Tucked away on an unassuming street. Kaoru feels how an old school japanese restaurant would be…read more The don's here are affordable and delicious. Service is quick and no fuss. I'll make it a point to come to this restaurant every time I visit New York.

I love this place for their chirashi bowls. I've dined in here once and regularly do takeout. It's…read moresolid, affordable, and generous with the fish. Quality tastes great and it's a local favorite. My favorite is their Three Amigos. It has everything I love. I usually opt for regular. There will be some leftover rice if I'm eating by myself but I usually save it for something else. I also enjoy the roll sets. It's a fun little lunch treat. Overall, you can't go wrong ordering any item with your favorite fish here.

This is a nice small Japanese convenience store. They sell a selection of onigiri and sushi in…read moretheir fridge section right when you walk in. The only thing I would be careful for is the ingredients bc if you have any sensitivities or allergies, then we may want to skip the "fresh" section, bc they do put preservatives to expand the shelf life, which is also why after 6pm, they do not have to discount their items as other Japanese grocers and convenience shops do. They do have a unique selection of flours, packaged soups, and chips. The prices were a bit higher though. Would we go back if we were in the area? Maybe... Pros: Clean Cute and unique selection of Japanese items Organized well Nice packaged rice, packaged tea, and chip section Cons: Expensive Fish freshness - maybe not Onigiri and sushi - rice preservatives = no go

Very small, but great japanese grocery store in midtown! they have all the shelf staple…read morenecessities, select produce, beauty products, as well as a lot of affordable ready made food options. If you need a grab and go lunch option in the area would recommend!

This is an adorable, cute and cozy little udon shop. Not good for a large group. Some of the best…read moreudon I have had outside of Japan. I highly recommend and cannot wait to visit again.

I had stopped by this little hole in the wall a handful of times before stopping in several months…read moreago during a cold winter day. The place was pretty quiet, and the staff was friendly. To drink, I had a Hot Organic Super Matcha Tea for 4.95. It was alright tea, and I wish teas were included in the price point, as otherwise, this place feels pretty traditional. In terms of food, I only ordered from the seasonal menu, so I'm not sure how the rest of the dishes are, but from what I had, I would go back for a light traditional meal. My appetizer was the Dashimaki Tamago/だし巻まき卵たま, or sweet savory omelet with daikon for $6.98. This came with three pieces along with a little dollop of grated radish. The pieces had a light sweetness to them along with a bit of savoriness. They were juicy and a bit bouncy while maintaining some softness. This was standard and good. My main dish was the $19.98 Beef Tan Tan Udon, or ground sirloin beef, spicy broth, baby bok choy, kikurage mushroom, scallions, and sesame seeds. While I have preferred udon from spots like Raku, the udon had a mild chew to it, and they were still good. The broth had a mix of sweetness and spiciness with a nice depth of flavor. The vegetables inside tasted fresh, and the meat added some richness. This was good as well. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here, but the food was good. If you're in the area and looking for no frills Japanese dining in a more comfortable atmosphere at pretty decent Midtown East prices, I would recommend this place.

We had a really delicious dinner at Sakagura. Some of the real highlights were:…read more- the cucumber salad - the eggplant, which was absolutely to die for - the black cod The Otoro sashimi was also really good. Definitely melt-in-your-mouth quality. The hot udon soup was fine but nothing too special. The hamachi was very good but be aware that it is the hamachi shoulder on the bone, not hamachi sashimi. I tried a sake that is made from red rice, which was really delicious, and my wife had a sauvignon blanc, which was also really good. This is a fun place to try a bunch of Japanese small plates in a nice setting where the tables are not too crowded and the noise level is very reasonable.

Beautiful decor and warm welcoming attentive service from the time we walked in to the moment we…read moreleft. We came for my friend's birthday, and it was a nice place to celebrate. The sake menu was quite extensive. The food was delectable - we had the octopus, eggplant, black cod and the Japanese friend chicken. The eggplant was amazing!! The portions were a bit small for the price. All in all, it was a very nice experience.

This establishment offers a delightful experience for those seeking authentic Japanese cuisine…read morewithout the influence of international culinary trends.

Food: Average Service: Hurried…read more Ambiance: too dim The price of green tea at $8 each! I don't think this restaurant deserves a standing at this location which offers many authentic Japanese restaurant choices.

I am a sucker for delicious Katsu and you'll struggle to find better than Katsu-Hama. Katsu-Hama…read morehas a quaint, Japanese vibe in a small but comfortable dining area. It's not especially big, so you may have a bit of a wait if you frequent right at lunch or in the evening but whatever amount of time you have to wait it will be well worth it. Service is top tier but you come for the food. They have a varied menu with a lot of options so if you're bringing a buddy that isn't up for Katsu, they'll have plenty to choose from. The Katsu is the star and I think what sets this place apart is that they offer Berkshire pork katsu as an option. Arguably some of the best pork, it's great to have the option if you're looking to heighten the experience. I love their pork katsu and go nuts over the chicken katsu curry. It's super crispy, slightly greasy but never off-putting. And it's served with the most delicate and delicious cabbage slaw. I could eat a mountain of this it's so good. Highly recommended.

This place is a bit hard to spot, but it's on the same side of the street as the sorta famous (50…read moreyears +) Phil's Stationery. Katsu-Hama is about two doors to the Left of Phil's, and has minimal, very discreet signage. I got some tonkatsu...I forget the exact type, but it was essentially the most fatty of the tonkatsu offered. It came with cabbage (with a sesame ginger type dressing), daikon radish (with some type of sauce on top), and the standard sauce for the tonkatsu, along with some crushed sesame seed and hot mustard. I'd have to say...the tonkatsu was quite good....not quite as sublime as my favorite tonkatsu place in Tokyo...but still, very, very good. The dish also came with a bowl of miso soup (good, and not overly salty) and a bowl of white rice, which I considered the most disappointing part of the meal. The rice seemed a bit dried out...not moist.... All in all, an excellent meal. I'd definitely come back.

