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    Sushi Koya

    4.8 (96 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Sushi Koya Takeout or Delivery

    Sushi Koya Photos

    Business Info

    SUSHI KOYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Upscale

    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Koya

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jenny Z.

    Pretty reasonably priced omakase; some pieces were really good, some pieces were just okay. The inside is really cramped though and theres barely and space between you and the other parties. The pieces of sushi are served really fast though which is nice. I wasn't really a huge fan of the appetizer to be honest - the set of 3 all tasted pretty mediocre (the cod tasted a bit old, the yuzu did not pair with the fluke) and the snow crab tasted like store-bought crabmeat with mayo. So overall, was disappointed with these. As for the nigiri - most of them were pretty good. The fish was good quality and the one that really blew me away was the uni don - the uni and roe were EXTREMELY fresh, blew my mind. It was the best uni I had in a while. The wagyu handroll was also delicious and decadent. The last handroll - hamachi handroll - was a bit flavorless though. Dessert was good - a really light matcha pudding that was the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, I enjoyed my experience but not sure if I would come back. Note: they will charge you for water unless you ask for tap. That was an unexpected surprise on my bill

    Appetizing appetizer
    Mardory V.

    Booked a reservation on Resy for a special birthday dinner. Glad I came and strongly suggest a reservation as it was consistently busy on a Sunday night between a few lucky walk-ins and reservations. No shows, cancellations or changes to the number in your party get charged $50 per person, so just be sure everyone confirms first. Great hospitality from KC and the sushi chefs on all ends. The atmosphere felt very welcoming and they are invested in ensuring you're comfortable. The type of water youd like to where you can sit to whether or not the courses are to your liking are their concerns. They ask questions regarding dietary restrictions in a way that seemed very concerned and they tailor your experience based off this. Definitely be honest about likes and dislikes. I like that not everyone in your party has to choose the same dining options. However, I strongly recommend the 18 course omasake as there are so many delicious courses. I should have opted for the 13 course as I was well full by the time the 14th course came out. I made due and shared some with my party but I felt bad as it was all so tasty. My top three favorites were the scallop with shaved foie gras, the exquisite red fish with marinated trufle mushroom, and the uni bowl and lastly the freshwater eel was like biting into a velvety dream of tasty clouds. Divine. The birthday star was especially looking forward to that wyagu course and did NOT leave disappointed. They also made a "sushi cake" for him right before our dessert that came with a candle and was a nice touch. We did not feel rushed and were done in about an hour and a half. Decor is minimal but very intentional, as is everything about this place. The exterior is simple and unassuming but the quality is all there. It felt like a fancy dinner party hosted in a friend's home as opposed to a random restaurant in the upper west side. I'd definitely return.

    Marissa S.

    Give them a Michelin star, wow, amazing meal! Had the 18 courses, which they did kosher-style for me, and loved every morsel. Fish was fresh and delicious. I will definitely be back!

    Truffle Wagyu handroll
    Ethan W.

    Decent value omakase with pretty good quality fish and seafood. Only 115 for 18 course meal and 85 for 13 course as of summer 2025. The foie grais with scallop and yellowtail hamachi with pickled radish were my favorite items - burst of flavor from the radish and the foie grais was really creamy but not too gamey. The rest of the dishes were decent but not really standout compared to other omakase out there. Definitely recommend making a reservation as it's limited seating.

    Brandon L.

    Sushi Koya is definitely 5 stars for the price range. Our chef Ray was friendly and made each piece consistently. What sets this place apart is the aged fishes they had which I don't often see at similar omakase spots. I also had some fishes that I haven't tried before (I don't remember what they were called though). The host was also very attentive. He kept our sake and water filled and did check ins on us through the meal. I didn't have a single bad piece and some were so good that my friend and I got extras. This is more of the quiet type of omakase spot where you don't interact too much, but has the more classic ambiance. If you're looking for more lively and social omakase spot, I'd defer to maybe Sushi By Bou or M instead, but the quality will waver a bit more.

    Jemily H.

