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    Ootoya Times Square

    4.0 (1.2k reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Ootoya Times Square Takeout or Delivery

    Ootoya Times Square Photos

    OOTOYA TIMES SQUARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ootoya Times Square

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    Ootoya pot. Meh
    Po T.

    Get the set rice dishes. Don't be like me trying to be a smart ass and order something that's out of the ordinary. The customer service is quick and attentive. The vibe is on a fast forwarding track and customers float by as you turning your head. The location is decently situated and if you crave for some Asian food you should swing by. I think I will give their onigiri window a try next time.

    Cripsy rice 5
    Alexandria R.

    Sometimes you just want a more traditional Japanese dining experience, and that's what draws me to Ootoya. It's not bad at all--but it's also not my go-to Japanese spot. Food: 3/5 I was first introduced to Ootoya by my grandmother, who recommended their simple lunch sets like udon with rice and fish. The food itself is solid--fresh, comforting, and clearly made with care. That said, the value is where things get tricky. Most sets start around $20-$30, and once you add extras, the bill climbs quickly. It's very easy to end up spending well over $100 for a casual lunch for two, which makes it feel more like an occasional treat than a regular spot. Service: 4/5 Service is generally good and efficient. Everything feels freshly prepared and well organized, but there's not much that stands out beyond standard attentive service. Vibe: 4/5 The decor is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It feels like stepping into a traditional Japanese dining space--almost like a calm "time capsule" away from the city. It's a really nice atmosphere if you're looking for something more authentic and quiet. All in all, I don't dislike Ootoya at all--it's a pleasant, reliable experience. But because of the price point (especially with tips and add-ons), it doesn't end up being my first choice for Japanese food. I wouldn't rule it out, but I also wouldn't go out of my way for it when there are more affordable options in the city.

    Grilled chicken rice set
    Hui L.

    This was my 1st visit to their Times Square location and I also haven't been to Ootoya in a hot minute. I stopped by for a birthday lunch and was seated at the counter. QR codes on the table needed to be scanned to view the menu but I think they also had physical menus as well. The Yosenabe Teishoku set had a kombu broth with 3 different kinds of fish, pork slices, beef slice and udon noodles. Talk about a lot of food! The okra side that it came with had a sesame dressing which I wished they offered refills for. The salad was just okay for me, the dressing was a bit tart for me. The miso soup was also pretty good with 2 small pieces of tofu and a few pieces of wakame. The star of this whole meal was definitely the hot pot. The first fish had quite a lot of bones but the meat tasted clean and was tender and flaky. The salmon was also pretty tender and definitely not overcooked. The third I wasn't too partial with because of the slightly fishy taste. The beef was just okay for me as I enjoyed the pork a lot more. More than just a boiled taste, perhaps the pork was seasoned but it was my favorite part of the hot pot. With some udon noodles at the bottom of the hot pot and a giant bowl of rice, this set meal was definitely very filling. 2nd visit: I tried the Kaasan Ni set. Onions were stewed till soft and paired well with the egg and katsu pieces. Next time I'll have to give the beef sukiyaki a try.

    Essie L.

    We came here because we were seeing a show in the area and wanted something hot in this cold weather. The place was heaving on a weekday and there were too many loud people around us, we couldn't talk and couldn't hear ourselves. The food's standard, nothing to write home about but good enough and reasonably priced given the area. But honestly don't want to come here again coz the acoustics are unbearable.

    Ally L.

    Good service, very friendly and helpful ~ went on a Saturday afternoon with a group of 6 and were seated in about 30 min. Ample seating for the space. Food came out pretty quickly ~ We all ordered different lunch sets and portions were very generous. Everything was good, filling, and solid. That said, nothing that WOWed ~ just fine/good, just not the first go-to for similar spots. Around $50 per person. Good option if you're nearby and want something reliable.

    Tonkatsu
    Hannah C.

    A solid Japanese spot. The inside is decorated so beautifully and has plentiful seating. I made a reservation and had a short fifteen minute wait before I was seated. The service was efficient. The food was good but didn't blow me away. It was honestly quite expensive, so I was hoping for dishes that really impressed me. I had high hopes for the crispy rice, but it didn't have very notable flavor, and the rice was barely crispy. Same problem with the tonkatsu: I wanted to really enjoy it, but the crispy exterior and flavor were just alright. That being said, I did really like the washu beef sukiyaki nabe, with savory broth and thin slices of tender beef. This place wasn't bad by any means, but there are far better Japanese restaurants at the same price point.

    Damian X.

    A solid spot for authentic Japanese food with some highs and a few trade-offs. Ambience (4/5): Clean with a calm vibe, though at peak dinner hours it can feel a bit tight and noisy. Food (4/5): Fresh ingredients and well-executed traditional dishes like grilled fish and teishoku sets, but portions can feel on the smaller side for the price, especially at dinner. Value (4/5): Lunch sets are a great deal and feel worth it, but dinner pricing leans expensive for what you get. Service (5/5): Attentive and professional staff who are friendly without being overbearing; food usually comes out quickly and consistently.

