Neighborhood Eats: Roc N' Ramen

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (WABC) -- Most of us know ramen from college, living off the noodles and broth because it's inexpensive.

But in Neighborhood Eats, ramen noodles have grown up for experienced taste buds.

Ramen shops are opening all over, and this one in Westchester County is only five months old.

It has a twist that hasn't been seen anywhere else. Roc N' Ramen is located at 19 Anderson Street in New Rochelle.

"My kitchen actually became the lab that was our research and development, we started cooking morning, noon, and night," said Wayne Carrington, the owner of Roc N' Ramen.

A movie inspired Wayne Carrington to get into ramen, and that passion led to
Wayne opening Roc N' Ramen in New Rochelle.

"It's just a very, very nice place to be at, I love the food," a customer said.

"Being an older folk, I never tried this before. I think it's fantastic," another customer said.

Piping hot bowls of ramen, and something you've never seen before, oxtail ramen.

"I grew up on Caribbean food, palow, doubles, what can I do to take ramen to another level," Carrington said.

He also serves a jerk pork version.

To cook the oxtail, his Chef Shirley Hazel adds onions, curry, thyme and garlic.

"I just throw all the seasonings on it, put it in the oven, and forget about it," Hazel said.

Eight hours later, the meat is ready to fall off the bone.

A base of more curry and chili powder is made; the broth is added to that, as well as the noodles, the oxtail, and all the toppings. It's got a kick!

And while there are other things to try, it's the ramen that gets people excited.

"Ever since I've come in, it's just delicious, the food is great, Tonkatsu almost every time, tonkatsu with chicken though," a customer said.

Wayne gongs in good fun when someone asks for a fork, and customers ding the bell when they enjoy their meal, it's a sound Wayne loves.

"It helps me know that you are having a great experience, because at the end of the day that's what it's all about," Carrington said.

Ox Tail Ramen Recipe

2lbs of Ox Tail
1 cup of Gravy Master
1 cup of yello curry powder
1/2 cup of onion
4-5 twigs of Thyme
cup of garlic

Mix all ingredients and place large roasting pan. Cover with tinfoil. Cook at 450 for 6-8 hours. Meat should be very tender.
You can add this to your favorite stock and ramen noodles, along with whatever accents (bok choy, mushrooms, hard boiled egg, etc).

For more information please visit: http://rocnramen914.com/