    Never in my entire life, have I experienced anything like this. If you are a sushi lover or just a fine dining lover, and you are in the city... You absolutely must make a reservation here. Service was impeccable. I have to admit that upon making a reservation and checking out the reviews I was extremely impressed with the five star rating with the lowest review being four stars. That seems almost impossible. Given the glowing reviews, I almost expected to walk into a large fancy establishment but this is a very well maintained "hole in the wall" type and from the outside completely unassuming. The chefs, and manager were awesome. It's clear they take added time to ensure customer satisfaction from groom quality and preparation to overall experience. We went for a belated bday and walked out full and with some yuzu sake in our bellies. The warm hand towel upon sitting down was an awesome touch. We both opted for the 18 piece omakase. Call me silly, but I was partially expecting to leave hungry but boy was I wrong. While I cannot recall every single name of every single piece of sushi we had I can tell you that if I were on death row about to have my last meal, I would like it to be a plateful of the scallop sushi with finely grated foie gras. I also really enjoyed this experience because I learned so much, from how traditional sushi is eaten by hand to how the fish is supposed to hit the tongue first for optimal flavor, eating ginger cubes in between each piece as a palate cleanser versus on top of the piece itself.... and even some of the more low-key things like how the rice was already prepared with the correct amount of soy sauce, and the wasabi was always skillfully hidden underneath the fish. This is an experience I will never forget and quite frankly probably could never top again unless I was in Japan!!!

    Jason L.

    Koya was one of the best omakase experiences I've ever had. The 18 course set is absolutely what you should get, the 13 isn't going to be enough food for most adults unless you augment with some extra selections. The ambiance was intimate, but not cramped. I was a solo diner but was welcomed into conversations with parties on both sides of me, as well as with the staff who were incredibly attentive, asked questions about what I enjoyed, and tailored the set to me when I said I absolutely hated shrimp. I don't often come to NY, and to the Upper West Side even less, but Sushi Koya is on my list for a repeat trip the next time I'm in the area.

    Morbo R.

    Sushi Koya is definitely an experience. I visited this restaurant with family for a birthday meal. This cosy place is situated in an L seating. So you get to watch the chefs create their masterpieces. Each round was amazing and unique. The wait for each round of food wasn't long at all. Perfect for enjoying a beverage and talking with your company.... Ok...now for my real review: delicious food. I would suggest not only enjoying the sights and tastes of the food, but smell it. It will enhance the overall enjoyment of what you're eating. Take your time and enjoy each bite as they are quickly consumed. It's great to see how each portion is put together. Make sure to cleanse your palate after each portion. It helps so you enjoy each portion separately instead of it just being a bunch of plates served at different times. Very enjoyable and would definitely recommend to everyone who isn't allergic to shellfish/seafood (*Captain Obvious strikes again). That's it. If you want a review of the bathroom or seats, go and do it yourself. This is about the food.

    San K.

    This place was AMAZING! Everything was so delicious. We opted for the 18 course for $115 and it was definitely worth it and you left feeling full. We also got a bottle of sake which went great with the meal. Every single bite had interesting flavors and the perfect texture, it felt like everything was melting in my mouth. Service was impeccable. Highly recommend this spot!

    Appetizer
    Piph H.

    Was looking for good sushi on the upper west side and deciding between a few Michelin star spots and this one. The proximity to Lincoln Center and reviews won me over and I'm soooo glad they did. Literally perfection! small and unassuming on the outside, chill, warm and excellent food on the inside. Every single piece of sushi from our 13 piece set was perfect. Not one thing I didn't like more than the last, plus they made sure to check your preferences and substitute fish you don't like. Exceptional fish quality and inventive pairings that complimented and didn't overwhelm the fish while still standing out from what you'd get and any other omakase. Also the perfect level of filing without feeling over stuffed and perfectly paced, in and out in under an hour. For those of us who've been held hostage by 3 hour coursed out omakases you'll appreciate.

    Appetizer plate
    George H.

    I came here for their soft opening, so I got a discount on their 18-course tasting menu and a free yuzu sake on the house. Even without these perks though, this is some of the most creative omakase I've had -- some that particularly stood out were the jalapeño tuna nigiri and the wagyu uni and truffle roll. The service was still rough around the edges (e.g. one server forgot the name of the dish we were eating), but waitstaff were all attentive and delightful -- we were always checked in on our meals, and water refills were frequent and stealthy! Finally, the ambiance was incredible, and not just because it was their soft opening! The guests were excited and respectful of the food, but even putting that aside, seating is close together for a tight-knit vibe, and the manager and servers were going around and chatting up guests. Overall, Koya can count on my business coming back to them :)

    Snow crab appetizer
    Jeanette C.

    15 course omakase was beautifully presented and delicious. Especially enjoyed the cold smoked salmon appetizer, yellowtail with frozen foie gras shavings on top, sweet shrimp with torched foie gras, uni salmon roe rice bowl, otoro with caviar, and waygu beef uni truffle. Sushi chef was very friendly and professional.

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    22 days ago

    If everyone in Manhattan knew about this place, it'd be booked out a month in advance. It's that good and very reasonably priced.

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    1 month ago

    Incredible and unexpected food. Wonderful service and perfect attention to detail. Love, love, love.