    Ida C.

    I came here on a solo trip to New York. They opened promptly at 11:30am and I was seated at a counter space. I was surprised to see how quickly the place filled up within an hour. Digital menu can be accessed via QR code. The menu was simple and easy to understand. I ordered a miso cod lunch combo and it was delicious and flavorful. It was definitely more than enough food and I left very full. Service was attentive and they refilled my water without me asking. The atmosphere was calm. I enjoyed my visit and will definitely come back if I am in New York again. Restroom is available.

    Warabimochi
    Donna Z.

    I got a $30 off birthday offer so decided to come here for lunch. Came here around 11:30am on a weekday and it wasn't that busy yet. They are set up like a restaurant in Japan where there is an abundance of single seating which is where I got seated. Fair warning that the seats here have the air conditioning blasting at it if you don't like the cold. I ordered a Noodle set with Bara Chirashi Don and seiro udon. The fish was nice and fresh and the udon hit the spot. The only thing different is that usually in Japan, they would provide shaved daikon as well but I don't use that so it was fine for me. I also ordered the warabimochi to end the meal which was good. In total, it came out to $38 with tax and tip which is a little pricey for lunch but with the birthday offer, I was completely happy.

    Crispy5
    Steven F.

    Ootoya was the highlight of our meals during our trip to NYC. We made a reservation a few days beforehand and our table was ready as soon as we arrived. Our courses all came out right as we had finished up the last, and every single one was delicious. I really loved the Steak Ju- the Wagyu sirloin was great with their special steak sauce. The dumplings were a nice starter, and the dessert box was a fun way to end our meal by sampling 3 different sweets. It's kind of hidden off of the main Times Square area, so it isn't too noisy. Great cozy spot for a tasty dinner.

    Gabrielle K.

    I was watching one of my favorite youtubers- Abroad in Japan and he mentioned this popular chain restaurant in Japan in one of his videos. It felt so familiar and then I realized there is a location in Manhattan that was on my list to try. They are very much a Japanese comfort set meals style place with over 400 locations in Japan and additionally several locations in China, Thailand and Vietnam. The inside of the restaurant takes you to Japan. It may look small from the outside but it's a big space. The staff were shuffling between tables and bringing food and drinks out. I was in a time crunch as I had an hour and then we had to get to penn station to catch our train. Maybe that's why trying to get their attention after we finished our meal felt very frustrating. The sweet potato fries were so delicious and I wanted to eat every bit. It was apparently an osaka sweet potato... so rich and sweet in taste I couldn't believe it. In my opinion the prices were kind of high for the size and amount of food you got. I mean an eel rice bowl was like $55.... And entree without rice or soup were starting at $26 But, it might be because they are using higher quality ingredients or they increased prices knowing they were in the US market. Not really sure but the presentation for things is simple but elegant in its own right. I got one of the sets that comes with rice, cod and a miso soup. The fact that the rice or miso soup doesn't come with the dishes was surprising to me. Regardless, the cod was delicious and I did enjoy it. Overall, despite being pricey I would 100% go again and try their drinks as well. Food 8 Service 7 Atmosphere 9 What we got Agedashi Tofu Satsumaimo stick Kaasan Ni Gindara Miso Teishoku set

    Shuang W.

    I have been to this place for at least 5 times already. But last time I came here, They added a ton of new restrictions and limitations, I honestly don't think i will come back, the food still tastes ok. The tofu salad is the best thing ever, the chicken karaage simply sucks, the service wasn't good and they are very pushy to get you to pay even though you are not the last table.

    Beef sukiyaki special set
    Susan L.

    Ootoya is still so delicious. Their Japanese butterfish is soft and flavorful. The multi grain rice is a good choice for healthier carb option. For the soup, you can get miso or clear soup, which has mushrooms and tofu in it. I added the plain chawanmusi (steamed egg) to the set. That is always so good. Another wonderful dish is the beef sukiyaki nabe set special. The washu beef is tender and in a hot pot with sweet soy sauce. Their sushi is very tasty also. They have tea to order. It comes in a pot with tea leaves and shareable for just $6 and they can fill it again with hot water for a 2nd brew too. Still has tea flavor. This place is a must try. They have other locations in Union Square and Chelsea also.

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    Ask the Community - Ootoya Times Square

    Am I still required to show proof of vaccination for indoor dining?

    No, you are not!

    Why is there always a line before they open? Is there a popular dish that sells out early?

    There is usually a long waitlist for this restaurant, about an hour. If you go about 10-15 minutes before it re-opens for dinner, you're more likely to get a table or seat at the bar when they open. Otherwise, you may have to wait 45-60 minutes or… 

    Can I get reservation for 3 at time square location for 6:30 pm?

    Use yelp to join the waitlist. That's what I did when I went.

    I heard from my Japanese friend that this place don't have tip?

    Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, we are non-tipping restaurants (as you may know, there are three Ootoya restaurants in Manhattan), we do not ask any tips.

    View All 6 Questions

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