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    Sushi Ryusei

    4.5 (160 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars, Japanese
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Sushi Ryusei Takeout or Delivery

    Sushi Ryusei Photos

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    SUSHI RYUSEI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Stephen K.

    Delicious omakase in a vibrant neighborhood spot. Service was extremely graceful as my wife had to cancel last minute and then our remaining guest was not super adventurous and didn't want omakase. They still allowed us to sit at the bar and came up with good options for my guest while I had the sushi and sashimi omakase. Technically they didn't have to honor my reservation but they worked it out and I really appreciated it. The omakase was a lot of food. I enjoyed everything although I felt a bit embarrassed since my guest couldn't believe I could eat so much! Chefs were good with explanations and the waitstaff was quick and efficient. If you're looking for a classic sushi bar (and not the super exclusive speakeasy type omakase joint) this is a great choice.

    Entrance
    Larry H.

    Their signature Sushi special was amazingly good. Fresh fish that fell apart in your mouth with toppings that enhanced and changed the tastes. Miso soup was nice. The Pinot Grigio was very good and served at the proper temperature. My wife enjoyed the sushi deluxe finding it very tasty.

    Susan K.

    The food is consistently delicious. Only the highest quality ingredients are used. The entire staff is welcoming. The room is beautiful. A neighborhood gem.

    Crispy rice spicy salmon
    Michelle Y.

    Great local sushi place with fresh fish. The crispy rice was scrumptious, so crispy and doused with flavor (and the avocado was sooo yummy on top). Service was also so great from the sweetest Japanese grandparents who gently checked up on us regularly. I also love how cozy and casual it was inside whilst the food was still delicious, making this a great place to get an intimate meal with very casual vibes.

    Naoko S.

    Omasase is reasonable price at high quality. We feel variety of omakase is limited and some sush look similar. Quiet authentic ambience and can have a real experience. Service is slightly slow as we needed to ask for more tea to be filled. Overall, it is pretty good. The melon they served last was amazing as they probably got it from Japan. It is not regular melon we find in the usa.

    Omakase appetizer - silken tofu made in house, radish, and brussel sprouts in yuzu soy sauce
    Bonnie N.

    Got the 15 piece omakase here which is $140 and it was an amazing experience. My bf and I made a reservation for 5:30pm and it was so peaceful in the restaurant as it had just opened. It definitely got more crowded throughout our meal. We really enjoyed the peacefulness so we would def book another 5, 5:30 or 6pm slot. Fresh fish, beautiful presentation, the chef explained what each dish was when he served it. We didn't feel rushed at all and the servings were nicely spaced in time. The uni from Hokkaido was especially amazing and the toro was so good. I love omakase experiences because sometimes we're served fishes that we normally wouldn't order ourselves so it's always a new experience. Reminded us of our omakase experience in Japan and it was such a nostalgic dinner. I have recommended this to friends looking for omakase in NYC. The restaurant is also in a less touristy area so it's peaceful walking there too. So glad we found this gem!

    Reecha M.

    Oh man what an incredible time my mouth and I had here! Came here in a group of 3 celebrating a birthday and left full and happy. The dining space is semi intimate with most of it being the bar area. It's dark and the ambiance is sophisticated but still friendly. Our server was always around and polite and explained everything thoroughly. We came in on a Sunday during happy hour for drinks where all drinks were half off! Food: we got the 15 piece, 140$ omakase and it was an adventure through and through. The fish was perfectly seasoned and the portions of rice were just right. My favorites were probably the BBQ toro and the ebi(shrimp) with caviar. The fish in order were: Japanese snapper, horse mackerel, cod, toro, orange crab, ebi with caviar, Uni with caviar, barracuda, striped Jack, golden eye snapper, Alaska sake salmon, abalone, white eel, bbq toro, and sea urchin. Oh + a spicy scallop hand roll at the end which was excellent! I almost wish they had some pieces of sashimi in there but this was an extremely filing and satisfying meal. The three of us had a blast and even made new friends at the bar! I think sushi Ryusei has a good balance of quality and price when compared to the other sushi spots of equal caliber. Worth a stop for sure!

    Shrimp Shumai takeout
    Linda K.

    We had enjoyed takeout sushi from Sushi Ryusei prior to this visit and it was very good, but our in-person omakase dinner (which this review is based on) was truly superlative. Ryusei's semi-subterranean dining space is sleek, modern and chill. We sat at the pristine white sushi counter (reserved for omakase customers) and started things off with a carafe of cold junmai sake, very smooth and refreshing. The host poured our sake, a nice touch. We usually still feel a bit peckish after eating sushi at other spots around town, but not so with Sushi Ryusei's extremely generous omakase which includes 3-part appetizer, toro handroll, clam miso soup and other goodies. Especially enjoyed cold peanuts in the shell starter, perfect for a warm summer evening. Hubby opted for the premium 15 piece premium sushi omakase while I got the regular sushi and sashimi; we both agreed that my dinner offered the better value/taste - but that is just our personal opinion and both were great! My sushi/sashimi set started with four generous slices of sashimi (two lightly seared king salmon and two toro), chopped raw oyster nestled in a lovely shell decorated with an orchid, and 3 dainty fried croquettes. Scrumptious. Then our skillful chef served up the sushi, briefly explaining what each one was. Among our faves were the unbelievably rich buttery toro, flame-torched uni and botan (large shrimp). The final offering was a well stuffed toro scallion handroll, utterly amazing! I could not eat another bite after that, but hubby got his favorite dessert (green tea ice cream), two large scoops of cold creamy delight. We've had sushi in many venues and Sushi Ryusei's omakase ranks among the very best in terms of quality, presentation and value. So skip the overpriced fanfare at other trendy sushi eateries and make your way to Sushi Ryusei on East 39th Street, you won't regret it. We plan to return soon.