Really good, Asian approved. The ramen is delicious, and the tuna is great. Nothing beats a warm…read morebowl of ramen in a cold rainy day in NYC

Arrived at 10:30pm on a Tuesday night and this place was still poppin, which goes to show just how…read moregood the food is here! We ordered the mentaiko pasta and the scallop and tuna carpaccios. All dishes were amazing, would order those over and over. Their ingredients are very fresh. We got seated at the bar within 20 minutes and the food came out relatively fast too. The place has a cute late night vibe. We also saw the actress Tessa Thompson eating here during our dinner, so even the celebrities think this place is the best!

After puppy yoga, the family and I made our way to Izakaya Mew on 53rd Street, and this place was a…read moregenuine surprise. Everything we ordered was delicious. There was nothing on that menu that let us down. We started with two Calpico sodas, which are always a solid choice. My wife had the Omu Soba and loved it. I went with the Tonkatsu Ramen and that dish was everything. Rich, satisfying, the kind of bowl you do not want to end. We also shared the Kalbi, which are Korean short ribs, and they were outstanding. All three of us were on the same page about those. My son added two salmon tacos to the mix. He enjoyed them but said they did not hit quite as hard as his Mew Special Roll, which was clearly the standout of his night. It features raw tuna and what I believe is a combination of salmon and seared salmon on top. Either way, that sear flavor is really good. Worth trying if you get the chance. The space was lively and busy, which gave it a great energy. We ended up at a long communal table with another couple, but it never felt cramped or uncomfortable. There was enough room to breathe and enjoy the meal. My son mentioned his back felt a little tight from the seating, but that was a minor thing in an otherwise great night. Izakaya Mew delivered on every level. Great food, great atmosphere, and a dinner I am already looking forward to repeating

Great tasting food that will surprise. Tried the toro taku crispy rice, it was a recommended item,…read moreand this one surprised me the most. Great variety of textures and taste. The creamy kimchi udon was ok. It didn't feel like one dish, but tasted good. The una don was great. Good sauce and blend of supporting veggies to enhance the taste. Service was super quick. Everything was rapid fire: order taken, food comes out quick, water gets replinished before asking, plates are taken the moment they are finished, and check comes immediately after asking for it. Interior was cramped and loud. Really fitting as many tables as they can in the space. I saw others mentioning to make reservations. I went without one and got lucky. There was a table opening 30 minutes out. Would recommend having one, but you can definitely try walking in. First come first serve basis Overall, solid spot for great tasting food. Great for smaller parties of 2, but expect it to be tight with spacing

Goong karee (shrimp curry) with a side of rice was so good. I ordered a side of roti as I didn't…read morewant to waste the curry! Sean and Molly gave amazing service. This made me miss thailand so much

This small Thai restaurant in Midtown East got packed so quickly! The inside is so floral and…read morevibrant and the menu is simple, highlighting some of their signature must-try dishes and classics.For drinks, we started with the My Summer and Thai Ice Tea. We liked both! The Crying Tiger steak was grilled really well, paired with a tangy dipping sauce. The Keaw Tod were like fried wontons. I did like the crunch but wish there was more filling and more than 6 pieces, so for $12.95, I'd pass on this one. The Short Rib Massaman is the star dish; a coconut curry with a big chunky piece of meat served with flaky roti bread. It was really flavorful and tender. The Salmon Clay Pot had nice fragrant garlic rice and a fresh salmon filet. However, the salmon rice tasted more Japanese than Thai. To end the meal, we got their delicious seasonal Mango Sticky Rice. The mangos were ripe and the rice was nice and chewy.

Called beforehand on a Friday night for two and seats were ready when we arrived at 8:30pm. Upon…read moreentering, it felt like I teleported to Japan. Many of the clientele are Japanese so we knew we were at an authentic place. We got: - Fried oysters: the batter was light and crispy and oysters piping hot - Vinegared Mackerel w/ Ponzu Sauce: fresh & tangy - Intestines Hotpot: comforting & light despite the fattiness of the intestines - Creamed Mentai Udon: they split it in 2 small bowls for us since we were sharing. Udon had a nice bouncy chew and sauce was not heavy We also got a bottle of sake, and they poured it in a beautiful sake decanter to keep it cold. First time seeing cold sake presented this way which was very cool. We tried Suntory draft beer since that was the only draft they had, which was odd since most Japanese places carry Asahi/Sapporo, definitely not as light as the other two beers I'm used to. Even though I was stuffed by the end, I didn't feel lethargic, everything felt light without compromising flavor. Service was attentive although our udon came at the very end, we thought they had forgot about it.

There are a few restaurants in NYC that make you feel like you are stepping into a Japan portal,…read moreand Okatte Tanto is no doubt one of those. As you step into the restaurant, you immediately feel a sense of formality and strictness. It's also very quiet in the restaurant, and friendly to solo diners, adding on more to the Japan-esque feel. The food is high quality here, but the portions are small, and it is pricey. I would budget to spend around $100 a person here after tip and tax, if you ignore the prices on the menu and try a variety of things. The tuna from the bone is the most famous dish here, but I was not able to get it as they sell out very fast. But I tried the sashimi and it was high quality -- just that it was not enough food for me. But that makes it more in line with portions back in Japan. They have an extensive sake list and they also have the casual cocktail options like lemon drops you would find in Tokyo. The atmosphere really transports you straight into Japan if that is something you are looking for. Expect to pay a premium for small-ish portions, but at the same time very well-made and authentic food.