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    Ai Ki Ya

    4.3 (342 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

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    AI KI YA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Ai Ki Ya

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    Motsunabe small
    Yuka Y.

    What a great find for motsunabe- a beef intestine based hot pot that is rich with veggies (cabbage and chives). Their set includes rice and matcha ice cream. A size small is more than enough to share for 2 people. The broth is amazing- hearty with a hint of miso. It's not a common dish to find so my heart is full! Truffle crab kamameshi was also impressive with the overload of minced snow crab and ikura eggs. It's like eating a heated chirashi sushi dish as it's set in a hot clay pot. Definitely a get if you love seafood. Yakitori overall was ok. They were all smothered in the same kind of sauce which took away from each pieces' flavor profile but overall they have a large menu offering for those looking for skewer options. For appetizers we recommend the tako wasabi (diced octopus in a wasabi based sauce) and the beef tongue. Ai Ki Ya is a great place for late night, Japanese soul food eats nestled in Korea town.

    Skewers combo B pretty good, beef, pork belly, quail eggs wrapped in bacon, shishito peppers and hot dogs
    Rita L.

    Stopped by for dinner last night and thought the food was pretty good! I had this place bookmarked for a while but never got the chance to come by. Decided to check it out when my friend recommended it yesterday. We had a group of 6 and walked in without a reservation around 6pm on Saturday and they were able to seat us pretty quickly by adding a couple chairs to a table, and we got our seats instead of having to wait 15 to 20 minutes for a larger table. Overall, it was a pretty good experience. Staff is really friendly. We got the cotton candy sukiyaki pot, which was awesome. You can see the cotton candy melting on top of the hot pot. They also cook for you so that's great too! We also got a spicy sushi roll combo and that was pretty good as well. And a combo B of the skewers with pork belly, beef, hotdogs, and quail egg wrapped in bacon, shishito peppers and everything tasted good. They also all came in sets of 2 so it was super easy to share with the group. They have amazing happy hour deals, everyday before 7pm, we got a pitcher for $14, enough for everyone to get a cup of beer at the table. This is also at a super convenient location. I'll definitely be back again and bringing more friends next time :)

    Potato salad
    Francisca B.

    This is a great place to hang out for happy hour or to hang out with friends. I like the option A, B, C for the yakitori especially if you are not sure what to order.

    Mentai udon
    Annie B.

    Food/drinks: pretty good- my favorite was the hot pot and tofu appetizer. Skewer plate was pretty good too. The tuna roll tasted fishy and a lot of the appetizers were lukewarm but not bad! Atmosphere: cute! Lots of seating and not too loud Service: good for walking in with big party, very friendly and fast service!! Price: $$ as expected for ktown NYC

    Chicken skin and Chicken Thigh & Scallion Yakitori
    Alex H.

    Ai Ki Ya in Chelsea is a Japanese Izakaya restaurant known for its hearty fare with an emphasis on yakitori. We came for happy hour to take advantage of their $3 draft Sapporos. After crushing said sapporos, we ordered 3 skewers (chicken thigh, chicken skin, and pork belly) along with some sushi and gyu don. While we didn't try it we saw someone ordering a cotton candy sukiyaki and we are very intrigued. Everything was super tasty and affordable. We love this for a group dinner or date night that won't break the bank

    Mia H.

    I once saw this spot on TikTok and finally got the chance to try it recently! Located in Midtown, this Japanese spot offers a huge menu of different skewer options, sushi, hotpot/nabe, and other great Japanese bites. Super cozy spot with lots of Japanese decor that gives it that izakaya vibe. Service was so quick, kind, and fun to talk to. I got their cotton candy sukiyaki when I went and a sushi roll, and both were good. I enjoyed their sukiyaki and thought that the cotton candy above it was super fun. Good quality food, and nice Japanese spot!

    Alice D.

    Came here on a Friday evening for dinner and didn't have to wait too long to get seated. There were some other folks there, but not too many so it didn't feel too busy. Service was solid and ambiance was nice. Menu had a good variety of dishes and we got a medley to share amongst five. The cotton candy sukiyaki was yummy and novel to see with the melting cotton candy. Meat was decent quality and overall it was yummy. Skewers were nice as well and the eel bowl was nice to share as well. The set we got came with ice cream at the end which was a nice way to end the meal. Overall, I didn't mind the experience and had a nice dinner. I probably wouldn't return as it didn't feel like anything stood out, but I wouldn't say no if someone wanted to come. Solid meal and left feeling satisfied - thanks, Ai Ki Ya!

