th Ave
Flatiron
(212) 388-5736
koanyc.com

Vegetable Spring Roll

Kale Fried Rice $14.75

Spicy Dan Dan Ramen Set $15.75