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    10 months ago

    Fresh fish, perfect rice, and super friendly staff, easily one of the best sushi spots around!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Sushi Koya

    I would like to make a reservation for one at the sushi bar, is that possible for today at 5:00pm?

    Yes! Reservations are available at Resy.

    Is your restaurant still BYOB?

    No more BYOB

    Tensai - ebi niku udon ($18)

    Tensai

    4.3(60 reviews)
    1.6 miMidtown East

    I randomly found this spot while looking for a new spot to get lunch. I surprised more people don't…read moreknow about this fantastic udon shop. I started off with an order of Karaage ($10) for appetizer, which I probably did not need. Comes with a spicy mayo dipping sauce, which taste great. For entree, I got the Ebi Niku Udon, which consisted of both sliced cooked beef and two pieces of shrimp tempura on the side. Loved the thick and chewy udon noodles and I fished the entire dash broth. Refreshing and not saturated with salt. I'd probably come back in the future if I'm craving udon for lunch.

    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.

    Photos
    Tensai
    Tensai - Karaage

    Karaage

    Tensai - Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)

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    Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)

    Sakagura

    Sakagura

    4.2(2k reviews)
    1.9 miMidtown East
    $$$$

    Food: 4/5 Service bumped it to a 5/5 because all of the…read morestaffs were so friendly. From the moment we walked in to us finding the bathroom and waving anyone down for our requests. We got the fish carpaccio to start and it was pretty good! It tasted like what I expected from the description. The miso soup was also good, not too salty and slightly different than your trusty takeout sushi spot. I got the dashi omelette and it was a little sweet and savory. It paired nicely with the radish. I got the cold, plum udon. Which was refreshing and a bit sour from the plums. The broth was sippable since it wasn't too salty. My friend got the mushroom cold soba and it came with mashed yam. This dish tasted more like what I was expecting since the sourness of my dish kinda was unexpected, but I still enjoyed it! My friend also got a drink and it was SO strong. I think they're serious about their drinks here I didn't see any mocktails or cocktails. They gave us black sesame ice cream on the house since her drinks came out later than expected, which was really nice! I'm not a black sesame fan, but this place's ice cream was good! You're able to chew on the black sesame's bits and pieces in there. Overall, I do think they nail Japanese food, it's supposed to be simple and clean. So if you're looking for creative and big umami flavors, that's not going to be this place. But if you want authentic, Japanese food, this is the place!

    This is one of the best izakaya restaurants in Manhattan, and it keeps bringing me back time after…read moretime. The moment you walk in, you're instantly transported to Japan. The décor features light natural wood and bamboo, creating a warm, authentic atmosphere, with an impressive collection of sake lining the wall. The food is outstanding. We started with the seasonal soft-shell crab, which was incredibly fresh and fried to perfection. The daily sashimi special was exceptionally fresh, and the salad was light and refreshing. The must-order Wagyu beef, served on a hot stone, simply melted in our mouths and was unforgettable. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and I enjoyed every single bite. The impeccable service was the icing on the cake. The staff was attentive throughout our meal, making sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. I absolutely loved the entire dining experience and can't wait to come back again!

    Photos
    Sakagura - Happy Friday!

    Happy Friday!

    Sakagura - Hot "Inaniwa" Udon

    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon

    Sakagura - Lunch Time. Happy Friday!

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    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!

    Katsu-Hama

    Katsu-Hama

    4.0(1.9k reviews)
    1.5 miMidtown East
    $$

    This is my go-to restaurant for katsu in the city. Any katsu set you get will not go wrong. The…read morecrispiness of the katsu is just right, and you will not regret it, besides not picking another one. When it gets busy, there is usually a line waiting at the door, sometimes extending outside. If you have a reservation, you will not be seated until the whole party is there. One small note: if you are seated in the back, the cell service is really bad, but who needs their phone when you have good company and good food.

    Food: This is one of the few places in NYC that does a traditional Japanese tonkatsu very well;…read moreit's not as good as Japan, but it's still very good. This restaurant offers a variety of Japanese katsu including pork loin, pork tenderloin, curries, seafood, and donburis as well as many appetizers, drinks, and desserts. We tried the miso pork loin and the half pork/half chicken curry katsu. Both were delicious, and very enjoyable. The katsu is very crispy and well made; the meat inside is very moist. For every entree, you have the option of choosing set A (miso soup with pork and vegetable, potato salad, shredded cabbage) or set B (miso soup and shredded cabbage). There was nothing special about the vegetable and pork soup and potato salad so I would recommend set B. At every table, there are a variety of condiments - salad dressing for the cabbage, spice powder, tonkatsu sauce, and soy sauce. I would definitely come back here if I am craving katsu. Service: Service was phenomenal. The restaurant was packed and very busy, but our server was still very attentive and always available if we needed something. Very friendly! Ambiance: The restaurant is not big but can accommodate both large and small groups. Space is a bit tight, but the seating is still comfortable. They have counter seating as well as tables in the back. During peak dinner time, there was a little bit of a wait and a line near the door; the place is very popular. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are craving tonkatsu!

