This place is very nondescript and you can easily walk by without noticing it's a short flight down the stairs. The decor is very simple, there is seating at sushi counter and a couple of tables. We came in around 9pm, when things were winding down so it was not very busy. We went with the omakasi special. The food came out pretty quickly, we started out with some soba noodles in a delicious peanut sauce. The sashimi was very fresh and the fish sizes were quite generous. My favorites were the sea urchin, fatty tuna and shrimp, but really all of the seafood was good. My friend who is Japanese pointed out that the staff here is not Japanese. Although the seafood was great, it was not as aesthetically pleasing due to the long uneven style cut of the fish. The rice was also not as great as you would find in a traditional Japanese sushi restaurant. The service was good and the price was great for the quality and quantity of what we ate. read more

Yama - Omakasi special - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Walked in on Monday night and got seated right away. Quick and friendly service. There were a few others around and the vibe was nice and chill/calming. They have a variety of foods and they were honestly so good. The prices were pretty cheap too for how good the sushi was ! Little hidden spot being downstairs but so worth the visit ! read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent portions, fresh fish, and great service. Everyone working here is so kind. I have been here 4 times in 1 week and have taken all my church friends. read more

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Funny enough, when I looked up Yama to write my review, I realized I ate here a few years ago... and ordered the exact same thing! Not the most surprisingly considering both times I dined with my uncle who is a creature of habit, but I hardly remembered that I ate here before, much less what I ordered. I ordered the Nabeyaki Udon while my uncle ordered a mix of different sushi pieces (fish + rice). I ordered one toro sushi. We started off with house salads, which were decent portions and had good dressing. I loved how hot my broth was, as it stayed hot throughout the entire dinner. I wished the shrimp tempura was left on the side because it got soggy quickly; I wished I could taste the crispiness of the tempura:( My uncle enjoyed his sushi selection, however I didn't love my piece of toro. Not sure if it's because I waited halfway through the meal or not, but the toro had a bland taste and watery somehow. I loved my udon soup, but wasn't a big fan of the sushi, so for that I give a 4/5. Service was very nice! read more

Yama - sushi - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Solid decent low frills sushi. I have not been inside in many years, last time I sat outside - negative ambiance and the place seems to be shrinking and smells of anything fried in the restaurant linger, but great service and decent reasonably priced sushi. We started with the spicey tuna on crispy rice - yum; moved on to a yellow tail roll with scallion and two specialty rolls - tuna, yellowtail, avocado and cucumber and another one with seaweed - both were good. I should probably have stopped at two, but everything was solid. I will happily go back. read more

Great sushi spot. Reasonably priced and tasty. Fast service. Can get loud inside but I've sat outside when the weather's nice, or taken to-go when I only have a little time. I do wish they were open for lunch hours, but that almost makes me look forward to dinner more! read more

Yama - Sweet Potato roll, Special Roll No. 9 (veggie), California Roll - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

One of my favorites. Excellent quality sushi at moderate prices. Sushi fish are large, very fresh and delicious. Service is fast, and professional. I also like EDO, but this place is better. The soft shell crab was fantastic, one of the best I have had. Soft shell crab can often be a dissappointment when you know what it can taste like. Yama's SSC was perfect and super super fresh. Go there for lunch or early dinner as they can tend to get very packed and the place is not too big. read more

Yama - Soft Shell Crab - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Still fantastic each time I return even after 20 years! Love their rolls, spicy sauce n freshness! So yummy. read more

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Break down- 5+ stars for convenient location 5+ stars for affordability 5+ stars for swift service 5+ stars to the 3 chefs who remained standing for hours and busting their chops, "hand rolling" nonstop the sushi/sashimi like what Asians are known for at a manufacturer assembly line with accuracy- sorta like "I love Lucy" making her chocolates, but these with perfection! 3 stars in ambiance (plain and old) 3.5 stars in sushi grade quality - it ain't Nobu, not even Nori hand-roll grade of seaweed or taste (but when I gotta have my sushi fix, they are much better than the normal regular sushi places that needs to hide their sushi in sauce. These are better) Why 4 stars cause they actually deserved it for the price point for this sushi grade and had excellent servers/service. Will return! read more

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Been going here for 30+ yrs. Local secret spot. Consistently delivery amazing sushi at reasonable prices. Huge pieces. The spicy tuna rolls are the things that dreams are made of. Love this place so much. read more

Simple and delicious location. Had the yasai (vegetarian) gyoza, veggie rolls, and a tuna/hamachi roll. Really tasty and fresh! Simple location with good flavor. Just know that the rolls are really big! My party was not prepared for that! read more