    Bad allergy - wondering where are the fishes from :/
    Ping T.

    I do not want say bad word about the restaurant they had good service- I posted here just try to find - if anyone else had allergy reactions from the fish last Sunday night around 7-8pm I just ordered a regular sushi - unfortunately it is my first had allergy w sushi - hope you all ok

    Tuna Avocado
    Karina G.

    Absolute delight. Fresh high quality sushi, outstanding service and lively ambiance. I wish I had them on my block, I would eat here all the time. We had tuna avocado, sushi deluxe, madai shushi ( my absolute favorite), tempura app and some wine. Everything is a good choice here.

    Stefanie Z.

    First time having omakase and glad that I spent it with Chef Oyama. Great location , service is impeccable, ambiance is modern and inviting, one of the few omakase places open on Sundays, we were here over Memorial Day weekend and lucky to find this gem after a Broadway show. 80% of fish that day was flown in from Japan , 15% from Spain, and 5% from elsewhere but I don't remember as I was getting food coma. Just one of the best seafood I've had on the east coast, highly recommended

    Appetizer Trio - Shimeji Mushroom, Red Snapper Roe, Pickled Vegetables
    Gordon Y.

    Cuisine: 7 Service: 7 Decor: 7 Value: 6 Overall: 7 Good omakase, not great, but would return if I have the itch and can't find reservations last minute at my favorite sushi spots. With that said, it's not one I would recommend if my friends were asking for the best sushi bars in NYC. Here is my $150 omakase on 7/15/19 prepared by Chef Ryusei Oyama. Extra pieces ordered are represented with * and not part of the omakase. Appetizer #1: Shimeji Mushrooms Red Snapper Roe Pickles Vegetables Sashimi: Aodai (Blue Fusilier) Shima Aji (Stripe Jack) Nama Saba (Fresh Mackerel) Chutoro (Medium Fatty Bluefin Tuna) Kumomoto Oyster Appetizer #2: Sazae (Turbon Shell - grilled) Sushi: Nodoguro (Black Throat Sea Perch) Benisake (Sockeye Salmon) Aji (Horse Mackerel) Otoro (Fatty Bluefin Tuna) Senma (Pike Mackerel) Isaki (Grunt Fish) Shiro Sake (White King Salmon) Botan Ebi (Sweet Shrimp w/ Fried Head) Aoyagi (Orange Clam - grilled) Gindara (Black Cod - grilled) Santa Barbara Uni (Sea Urchin) Hokkaido Uni (Sea Urchin) Manuke (Angry Rock Fish) Iwashi (Sardine) Kampachi (Amber Jack - belly)* Scottish Sake (Salmon)* Engawa (Fluke Fin - grilled, truffle egg yolk)* Aburi Otoro (Fatty Bluefin Tuna - grilled)* Both appetizers were lackluster and below average of a Japanese restaurant charging $150 for an omakase. The sashimi course was good but nothing special. Thankfully, the sushi was the best part of dinner, which salvaged the meal for me. Next visit, I will only be getting the sushi omakase. Overall, my first complaint was that the sushi had too much rice, but I guess it goes with the slightly larger fish pieces (not complaining here lol). Rice was also at times too sticky. Another issue for me is that the grilled pieces were overwhelmed by the strong smokiness. Tone it down a bit and it would have been amazing. Otherwise, the sushi was really pretty good.

    Seared sea perch
    Hiro S.

    As soon as I tasted the very first sushi piece - seared sea perch (Nodoguro), I knew I had to come back! It was that good... :) I have not tried a new sushi restaurant in NY for a while, and I was glad that I had a chance to try Sushi Ryusei. If you like to sit @ Sushi Bar like I do, your menu options here are omakase only (regular/premium sushi, sashimi/sushi combo). Went with premium sushi and the choice was absolutely correct! Most of fish is shipped from Japan, and I really enjoyed the variety and quality. Also had good conversation with the owner-chef Oyama-san. I was going to have dessert, but I had to order raw octopus that I saw earlier as an extra to the course which used up my remaining stomach space. Well, next time! I can tell this place will be very popular, so hurry up and make a reservation!

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    3 years ago

    Excellent spot. Traditional experience. Cozy. Friendly service. Fresh fish. Worth every penny, quick preparation.

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    2 years ago

    Excellent menu selections. It's an elegant restaurant with efficient wait staff. The sashimi is quite fresh.

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    Tensai - ebi niku udon ($18)

    Tensai

    4.3(59 reviews)
    0.6 miMidtown East

    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.

    I recently tried Tensai for dinner during the weekday and enjoyed a nice authentic Japanese udon…read more The restaurant is nestled in Midtown East NY and has several two-seater tables, but only one or two larger tables that can seat a party of 4. Very cozy restaurant and the staff were attentive and friendly. Luckily their service is very fast so my family and I didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes for a table in the back. I really enjoyed their niku udon. The broth was flavorful but not too salty. The menu offered a variety of options, all reasonably priced between $10-20, ensuring great value for the quality provided. I would come back to Tensai for some comforting Japanese udon noodles!

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    Tensai - Karaage

    Karaage

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

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    Sakagura

    Sakagura

    4.2(2k reviews)
    0.3 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!

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    Happy Friday!

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    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon

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    Katsu-Hama

    Katsu-Hama

    4.0(1.9k reviews)
    0.6 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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    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3(177 reviews)
    0.6 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

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    Sozai - Bar area

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    Izakaya MEW - Salmon Carpaccio

    Izakaya MEW

    4.3(3.3k reviews)
    0.6 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.

    Photos
    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 Ryusei - sushi - Updated September 2026

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