So my first experience at Republic was definitely the worst and last one I will ever have at this restaurant. My roommate and I strolled in on a monday night (march 5, 2007! yes this is a recent... More

So my first experience at Republic was definitely the worst and last one I will ever have at this restaurant. My roommate and I strolled in on a monday night (march 5, 2007! yes this is a recent event!!). We were seated in the back corner as soon as we arrived and things were going well....our waitress was super nice and the water boy was very quick to fill up our glasses. I ordered a bowl of Chicken Pad Thai and I was enjoying the my first few bites only to LOOK DOWN AND SEE A LIVE C@CKROACH CRAWLING AROUND IN MY FOOD! So of course I had to let out a shriek as I was uber disgusted and in a state of shock. AFter a few mins of sitting there staring at this bowl of food the waitress came over and quickly cleared the table...she apologized ONCE and took our food and no one came back to see if things were ok, if there was anything else we wanted (not that i would order there again but its courtesy...i think) or there was anything they could do to make our experience there a little better. So, my roommate and I just bundled up to leave and although all the waiters and waitresses were standing at the front counter NO ONE SAID ANYTHING AND WE JUST LEFT. Basically they were trying to get us out of there as fast as they could so as not to ruin their business since there were other ppl there eating at the time. Now that I think about it..the cc@kroach did not bother me as much as the staff did at this place....they were rude and acted as if having a c@ckroach in their food is a daily activity. For those of you looking to eat there just be careful since there was one c@ckroach in my food....we all know there is a whole colony of them floating around!!!!
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As I am allergic to spicy food, they cannot switch to other dishes for me as all the food are pre-made already. After complaining to their manager, Cynthia Fuertes, she said she didn't find the... More

As I am allergic to spicy food, they cannot switch to other dishes for me as all the food are pre-made already. After complaining to their manager, Cynthia Fuertes, she said she didn't find the food spicy at all and if I felt spicy, then all the dishes that they served are spicy except the chicken soup noodle. If you like spicy and non-fresh unhealthy food, this is a good place to go. There are many other good asian food restaurants in town that serve fresh and nice asian food and will not use spices to cover its unfreshness of food. Pros: Prompt Seating Cons: All dishes are spicy and pre-made
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I've been going to this place for over 9 years ( I think maybe 8) but anyway the food is fantatic. It's noisy (very) but you eat and get out. If the noise is not for you order take out! Pros: ... More

I've been going to this place for over 9 years ( I think maybe 8) but anyway the food is fantatic. It's noisy (very) but you eat and get out. If the noise is not for you order take out! Pros: Good food and very inexpensive Cons: THE NOISE: When willthey solve that problem
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When I am out shopping in NYC Republic is almost always my lunch stop because I am usually alone, I can sit at the bar and read as I eat, hang my bag on the bar hook and enjoy a really delicious and... More

When I am out shopping in NYC Republic is almost always my lunch stop because I am usually alone, I can sit at the bar and read as I eat, hang my bag on the bar hook and enjoy a really delicious and light lunch. I like the seaweed salad a lot. It has a unique flavor with julienned cucumber in it and is always a nice refreshing starter. I usually order the ginger tea, and I love the duck soup! I think it's great they offer hot sauce too, and while the service isn't great, though it's fine if you sit up at the bar and think of it as a quick, better and flavorful option to fast food or a diner. I went once with my boyfriend and he liked the food but hated the waiter because he was very smug when he asked for a fork. I can't see myself going there with a crowd, but you'll always see me there lunching alone with my shopping bags, replenishing my energy! Love this place. Pros: great tasting food at great prices, great for eating alone, awesome location, soup is great Cons: noisy, waitstaff often doesn't listen to orders properly
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Republics atmosphere is about as conducive to dining as the subway at rush hour is to taking a nap. The food is a notch or two below franchises like Lemongrass. Republics Pad Thai, loved by the New... More

