Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.07.2019, Page 26

BEST OF REYKJAVÍK
Best Soup
Winner: Ramen Momo
Tryggvagata 16
Likely the Northernmost ramen
joint, this family-run business
is small in size, but delivers big
flavour. Reykjavík’s first ramen
bar has springy house-made
organic noodles, and they’ve
recently levelled up the broth.
We’re suckers for their creamy
Tantanmen—a deeply flavoured
soup with Tonkotsu adding heft
to the mellow sesame paste and
hoisin-cooked pork. Add a driz-
zle of spicy chilli oil and you’ve
got yourself the best bowl in
town. There are six soups on the
menu, including vegan options,
and don’t miss out on their zingy
dumplings or ‘Korean’ house-
made tea with fermented lem-
ons and ginger.

Runners Up:

Newcomer: Hi Noodle
Frakkastígur 9

Reykjavík’s newest ramen bar
became an instant favourite
for many. With a slow-cooked,
temperature controlled broth,
the chef—Chen—is aiming to
consistently deliver his carefully
designed recipes. The portions
are a little modest: best order
some dumplings on the side of
your Dan Dan if you have a big
appetite. Vegan option available.
Noodle Station
Laugavegur 103
Before Reykjavík’s ramen revo-
lution, there was Noodle Sta-
tion, serving vegetable, beef and
chicken noodle soups with a
pungent chilli-garlic aroma that
floods the street outside. It’s a
thoroughly Western take on noo-
dle soup… but damn, it’s satisfy-
ing on a cold day, especially if you
have a cold.
26The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 11— 2019Best of Reykjavík
Flavour Of
The Month
The freshest arrivals in 101
Words: The Grapevine New Stuff Dpt. Photos: Art Bicnick & John Rogers
Reykjavík changes as rapidly as the
weather, with fresh things popping
up at all times. This summer has been
no exception, with new bars, stores,
restaurants and galleries shak-
ing up the capital’s landscape with
young blood and refreshing ideas.
To keep you in-the-know, here are
the newest spots you shouldn’t miss.

Tacoson
Mæðragarðurinn
Tacos—and street food gen-
erally—are the flavour of the
month in Reykjavík, and the
spanking new Tacoson food
truck combines the two. Started
as a new business venture by
three taco-obsessed friends,
Tacoson is most often sta-
tioned at Mæðragarðurinn near
Tjörnin. They serve four types
of filling—chicken, chilli con
carne, pork and vegetarian—in
homemade corn and coriander
shells. It’s good, hearty stuff
that won’t break the bank. JR

SVART by Svart
Týsgata 1
After a long period of develop-
ment, Marko Svart’s first Icelan-
dic store finally opened in May.
In addition to the jewellery piec-
es previously sold from a stall in
Kolaportið, SVART by Svart also
features a full S/S clothing range.
The clothes are handmade in
store from natural, eco-friendly
fabrics. Inspired by his love of
the ocean and concerns regard-
ing plastic fashion, the collec-
tion symbolises a clear turning
point in SVART’s ethos. The store
has something for everyone,
from high-end fashion to unique
hand-drawn postcards. JG
Myrkraverk Gallery
Skólavörðustígur 3
Stocking everything from paint-
ings to prints to recycled jewel-
ry, Myrkraverk Gallery is a true
hole-in-the-wall treasure for
those looking to stock up on the
edgier artists of Reykajvík. Cur-
rently showing YYNGRII, Sólveig
Pálsdóttir, Hjálmar Vestergaard,
Sunna Shabnam Halldórudóttir,
and Sif Stefánsdóttir, the gallery/
store is a jumbled feast for the
eyes with artwork covering near-
ly every available piece of wall.
You can also get a photo amidst
neon green lamps downstairs in
the Northern Lights Studio. HJC
Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar
Laugavegur 27
Aiming to fill the market for
wine bars in Reykjavík, Vín-
stúkan Tíu Sopar features natu-
ral wines from small produc-
ers at affordable prices. While
“Vínstúkan” is an old Icelandic
term for wine bar, “Tíu Sopar”
is a play-on-words for ten sips,
riffing on the bar’s location in
the spot that was once the Tíu
Dropar café. The bar’s trio of
owners jumped “like tigers” at
the chance to take up residency in
this charming basement haunt,
and have refurbished it with
green walls, vintage lamps, and
crafted-for-them chairs, tables
and bars from Skata Design. AR
Kasbah
Geirsgata 7b
With an I-want-to-live-here-
vibe, Kasbah is a chic little Mo-
roccan cafe-restaurant where
the old Café Haiti used to be. A
family-run business, their in-
tention to deliver authentic Mo-
roccan food is clearly defined
on their small menu. It’s still
early days, but their house-made
warka pastry briouate, the hearty
harira and assorted accompani-
ments are fast gaining patrons.
Delicately spiced, aromatic and
edging on the sweet and savoury,
Kasbah’s menu has something
for vegans, meat eaters, wine lov-
ers and everyone in between. SB
Djúpið
Hafnarstræti 15
Grapevine favourite Hornið
recently reopened their base-
ment bar space, named Djúpið.
Only a few weeks old, this new
addition has already pulled to-
gether a diverse live music pro-
gramme, including hosting the
regular Reykjavík Trad Sessions
on Wednesday evenings from
8pm. The cosy candle-lit space
is perfect for catching up with
a friend or checking out a new
musical act in an intimate set-
ting. Djúpið is open daily from
4pm. JG
Make my day, taco boys