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    Umeko

    4.2 (62 reviews)

    Umeko Photos

    UMEKO ATMOSPHERE

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    Don Set
    Dillon G.

    damn. Umeko was phenomenal. Booked a reservation two weeks before and was so pumped to come after going to Ume, their sister restaurant, a couple of times. Everything here was so well done, and super affordable. Ordered two sets, and two orders of sushi: spicy tuna and scallop. check the pictures, these rolls were LOADED. The sets were really delicious. We opted to add uni on ours, not a must but if youre willing to splurge go for it. Frankly, I thought service was fine. They are delivering on this upscale, very sleek atmosphere, and yet our server was this young twenties (so am i), super casual and kind of awkward man who thought we were best friends. I remember him saying "I love yapping" right when he came up to us Not that this is a bad thing, but it was just a little weird. We also asked to have the sushi rolls come first before the sets, and he was unsure of how to do it. We ended up just getting everything at once which was a little dissapointing.

    Andrew C.

    Made a reservation at 6pm on a Wednesday night. By the time we got there, there was a small line that only got longer. People who tried to do walk-ins had a long wait, so definitely make a res! The decor was quaint and romantic. We ordered the salmon and tuna set. Food came rather quickly. First, the fish was so fresh. The akame zuke was deliciously flavorful. My next favorite would be the salmon zuke. So tender and almost melt in your mouth. The tuna don is also amazing with the mouth watering pieces. Overall, for $48, you get a few different cuts of fish, tea, and rice. We actually got quite full and think it's worth a visit.

    Chirashi don set
    Jad F.

    Umeko was a really solid experience overall. We ordered the Chirashi Don Set with bluefin tuna, amberjack, Hokkaido scallop, Atlantic salmon, ikura, and quail egg over rice, plus nori sheets to make your own hand rolls throughout the meal. We also tried one of the tuna-focused sets, which was really good too, but I personally preferred the Chirashi set because of the variety. Everything tasted very fresh and the quality of the fish was definitely there. The Akami Zuke was also a standout. The vibe inside was super cool nicely dim lit with some floor seating that gave the whole experience a more authentic feel. Service was good overall, although we did have to keep asking for nori refills instead of them proactively bringing more out. That said, the pricing felt very fair for the quality and amount of food you get. You definitely leave full after this meal.

    Chirashi don ($48, May 2026)
    Sarah A.

    Definitely need to make a reservation for this place. I believe it's currently trending so it's hard to make a reservation. It would be best to book early in advance or put notifications on for when bookings being available. $45 for their chirashi don is such a good deal. I left feeling full and satisfied. I like that it came with some sides as well like the pickled veggies and a small appetizer of marinated lean tuna. The hot tea was nothing special though. The tea flavor was SO faint and it really felt like it was just hot water. I would have liked a stronger tea or maybe a side of soup instead, hopefully they change that in the future. The fish was fresh and having the ikura there to pair with each bite was what made it even better. The ambiance is nice inside and feels very intimate. Servers were attentive and refilled our waters, but they also did constantly ask if we were finished (3x), which made me feel kind of rushed. I get that they probably saw the chirashi don was finished and wanted to take away our whole plate, but my friends and I were still chatting and working on the side dishes. I would definitely come back again and probably get the same chirashi don.

    Chirashi box
    Annie N.

    Made reservations for 5pm and I highly recommend making reservations since there was already a line for both those who had and those who didn't have reservation. Seating is reserved for 90 minute and the food was good. Pros: I got a table seat and I was glad I did since it was the most comfortable in my opinion. They had the floor seating where you had to take off your shoes and sit criss cross apple sauce but I think my leg would have been numb halfway through dinner. They also had a shared island bar type of seating where you're sitting next to strangers... for a more personal experience I recommend table seating. The table I was seated at was right in front of the chefs bar so I was able to see the chefs prepare the boxes right in front of us... they were efficient and it looked like a well oiled machine... PRO: food was good, service was quick, my favorite was the ikura SO SWEET CONS: not even 50 minute into our meal it felt like we were being rushed out which was off putting. While I was done with my meal my other two friends were still working on theirs and the servers came by twice to ask if they were done and they weren't... note to staff if our time isn't up and we're still working on it, no need to ask us multiple times if we are still working on it. If we're done we'll let you know. If our times up then you can let us know.‍ but we still have 40 minute left and just because I eat fast doesn't mean my friends eat fast. I wasnt a fan of the amberjack as well and their tea just tasted like boiled water to me IMO. Everyone left full snd it tasted fresh. I would be back but would love to not feel rushed.

    Chirashi don
    Ellen C.

    Umeko is the new West Village sister to Ume in Williamsburg, built around a $48 prix fixe chirashi don that changes with the season. The space is intimate, the plating is gorgeous, and you can watch the chefs assemble each don with real precision behind the counter. The food was good, but the flavor felt a little flat on its own. The roe and wasabi did most of the heavy lifting, and I really needed the nori to make each bite come together.

    Salmon don
    Candace C.

