One of Yorkville’s favorite noodle shops is planning a new restaurant concept a little further downtown.
Peng’s Noodle Folk is a popular noodle-forward restaurant that has been operating successfully for years at 1659 First Avenue. The restaurant was established by Chef Ryan Peng, who set out to serve up “Amazing Delicious” Chinese and Japanese noodle dishes in a warm and friendly environment. Considered by many in the neighborhood to be an “underappreciated gem”, Peng’s Noodle Folk has become something of a staple among locals, who flock to the space in search of fairly priced and expertly crafted ramen and dumplings. Many of the raving reviews on Google praise Peng’s flavorful broth and considerate service, and fans of the restaurant will be excited to learn about Chef Peng’s future plans.
Chef Peng is currently in the process of debuting a new restaurant concept called Mr. Peng’s at 1016 Lexington Avenue, between East 72nd Street and East 23rd. The space was formerly home to Gina La Fornarina, a popular Italian restaurant that sadly closed a few years ago. The location is a little bit more spacious than Peng’s Noodle Folk, and boasts a max capacity of 74 guests.
Ryan spoke with What Now New York to discuss his vision for the new space, and he revealed that Mr. Peng’s is envisioned as a more upscale version of the original noodle concept. For Mr. Peng, he wants to preserve as much of the original menu as possible, while adding new items like appetizers and a small selection frinks. He’s also looking to enhance the aesthetic of the space with elegant decorations to create a special dining experience for guests.
According to Chef Peng, his team is aiming to open in April, but that timeframe is subject to change pending their approval for various licenses. They are currently looking to acquire a wine, beer, and cider license for the space, and are proposing operating hours of 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM on weekdays, and 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM on weekends. For more updates, be sure to follow Peng’s Noodle Folk on Instagram.