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    Katsu-Hama
    Katsu-Hama - Oyster and katsu

    Oyster and katsu

    Katsu-Hama - Agedashi Tofu

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    Agedashi Tofu

    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3(177 reviews)
    1.5 miMidtown West

    Beyond the usual ramen and sushi--an incredible Japanese spot!…read more When friends suggest Japanese food, it's usually the same rotation of ramen, basic sushi, or curry. This place completely breaks the mold! The chefs here put genuine thought, balance, and incredible freshness into every single dish. The space is small and cozy--perfect for groups of 2 to 4--and our server, Alisa, was attentive, friendly, and never pushy. Here is a breakdown of what we ordered: Sake Flight & Sakura Mori: Smooth, light, and the perfect start to the evening. Ankimo (Monkfish Liver): Super innovative and a total standout compared to other spots. Paired brilliantly with the ponzu-wasabi-soy combination. Uni: Exceptionally fresh with that natural, clean sweetness you always hope for. Toro Tataki: Pure summer vibes! Beautifully fresh sashimi topped with the perfect crispiness. Scallop Roll: Fresh with a great bounce to the texture. Karaage: Fried to perfection--super crispy on the outside, incredibly juicy on the inside, and paired with a delicious house-made mustard dipping sauce. Age Tofu: Super soft texture with a wonderfully balanced flavor profile. Takoyaki: Generously packed with octopus. The sauce was a bit heavy-handed, but if you love takoyaki sauce like I do, it hits the spot! Pork Katsu Curry: Crispy, perfectly fried pork chop balanced out seamlessly by the rice and rich curry sauce. Kurobuta Sausage: More of a casual bar-style bite that felt a little out of place next to the other refined dishes, but saved by that great house mustard. Black Sesame Ice-Cream & Fried Sweet Potato Dessert: We usually skip dessert when we order this much food, but this combination was an incredible, must-order finish to the night! You can tell the kitchen takes immense pride in their craft. I can't wait to come back!

    Vibe/ambiance: clean, modern Izakaya Service: attentive…read moreReservation: recommended Items ordered: Fav dish was hamachi crudo - v good flavor combo with light truffle flavor Salmon carpaccio was aight nothing too special here Kakuni is like hongshaorou. A bit dry but then very fatty Scallop yellowtail yuzu roll: 9/10 Udon: 9/10 Fried squid: 6.8/10

    Photos
    Sozai - Bar area

    Bar area

    Sozai - Sake Clam Miso

    Sake Clam Miso

    Sozai - Black sesame ice cream and red bean

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    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

    Izakaya MEW - Salmon Carpaccio

    Izakaya MEW

    4.3(3.3k reviews)
    1.9 miMidtown West
    $$

    You walk down a sketchy staircase off 35th with basically no signage and land in a basement that's…read morelouder than half of K-town one block over. That's the charm. Went tonight and the sushi was legitimately fresh, like actually fresh, not Midtown-lunch-counter fresh. Yellowtail carpaccio and the salmon tataki were the standouts, clean fish, no fridge taste. This is izakaya food though, so order like it: geso kara, aged tofu, gyoza, repeat. Frozen beer comes with that slushie foam cap they do in Tokyo and it keeps the pint cold to the last sip, which matters when the room is this warm and packed. Service is fast and a little chaotic. Prices are fair for the neighborhood, borderline cheap at lunch. Not a temple of sushi, but for a rowdy basement near Herald Square? Way better than it needs to be. Full by 6pm sharp. Come at 5 for the sake deal or book on Resy, the phone voicemail is always full.

    We came on a weekday evening around 7pm and there was a short line down the stairs to get on the…read morewaitlist. It only took about 20 minutes to get a table. The environment was loud like a buzzing bar. The service was attentive, bringing out dishes and cleaning up the table throughout. I liked the texture of the salmon tataki and the wasabi cream was well-incorporated. The kimchi cream udon was delicious. I was literally licking the sauce off the plate because the sauce was so good! The okonomiyaki came on a sizzling skillet. The flavor of the dish was perfectly savory and made for some great bites.

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    Izakaya MEW - Dining area

    Dining area

    Izakaya MEW - Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll

    Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll

    Izakaya MEW - Scallop Uni Butter Skewer

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    Scallop Uni Butter Skewer

    Sushi Koya - sushi - Updated September 2026

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