    Bara Chirashi
    Gordon Y.

    Cuisine: 7 Service: 7 Decor: 7 Value: 7 Overall: 7 If you're looking for a good Japanese nabe (hot pot), look no farther. Come try one of the 6 options at this izakaya and you will be satisfied. Over the years, I have come here many times on a cold night or late after a movie or Broadway show. Still one of the best late night options in Manhattan for me. My favorites is the Hakata Motsu Nabe, which gets its yumminess from beef intestines, napa cabbage, chines, and more. The Pork Tonsoku Nabe is also quite amazing, with its spicy pork broth filled with pork trotter and pork belly. Lastly, I'll highlight the Cotton Candy A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki. It's obviously somewhat sweet, but also savory with the soy sauce based broth. And of course, the high quality beef just melts in your mouth. I also have tried many of the other menu items. For rice dishes, Gyudon, Beef Tongue Don, and Unagi Don are all decent, but skip the Pork Katsu Curry and the Bara Chirashi. As for noodles, I prefer the ramen over the udon, but neither are must haves. There are plenty of other sushi/sashimi, cold and hot tapas, along with a bunch of yakitori and fried skewers. All of it is average to good. However, I would stick to nabe for the best experience possible.

    Pork Tonsoku Nabe
    Kathy W.

    My friend and I came at around 6pm and there was no wait. It's a cozy place for small groups and good chats. The waiters checked on us frequently without being overbearing. Chicken gizzard and beef short rib skewers: 4/5 Grilled beef tongue: 5/5 - tender and loved the sauce Pork tonsoku nabe (spicy): 3/5 we wanted something hot on a cold day but unfortunately the soup was too salty to drink. It has a good amount of vegetables and meat though. It also came with matcha ice cream which had a deep and rich flavor Overall I had a good experience and I would come back to try other dishes!

    Spicy Karaage ramen in miso broth
    Hong Kim L.

    I love restaurant recommendations in Manhattan after any anime film. My crew and I went to a hidden gem in Herald Square not so easy to the public eye. First advertised having great ramen, izakaya and the best blueberry mojitos. This place screamed of Japanese comfort establish with umbrellas on the ceiling, katanas on the shelves and a classic bar for solo quick eaters with the chefs working behind the bar. This place offers a check off menu where you can write down the amount of dishes to order. Sushi rolls selections, karaage flavored miso ramen, yakitori skewers, katsu curries and a row of blueberry mojitos with one melon ball cocktail - which was delicious by the way. The ramen was a good portion and flavorful. Most of my crew has gone to Japan multiple times and they've noted this is one of the ramen places that comes close to their trip. This place will be added to my usual hideaway spot when I want to dive away from the shopping and large bustling commuter crowds.

    Alex M.

    Overall: C // 3 stars This restaurant has a massive menu from yakitori to ramen to sushi to Japanese snacks. I think it has high potential to succeed because whoever is cooking can grill the skewers flawlessly. However, what is significantly lacking is their seasoning and flavor profiles; if they solve this component, their food would be divine. (Crispy Sushi Sando: C) - This is essentially a crispy rice appetizer, which they did do well. However, they need to pair it with a sauce by default because it tastes so much better with some flavor like spicy mayo. (Whole Eggplant: A) - Whole garlic eggplant that oozes with a captivating aroma and a tender complexion. (Beef Short Rib: D) - A bit dry and underseasoned unfortunately. Quite sad since this should be a good cut. (Chicken Breast: C) - The chicken is impressive tender, but quite bland and desparately needs salt. The wasabi is strangely watery and also lacks flavor. (Pork Jowl: A) - Great sear on the pork to get a really delightful char in the taste, that pairs well with their yakitori sauce. (Shishito: A) - Well seasoned and tasty on its own, but adds even more flavor when paired with the meats. Food: E Presentation: E Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: E Menu: +1 Insta/Yelp/Beli/TikTok: @amei_eats

    Kenneth E.