Republics atmosphere is about as conducive to dining as the subway at rush hour is to taking a nap. The food is a notch or two below franchises like Lemongrass. Republics Pad Thai, loved by the New York Magazine food critic, was mediocre but it IS cheap. However cheap isnt enough to make the atmosphere any more tolerable. Its loud, somebody growls on the P.A. constantly, the benches hurt your bum and they put the next party AT your table with you so you cant even shout over the constant din without helping to ruin someone elses already below average dining experience. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. Or better yet get take-out from Lemongrass and eat it on the 4 train. You won't know the difference. Pros: The Waiter was nice. The location's good so finding an alternate meal after was easy. Cons: The food. The atmosphere. The noise. The NOISE. THE NOISE.
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Been here many times but when i came last saturday i tried the seared salmon with curried rice. IT IS SOOOOOOOOO GOOD. Huge pc of tasty salmon on curried rice with come cucumber and carrots.It's... More

Been here many times but when i came last saturday i tried the seared salmon with curried rice. IT IS SOOOOOOOOO GOOD. Huge pc of tasty salmon on curried rice with come cucumber and carrots.It's only $9!! I could have done without the raisin though. THe drinks are pretty good too. Pros: food, service Cons: wait can be long depending when you go
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The oncoming frigid weather makes me crave one thing only: a hot bowl of soupy noodles at Republic in Union Square. The restaurant is enormous, by New York standards, but not austere in the least:... More

The oncoming frigid weather makes me crave one thing only: a hot bowl of soupy noodles at Republic in Union Square. The restaurant is enormous, by New York standards, but not austere in the least: ultra low lighting, giant black-and-white posters of people all over the world eating (and sometimes wearing) noodles, and tons of simultaneous conversation. The dining area is staged like a huge communal cafeteria with foot-thick wooden tables and benches that patrons share with other patrons. (If you can, try to snag two end seats facing each other so you needn't worry about elbowing more than one person each while scooping and sipping your delicious broths.) The last time I was there, I had a steamy bowl of spicy coconut chicken broth with rice noodles, which completely cleared out my sinuses by the end of the meal! Cons: Noise level can be deafening
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Had dinner here with a group of 11 on a Friday night. It was so loud that at least half of us had to repeat our orders. The left side of this page says "Special Features: Romantic". I would beg... More

Had dinner here with a group of 11 on a Friday night. It was so loud that at least half of us had to repeat our orders. The left side of this page says "Special Features: Romantic". I would beg to differ. Service overall was good as we got our drinks, appetizers, and entrees fairly quickly. Try the Hot Sake as opposed to the Cold Sakes. As for the food, I'd say it's average. I am only recommending this restaurant on the basis that it's a good place for groups that aren't looking to spend too much money. Each of us had at least a drink, appetizer, and entree which came out to $30pp including tax and tip. Pros: Fair prices, quick service, good bar Cons: Decibel levels
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Republic used to be so good - the food was flavorful, reliable, and quick. Now it's...just quick. Curried duck noodles don't have that special flavor kick anymore. Pad thai is all sprouts, very... More

Republic used to be so good - the food was flavorful, reliable, and quick. Now it's...just quick. Curried duck noodles don't have that special flavor kick anymore. Pad thai is all sprouts, very little noodles or taste. The coconut shrimp is mediocre at best and the stuffed chicken is dull. Needless to say, I'm highly disappointed as this used to be such a dependable spot. Now it reminds me of an upscale fast-food restaurant - service is quick, half-hearted, and forgettable. There are plenty of restaurants to eat in this area - SKIP this one (at least, until the food regains its original caliber)!
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Republic is consistently decent/good. You get what you know and you know what you get. The location can't be beat and the prices are good. My wife and I had an nice afternoon snack/early dinner of... More

Republic is consistently decent/good. You get what you know and you know what you get. The location can't be beat and the prices are good. My wife and I had an nice afternoon snack/early dinner of two noodle bowls, appetizer (Seafood Spring Rolls- mmmm) and a drink for under $30. The food was very good and though the selection hasn't changed in years, we got what we wanted, it was good and fast. The location is so convenient and fun, so all those naysayers need to remember why Republic is good, why they goto Republic and enjoy it for what it is. You want authentic Chinese, go downtown. You want authentic Japanese noodles goto a ramen shop. Get the picture? Pros: Location, Price Cons: Noisy
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