Cocoron -- Little Italy

Cocoron opened up a second location not too far from its original shop. J and I have been to the one on Delancey and it's always packed with people. We were hoping that the new location would be different and it was.

We came during lunch and it was pretty empty. The atmosphere was very similar to the Delancey location (barely any a/c) but food and decor was no different than their mother shop.

After looking at the menu which was filled with different sobas, we started with some appetizers. Shuto was J's choice, it was raw tuna liver with cream cheese. Very pungent, it also had that fermented scent and taste to it. Really salty and is definitely an acquired taste so beware!

I chose something on the safer side, Pork and Okara Croquettes were very delicate and delicious. Minced pork and potato mashed together and rolled into a ball to deep fry, really like the sweet and salty dipping sauce that came with it.

I had the Cold Zaru Soba. One of my all time favorites and also the simplest form of soba available. All I need is the soba noodles and the soy dipping sauce and I'm a happy camper. The best part would be the hot broth that's given to you at the end; pour it into the remaining soy dip and voila, you got yourself some soup to wash everything down. I also got a side of kimchi, really good. It's different than the average Korean kimchi because this is a lot sweeter.

J had the Japanese Chicken Style Curry Dip Soba. The dip sobas are usually the fun kind to eat since you get to dip it. He got a poached egg as his side because he loves the runny yolk.

I'm glad Cocoron opened another location because the other one was getting too stuffy and the long wait can get ridiculous at times. The new location at Kenmare is just as good and has a lot less people. At least I get my food quicker.

Cocoron
37 Kenmare St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-0800

Soba Totto

J and I love soba, we like the process of eating soba. After finding out that Soba Totto has soba and yakitori, it was a definite place to visit.

We go to Soba Totto early, before they even open. But they do open on time, which is definitely a good thing. After we got seated, greediness started to take over because we almost wanted all the yakitori on the menu. I liked how they have the unique cuts of an animal, unlike some places that just does the generic chicken meats and vegetables.

Sake

Started off with sake and pretty much ended with sake also. They have a wide range of different kinds and I absolutely love the pretty karafe that it came in. So fun to pour also. Our waiter was very patient in explaining and describing the different sakes, he also recommended us some also. Now, that's good service.

Agedashi Tofu

I've never tried Agedashi Tofu before and I'm so glad that I chose Soba Totto to be my first place because it tasted so good. Very refreshing and silky. There were also 4 pieces of tofu, yay! I always thought it usually come in pairs...

(L-R) chicken oyster, fatty salmon, 2 cow tongue

Alright, so I hate it when my boyfriend is always right when it comes to food. Why does he always choose the best thing on the menu??? The Chicken Oysters were so amazing, the piece right near the thigh of the chicken. Lord, it was heaven... plus the skin that was still attach to the oyster, no words can explain the awesomeness. The Fatty Salmon wasn't so fatty but it was grilled to perfection. The Cow Tongue was great also. J and I love strange cuts on an animal and tongue is surely one of them.

chicken skin

Crunchy goodness. Loved the charred parts 'cause it gives it that slight flavor and crisp.

chicken gizzards

One of my personal favorite cuts on a chicken. Chicken gizzard is hard to cook, but if done correctly the initial bite would be crunchy and the interior starts to taste like chicken heart (if you ever taste that before), the texture is quite addicting.

pork horumon

Horumon considers to be the part of a pig that people would just throw away because most people wouldn't eat it - according to the Japanese. But they were the ones who thought to make horumon so delicious also. It has a bit of a chew to it but doesn't chewing gum have a chew also? No harm there.

fatty tuna

I don't know why but this fatty tuna is so off-putting. It looks kind of creepy, like it came out of the horror movie or something. The color and shape just looks uber scary. Good thing I didn't order this, for once J ordered something icky! Tasted like regular tuna but it just looks blegh!

quail egg with yakitori sauce

I was craving for eggs and what's better than mini eggs? I usually don't order quail eggs because I know I can get them in a dozen at an Asian supermarket for a lot less but I was feeling not me that night... haha

(Top-Bottom) chicken liver, 2 chicken hearts

Chicken Liver was decent, nothing special there. Although I do have to say that some people can't handle the liver because there's a texture issue there. Depending on how long its cooked, it can be soft and mushy or hard and grainy. Chicken Hearts are the bomb! Sad how they only give 3 on a skewer but they were just so juicy and tender.