    Came here for happy hour with a friend and am shocked that I've never been here before. This is a place that specializes in skewers and sushi. The inside is a bit janky, but nice and quiet if you are trying to catch up with a friend. The service was REALLY attentive and super friendly. They even reminded us when happy hour was ending (which is everyday by the way). Their prices are also decent for not happy hour pricing as well. Happy hour is from 4 - 7 on weekends and until 6pm on weekdays and you can find $8 sakes, $3 beers, $7 wines. They also had a skewer special that we tried and it was so tasty. My only complaint about the skewer was the bacon wrapped quail egg, the egg was a bit overcooked and a little dry, but the flavor was still there. We also had their crispy tuna rice which came with a mountain of tuna. Perhaps too much rice / tuna for one piece, it was a bit hard to eat. We also tried some of their sushi which was all flavorful and good, but a bit too much rice for my liking. I would def stick to the skewers OR try some of their other non-sushi options next time.

    sushi roll
    Emily G.

    Nice spot for Japanese food, and by Japanese food I mean any dishes that come to mind when you think Japanese cuisine. The menu is huge, if not overwhelming, because of all the choices!! It had izakaya-type decor inside, and makes for a fun for a night out if you'll be around the Midtown area. The service is attentive as well. Come here for the yakitori, sushi rolls, or the hot pots/sukiyaki. Those were the favorites of our group, and all excellent for sharing with a larger group.

    spicy pork nabe (hot pot)

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    lekkerE Japans toko groetjes uit Nederland Van skoerd en Luc echt super lekker!!!!!!!!!

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    3 months ago

    Excellent service and food, would recommend!!!!! :D (: Ordered curry katsu and spicy salmon roll

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    4 months ago

    Lovely small hangout place with friends. We liked the food and the service. I'd recommend.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ai Ki Ya Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ai Ki Ya

    Do they take reservations?

    We don’t take reservations during weekends.

    Looking for business lunch venue. A) Can you seat 7 people together? B) How loud is the lunch crowd? We need to be able to talk to each other without shouting (quieter is better)

    Do they have Happy hour?

    We do have happy hour drinks.

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    Tonchin

    Tonchin

    4.4
    (2.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This one was already on my list but I had no idea if I'd actually make it. Turned out it was right…read moreon the same street as my friend's hotel, so it just happened. One of those lucky accidents. Easy to walk past if you're not looking for it. The entrance is subtle, almost like a hallway leading you somewhere. But once you're inside, the vibe is genuinely good. Not trying too hard, just comfortable and cool. I had a couple cocktails while I was there. They have a solid bar program and everything I tried landed. Then I got the Spicy Tan Tan and it was exactly what I wanted. The broth was the star. Deep, rich, and had just the right kick without going overboard. I finished every last drop, which honestly says it all. This is the kind of place you go back to. Already thinking about when I'll be back in New York.

    Came here with friends for a late lunch. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with cozy izakaya…read morevibes. Overall, the food was good and above average. The Hiyashi Chuka (cold noodle dish) was decent, about 3 stars. The Tebasaki spicy wings were crispy and coated with just the right amount of spicy powder and sauce. The fried cod buns were delicious, especially with the flavorful sauce. The eel rice ball was okay, but it was a fun touch that it came with a fortune card underneath to help keep the seaweed crispy. The highlight was the mango shaved ice bowl--it was absolutely delicious and perfect for a hot summer day in NYC. This is a great spot for drinks, finger foods, or ramen with friends in the area. One friendly reminder: the restaurant requires everyone from your party to be present before seating. They will not seat incomplete parties.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Chicken Tsukune Bun
    Chicken Tsukune Bun
    Kimchi mushrooms

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    Kimchi mushrooms
    Kyuramen - Times Square

    Kyuramen - Times Square

    4.2
    (376 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I eat at a lot of ramen places and i can for sure say that is one of the most favorite places to…read moreeat ramen. Great service and good quality of the food. Prices are really good and affordable. I definitely recommend people that want to have a good ramen to go there.