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Our experience at YAMA inside Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun was nothing short of extraordinary. As Las Vegas locals who dine frequently at world-renowned restaurants -- including LAVO, STK, ZUMA, Ocean Prime, Mayfair, among many other 5-star establishments -- we hold very high standards. And yet, YAMA not only met those expectations... it surpassed them. From the moment we were seated, the service was exceptional. Rafael and Alexis provided a level of attention, grace, and professionalism that rivaled the finest dining rooms in the world. Every detail was anticipated, every course perfectly timed, and their warm approach elevated our evening into something truly unforgettable. A special highlight of the night was meeting Chef Freddy, who personally visited our table. He shared the story behind YAMA's concept -- how the owner sent him on a culinary journey to Tokyo to learn, refine, and bring back the most exquisite, exotic, and authentic Japanese techniques, beautifully fused with a touch of Mexican artistry. A menu that is fresh, innovative, vibrant, and visually stunning. Every dish was plated like a piece of art -- colorful, elegant, and bursting with flavor. We were genuinely impressed and delighted by the harmony of flavors, the elegance of the presentation, and the impeccable service. YAMA embodies the true meaning of fine dining: world-class cuisine, flawless execution, and a team that goes above and beyond. To the entire YAMA team -- thank you for an extraordinary evening. This restaurant easily compares to the most exclusive 5-star dining experiences we enjoy in Las Vegas. A must-visit culinary destination at Le Blanc Cancun. Highly recommended read more

Excellent sushi rolls, attentive waitstaff and relaxed atmosphere with no frills environment. My favorite rolls are the Special 5 roll which has spicy Mayo and generous amounts of salmon packed inside. The inside out version of Special 5 roll is also delicious. Other favorites are the twin tuna crispy and the shrimp tempura special 8 roll. A relaxed no-frills atmosphere on the ground floor with cozy quarters (entryway has some steps down). Nice to sit at the sushi bar and has two separate areas for seating - tables are placed close to each other - cozy atmosphere with delicious sushi. read more

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I was genuinely excited to try a sushi place nearby and given that it's been around decades we figured they had to be doing something right. Sadly we were quite disappointed. Let's dive in: Fish Sushi Rolls (2/5): The eel cucumber roll was fine. The eel was bland even with the sauce added and the cucumber was, well, cucumber. The roll however was falling apart. The spicy salmon roll was just salmon in a roll with spicy sauce poured on top - not how I usually see this and was not a fan of this method. The sauce was thin and runny. And - shocker - the roll was falling apart too. Vegetarian Sushi Rolls (2/5): Sadly, it wasn't just the fish rolls which were poorly rolled -- the vegetarian ones were also genuinely falling apart. The AAC roll was missing the avocado and the asparagus was bland and overcooked. Meanwhile, for the oshinko roll we added some cucumber and it was okay. But again falling apart - all of them ... Edamame (2/5): This was fine, nothing to write home about. No vinegary dipping sauce like some places provide. No salt on the edamame. Not impressed. Pork Gyoza Dumplings (3/5): The best dish of the meal and nothing fancy about them. Decent flavor and they were correctly pan fried. TL;DR: We will be walking the extra 20 blocks (or more likely using delivery) to order from our preferred sushi place - because Yama is certainly not taking that spot. read more

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I've been coming to Yama regularly since I used to work around the corner from it back in 2005, and it's criminal that I have not reviewed it on Yelp before (although I have reviewed it on other sites). It has remained my absolute favorite sushi restaurant for almost 20 years, ever since I first experienced their No. 5 roll. I have introduced many friends and family members to it, and every single one of them has been blown away. I should note that the ambiance is very casual and unassuming, and it hasn't changed throughout the years. The place is tucked away in the lower level of a residential building on Irving and East 17th. You would never know by looking at it from the outside that an epic journey of deliciousness awaits on the inside. The space is not large, and there is often times a wait, but they do offer outdoor patio dining now, and the staff is so efficient that the tables turn around quickly. Many of the employees here have been with the restaurant for years/decades, so they are on point and keep things moving while also offering a friendly smile and greeting when they see you (especially if you're a repeat customer). I haven't worked in the area for a long time but still try to visit Yama as often as possible, because I have yet to find another sushi spot that I love as much. I would choose Yama over the most high end omakase spots I've visited in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, hands down. read more

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Classic local place that is kept in my heart - the dish I always get here is the hamachi crudo app w yuzu, radish ....it's memorable and delicious. I always tilt the plate and drink the sauce. So good! read more

Dark interior but solid sushi! Service is okay- a little spotty. Have been a few times and always want it to be better

Visually you wouldn't think much of this place - small and not much of an ambiance but what it lacks in decor - it makes up for in food. The waiter was attentive and food was brought out quickly. Everything we tried was wonderful. Even basics like a house salad with ginger sauce. Broiled salmon teriyaki was excellent! Sushimi platter was fresh and good, same with sushi platter for two. And to wrap things up - cannot recommend enough fried green tea ice cream! read more

