Rai Rai Ken

This Tokyo-style noodle shop was serving delicious, affordable ramen way before ramen shops turned up in every ’hood. From a young age, my kids adored sitting at the counter to watch the broth and noodles simmering and being assembled. This is also the first spot my son and his friends went to eat unsupervised as teenagers. In winter, I’m all about the warming curry ramen. The whole block is chock-full of cool food spots, but Chikalicious dessert bar right next door is a natural follow-up stop for after-noodle sweets like fresh churros for dipping or hot apple soup with buttermilk ice cream.