    Unfortunately, my experience at here at Kyuramen was disappointing. I was looking forward to trying…read morethe Yin Yang ramen, but the service really overshadowed the meal. I have a shrimp allergy and politely asked if the shrimp tempura could be substituted. The server immediately said no, without offering any alternative or showing much concern. He said I can remove it myself. I said so let the shrimp inside the bowl for me to remove? WTH. For a restaurant, especially one serving customizable ramen dishes, with a allergy list post on the wall by the counter where I sat at B1, a little flexibility or empathy toward food allergies would go a long way. The interaction felt dismissive and unwelcoming, which made the overall dining experience uncomfortable. Customer service matters just as much as the food, and sadly this visit fell short. The smashed cucumber was good. Spicy dumpling was good. Ramen broth was light, not as rich or flavorful as others. There are so many good ramen places in NYC, this Chinese Ramen place has lot of room to improve.

    Photos
    Interiot
    Interiot
    Chicken Nuggets (10pc) / 香酥鸡块 (@joeynht)
    Chicken Nuggets (10pc) / 香酥鸡块 (@joeynht)
    (9A) Original Chicken Ramen

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    (9A) Original Chicken Ramen
    EAK Ramen

    EAK Ramen

    4.2
    (372 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Kitchen open late
    Vegan friendly

    I was in the city, and wanted a quick bite to eat, so I dropped by EAK Ramen. It was not crowded,…read moreand I was able to get served within 10 minutes. The tables, floors, and bathrooms were all very clean. This will be short and sweet. I ordered the Shrimp Bao. It was very good. The shrimp was crispy and tasty, but I think there should be 2 per order. One was not enough. 5/5 for taste 1/5 for quantity. I also ordered the Oh So Hot ! Miso. This consisted of pork and chicken broth, spicy ground chicken, spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and nori. I ordered it spicy, but I should have gotten it hot instead. I like spicy food, and the spicy needed more kick to me. But it was delicious. 5/5 Til we eat again...

    Went here a few weeks ago with friends and finally getting to write my review upon reflection. I…read moreloved the variety of vegetarian options that were available. I was NOT a fan of their mushroom friend rice. It was a plain white rice with sauteed mushrooms and corn. That's it. I expected a bit more and fresh ingredients especially for the price. I thought the rice would be at least been fried? I asked for some soy sauce and spice just to add a bit more flavor to it. However, our service was great and I cannot say enough kind words to the staff. The rest of our company enjoyed their food. My partner ordered a ramen which he enjoyed and wished there was more ramen options available for being a ramen (advertised) restaurant. Overall it was a good experience to try!

    Photos
    EAK Ramen
    Oh So Hot Ramen
    Oh So Hot Ramen
    Tofu Impossible Karaage

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    Tofu Impossible Karaage
    Toribro Ramen

    Toribro Ramen

    4.4
    (187 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Cozy no-frills ramen bar near the theater district. I enjoyed a delicious, balanced bowl of Paitan…read moreramen ($19). No complaints, except that I guess I prefer Tonkostu (pork bone) over Paitan (chicken bone). I appreciated sitting at the bar to watch the lone ramen monger stir around the next batches of broth, hand-torching some chashu; boiling, whip-drying, and gently nestling my noodles, then manually laying out the toppings. The dish feels real, personal.

    Toribro Ramen exceeded my expectations because the pork is even better now than it ever was at…read moreTotto Ramen! If you loved Totto's spicy paitan ramen like I did, look no further because Toribro has what you need. I only wish they offered the super spicy ramen with chili oil on the side like the good old days, but the standard spicy packs a punch too! The regular size ramen was plenty, but don't let that stop you from trying the decadent Mega with all of the toppings. The food came out hot and fast too, so my table of two was in and out in less than 45 minutes easily. The menu is pretty straightforward with few choices that are all delicious - a perfect spot for the quintessential quick bite and a fair price to match. Vibe-wise, this place is a true hole in the wall with steps leading down from street level into a basement. The inside is packed and intimate so I'd come with a small party such as a friend or a date who's into good food. There was no line when I visited on a Sunday at opening time, but it got packed quickly so be prepared to wait on the sidewalk or arrive at noon. As someone who's moved out of NYC years ago, I made an effort to visit Totto Ramen every time I come back and now Toribro has taken that spot in my itinerary.

    Photos
    Always love visiting this gem when I'm in the city
    Always love visiting this gem when I'm in the city
    Toribro spicy with seasoned boiled egg
    Toribro spicy with seasoned boiled egg
    Gyoza

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    Gyoza

    Ai Ki Ya - ramen - Updated June 2026

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