Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Anita Chen, Momi Ramen

Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company returns Saturday, July 23, but to a new Bridgehampton location—the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox. It’s all about presenting local foods interpreted in a wide variety of ways.

East Hampton’s Momi Ramen owner/manager Anita Chen travelled throughout Japan with her brother-in-law and founder of Momi Ramen, Jeffrey Chen. She says, “The simplicity of using the finest ingredients that are local, or flown in from Japan, to create authentic Japanese ramen and traditional Izakaya food is our mission. Izakaya is Japan’s take on the American pub. Kick back with us at Momi Ramen, Sapporo in hand, over a plate of Kara-age (Japanese fried chicken) with friends and family.” Noting that Momi Ramen is family friendly, she adds, “My mother would approve of our entire menu! Especially, the new summer addition of our Vegetarian Cold Ramen with grilled zucchini, yellow squash and an eggplant caviar.”

What is your local beverage, or cocktail, of choice this season?
Summer in the Hamptons starts with a glass of Channing Daughters Cabernet Franc Rosé and Momi Ramen’s Spicy Margarita.

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to a chef?
Hands down it will be our Tan Tan Ramen, spicy enough that you will be slurping for more until the last drop of tonkotsu broth.

How has the gluten-free eating trend (or other trends) affected your menu?
One of our goals is to create fresh, innovative and healthy foods, which is why we never use MSG, sugars and butters. We offer a shirataki noodle made from konjac yams in our homemade gluten-free vegetarian broth.

Please complete this sentence: I could survive on a desert island if I just had:
Momi Ramen’s Tuna Avocado Salad and Homemade Tofu, along with fresh grilled fish caught from the Island water where I’m deserted and an unlimited supply of rosé.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton hosted by Adam Richman on Friday, July 22, and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphy premieres on Saturday, July 30. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian is Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. For tickets and more info on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com! A portion of this year’s ticket proceeds from GrillHampton and Taste of Two Forks will benefit All For The East End (AFTEE), a 501(c)(3) that showcases and provides support to the more than 1,000 charity organizations in the five East End towns. A portion of proceeds from Harvest East End benefits Long Island Farm Bureau and HRHCare.