Mori Soba

Kamo Shio Soba (duck dipping broth)

I had the simple Mori Soba. I like the soy sauce with scallions and wasabi dip. At the end of your meal you get an interesting rectangular teapot full of broth and pour it into your soy sauce and that's your soba-yu, a nice soup to end the meal.

I don't remember exactly what the name is for the dessert but it was just fried dough with ice cream and fruits. It was pretty good, but not the best and it would've been perfectly fine if we skipped dessert and just ordered another karafe of sake.

Soba Totto really scored high in my books. Love the different yakitoris and the soba was great also, oh and the service was A+!

Soba Totto
211 E 43rd St
New York, NY 10017
(212) 557-8200

Corocon

I love me some soba whenever I can get my hands on it. I was introduced to soba last year and after that, I loved it and am addicted to it. Corocon is another small soba joints, I'm starting to think soba restaurants are tiny on purpose. Very home-y kind of feeling with less than 20 seats within the entire restaurant. Come early or else you'll dread the wait. Around 10 seats by the counter and only 3 tables that seats 2 people.

I've heard good things about this place, especially their Yuba and Stamina soba. Unfortunately, they were out of Yuba (I was bummed) so I ended up getting the Sesame soba and the boyfriend confirmed on getting the Stamina soba.

Steamed Chicken Meatballs

Don't underestimate these balls. It's covered in sticky rice which was a great touch. The chicken was extremely soft and tender, worth the 20 minute wait for these babies.

Sesame Soba

I was confused when they brought me my soba tray. Good thing the waiters are patient and they explained to me how and what I was suppose to do to my food, besides eat it of course. I get to grind my own sesame seeds and then place them on my soba. What fun! Really, no sarcasm intended. The sauce which I used to dip my soba was so refreshing. A light sesame and peanut-y taste.

Maybe I'm not the best grinder but who cares, it tastes great either way.

Stamina Soba

Winner of the night. They give you a small bowl of broth that hovering over a flame. Dip your soba in the broth for 15 seconds and voila. I love the soup! They had bits of pork and beef in the broth.

After the consumptions of these soba noodles (perfectly cooked by the way), we had sobayu. I had no idea it was called that until now. After finishing your soba noodles, the waiter would come by with some fresh mild broth which you pour in your sauce. With that, a new flavorful broth is made and you can drink it. So yummy. The stamina was still the best, J fished out the last drop in that bowl.

So much dessert to choose from, they even had specials of the day.

Annin Tofu

Before you jumped to conclusions and think it's only 3 small spoonfuls, what a rip-off. Ok, maybe it was a rip-off but it was worth the ripping off. These tiny bits of tofu are the shizzle. Packed with flavor and not one bit water-y. Tasted homemade, no skimping out on the ingredients. It's basically quality over quanitity, and I totally dig it.

Green Tea Affogato

Ok, I really hate it when J picks the best on the menu. This little dessert really gives some extreme satisfaction. Maybe it was the chewy mochi or the crunchy cornflakes. Pour some matcha green tea and it's heaven. Other items in the cup, red bean and green tea ice cream. I wanted seconds, actually I just want my own!

Sadly, this restaurant is in the middle of nowhere. You really need to find it to know where it is. But yet somehow, it's always packed - even on weekdays.

Corocon
61 Delancey Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 925-5220   

SobaKoh

Refreshing as can be.
J and I came here for an early dinner. Luckily, we were only the second pair of people there. Before you enter the restaurant, take a moment to look at the chef on the right window. The chef is making fresh soba noodles on the spot. J and I sat right by the window - the only window seat there is. The restaurant is quite small with friendly staffs.

The food was surprisingly good.
The drinks could have been better.
Overall experience was great.

Octopus Carpaccio

Grilled Sea Bass

Kamonasu Soba

Snago Tempura Soba

Soba Flavored Ice Cream

It was a very satisfying meal. They give a generous amount of soba here and if you think that wouldn't fill you up, think again. I was quite amazed by the dessert, it sounded weird but tasted otherwise. There was a little crunch to it, I'm assuming it was the buckwheat seeds (probably should've asked the waitress).

Sobakoh is definitely a nice soba spot to return. By the way, don't forget to stare at the man making the soba when you leave...

SobaKoh
309 E 5th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-2244