    Umeko is a reservation that is very hard to get, and it's very easy to see why! The $48 per person prix fixe don sets are an incredible value. The quality of the fish is extremely high and the portions are generous. I got the tuna set and added uni (+$18). Each person must order a set. Then as a table of 4, we added the truffle scallop and Hokkaido scallop maki. The set came with tea, two pieces of marinated tuna, pickled vegetables, nori, 3 kinds of wasabi and house-made soy sauce. The tuna don included 4 cuts/preparations of tuna. The salmon don included 3 cuts/preparations of salmon + a generous serving of salmon roe. None of us got the chirashi, but it looks amazing and if I'm lucky enough to get another reservation I would definitely try it! The set itself is a very satisfying meal, but since we were there we thought why not! The truffle scallop included a lot of shaved truffle. The Hokkaido scallop maki was recommended by our server. There were 6 pieces of maki with a pile of lightly seasoned scallops on top. The fish was fresh and delicious. Honestly, this meal was heavenly. I'll be thinking about it for some time! The restaurant has an open dining room with a counter where they prepare the sets. They have tables, shared seating around a larger island, and bamboo floor seating. It's bustling but not packed. The seats were full and it did not feel crowded. The service is friendly and efficient (they'd like dining time to be limited to 90-100 minutes, per Resy). It felt very nice with some plants inside, and it was very clean and tidy. Reservations can be made on Resy and they drop 30 days in advance. Hopefully I can get lucky again and return soon!

    Our sets
    Shirley C.

    I'd give this a 3.5, but rounding up for the tuna. We booked about a month in advance for Umeko after seeing it all over social media. When we arrived, the host checked us in and asked us to wait off to the side until our table was ready. Each person is required to order one set, either the tuna set, the chirashi set, or the salmon set. My partner chose the salmon, and I went with the tuna. The presentation was beautiful, with thoughtful sides like seasonal tea, pickled vegetables, nori sheets, akami zuke, condiments, and the main event - your don. The tuna don was the standout for me, with thick, fresh, and fatty pieces of tuna. It did get a bit rich throughout the meal, but the pickled vegetables played their role and helped balance things out as a palate cleanser. The salmon don was less enjoyable, as two of the four preparations were partially seared/cooked, which threw off the texture for me. On a positive note, the salmon roe was surprisingly good, milder and a bit sweeter compared to the overly salty versions I have had elsewhere. One thing that stood out, and I noticed others mention this too, was the lack of explanation or guidance from the staff. I appreciated the card that outlined the different components, but I would have liked a bit more guidance or interaction on how the dishes are meant to be enjoyed.

    truffle scallop
    Sophia W.

    This was actually heavenly, $48 for a set like that is amazing. I liked the chirashi don better than the tuna don, but both had such good quality fish. The o toro was my favorite! The truffle scallop was also very good. I love the little side dishes, housemade soy sauce, and different wasabi that you can try. The service was amazing, and the whole dining experience was fun and unique.

    Scallop maki
    Queenie H.

    As soon as you walk in the smell of sushi rice fills the air, in the best way. I knew it was going to be a good meal from the service and the ambiance. We sat on the bamboo style seating - it was fun for the gimmick but honestly got uncomfortable after a while so opt for table seating instead. We got the tuna and chirashi dons and added ikura. I couldn't choose which i like better. Both were so fresh and fun to eat. The quail egg on the chirashi made the dish so savory. The scallop maki was overflowing with scallop. Would definitely come again!

    Karen N.

    Beautiful space, generous portions but all prix fixe. We tried the Chirashi Don which included Amberjack (which I have never had) bluefin, tuna, salmon roll a quail, egg, scallops, and salmon. In addition, three different types of wasabi, homemade sweet sauce, tuna, and some pickled veggies. Overall, the presentation was beautiful and the restaurant has a Zen like feel. We all had to leave so the next seating could take place at a certain time for something different and maybe a special occasion. It was a fun place to try. Not sure I would wanna have it very often. Also, if you need to sit sit in a chair chair as opopop /po I/'s to on the floor without your shoes. You might wanna make a note in your reservation.

    Sal M.

    Very great and fresh fish. The ambiance was nice - i loved the trees and plants, but something about this place also felt like an elevated cafeteria of sorts.

    Rena V.

    Umeko offers a $48 platter that's loaded with fresh fish and rice, and it's honestly more than enough. Each place setting also comes with seasonal pickled sides and sheets of seaweed so you can make your own personalized sushi hand rolls, which makes the experience feel fun and interactive. The chirashi platter really has everything you need, so you don't even have to order anything extra. It's a great balance of variety, quality, and portion size. And if you're still in the mood for a quick bite after, we hit up Joe's Pizza for a classic cheese slice. It's cash only and less than a 3-minute walk, so super convenient and the perfect way to top off the meal.

    Uni, salmon eggs, crab sushi

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    2 months ago

    Incredible food, average service l. Had the Tuna don, the cirache don, and the truffle scallop.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Umeko

    Do they accept cash?

    Yes

    Do they serve alcohol at the restaurant?