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Yama sushi is a reputable place given their long-term presence in Gramercy and their high quality yet affordable priced Japanese cuisine. The food was good but the wait time is longer than expected because the chefs are preparing delivery orders. The workers are not talkative. They aren't rude either, nor friendly - they kind of just want the turnaround time to be quick. The space is very limited so there will be a wait time. read more

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Food was delicious- everything we wanted and it was expertly prepared. Daughter had sushi and the presentation was beautiful and she said it was some of the best sushi she ever had. Fresh & delicious. Other daughter and I each had Chicken Teriyaki- the portions were so generous and everything was fantastic. Will go back next time we are in the area. read more

If you're looking for a city get away, Yama provides that by being tucked away... underground! Good sushi, slightly pricey but the good service makes up for it. read more

Best Japanese food ever! Dined for the first time tonight here with my parents - who love it just as much as they did 30 years ago.

A long time family favorite, this cozy sushi spot nails it when it comes to fresh, delicious fish. We started with a few appetizers such as the carpaccio, tuna tartar, hotate Mille fille, all delicious. The rolls were yummy, the i like eel roll is wrapped in cucumber and the special roll #2 was good. Don't forget to order the fried green tea ice cream as well to finish! read more

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I used to come here all the time when I was very young with family but would only eat udon at that age haha. This was my first time back since and now I actually eat sushi haha. I was not disappointed at all. This is a very small restaurant in the basement so be sure to call ahead or be prepared to wait in a line that goes out the door. At first it may appear that the menu is pricey but you will soon understand when your food arrives. All of the fish is crazy fresh & tender with no fishiness at all. Normally I find sushi places load up on rice and give you very little fish. Yama's is the exact opposite. The sushi is stuffed with more fish than rice which I love. I was very impressed. Next time I'm craving sushi in the city and want a sit down dinner, I will return here. read more

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Yama delivers authentic sushi with fast service in a pristine environment. The flavors are genuine and delectable, providing a true taste of Japan. The efficient staff ensures a smooth and enjoyable dining experience. read more

Delicious, really fresh sushi. Good service and relaxed pleasant atmosphere. My favorite

It was ok! The fish was ok Not very juicy and fresh. Also the Asian elderly guy with bald hair he is super super super rude! NOT FRIENDLY at all. This is my first time and last time. If he doesn't like his job just quick. I couldn't hear him very well at first. So I was like I'm sorry can you please reply? I didn't hear you. Then he raise up his rude voice and he showed his attitude. I was like what did I do? Why you are showing me your NASTY attitude?! Jesus, I will tell all my friends and I will NEVER return. Good luck and BYE Xoxo read more

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This was my first time here. My friend took me here. I was so, not impressed, but didn't say anything. I know this is a very old, popular establishment, BUT, first impression is everything. The interior needs to be revamped. Old, worn, dirty red carpeting, huge decayed, brown, large chairs, n tables: too large for low ceiling basement restaurant. Very tight and claustrophobic. Dingy walls. The Frier was broken. We were told this when ordering. We could not order 1/2 the items we wanted. FISH WAS VERY FRESH but presentation n plates were nothing to write home about. Japonica is way better as so light n airy n pretty establishment to patron. I do like to give good reviews but when 2 people spend almost $140 on dinner, the food, presentation, ambience n decor should reflect. I felt as if I was eating in a college dorm room. It was also extremely loud. Sorry Yama read more

Went here with my family of four after a co-worker raved about the place. I was underwhelmed (could've been the food, my high expectations or both!) We shared an appetizer of calamari and it was the most chewy calamari I've ever indulged in. Lesson learned: only order calamari at Thai restaurants. We also ordered miso soup which was very rich in flavor. We each got a variety of hand rolled sushi. I got the only vegan option which was bland in my opinion but understandably so because who gets sushi without raw fish? lol My family who are big sushi eaters were also underwhelmed by their dishes. They described it as "Just okay" The service was great and attentive and the small interior made for an intimate dining experience. Highlight of the night: two customers sitting next to us taught my family and I to use chopsticks! read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I've eaten at Yama many times and it has always been great. Last night I ordered for delivery and it came as a disgusting mess. Not sure who's to blame, the restaurant or the delivery service, but someone didn't care about the customer on the other side. read more

Some of the best sashimi I've had on the east coast. The place is a little warm down and hard to find but absolutely worth it! Enjoy.

