Totto Ramen, NYC - Review

We arrived at Totto Ramen around 11:30am on Monday and there were about 8 people waiting for them to open at 12:00pm. We waited around and assumed there was an order established but a girl came up and went straight to a clipboard and put her name on it. Then we realized what was going on and did the same thing.

I'm guessing the prep area/back restaurant and the dining area aren't connected because all the cooks/waiters had to weave through the front where everyone was waiting, out the restaurant and down the stairs to another area to the left back and forth. 

We didn't get a single hi or a hello from anyone at Totto while waiting for the place to open for 30 mins. We kind of felt like we were being herded like cattle... Or something. 

At around 12:30pm our turn was up. The actual place is very very small to the point where my shoulder and the unknown person next to me was touching. We had winter coats on and there was nowhere to hang it so we just kept it on. When we sat there was this air conditioner that was blowing right into my face. 

I'm going to go one step more to make an observation that may not agree with some people, but I have to point it out anyway. In NYC, we have had amazing, spectacular service at restaurants... Except at ramen houses (Ippudo) and izakayas (Sushi Bar Hagi). 

The gap between the service we received at Carnegie Deli - Ed's Lobster Bar - Le Pain -  and these establishments were huge. Seats were uncomfortable and crammed, any requests (different table, more ginger, no ice in water) was met with a frown or even ignored. 

I believe this is attributed to the fact that izakayas and ramen shops are trendy and people are lining up to eat there. However, I think its important for restaurant owners to appreciate their popularity and treat their customers with respect and with proper service. 

 Pork Belly Buns, are a popular item these days. We loved these! Moist, juicy and flavourful. I personally prefer Momofuku's buns but like these more than Ippudo's. Momofukus has cucumber slices and other stuff that makes it more dimensional flavoured than the other two.
Pork Belly Bun Yum! meter:
Momfuku > Totto > Ippudo

Totto Paitan Ramen with Extra Beansprouts

Totto Spicy Ramen with Extra Beansprouts

The broth was flavourful and thick. It didn't have a lot of the fat floating like Kinton Ramen (Toronto). The ramen as a whole actually tasted identical to Sansotei Ramen (Toronto). The noodles were thin, chewy and tender. Perfectly cooked. I liked my pork belly slices but I wish they were marinated rather than just cut and grilled. My friend didn't like the belly at all saying they tasted too 'porky'.

I did not like the spicy ramen. It pretty much tastes like the regular ramen with Chinese spicy oil and a whole lot of black pepper mixed together and placed on top. The spiciness distracted from the ramen's taste and didn't really go with the broth.

I give this place C+ for service, 

F for Ambience (AC on my face in December, unknown strangers shoulders touching, no space to turn around or take off coat even)
and B+ for Food.