    Yes they do

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    Izakaya MEW

    Izakaya MEW

    4.3
    (3.3k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    There's a reason why people have willpower for the hours-long wait here on weekends. There are many…read morerestaurants with lines that I can't say are worth waiting on, but this restaurant is worth every minute and every ounce of energy left for the wait. I've taken a lot of friends here over the course of 10 years, and without fail, every one of them has walked out mindblown--and why wouldn't they?! The wait times have gotten better over the years (probably because people are waiting for the restaurant next door), but the food and drinks here are still top-notch. Staff is always great, and they all work so efficiently. I am generally a fan of izakayas, but there are very few that offer plates that are designed to be shareable, and this is one of the reasons the food here is so enjoyable in a small group setting. I am obviously biased and think they can do no wrong, but some of my staples that have stood the test of time: Kimchi cream udon, avocado tofu salad, salmon sashimi tacos, and the kani cream croquettes. I was so excited when they opened an outpost in Flushing years ago, but sadly it shuttered during COVID. It is definitely small and there is always going to be a wait, so don't be those people who come in with a huge group during prime time because they like to move (getting customers in and out) very fast.

    I've been coming to Izakaya Mew for years and it's still great! The food is solid and the ambiance…read moreis that of a casual bar/izakaya. It can be a little tricky to find as it has a small door on the street level and is located down a flight of stairs on 35th. They have a variety of drinks such as frozen kirin beer and Japanese inspired cocktails. For food, they have a large variety of Japanese classics from sushi, skewers, fried dishes, and noodles/rice. My favorites here are the Omu Soba which has some tasty noodles inside and the salmon don which has some sashimi and sauce over rice!

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll
    Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll
    Scallop Uni Butter Skewer

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    Scallop Uni Butter Skewer
    Raku

    Raku

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    This location in particular is very small…read more Niku udon - super chewy and flavorful noodles! Broth had a lot of flavor this time too! Meat had one good piece but rest was too dry and/or too fatty 4.5/5 Shrimp tempura - a bit oily but still good! Shrimp is soft and bouncy but wish it was bigger in comparison to the tempura 2.75/5

    Raku is a Japanese udon restaurant in the East Village that focuses on handmade udon noodles and…read morecarefully prepared dishes built around simple, comforting flavors. We walked into a cozy, intimate space that felt more like a traditional Japanese noodle shop than a large restaurant, with a warm, understated energy that kept the attention on the food. The dining room was modest and inviting, with a layout that accommodated a steady flow of customers, and the focus was clearly on the quality of the noodles and the care that went into each bowl. The udon was the highlight of the meal. The noodles had a thick, chewy texture that showed the difference between freshly made udon and typical packaged noodles, and the broth was flavorful without feeling too heavy, with a savory depth that paired well with the noodles. We ordered a few different bowls and found the shrimp tempura udon standing out, with the tender shrimp, crispy tempura coating, and rich broth coming together in a way that felt complete. The restaurant also offers different styles of udon, including hot and cold options, which gave us good variety depending on what we were looking for. Beyond the udon, Raku has a selection of additional dishes that complement the meal. The menu keeps the focus on Japanese comfort food, and the smaller dishes made it easy to add something extra without taking away from the main bowl. We appreciated that the restaurant does not overcomplicate the food and instead focuses on getting the fundamentals right. The dining experience is more relaxed and intimate, though the space is limited and can get busy during peak hours. Reservations are helpful, especially during popular dining times, and seating can feel a little tight because of the smaller layout. Despite the size, the atmosphere works well for enjoying a slower meal centered around a warm bowl of udon. The staff moved through the room with a quiet efficiency, and the pacing of the meal kept the experience smooth and unhurried. Overall, Raku is a great spot for anyone looking for high-quality udon in NYC. The handmade noodles, flavorful broths, and simple approach to Japanese comfort food make it stand out. It is the type of restaurant we would return to when craving a satisfying bowl of noodles rather than a more casual ramen-style meal.

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    Entrance
    Entrance
    Agedashi Tofu (@joeynht)
    Agedashi Tofu (@joeynht)
    Chicken Tatsuta-Age

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    Chicken Tatsuta-Age
    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3
    (166 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    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!

    Very clean space with comfortable seating…read more Fried Squid legs - fried well, would order this if I were in the mood for it. Ube Fried potatoes - fried well with a nice sauce. Nothing out of the ordinary. Pork Katsu - okay, pork was a little dry. Probably would not order this again. Ton Toro Yaki - grilled pork neck. This was very tender and unique. I would order this again. Mentaiko pasta - sphaghetti with spicy cod roe and bacon. This was rich but very tasty. I think this is more of a side, not a main meal. Cold soba green tea - I really liked this for a hot summer day. The noodles were firm and topped with salmon and roe. Again it is more of a side dish and not a main entree. Wafu mushroom - sauteed sphagetti. I didn't really like this one, the flavor was off for me. Sukiyaki beef udon - this has great flavor and had a lot of accoutrements. I would order this again. Great place for quality food. I would return.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sake Clam Miso
    Sake Clam Miso
    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

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    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

    Umeko - japanese - Updated July 2026

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