Albany Spotlight: Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar

Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar in Albany, New York is a unique and highly-regarded dining spot that stands out not just for its Japanese cuisine but for the distinct history of its location.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the restaurant, covering its uniqueness, history, menu, and key information.

What Makes It Unique: The Historic Diner

The most distinguishing feature of Tanpopo is its setting. The restaurant is housed in a historic 1941 Art Deco-style Silk City railroad diner building. This structure, originally known as Lil’s Diner and later as the Miss Albany Diner, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The juxtaposition of a traditional Japanese ramen and sake bar inside a classic American railcar diner creates an intimate, charming, and truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The interior maintains many of the Art Deco design elements, with cherry wood, porcelain enameled steel, and a geometric-tiled floor, offering a dose of nostalgia with your Tonkotsu. The space is small, typically seating around 45 patrons.

History and Significant Events

The building at 893 Broadway has a storied past:

• 1941: The current Art Deco diner car, prefabricated by the Silk City Diners division of the Paterson Vehicle Company, was installed and opened as Lil’s Diner.
• Later Years: It became the Miss Albany Diner, a local landmark famous for its classic diner fare.
• 1987: The diner achieved national recognition when it was used as a filming location for the movie Ironweed, which starred Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
• 2012: The Miss Albany Diner served its last meal and closed.
• 2015: The building was purchased by new owner David Zheng and reopened as Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar, pivoting the historic space into a destination for Japanese comfort food while preserving its architectural heritage.

Highlighted Menu Items

Tanpopo focuses primarily on ramen, with rich broths that are popular among locals and visitors. Key menu items include:

Ramen

• Tonkotsu Ramen: A favorite, featuring a rich, creamy pork bone marrow broth, chashu pork, scallions, fish cake, and kikurage mushrooms.
• Tanpopo Spicy Ramen: A spicier take on the Tonkotsu broth, enhanced with minced spicy pork paste.
• Miso Ramen: Tonkotsu broth flavored with miso paste.
• Vegetable Ramen: A dedicated option with a vegetable broth, seasoned greens, bean sprouts, bamboo, and mushrooms.

Appetizers and Sides

• Pork Belly Buns: Steamed buns filled with tender chashu pork belly.
• Fried Crab Rangoon: Served with a sweet and sour sauce.
• Gyoza (Dumplings): Available as pan-fried shrimp dumplings or pork dumplings.

Customer Feedback

Customer reviews consistently praise the quality and flavor of the ramen broth, often citing it as some of the best in the Capital Region. The unique, historic atmosphere of dining inside the former Miss Albany Diner is also frequently highlighted as a major positive.

• Positive: Reviewers often praise the depth of flavor in the broth, especially in the Tonkotsu and Tanpopo Spicy Ramen. The pork belly buns are often described as delicious and a must-try.
• Constructive Feedback: Some comments occasionally note that the portion sizes for toppings (like pork) can sometimes feel modest for the price.

Address, Contact, and Web Information