Takumen

Takumen doesn’t pretend to be anything but what it is: a no-frills ramen shop where the bowl of noodles isn’t the only thing steaming hot. They balance speed with depth—fast service meets great tea selection, and the late-night crowd swings by for cocktails after work. The place isn’t trying to be a craft beer bar or a dessert parlor, yet it manages to slide beer onto the menu without clashing with the ramen steam.

Catch them at 5-50 50th Ave in Long Island City if the scent of soy broth pulls you off the sidewalk. Alcohol isn’t the main event, but the happy hour drinks make the solo dinner less solitary, and the coffee keeps the energy alive long after the lunch rush. Dial (718) 361-7973 if you’re weighing dinner options—or just follow the map toward the storefront lights: directions here.