Reasonably priced sushi joint on Irving. We joined for restaurant week - nice variety. The dressing for the salad was pretty thick, and I'd have loved a tiny bit more seasoning to the rice. Otherwise fresh fish, and yummy sake. read more

Yama - Restaurant week menu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I have been visiting Yama (both locations) for many years. It has always been my "go to" sushi place in the city. I liked both locations for different reasons. The Yama on 49th street has yet to disappoint me but yesterday this location (17th street) did just that. So as we always do, we went there yesterday. First, the place had a pungent scent of sewer and garbage. That alone should have been a reason to get up and leave. However, knowing the quality of the food, I decided to stay because I enjoy the rolls and hand rolls there. Next, the waiter was extremely rude. At first I was a bit indecisive about what I wanted to drink. He seemed very impatient and irritated. The food- we ordered the spicy tuna crispy rice appetizer and our usual rolls and spicy yellowtail hand rolls. We also got a bunch of different pieces. We ordered the Special no 7 (with scallop), spicy king crab roll, twin tuna crisp, and a spicy tuna roll. If you're one to complain about the amount of rice in a roll, this place is not for you. They add an exceptionally large amount of rice and the pieces of the roll are huge. I just eat as much of the rice as I can and then enjoy the inside. I have nothing negative to say about the quality of food except that it lacked the WOW factor I usually get from it. They have the best spicy mayo. So that def didn't change. I'll be visiting the 49th street location from now on. It is more clean, welcoming and the ambience is much better. read more

Yama - Spicy tuna crispy rice - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Yama has been in my mind lately. Tonight I had a chance to revisit my most favorite sushi place from years ago. When I saw Omakese on the menu, I got very excited. My memories told me that I was always happy with the food there, so I ordered it. BUT.... :( However, my omakase was not what I had in mind. I expected a little extra special sushi than simple sushi pieces (see picture). If I had known, I would have better off order rolls or something else. Oh well, I probably would NOT return there for omakase. Yama offers good sushi for the price, big pieces, big rolls, etc. you would probably enjoy it if you are hungry and on a budget. It's kind of sad that I left the place feeling unhappy after spending almost $90 Omakase 60 + hot sake 6 + tax + tip. This piece is for 1 person. read more

Yama - Omakase** 10pc for $60 + mise soup and a small blow noodles - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

So gross. As a 30 plus year customer, it's time to say farewell. When a restaurant can't so much as change a carpet or add a fresh coat of paint to their place, it's obvious they aren't concerned with their patrons. The kitchen looked filthier than ever when I peeked in on way to bathroom. Maybe i'm just getting old and cranky and my stomach issues after the last 2 visits are just me, but it's time to move on from this dump. Sooo sad but it's just too disgusting in there to keep making excuses. read more

Great quality, really good sushi for the price. I always get take out bc they always seem to have a long line out the door but my go to for takeout sushi. read more

One of my favorite sushi spots in Manhattan - and I'd venture to say it's one of my best-kept secrets. The sushi is SO good, they could charge 3x the price but I'm so glad they don't. All of the portions are massive (one piece of nigiri would easily be two at another restaurant). Note that the Union Sq location is a much more low-key hole-in-the-wall type of place while the midtown east location is a bit more upscale - but same menu and incredible food! We usually order some soup, crispy rice with spicy tuna, a kani salad, and split some nigiri. Simple and perfect. read more

Yama - Salmon and Yellow Tail nigiri, California Roll, Spicy salmon avocado Roll - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Oh Yama, I used to come here with my family two decades ago. My parents would swear by this place having some of the best sushi, at a low price tag. Some things don't change, including the interior. I mean yeah, Yama defintiely needs a facelift, but the sushi is excellent...and priced really well. Make a reservation, this place fills up. I was here at 7pm on a Saturday and it was already packed. My friend and I each ordered a glass of plum wine and it was SO good. Get it, it's $6 and delicious. All the combos come with either a soup or a salad, and I ordered a miso soup along with my sushi and sashimi platter. I typically don't like miso soup, but this one was fantastic, as was the sushi. Fresh, plentiful, great. We also shared the shumai as an appetizer and it was standard. All this, for $67 total. A bargain in Manhattan. read more

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Terrible service .. bad attitude throughout the whole meal.. no "thank you" or any elements of normal expected service. Need to be more attentive. Sushi good not great .. questioned the tip when he was lucky to even receive one read more

First time trying this place and it was so good! We've always walked by wondering how it was and finally went for dinner tonight. Got there at 7pm and sat outside... there was no one there when we got there but by the time we left there were people waiting to be seated!! We brought our dog and they kindly gave us a container of water for him. Our waiter Nishio was so kind and friendly! You could tell they were very busy and running around as they were busy but made sure to keep checking in on the tables. We got our apps within 5 minutes after ordering- super quick. We got.... - edamame - miso soup - soba salad - harumaki - spicy tuna on crispy rice - mango salmon roll - California roll - jalapeño special 1 roll Total came out to $78 after taxes. We were very satisfied... 2 thumbs up! Everything was delicious... all of the fish tasted so fresh. They have such a good menu I can't wait to come back again soon and try more things. read more

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